TAZO Organic Awake English Breakfast Black Tea (6-Pack, 96 Bags)

Yes, it's both USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified. The organic certification means the tea is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, and fair trade ensures the farmers and workers in the supply chain receive fair compensation. Reviewers who care about sourcing quality specifically call this out as an appealing factor, especially at this price point — getting organic, fair trade tea at under 30 cents per bag is genuinely good value.

Yes — some reviewers mention getting a second cup from the same bag. The second steep will be noticeably lighter and mellower than the first, but that can actually be nice if you want a less intense afternoon cup. Just use fresh boiling water and steep a bit longer the second time around. Don't expect the same bold punch, but it's a good way to stretch your value beyond the already-reasonable cost per bag.

It's one of the best beginner black teas you can pick. Three things make it beginner-friendly: it's very forgiving with steep times (you won't ruin it by leaving the bag in too long), it produces consistent and predictable results every time, and the familiar English Breakfast style is approachable without being bland. Reviewers even mention it works well as an introduction for non-tea drinkers. The individually wrapped bags also keep things simple — no measuring or tea accessories needed.

What sets TAZO Awake apart from standard English Breakfast blends is the combination of bold intensity with smoothness. Many breakfast teas go bitter quickly if over-steeped, but TAZO Awake is notably forgiving — reviewers highlight that you can leave the bag in without punishment. It also has distinctive herbaceous and slightly spicy notes alongside the classic malty character, giving it more personality than generic breakfast blends. Add in the organic and fair trade certifications, and it's a cut above most grocery store options.

TAZO Awake already has a bold, malty flavor with slightly spicy and herbaceous notes, so it's a solid starting point. Reviewers consistently mention that it takes milk and cream beautifully without losing its flavor — that's actually one of its standout qualities. A splash of milk and a touch of honey or sugar turns it into a proper English breakfast cup. Some drinkers also get a second steep out of the same bag for a lighter afternoon cup.

TAZO Awake brews best with boiling or near-boiling water (around 200-212°F). Steep for 3-5 minutes depending on how bold you like it. One thing reviewers love about this tea is that it's very forgiving — you can leave the bag in a bit longer without it turning excessively bitter, which makes it great if you get distracted during your morning routine. If you take milk or cream, steep on the longer side since the bold flavor holds up well with dairy.

TAZO Awake is actually excellent for milk tea — its bold, full-bodied flavor is specifically noted by reviewers as being strong enough to hold up to milk and cream without getting washed out. Steep the bag for a full 5 minutes in boiling water to get maximum strength, then add your milk of choice. The malty, slightly spicy notes pair especially well with whole milk or oat milk. For a British-style breakfast cup, add milk while still hot. For a creamier version, try heating the milk first.

Absolutely. With around 75mg of caffeine per cup, TAZO Awake lives up to its name. Reviewers regularly use it for morning energy and afternoon productivity boosts, particularly for focus during writing or work. That said, this also means it's not a great evening choice — the caffeine content is high enough that drinking it late in the day could definitely interfere with sleep.

This is worth knowing about: at least one reviewer has noted inconsistency between batches, specifically mentioning differences between 'orange tag' and 'red tag' versions. It's unclear whether this reflects a recipe change, a packaging update, or normal batch variation. The vast majority of reviews praise the consistent, bold flavor, so this appears to be uncommon, but if you notice a difference from what you're used to, you're not imagining things.

Skip this tea if: you primarily want iced tea (it doesn't perform as well cold), you prefer delicate or subtle tea flavors (this is unapologetically bold), you're looking for an evening relaxation tea (the ~75mg caffeine will keep you up), or you're a loose-leaf purist looking for single-origin complexity. It's a fantastic daily-driver breakfast tea, but it's not trying to be everything to everyone.

You can, but it's not this tea's strong suit. Reviewers note that TAZO Awake doesn't perform as well iced as it does hot — the bold, malty characteristics that make it a great hot breakfast tea don't translate as smoothly when chilled. If you want to try it, brew double-strength (two bags per cup) and pour over ice, since the ice dilutes the flavor. But honestly, if iced tea is your main goal, you might want to look at teas specifically blended for cold brewing.

Based on both research and what TAZO Awake drinkers specifically report: 1) Morning energy boost without the coffee jitters — the ~75mg caffeine provides steady alertness. 2) Easier on the stomach than coffee — multiple reviewers switched for this reason. 3) Supports focus and productivity — drinkers use it during work and writing sessions. 4) Antioxidants from black tea polyphenols support heart health. 5) No nausea — reviewers note TAZO Awake doesn't cause the stomach upset other breakfast teas can. Some drinkers also mention potential blood pressure benefits, though that's more anecdotal.

