View source for Theanine

'''Theanine''', also '''gamma-glutamylethylamide''' or '''5-N-ethyl-glutamine''', is an amino acid and a glutamic acid analog commonly found in [[tea]] (infusions of ''[[Camellia sinensis]]''), primarily in [[black tea]], and also in the basidiomycete mushroom ''Boletus badius'' and in guayusa. More specifically, this compound is called '''<small>L</small>-theanine''', being the L- amino acid (not to be confused with a levorotatory enantiomer). In 1950, the tea laboratory of Kyoto successfully separated theanine from [[gyokuro]] leaf, which has high theanine content. Theanine is an analog to glutamine and glutamate, and can cross the blood–brain barrier. It is sold in the US as a dietary supplement, and is classified by the FDA as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) ingredient. However, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, BfR) has objected to the addition of isolated theanine to beverages.

==See also==

* [[Green tea]]

[[Category:Tea]]
[[de:Theanin]]