Liberty Teas

The Boston Tea Party was just the beginning. As boycotts became common throughout the colonies and the war dragged on, colonists were faced with the challenge of replacing their daily tea intake without supporting the crown. Solutions came in a multitude of forms, including smuggled products and alternatives grown in colonial backyards. One thing, however, always remained the same: their love of tea! Colonists called these blends “Liberty Tea,” and encouraged neighbors and friends to give up their British-imported teas for homegrown alternatives to show their support for the war effort. So as we gear up to celebrate the Fourth of July, let’s dive into some of the favorite teas of the American Revolutionary War!

Colorful Gardens

Throughout the colonies, beautiful blooms colored the landscape, and amongst them was a wealth of options perfect for delicious tea! Popular favorites included things like linden and violet, but the most common alternatives remain favorites among modern tea lovers. Chamomile and lavender blossoms (or our mix of both in Chamomile Lavender) brought not only a flavorful brew to their cup but also a sense of calm amidst the chaos of the conflict. Try an evening cup of Chamomile Blossoms or Lavender Blossoms and sip the delicate floral flavors enjoyed by colonists in the 1770s!

Culinary Alternatives

It wasn’t difficult for colonists to see the benefit of turning to their herb gardens for alternatives to their favorite British teas. Commonly grown plants like dill, basil, rosemary, sage, and fennel were quick to be added to teapots across the colonies. Most often, these blends were used for their medicinal purposes, but for those looking for something closer to the Chinese-grown tea they were used to, the savory flavors of these herbs were a selling point for many. Our Holy Basil and Detox are wonderful representations of these culinary blends that you can brew a cup of today!

Beautiful Berries

Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and more! It shouldn’t be surprising that many favorite Liberty Teas consisted of fruity flavors hand-picked by colonists, and berries were amongst the most popular. The leaves were popular too, as elements like raspberry and blackberry leaves added a bit of depth to these tisanes. Rosehips or other floral flavors would also be used to round out these sweeter blends, and they remain incredibly popular today, especially during the hot summer months. Raspberry Patch and Strawberry Bliss are just a couple of our favorite berry-infused herbals year-round! We’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention our favorite herbal blend for celebrating the Fourth of July: Fava’s Freedom Blend, which combines fruity raspberry with hints of lemon and rosemary!

A Modern Favorite

If you’ve ever planted Peppermint, you’ll know that it can quickly take over, growing in abundance in a garden. The bonus is that it also offers a comforting, refreshing taste that has long been used to quell headaches and relieve digestive discomfort. Put these benefits together in the late 1700s, and you have an easy and delicious alternative to black tea that can be enjoyed by many! Spearmint offers a slightly different flavor profile with many of the same benefits, and both can be found in a wealth of other blends, including Ache Away and Minterest.

A Southeast Secret

Deep within the Southwast lives a secret alternative to British tea. Like many plants native to North America, yaupon was introduced to colonizers as early as the 16th century, when Timucua Indians taught Spanish settlers about its benefits in what is now modern-day Florida. As colonists looked for alternatives during the Revolutionary War, it should come as no surprise that they turned to this well-known caffeinated plant, but years of tea conspiracy halted the influence of yaupon until more modern times. You can learn more about yaupon HERE, but in the meantime, we highly recommend giving our Mocha Yaupon or Roasted Yaupon a try to sip while you read.

No matter what you brew in your cup this Fourth of July, we wish you a happy and safe holiday!