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9 Best K-Cup Tea Pods Tea Fanatics and Newbies will Love

By Katie Schenk,

Home / Food & Drink
Best K-Cup Tea

After 9 hours of research evaluating 34 products, we picked Bigelow Green Tea Keurig K-Cup Pods as our top choice.

The iconic Keurig coffee maker is mostly associated with…coffee, right? Well, it’s not only for java drinkers, that’s for sure. Tea-lovers can get on board the k-cup train as there are plenty of black, green and specialty tea cups for Keurig brewer machines out there.

Tea drinkers are famously picky, so choosing a tea-centric Keurig k-cup is serious business. We’ve reviewed the best tea k-cup options on the market, based on taste and value (the cornerstones of a good k-cup!). We look at strength, notes, and flavor characteristics (sweet? fruity? bitter?). We’ve also got your back in the eco department, identifying the recyclable status of each cup.

Our top pick for the best tea k-cup is the Bigelow Green Tea. Tasty, fresh green tea, recyclable pods, and an ethical company? What more could you want. (Well, you might want black tea…and we’ve got plenty of those!).

RELATED: 15 Best Tasting K-Cup Coffee Flavors

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

#1 Best Recyclable Green Tea K-Cups
Bigelow Green Tea Keurig K-Cup Pods

Bigelow Green Tea Keurig K-Cup Pods

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  • An ethical and environmentally responsible family company
  • Recyclable k-cups for all Keurig machines
  • Pure green tea k-cups, with no sweetener or flavor
    Pros Cons

    These tea cups can be a little tricky to get your hands on, but it's worth it when you do.

    Product Ratings

    Taste

    9.8/10

    An earthy green tea cup, untainted by sweeteners or additives. Perfect cup for pure green tea lover.

    Value

    9.8/10

    These are mid-range, neither super cheap nor expensive.

    Overall Editor Score

    9.8/10
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    #2 Best Smooth-Tasting English Breakfast Tea K-Cup
    Celestial Seasonings English Breakfast Black Tea

    Celestial Seasonings English Breakfast Black Tea

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    • Blended with tea from Assam and Kenya for a strong tea flavor
    • Orthodox union kosher and Ethical Trade certified tea
    • A smooth take on English Breakfast with very little bitterness
      Pros Cons

      A smooth English Breakfast tea blend with floral characteristics and minimal bitterness.

      These tea keurig cups would be almost perfect if they were compostable.

      Product Ratings

      Taste

      9.8/10

      Celestial creates a classic black tea with a smooth flavor without that bitter aftertaste associated with certain black tea varieties. Perfect for a cup of pure black tea without milk or sugar.

      Value

      9.8/10

      These are fairly priced compared to other English Breakfast k-cups.

      Overall Editor Score

      9.8/10
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      #3 Best Iced Tea K-Cups
      Lipton Iced Tea K-Cup Pods

      Lipton Iced Tea K-Cup Pods

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      • Refreshing, unsweetened iced tea for hot climates
      • No calories or carbs in each cup (not even one)
      • Made with Rainforest Alliance Certified teas
        Pros Cons

        Fresh black tea leaves (including that caffeine hit!) designed to be sipped cold, without the added sugar or calories.

        You know what we're going to say...they're not compostable!

        Product Ratings

        Taste

        9.8/10

        If you love a cold tea without added sweetness or flavor, these will float your boat indeed. The black tea leaves are fresh and bold. If you’re hankering for a treat, you could always add a dash of flavor syrup.

        Value

        9.8/10

        These are a touch more expensive than other k-cups. However, they are delicious.

        Overall Editor Score

        9.8/10
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        #4 Best Flavored, Recyclable Green Tea K-Cups
        VitaCup Green Tea Pods

        VitaCup Green Tea Pods

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        • Green tea enriched with moringa, matcha, and vitamins
        • Suitable for all Keurig machines
        • Recyclable and BPA-free k-cups
          Pros Cons

          Green tea with matcha, moringa, and B vitamins for a health-giving energy boost for calm focus. A multi-tasking tea (tasty, refreshing, energizing, and very nutritious).

          Green tea purists may not be jazzed about the additions

          Product Ratings

          Taste

          9.7/10

          This matcha green tea blend tastes refreshing and earthy, without that medicinal kick you may expect from an enriched tea.

          Value

          9.7/10

          As you might expect, these are more expensive than regular green tea pods for keurig brewers.

