PurTea® Organic Green Tea Caffeine + L-Theanine | HYBRYD
PurTea® Organic Caffeine + L-Theanine: Clean Energy Without the Crash
HYBRYD pairs 100mg of PurTea® organic green tea caffeine with 200mg of L-Theanine for smooth, focused energy without jitters or crash. Made by Applied Food Sciences in Austin, Texas. No synthetic caffeine. No anhydrous stimulants.
What Is PurTea®?
PurTea is an organic green tea extract produced by Applied Food Sciences (AFS) in Austin, Texas. AFS has spent over 20 years pioneering organic extraction methods for functional ingredients, supplying some of the largest global companies in health, wellness, sports nutrition, and clean energy.
What makes PurTea different from synthetic caffeine anhydrous — the ingredient in most pre-workouts and energy drinks — is its source and purity profile. The caffeine in PurTea is extracted from organic green tea leaves using a proprietary purification process that removes the bitter compounds and impurities typically found in tea extracts while preserving the naturally occurring catechins. The result is a fully water-soluble, organic caffeine with a clean sensory profile and no residual solvents.
PurTea is certified organic, Non-GMO, GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), SQF certified, Kosher, and Halal. It supports clean label claims including plant-based and gluten-free.
Why We Pair It with L-Theanine (2:1 Ratio)
Caffeine alone produces alertness, but it also produces jitters, anxiety, and an energy crash. L-Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves that modulates the stimulatory effects of caffeine. When taken together, they produce a different kind of alertness: focused, calm, and sustained.
HYBRYD uses a 2:1 L-Theanine to caffeine ratio (200mg L-Theanine : 100mg caffeine). This ratio is based on research showing the combination produces improvements in attention, task-switching accuracy, and reduced susceptibility to distraction — without the anxiogenic effects of caffeine alone.
The science of the pairing. Caffeine works primarily by blocking adenosine receptors, increasing norepinephrine and dopamine activity. L-Theanine promotes alpha brain wave activity, which is associated with relaxed alertness. The combination appears to be synergistic: research shows the caffeine + L-Theanine pair improves cognitive performance beyond what either compound achieves individually. The L-Theanine smooths out the stimulatory curve, eliminating the sharp peak and crash pattern of caffeine alone.
PurTea® vs. Synthetic Caffeine
| PurTea® + L-Theanine (in HYBRYD) | Synthetic Caffeine Anhydrous | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Organic green tea leaves | Chemical synthesis |
| Paired with L-Theanine | 200mg (2:1 ratio) | Rarely included |
| Jitter Profile | Smooth, sustained | Sharp peak, crash |
| Residual Solvents | None detected | Manufacturing dependent |
| Organic Certified | Yes | No (synthetic) |
| Catechins / Antioxidants | Naturally occurring | None |
| Third-Party COA | Published | Rarely published |
What the Research Shows
Caffeine + L-Theanine: The Combination Effect
Multiple studies have examined the caffeine + L-Theanine combination. A study published in Nutritional Neuroscience found that the pairing significantly improved attention and task-switching accuracy compared to caffeine alone. Participants also reported less headache and fatigue. The combination appears to enhance the beneficial effects of caffeine on cognition while mitigating the negative effects on mood and anxiety.
Sustained Focus Without Anxiety
L-Theanine increases alpha brain wave activity within 30-40 minutes of ingestion. Alpha waves are associated with a state of “relaxed alertness” — the mental state where you’re focused and productive without tension. This directly counteracts the beta-wave dominant state produced by caffeine alone, which is associated with alertness but also anxiety and restlessness.
Green Tea Catechins: Built-In Antioxidants
Because PurTea is extracted from whole organic green tea leaves, it retains naturally occurring catechins — a class of polyphenol antioxidants. Research suggests that green tea catechins may reduce oxidation during increased energy expenditure, providing an antioxidant benefit alongside the energy effect. Synthetic caffeine provides stimulation with zero ancillary benefits.
Why 100mg, not 200mg or 300mg? Most energy drinks and pre-workouts contain 200-400mg of caffeine per serving. HYBRYD uses 100mg because it’s designed to be taken every day, not just before workouts. 100mg is roughly equivalent to a strong cup of green tea or a small coffee. Combined with 200mg L-Theanine, it produces focused energy you can sustain daily without building tolerance or disrupting sleep. HYBRYD builds capacity — it doesn’t borrow it.
