L-Theanine · Functional Amino Acid for Calm Focus Beverages & Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: N⁵-ethyl-L-glutamine (L-theanine).
• Common name: L-theanine; often associated with tea-derived amino acids.
• Form: typically a white to off-white, crystalline powder, odourless or almost odourless, with a slightly sweet, umami-like taste at common use levels.
• Solubility: freely soluble in water, making it ideal for clear and cloudy beverage systems, syrups and liquid shots as well as powdered drink mixes.
• Stability:
  • Generally stable in dry form at recommended storage conditions,
  • Shows good stability in many beverage pH ranges and under typical heat treatments, subject to application-specific validation.
• Origin: produced via controlled synthesis or fermentation; tea-origin positioning may require specific sourcing and documentation depending on marketing concept.
• Purity profile: high L-theanine assay with limited levels of D-theanine, related amino acids, inorganic impurities and residual solvents in line with specification.
• Regulatory status:
  • Permitted uses, maximum levels and target population are country- and category-specific,
  • Health and function claims (e.g. focus, calm, cognition, stress) must follow local nutrition and health claim laws, including any conditions of use and mandatory warnings.

Atlas helps customers position L-theanine appropriately within beverage, supplement and lifestyle concepts, aligning ingredient sourcing, quality, dosage and labelling with regulatory and brand requirements.

Indicative specification points

Detailed specifications are agreed for each project. Typical food/nutrition-grade L-theanine parameters include:

• Assay (L-theanine): usually ≥ 98.0–99.0% on dried basis.
• Appearance: white to off-white crystals or crystalline powder, free from visible foreign matter.
• Specific rotation: within defined range, confirming the L-configuration.
• Loss on drying: controlled to ensure assay accuracy and flow properties.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: low levels consistent with high-purity functional ingredients.
• Heavy metals and selected contaminants: restricted to meet food, beverage and supplement standards.
• Related substances (D-theanine, other amino acids): strictly limited according to producer specification.
• Residual solvents: monitored and kept within regulatory limits or below internal thresholds.
• Microbiological profile: low counts suitable for beverage, supplement and gummy applications.
• Particle size distribution: grades optimised for fast dissolution in liquids and homogeneous blending in powders and gummies.

Each batch is provided with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet. Additional documentation (GMO status, allergen statements, dietary suitability such as vegetarian/vegan, contaminants and pesticide data, solvent information, origin and Halal/Kosher certificates) can be supplied from approved L-theanine producers to support audits, registrations and regulatory submissions.

Calm focus & relaxation beverages

• RTD teas & tea-based drinks – L-theanine complements the natural positioning of green, black and herbal teas, and can be combined with caffeine, botanicals and vitamins for balanced energy and focus concepts.
• Energy & focus drinks – used in focus-positioned soft drinks and enhanced waters, often together with caffeine, B-vitamins, taurine and plant extracts, within allowed limits.
• Relaxation & “unwinding” beverages – included in evening or stress-relief drink concepts where local regulations permit, frequently alongside botanicals, magnesium and low sugar levels.
• Functional shots & syrups – high-solubility L-theanine enables small-volume shots or syrup concentrates with accurate dosing and rapid dispersion on dilution.

Powdered drink mixes & instant products

• Instant tea & focus drink powders – L-theanine is added to stick packs, sachets and jar powders combining tea extracts, caffeine, vitamins, minerals and flavours.
• Pre-workout and nootropic drink mixes – used in multi-ingredient blends alongside caffeine, amino acids, electrolytes and vitamins to target focus and performance positioning in some markets.
• Meal replacement & lifestyle powders* – may be included at defined levels in lifestyle and weight-management powders where local regulations allow the use of L-theanine as a nutrient or functional ingredient.

*Applications must be checked against country-specific rules on amino acid addition and functional positioning.

Gummies, capsules, tablets & supplements

• Gummies & jellies – L-theanine is widely used in pectin or gelatin-based gummies, often combined with vitamin B-complex, magnesium, botanicals and low/no sugar sweeteners for calm focus concepts.
• Capsules & tablets – included in single-ingredient or complex formulations targeting adult consumers; compression and encapsulation behaviour are generally favourable.
• Stick packs & direct-to-mouth powders – high solubility and mild taste allow on-the-go stick pack concepts with flavouring and sweeteners.

Formulation guidance

• Dosage & positioning:
  • Use levels depend on regulatory limits, safety opinions, intended claims and target population,
  • Many concepts use specific L-theanine:caffeine ratios for positioning in adult beverages and supplements, which must be reviewed against local rules.
• Solubility & processing:
  • L-theanine can be added directly into process water, syrups or premixes due to its high solubility,
  • In beverages, it generally maintains clarity at typical dosages; developers should check pH range, mineral content and heat treatment in stability trials.
• Sensory & compatibility:
  • L-theanine contributes a subtle umami-like and slightly sweet note, which can support flavour rounding and mouthfeel,
  • Works well with tea extracts, coffee, cocoa, fruit flavours and botanical extracts, but final recipes should be validated through sensory panels.
• Regulatory & labelling:
  • Manufacturers must confirm permitted uses and maximum levels of L-theanine in beverages and supplements in each market,
  • Any relaxation, stress, focus or cognitive-related claims must strictly follow local health claim regulations,
  • Products containing caffeine and L-theanine may require age restrictions, warnings or advisory statements, depending on jurisdiction,
  • Label declarations normally specify L-theanine content per serving and may highlight tea-origin sourcing when supported by documentation.