Herbal Tea
New to the world of herbal teas and tisanes and don't know where to start? Learn to navigate the basics with our introductory guide.
The wellness regime of the ancients.
Herbal tea has been around in one form or another for thousands of years. With the earliest records dating back several millennia, herbal tea is as old as time.
Herbs have been prized for most of human history. In fact, one of the oldest evidence of the study of herbal remedies can be traced all the way back to the Sumerians of southern Mesopotamia - the first people to leave behind them a written text, including the names of hundreds of medicinal plants. Other records, which date back to the 1st century CE, came from Greek physician Dioscorides, who described in his book "De Materia Medica" more than 600 medicinal plants, together with their curative properties.
Given the long history of medicinal, aromatic, and culinary use, there is no doubt that traditional herbs present an opportunity to engage in a centuries-old holistic practice.
Is it tea or tisane?
What's the difference between tea and herbal tisane? Unlike tea, tisanes are not made with tea leaves.
The difference between herbal tisanes and teas is the actual ingredients. Tea, whether black, green, white, oolong or pu-erh, is prepared from the cured leaves of a tea plant - Camellia sinensis.
In contrast, herbal tisanes are crafted from - or infused with - dried fruits, flowers, spices, or herbs. For this reason, herbal teas are referred to as tisanes, herbals, or infusions. Some say the word "tisane" comes from the Greek word "ptisane." Others believe the word was modified from the French words "ti" (tea) and "sans" (without). No matter what you call them, the most important to remember is that tisanes are made with fruit pieces, spices, or any edible plant species other than Camellia sinensis.
Which herbal tea do I pick?
Herbal tea can be either single-sourced or crafty and complex. With such a wide range of botanicals to choose from, the variety and combinations are endless.
Throughout history, some herbal teas have been considered medicinal and used as a remedy for specific ailments, while others have been viewed as relaxing and consumed just for enjoyment. Since the palette varies so widely, it can sometimes be hard to know where to start.
Because each herbal tea features specific properties of the ingredients they are made of, there isn't one best blend. With this in mind, we suggest single-source herbal teas as the most perfect starting point. Some of the most popular choices include digestion-friendly peppermint, stress-relieving lavender, or soothing chamomile. And once you are comfortable with these classics, it becomes easier to broaden your horizons and experiment with complex combinations.
Brew the perfect cup, every time.
A delicious cup of herbal tea is never too far away as these drinks can be brewed at home with very little expertise.
Got your herbal blend, cup, and ready to relax? Let's brew herbal tea with our easy-to-follow three-step method! Tisanes are made by steeping herbs in hot water, a process similar to brewing tea.
Herbal tea can be made with fresh or dried ingredients; when dried, ingredients preserved their aroma, flavor, and essential oils. To begin, measure out about one teaspoon of your herbal blend, place it into a teacup, and pour in water that's just off the boil. Steep for about 5 minutes. The time required varies per herbal blend, but 5 minutes is a good starting point. Remove the strainer or infuser, sweeten with honey if desired, and serve to enjoy!
Herbs are not a sub for medical advice.
If you plan to consume herbals for health purposes, always speak with your doctor first - especially pregnant women, children, and others with health conditions.
A lot of what we know about herbals is through folklore and traditional medicine. As a result, herbal teas aren’t meant to serve as medical treatments.
Although many of the traditional herbs have been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years, some of them still need more research to prove their medicinal benefits. With that being said, we always recommend consulting a qualified medical practitioner before addressing specific health conditions, even the minor ones, with herbals.
We love sharing our passion for herbs.
Delicious, nourishing, 100% natural, and rich with history, each of our herbal teas is like a warm hug.
Add an extra dimension to your daily regimen with our exclusive selection of herbal tisanes from around the world. Made in small batches to ensure quality and freshness, our collection includes plenty to explore and plenty to love.
