L-theanine is the first ingredient on kip's label and the one people ask about most, usually in the form "what is it?" and then "what does it do?" This post answers the first question properly. It does not answer the second, and the last section explains why.
What is L-theanine?
L-theanine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, but theanine is one of the ones that is not used to build protein; it exists on its own, mostly in one plant. That plant is Camellia sinensis, the tea plant. Black, green, white and oolong tea all come from it, and all contain theanine.
The ingredient in kip
We specify L-theanine at 100mg per pouch. The final ingredient specifications and batch paperwork will be reviewed before dispatch; we are not presenting a completed batch certificate here.
How much is in kip
100mg per pouch, printed on the lid. It is the largest active in the formula by weight. The other four are chamomile extract at 60mg, lemon balm extract at 40mg, magnesium bisglycinate at 20mg, and vitamin B6 at 0.7mg. Every dose on the tin explains why each number is printed and what the rules say about it.
What we will not tell you about it
We make no health claim for L-theanine. Our product information states the ingredient and its amount. The authorised claims used for kip refer to vitamin B6.
We are not going to do that. If you want to read about theanine, there is a large research literature and it is a search away; what you make of it is yours. What we can tell you is what it is, where it comes from, how it is made, and that there is 100mg of it in each pouch. The only ingredient in kip with an authorised claim is vitamin B6, and that post explains the claims we use.
Full label on the product page. New to the format? Start with nicotine-free pouches, explained.
Sources
- Deng et al., "L-Theanine Content and Related Gene Expression" (Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017): theanine distribution across tea plant tissues; discovery by Sakato; root synthesis and movement to shoots.
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2021, "Production of L-Theanine by Escherichia coli": fermentative production.
- "Production of L-Theanine Using Escherichia coli Whole-Cell Overexpressing γ-Glutamylmethylamide Synthetase" (2022): enzymatic production from glutamate and ethylamine.
All read on 11 September 2026.
Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to normal psychological function. GB authorised health claim. No claim is made for L-theanine, chamomile, lemon balm or magnesium. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. kip is for adults 18 and over. Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical advice.