          Overall Editor Score

          5.2/10
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          #5 Best Tea K-Cup Sampler Box with Recyclable Pods
          Two Rivers Assorted Tea

          Two Rivers Assorted Tea

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          • 40 k-cups with assorted flavors
          • Classic, decaf, herbal, and flavored teas to try
          • Recyclable k-cups for all keurig brewers
            Pros Cons

            A versatile variety box with classic black tea, decaf, green tea, peppermint herbal tea, and unique flavors all packed in recyclable k-cups.

            The teas aren't evenly distributed (more of one, fewer of the other), which may be good or bad depending on your tea preferences.

            Product Ratings

            Taste

            9.8/10

            There’s a taste to suit every tea preference, from decaf lemon tea to decaf pomegranate white tea. It’s a great gift option for people who are just getting into the tea game.

            Value

            9.6/10

            At just under $25 for 40 keurig cups, it’s affordable but not ultra-cheap.

            Overall Editor Score

            9.7/10
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            #6 Best Non-Flavored Green Tea K-Cup
            Twinings of London Green Tea K-Cups

            Twinings of London Green Tea K-Cups

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            • One of the world's most trusted tea brands
            • Green tea for purists, (no added flavor, just green tea leaves)
            • A little hit of caffeine in your cup
              Pros Cons

              A clean, pure green tea flavor with a little caffeine to wake you up. Compatible with any Keurig brewer.

              For now, these K-Cups are not recyclable or compostable

              Product Ratings

              Taste

              9.8/10

              If you love the taste of fresh, clean green tea without any added sweetness or flavors, you’ll love these.

              Value

              9.6/10

              These keurig cups are priced mid-range, (affordable but not dirt cheap).

              Overall Editor Score

              9.7/10
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              #7 Best English Breakfast Tea K-Cup
              Twinings of London English Breakfast Black Tea

              Twinings of London English Breakfast Black Tea

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              • A blend of tea varieties from different regions around the world
              • A robust, smooth tea flavor perfect for drinking black or with milk
              • Tea stays fresh in the k-cup, no stale flavor
                Pros Cons

                A blend of English breakfast tea leaves sourced around the world for the freshest, richest flavor when brewed in your Keurig.

                They may be the best tea k-cups for an English Breakfast fanatic, but they aren't compostable as of yet.

                Product Ratings

                Taste

                9.8/10

                A strong, full-bodied tea perfect for waking you up in the morning (it contains caffeine). Great for tea-lovers who prefer a robust tea without the floral, citrusy notes of Earl Grey.

                Value

                9.5/10

                Twinings tea k-cups are reasonably priced but not the cheapest.

                Overall Editor Score

                9.7/10
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                #8 Best High-End Caffeinated Tea K-Cups
                Tazo Awake English Breakfast K-Cup Pods

                Tazo Awake English Breakfast K-Cup Pods

                • A hearty caffeine hit (60+ mg per tea cup)
                • A strong, full-bodied English Breakfast blend
                • Works in all Keurig brewers (including 2.0)
                  Pros Cons

                  A black tea for people who need a little extra caffeine from their Keurig k-cup tea.

                  These keurig cups are a little expensive and they're not compostable.

                  Product Ratings

                  Taste

                  9.8/10

                  This is a strong, malty take on English Breakfast tea k cups, ideal for getting your senses going in the morning or during the afternoon slump. The caffeine helps keep the zz’s away, too. No flavor or sweetness, just a fresh, full-bodied black tea blend.

                  Value

                  9.2/10

                  These high-caff tea pods for keurig machines are a tad spendy.

                  Overall Editor Score

                  9.5/10
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                  #9 Best Bulk Variety Pack
                  Cha4TEA 100-Count Variety Tea Sampler Pack for Keurig K-Cup Brewers

                  Cha4TEA 100-Count Variety Tea Sampler Pack for Keurig K-Cup Brewers

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                  • 10 tea flavors (incl. green tea, black tea, jasmine tea, oolong tea, peppermint tea, chai tea)
                  • Compatible with all Keurig k-cup brewers (including 2.0)
                  • Fresh and full-bodied tea
                    Pros Cons

                    A perfect gift or taster pack for new tea drinkers, with 10 tasty tea flavors for all Keurig k-cup brewers.

                    It would be great if these Keurig tea pods were compostable, but they're not at this stage.

