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I was tired and could really use a boost, but I didn’t want more caffeine.
MTE sent me their caffeine-free energy powder to try. It helped, and I still reach for it.
Quick Verdict
- Buy it if: you want a mix-it-yourself drink for a slump
- Skip it if: you only like drinks that taste purely of fruit
- My favorite feature: the ingredient list, start to finish
- Would I buy again? Yes, as part of a mix
What is in MTE energy powder?
The focus blend is paraxanthine, L-theanine and maca root. The recovery side is ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng, GABA, saffron, spirulina and red spinach leaf.
So you’ve got some relaxing herbs to balance out the energy boost, which is what I want. Relaxed focus, not jitters. It’s colored with turmeric instead of food coloring, and there’s no sugar. I love that.
MTE Caffeine-Free Energy Drink Powder with Paraxanthine
Single-serve sticks of drink mix. I tried the variety 6 pack, and the button goes to the 24 pack of Mandarin Orange, the flavor I mixed up first.
MTE energy powder specs
- Caffeine: none, the lift comes from paraxanthine
- Per packet: 10 calories, 6 g carbs (4 g fiber), 60 mg sodium
- Sweetener: stevia leaf extract
- Other ingredients: chicory root, citric acid, natural flavors, Himalayan pink salt, malic acid
- Flavors: mango pineapple, mandarin orange, lemon lime
- Made in: the USA
Who should try MTE energy powder?
Anyone who wants an afternoon lift but is done with coffee for the day. Just know paraxanthine is what your body turns most caffeine into, and MTE’s own FAQ lists it as a stimulant. If you’re sensitive to this kind of thing like I am, start with half a packet.
If a little kick is fine with you, the Muz Tea instant matcha mix went from meh to a recurring order for me.
What does MTE mandarin orange taste like?
I mixed one Mandarin Orange stick into 8 ounces. It dissolved pretty quickly, turned a bright color and smelled good.
I definitely got orange first. Then there’s a hint of something else, maybe the saffron or the maca. It isn’t bad. It just blends in with the orange. I felt more awake not long after.
Months later it still helps, but I don’t drink it every day. I rotate it in with other things. If you’re trying to sort out what actually charges you up, I built a daily energy log for exactly that.
Small things that make it easy
- How much water: MTE says one stick in 8 ounces of cold water.
- Purse-sized sticks: toss a couple in a bag for the road.
- Better over ice: I’d do it over nugget ice next time and make it an afternoon refresher.
What else I like
- The variety pack lets you try three flavors before you commit to one.
- No artificial sweeteners or flavors.
What are the downsides of MTE?
- There’s a slight herbal aftertaste under the fruit.
- It’s one packet a day, max.
MTE energy powder questions
Is MTE gluten-free?
Yes. It’s also free of dairy and GMOs.
How many servings come in the MTE 24 pack?
24, one serving each.
Is MTE okay to drink in the evening?
MTE says it shouldn’t wreck your sleep, but they don’t pitch it as a bedtime drink. They point you to the morning or early afternoon.
Is paraxanthine the same as caffeine?
No, but they’re related. Your body breaks caffeine down into a few compounds, and paraxanthine is the biggest one. So MTE has zero caffeine, but it still wakes you up, and MTE calls it a stimulant.
Other caffeine-free energy drinks to compare
- Monkey Brew Original Mushroom Drink: A caffeine-free coffee alternative built on lion’s mane, cordyceps, turkey tail and maitake mushrooms with ashwagandha and cacao. It’s a scoop-and-mix powder in a bag, sweetened with monk fruit.
- Moment Adaptogen Drink: Ready-to-drink cans of non-carbonated botanical tea with L-theanine and ashwagandha, zero caffeine and zero added sugar. Nothing to mix, and it leans calm more than energy.
My take on MTE
MTE is a good pick when you want a lift without coffee, as long as a light herbal note doesn’t bug you. I’d keep it stocked, just not as my only option.
Where To Buy
A tool I built
Energy Battery
Log your energy through the day and watch your battery fill, so you can see what actually charges you and what drains you.
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