Our Third-Party Test Results
Our current PurTea lot (Batch GT224-0553, produced September 2024) was tested by AFS’s quality department:
Full test results on our Testing & Transparency page.
View PurTea COA (PDF)Why PurTea® + L-Theanine Is in HYBRYD
Every ingredient in HYBRYD has a specific role. PurTea + L-Theanine fills the acute energy and focus role — the immediate effect you feel within 20-30 minutes of taking your daily serving. But unlike a pre-workout that hammers you with 300mg of synthetic caffeine and a subsequent crash, HYBRYD delivers controlled, sustainable alertness that supports your entire day.
The energy stack works in layers: PurTea caffeine provides immediate alertness, L-Theanine smooths it into focused calm, Rhodiola builds long-term stress resilience, and creatine supports sustained cognitive energy through phosphocreatine replenishment. No single ingredient does everything. The combination does.
We chose PurTea specifically because we wanted an organic, clean-label caffeine source from a reputable manufacturer. AFS is based here in Austin, Texas — the same city we’re based in. Their commitment to organic extraction methods, residual solvent testing, and full traceability from farm to ingredient aligns with how we approach every ingredient in the formula.
Try HYBRYD — 5 Days, $15
100mg PurTea® Caffeine + 200mg L-Theanine + Creapure® Creatine + Lion’s Mane + Cordyceps + RhodioLife® Rhodiola. Five packets. No subscription required.
START YOUR TRIALFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PurTea caffeine and synthetic caffeine?
PurTea caffeine is extracted from organic green tea leaves and retains naturally occurring catechins (antioxidants). Synthetic caffeine anhydrous is produced through chemical synthesis, typically from urea and chloroacetic acid. While the caffeine molecule is identical, PurTea provides additional bioactive compounds and supports clean-label claims. Our PurTea tested at 95.56% caffeine purity with zero residual solvents detected.
Why does HYBRYD only have 100mg of caffeine?
HYBRYD is designed for daily use, not occasional pre-workout stimulation. 100mg is the sweet spot for consistent daily energy without building tolerance, disrupting sleep, or creating dependency. Paired with 200mg of L-Theanine, the cognitive and alertness effects are comparable to higher-dose caffeine products but without the anxiety and crash. Building capacity, not borrowing energy.
What does L-Theanine do?
L-Theanine is an amino acid found naturally in tea leaves. It promotes alpha brain wave activity associated with relaxed alertness and focused attention. When paired with caffeine, research shows it improves task-switching, attention accuracy, and reduces the jitters and anxiety that caffeine alone can produce. The 2:1 L-Theanine to caffeine ratio in HYBRYD is based on the clinical research on this combination.
Will HYBRYD keep me up at night?
At 100mg of caffeine (roughly one cup of coffee), HYBRYD is designed to be taken in the morning without affecting sleep. Caffeine has a half-life of approximately 5-6 hours, meaning if you take HYBRYD at 7am, less than 25mg of caffeine remains active by 5pm. The L-Theanine component also promotes relaxation, which further reduces any lingering stimulatory effect.
Is PurTea organic?
Yes. PurTea is certified organic, sourced from sustainably grown green tea leaves free from pesticides and harsh processing chemicals. Applied Food Sciences has been sustainably sourcing botanicals from partner farms for over 20 years through their Sustainable Sourcing Initiative.
Where can I buy PurTea caffeine?
PurTea is a bulk ingredient supplied by Applied Food Sciences to qualified manufacturers. It is not sold directly to consumers. HYBRYD Daily Performance Fuel contains 100mg of PurTea caffeine paired with 200mg L-Theanine as part of a six-ingredient clinical formula. Try it through our 5-day trial for $15 with free shipping.
References
Owen GN, et al. The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood. Nutr Neurosci. 2008;11(4):193-198.
Haskell CF, et al. The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood. Biol Psychol. 2008;77(2):113-122.
Nobre AC, Rao A, Owen GN. L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(S1):167-168.
Einöther SJ, Giesbrecht T. Caffeine as an attention enhancer: reviewing existing assumptions. Psychopharmacology. 2013;225(2):251-274.
Applied Food Sciences, Inc. PurTea Organic Green Tea Extract: Technical Data Sheet. Austin, TX, 2024.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. PurTea® is a registered trademark of Applied Food Sciences, Inc.