L-Theanine

A non-protein amino acid found naturally in tea leaves (Camellia sinensis), responsible for the umami taste of green tea and for the characteristic calm-focus quality of tea-derived caffeine consumption. Crosses the blood-brain barrier and elevates alpha-wave brain activity.

White to off-white crystalline powder. Highly water-soluble. Heat-stable through standard supplement-manufacturing temperatures and pH-stable across the beverage range.

We supply food-grade L-Theanine from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production. Both synthetic L-Theanine (enzymatic conversion from L-glutamine and ethylamine) and tea-derived natural L-Theanine grades are available.

Common market grades include 98 percent and 99 percent purity synthetic L-Theanine (the volume-market standard), 20 percent and 40 percent natural L-Theanine extracted from green tea (for clean-label and tea-derived positioning), and Pharmaceutical-Grade material meeting JP and CP monographs.

Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering assay, specific rotation (confirming L-isomer), related substances, residual solvents, heavy metals, and microbiology.

L-Theanine was first isolated from gyokuro green tea by Yajiro Sakato in 1949 and identified as the principal contributor to the umami character of high-grade Japanese teas. Industrial production at supplement scale developed in the 1990s as the cognitive and relaxation literature accumulated.

Modern commercial production is by enzymatic conversion of L-glutamine and ethylamine using glutaminase from Pseudomonas nitroreducens or by direct fermentation, yielding the natural L-isomer at high purity. Tea-leaf extraction remains commercially relevant for premium clean-label and traceable-origin positioning, although yields are an order of magnitude lower than fermentation.

Recognised as Generally Recognized as Safe by the U.S. FDA (GRAS notice GRN 209 in 2007), approved as a food and supplement ingredient by EFSA, and approved as a Food for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU) ingredient in Japan.

L-Theanine elevates alpha-wave brain activity at doses from 100 to 200 mg, supporting an alert-but-relaxed state without sedation. Combined with caffeine (typically at a 2:1 theanine-to-caffeine ratio) the ingredient delivers the cognitive benefits of caffeine while substantially reducing the jitter, anxiety, and cardiovascular signature of caffeine alone, which underpins the dominant commercial application in modern nootropic and gaming-focused energy drinks.

The natural-versus-synthetic distinction is the principal commercial differentiator in the premium segment. Synthetic L-Theanine delivers identical molecular structure and clinical activity at substantially lower cost; tea-derived L-Theanine supports clean-label and traceable-origin marketing positions but at substantially higher cost per kg.

• Sleep-quality and relaxation supplements; the leading single application
• Caffeine-pairing energy products and nootropic stacks; reduces caffeine jitter while preserving focus
• Stress and anxiety supplements positioned for daytime use without sedation
• Functional beverages including RTD teas, calming drinks, and gaming-focused energy drinks
• Cognitive-performance and attention supplements
• Children's calm-focus products in age-appropriate dosing
• Premium chocolate and confectionery with calm-positioning
• Chewing gum and lozenges for stress-management retail