Exploring the World of Uncommon Tisanes
Go to the grocery store and search for a caffeine-free tea and you’ll likely stumble across one of a few ingredients. Chamomile, hibiscus, ginger, lavender, and peppermint dominate the herbal world, and for good reason! These single-source ingredients pack a powerful punch when it comes to flavor and a wide variety of health benefits, but tisanes doesn’t stop there! From yaupon to buchu leaves and lapacho, the herbal world is filled with an ever-increasing variety of unique options. Tisanes (a commonly used term that describes herbal blends) can be made of any flower, fruit, bark, stem, herb, or spice that isn’t the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), opening the door to a wealth of possibility. At Fava Tea, our focus is on bringing these unique options directly to you in flavorful blends that will have you brewing cup after cup, so let’s explore a few lesser-known options that you may want to try!
Eucalyptus
Perhaps best known for its association with the ever-adorable koala, eucalyptus has long been used in the wide-open spaces of Australia for its soothing and flavorful brew. When prepared correctly, eucalyptus may assist with congestion and joint pain relief, making it a popular option for combatting colds and allergies. Today, eucalyptus trees are grown all over the world and the carefully dried leaves are enjoyed by more than koalas. Here at Fava, we pair this Australian tisane with juicy citrus for a refreshing and soothing mixture available all year long.
Lapacho
Native to South American rainforests, lapacho is made from the inner bark of the Tabebuia tree, which can grow up to 125 feet tall! Also referred to as the pau d’arco tree (a Portuguese term derived from the tree’s former use in bow-making) or Taheebo (a global term used in health-focused communities), this tisane has long been celebrated for treating a variety of ailments. This may include inflammation relief, immune system support, and respiratory health, but we simply enjoy it for its taste. Our lapacho blend introduces orange as a compliment to the lapacho’s naturally creamy flavor, creating a blend that we like to compare to a dreamsicle!
Yaupon
We’ve talked about Yaupon before (like in this blog post all about it), but we would be remiss if we didn’t include this North American gem in our list of little-known tisanes! One of the few naturally caffeinated tisanes, this plant is a cousin of other popular options like mate and guayusa and has a rich history that began over one thousand years ago. Today, yaupon is regaining popularity thanks to its jitter-free energy boost. Some might say that it’s caffeine without the anxiety, and we took that to heart when creating our coffee-transitional blend Mocha Yaupon, which offers a more natural boost of energy with a delicious mocha flavor.
Holy Basil / Tulsi
Is it called Holy Basil or is it called Tulsi? The answer is both! Holy Basil is simply the English translation of the Hindi word Tulsi, which refers to the aromatic cousin of the traditional basil plant we know and love. Unlike the culinary herb used in your favorite pesto, Holy Basil leaves are suggested to be great for digestion, improving respiratory health, boosting immunity, and supporting anti-inflammatory properties. It’s for this reason that this tisane has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, a practice that continues today. Our blend includes three varieties of the herb (Vana, Krishna, and Rama) and boasts a grassy, herbaceous taste that we love in the evenings!
Buchu Leaves
Native to South Africa, buchu grows as shrubs most commonly known for their black currant-like aroma and taste. These leaves have been utilized for hundreds of years in traditional healing practices, most notably for anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. This cleansing herbal is earthy, but flavorful, and when combined with elderberry, hibiscus, cranberry, and mango, makes for a delightful spring blend that is great hot or cold. It shouldn’t be a surprise, then, that we named this blend for the season! Available for a limited time only, Fava’s Spring Blend is sure to fill your day with a burst of flavor!
Honey Bush
Also native to South Africa, Honey Bush is a cousin of the popular tisane rooibos! Called honeybush because of the honey-like aroma and taste of the pale yellow flowers it grows, the leaves themselves feature a much earthier profile, which is often cited as a detoxifier. Like many rooibos blends, it is also suggested to support digestion, alleviate nausea, and is high in antioxidants that help fight infection. Additionally, because this tea is caffeine-free, we highly recommend it as a bedtime alternative, especially for those who might be allergic to common nighttime remedies like chamomile and lavender.
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