A few weeks ago, my husband and I were hit by the literal plague (okay, fine– influenza. But there was a moment there that I was certain it was the end for me. #dramaqueen). After the first week or so of having no taste for tea (who am I?!), I finally started to feel well enough again to crave my favorite, comforting hot treat. A fresh stash of tea samples arrived at my front door, with this one sitting tantalizingly right on top. My husband loves chamomile when he’s sick, and I love a tea with a fun twist, so I knew this one would be perfect to cure our sick day blues.
Wise Ape’s teas hit the sweet spot of what I love in a good herbal (or traditional tea) blend– interesting, health-supportive herbs, but not at the expense of great flavor. Too often, herbal teas can fall into the all-the-same category– this one certainly did not. Packed with great, sleep-supportive herbs like valerian root, chamomile and skullcap, this blend still boasted deliciously creamy, dreamy orange flavors that felt like heaven on my sick-y throat. The perfect cup to wind down with (and clear those lingering flu-y sinuses) while still feeling like a little treat, this one was a total hit for both my coffee-loving hubs and myself.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Wise Ape Tea Co.
Description
A dreamy blend of chamomile flowers with subtle hints of orange and cream, combined with adaptogenic super-herbs to support your nightly zen. This relaxing elixir is designed to calm the mind, ease the body, and help you sink into a restorative night’s sleep.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Super Nettle from Republic of Tea. . .
So, let’s talk about what I know about nettle. (It’s not much, but bear with me here.) 1. It’s an herb (shocking, I know) 2. It’s chock full of minerals. 3. It’s great for when you need hydration. Annnnd 4. It’s kinda bitter.
(Quick disclosure: I’m not a doctor. Of herby things or otherwise. Over and out.)
So you’ll imagine my surprise when I brewed up this cup and found it to be… buttery? Smooth, a little sweet. Not bitter in the slightest. Upon some further research, I found that this brew is blended with some peppermint and vanilla, perfectly rounding out any herbal-ness that could have been too… herbally. Dare I even say it tastes a little bit like a treat? Nothing added, and it’s the perfect dessert-y nightcap that’s actually good for you!
This pleasant surprise of a cup is a great way to get more yummy herbal teas in your diet without them being (well, let’s face it)– icky. Nicely done, Republic of Tea!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Republic of Tea
Description
Nettle leaves have been known to support the body in a variety of ways. Studies have shown that it can help reduce joint inflammation and can help support kidney function.* Nettle tea has also been popular as a tonic for centuries to help women through all phases of life, from menstruation, through pregnancy and breastfeeding, to menopause.* A touch of mint and vanilla makes this tea a joy to sip.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Immunity from Virginia Tea Company. . . .
As the weather turns colder, it becomes a great season for brewing warm tea. But it also tends to become a season for germs as well. Meet both needs with a cup of Immunity from Virginia Tea Co. With several powerhouse herbs that boost your immune system, like echinacea and elderberries, this cup is good for both your mental and physical health.
Fragrant ginger and cinnamon are the first notes I smell in this blend. Those two herbs tend be a cornerstone of most chai blends, so their spiciness is familiar and warming, without the caffeine of black tea. Upon my first sip, the fruitier flavors of elderberries and tart echinacea fill my senses. The sweet, dark berry flavor of the elderberries lingers the longest on my tongue, with the ginger and cinnamon just a flash of spice in the scent. If you’re not a fan of chai flavors, don’t worry, this one is much more fruity than spicy.
This herbal tea is pleasantly earthy, and not overly sweet or artificial. This would be great on its own or brewed with honey if your throat it is scratchy and your morale is low. I love the idea of a more berry-based blend for those under-the-weather days. I have so many lemon and chamomile restoratives, this Immunity blend adds the perfect variety to my get-well tea cupboard.
Whether you feel a cold coming on, or you just want to be prepared for the season, order up some Immunity from Virginia Tea Co. and stay warm and healthy this cold season.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Virginia Tea Co.
Description:
As our body’s first line of defense against all illnesses, it is safe to say that our immune system is worth a great deal to us. This blend of ginger, cinnamon, echinacea, elderberries, and eleuthero root are perfectly combined to give your immune system the boost it needs.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Turmeric Gold from Pukka. . . .
I love pukka teas.
Every single flavor I’ve tried has been amazing.
I also love turmeric and I try to incorporate it into my diet everyday. Turmeric tea is a great way to do that!This tea has turmeric root,green tea, licorice root,cardamom, lemon and verbana leaf. I taste a lot of lemon which is a great thing in my opinion! It helps cut the sharpness of the turmeric. I don’t really taste the licorice or cardamom, but I’m sure they’re working with the lemon to make this a really bright and delicious tea.
I’ve talked to several people who want to add turmeric tea to their diets but find the taste a little to sharp. This is the tea I will tell them to try from now on. It tastes more like a lovely lemon ginger tea. It is yellow so be careful when you pour it.
Turmeric’s color is pretty intense!
Turmeric has many, many health benefits and this tea is such a simple and delicious way to get some in your system. I am having mine warm because well fall, but I plan on trying it iced as well. I would imagine the lemon makes this a really refreshing iced drink as well. It does have green tea so there is a small amount of caffeine.
This probably wouldn’t be the best dessert tea anyway. But it is a wonderful way to start the day, and would probably be a great afternoon pick me up as well!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Pukka Teas
Description
Golden turmeric – the queen of protective herbs whose nourishing yellow sustains life’s majestic glow. This is a tea to celebrate life – lemon fruit, aromatic cardamom and whole leaf green tea expertly blended with one of nature’s most powerful herbs. The elegance will leave you feeling renewed as each cup lets you don turmeric’s shield.
A golden tea that will colour your life but not your teeth. Good news for bringing a golden glow to your day.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Coconut Peach Turmeric from Spice and Tea Exchange. . . .
Count me in with the legions of humans who have been recently flocking to turmeric in everything, friends– I love its slightly bitter spiciness, I love how well it translates in everything from sweet to savory, I love its inherent anti-inflammatory goodness… I love it all. I recently participated in a tea swap with a fellow Sororitea Sister, and when she asked what kinds of teas I’d like to try, I requested anything that would be tasty iced. (that IS my summer tea drinking M.O., clearly.) While I usually reach for a very specific few kinds of teas to ice (greens, fruity herbals, fruity blacks, nothing nutty/savory/decadent), it was fun to see someone else’s choices of ice-able teas and push myself outside of my comfort zone!
Now, while this tea TOTALLY fits within those guidelines, I think the ‘turmeric’ in there would have typically swayed me away from trying this one iced, and that would have been a shame. Hot, this tea is tasty– but iced is totally where it shines. The bitterness of the turmeric is perfectly offset by the sweet peach and creamy coconut, and where these flavors could potentially veer into saccharine or dull territory, they’re perfectly accented by the spice of the turmeric. I’m so glad I gave this one a try, and I’m now totally motivated to expand my ice-able comfort zone to teas I normally wouldn’t try. Thanks, fellow sister!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Spice and Tea Exchange
Description
This tea is not currently on the website but click below for teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!