                    Product Ratings

                    Taste

                    9.3/10

                    These k-cups are filled with high quality natural tea leaves without added flavors, with a fresh and vibrant flavor profile. Spicy tea lovers will get hooked on the Chai black tea cup, while caffeine-free sippers will love the peppermint herbal teat.

                    Value

                    9.7/10

                    This is a fairly-priced assortment box compared to other tea k-cup sampler packs.

                    Overall Editor Score

                    9.5/10
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                    K-Cup Tea Expert Tips & Buying Guide

                    Green Tea K Cup Pods

                    Green tea is one of the most common elixirs for health fanatics, and for good reason. A cup of green tea is packed with antioxidants such as polyphenols, catechins, and flavonoids which reduce inflammation, fight free radicals, and reduce the risk of certain diseases.

                    One of the exciting health benefits of green tea is its metabolism-boosting properties, meaning that it can help to burn calories and fat when you’re trying to get in shape. What’s more, those catechins we spoke of earlier have proven to reduce the risk of age-related brain issues such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s. Heading out for some green tea? Yup, us, too.

                    The best green tea k-cups on our list are the Bigelow Tea Green Tea keurig cups. They’re fresh, crisp, and untainted by added flavors. You can also find some killer green teas in the variety sampler box from Two Rivers and Cha4Tea.

                    Black Tea K Cup Pods

                    Sipping a hot, relaxing cup of black tea isn’t only blissful but it serves awesome health benefits, too. Firstly, it’s packed with antioxidants (like its green counterpart), excellent for reducing oxidative stress and age-related health concerns. A particular type of antioxidant, flavonoids, are wonderful for your heart, helping to balance your good and bad cholesterol (HDL and LDL). A healthy gut is one of the cornerstones of overall wellness, and black tea can lend a hand by promoting friendly bacteria.

                    Our favorite black tea k-cups are the Celestial Seasonings and the Twinings English Breakfast Tea k-cups.

                    K-Cup Tea Caffeine Content

                    It depends on the type of tea you choose. Green tea drinkers can expect anywhere between 30 and 50 mg of caffeine per cup of tea, while black tea drinkers can expect a little more at around 50 to 100 mg. Compared to coffee, black tea is up there in the caffeine ranks, as the average cup of coffee contains around 100 mg.

                    Caffeine itself has some cool health benefits, such as boosting metabolism and sharpening your focus, even more reason to pour a cup of hot tea morning, noon, and night.

                    How to make tea with keurig brewer

                    Making tea in a Keurig coffee maker is really simple. It’s really no different from using coffee pods for Keurig machines, you just swap out the java for tea pods. Make sure your Keurig’s water reservoir is full (and the machine is plugged in, that always helps). Lift the handle and place your tea k-cup in the receptacle, press the handle down, and select your cup size. Pop a mug under the spout, press the brew button, and wait for your tea to brew and pour.

                    We don’t recommend putting tea bags or loose tea in your Keurig receptacle as it can clog and cause all kinds of technical headaches. If you’re in a pinch, just pop a tea bag in your mug and use the plain hot water dispenser from your keurig to make a traditional brew.

                    Frequently Asked Questions

                    Can I reuse tea k cups?

                    The simple answer is no, k-cup tea pods are designed to be used once before being discarded or recycled. However, you can buy a reusable k-cup pod that you fill with coffee or tea and use like a regular k-cup. However, some people do reuse their tea k-cups for a second (yet weaker in strength) brew.

                    What is the best tea k cup?

                    That depends on the tea you like! However, our top pick for the best tea k cups is Bigelow Green Tea for Keurig. You get fresh green tea in recyclable k-cups, win-win! For black tea drinkers, we love the Celestial Seasonings English Breakfast.

                    Katie Schenk

                    Expert Author

                    Katie’s Cleveland proud; but she’s also lived in Australia, Switzerland and now stays in South Africa. That’s a roundabout way of saying she can’t sit still; she’s always moving, always busy. She has a BA in International Relations from Kent State University and work towards a Masters in Human Rights. She speaks French, is learning German and used to dream in Spanish. For years, Katie worked as a producer on fashion and advertising shoots before she realized her passion was the written word. Katie’s far more interested in guy’s gear than women’s, except she has a wardrobe brimming with little black dresses. She drinks her beer out of the bottle and is raising her two boys to be better men.

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