The biggest mistakes are using water that's not hot enough (black tea needs full boiling or near-boiling water) and steeping too short. Under-steeped black tea tastes thin and watery. The good news with TAZO Awake is that the most common mistake — over-steeping — is less of an issue here. Reviewers note it's very forgiving; leaving the bag in longer than intended doesn't turn it excessively bitter like many black teas. Other common mistakes: storing tea near strong-smelling foods (tea absorbs odors), and using old tea bags past their prime.

Among common tea types, matcha typically has the most caffeine per serving (around 70-140mg depending on preparation), followed by black teas. TAZO Awake sits at the higher end for black tea at approximately 75mg per cup — comparable to some matcha servings and significantly more than green tea (25-50mg) or white tea (15-30mg). If you specifically want a high-caffeine tea bag option without the fuss of matcha preparation, TAZO Awake is one of the stronger options available.

You don't actually boil the tea itself — bring your water to a full boil, then pour it over the tea bag. Steep for 3-5 minutes. TAZO Awake is notably forgiving with steep times compared to many black teas, so even if you go a minute or two over, it won't turn punishingly bitter. That said, 4 minutes is the sweet spot most drinkers land on for that bold, full-bodied flavor without too much astringency.

No, coffee generally has more caffeine — a typical 8oz cup of coffee runs 95-200mg, while TAZO Awake English Breakfast comes in around 75mg per cup. That said, many reviewers specifically switched to this tea from coffee because it still provides a solid morning energy boost without the jitters or stomach issues that coffee can cause. Think of it as about 60-75% of coffee's caffeine kick, but with a gentler, more sustained energy curve.

TAZO Awake has approximately 75mg of caffeine per cup, compared to roughly 95-200mg in a standard cup of coffee. It's on the higher end for black tea, which is why reviewers frequently call it a great coffee replacement. Multiple people mention getting a reliable morning energy boost without the nausea, jitters, or stomach upset they experienced with coffee.

47mg is a moderate amount — it's about half a cup of coffee. For context, TAZO Awake English Breakfast actually contains more than that, coming in around 75mg per cup, which puts it at the higher end for black tea. If you're caffeine-sensitive, 47mg might feel noticeable, but most adults can handle 400mg per day without issues. TAZO Awake's 75mg gives a clear energy boost that reviewers compare favorably to coffee.

Drinking black tea like TAZO Awake daily is generally considered safe and may even offer benefits. Reviewers who drink it every morning report sustained energy, better focus, and that it's easier on the stomach than daily coffee. Black tea contains antioxidants and has been linked to heart and gut health in studies. Some TAZO Awake drinkers have even noted it may help with blood pressure management, though you'd want to discuss that with your doctor. Just be mindful of the ~75mg caffeine per cup if you're having multiple cups.

Black tea can be comforting when you're under the weather — the warmth soothes sore throats, and the caffeine can help with headaches and fatigue. TAZO Awake's ~75mg caffeine might be a bit much if you're trying to rest, though. Black tea also contains tannins that may help settle an upset stomach. If you're sick and want something gentler, you might steep it shorter for a lighter cup. That said, herbal teas (ginger, chamomile) are generally better choices when you're actually ill.

Both have solid health benefits, just different profiles. Green tea gets more headlines for its antioxidant EGCG, while black tea has theaflavins and thearubigins that support heart health and gut bacteria. TAZO Awake's advantage is its higher caffeine content (~75mg), which makes it more effective as a morning energy source. If you're choosing purely for health, green tea edges ahead slightly in antioxidant research, but if you want a bold, satisfying daily driver that also gives you a real caffeine boost, a quality black tea like TAZO Awake is a great choice.

Black tea has some research supporting a modest role in weight management — the polyphenols may help support gut bacteria and metabolism. But honestly, no tea is a magic weight loss solution. Where TAZO Awake can genuinely help is as a zero-calorie coffee replacement. If you're currently drinking sugary lattes or adding lots of cream to coffee, switching to a bold black tea that's satisfying on its own (or with just a splash of milk) can meaningfully cut daily calories.

There's no single 'number one' — it depends on what you're looking for. Darjeeling is often called the 'champagne of teas,' Assam is prized for malty strength, and Ceylon for its bright, clean flavor. TAZO Awake English Breakfast is a blend that prioritizes bold, consistent flavor and everyday drinkability over single-origin rarity. What sets it apart is the combination of bold taste, forgiving brewing, organic certification, and fair trade sourcing — all at under 30 cents per bag in this bulk pack. It's not a rare connoisseur tea, but for a daily driver, reviewers find it consistently excellent.

Rather than one 'healthiest brand,' look for organic certification and clean sourcing — which TAZO Awake has (it's both organic and fair trade certified). Organic means fewer pesticide residues, and fair trade ensures responsible sourcing. Beyond the brand, how you drink it matters more: black tea without loads of sugar is inherently healthy, and TAZO Awake's bold flavor means many drinkers find it satisfying without sweetener. The 75mg caffeine also makes it functional for energy and focus.