Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Tulsi/Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Davidson’s Organics
Product Description:
Davidson’s blends three varieties of Tulsi (Krishna, Rama and Vana) with hibiscus to create a delicious tartness and a beautiful rosy color. Hibiscus contains natural vitamin C, and is now thought to reduce cholesterol, while also lowering blood pressure.
Ingredients (* organic): Tulsi*, hibiscus*, cinnamon*, lemon peel* and orange peel*.
Taster’s Review:
This tea scared me a little. As some of you probably are aware, I’m not fond of hibiscus, although a little bit in blends is not bad. But with a name like “Hibiscus Flower” I figured that there was going to be more than a “little bit” of hibiscus in this blend.
But I’ve got to admit that this isn’t bad at all. In fact, it’s pretty tasty! While the hibiscus is there, the thick, syrupy, tart hibiscus flavor is not. Of course, that had something to do with the steep time (I steeped it for four minutes), but it also has something to do with the other ingredients in this blend.
I can taste an herbaceous flavor that is somewhat minty (that’s the Tulsi), as well as a warmth from the cinnamon. I can also taste the bright citrus-y notes of the lemon and orange peels. Together with the hibiscus, these ingredients create a very interesting, pleasant-tasting tisane.
While I am enjoying the juicy flavors of the citrus peels and the fresh taste of the Tulsi, I think that the ingredient that saves this blend is the cinnamon. It is not incredibly spicy, but it offers enough heat to give contrast to the tangy hibiscus and sweet citrus tones.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to say that this is my favorite Tulsi blend (because it isn’t), I’ve enjoyed this. I like it more than I thought I would, and while it is not something I’d buy on a regular basis, but I wouldn’t mind sipping on it on occasion.
Apple Pear Tulsi from Fusion Tea Room
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Fruit/Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Fusion Tea Room
Product Description:
The slightly sweet subtle mint flavor of the tulsi herb pairs wonderfully with the addition of apple and pear. Tulsi has an anti stress calming effect that is naturally caffeine free so it’s perfect anytime of the day. This herbal tea is especially refreshing over ice.
Taster’s Review:
The first time I steeped this tea, I don’t think I used enough leaf, because I didn’t manage to extract much flavor. Of course, I didn’t bother to read the steeping instructions on the package that suggest using one and a half teaspoons per cup. I only used one teaspoon, and what a difference that half a teaspoon makes!
This is the second time I’ve tasted this tisane, and this time, I used the right amount of leaf, and the results are a delicious tisane – I mean, really delicious!
The Tulsi imparts a hint of minty flavor to the cup, but the real stars of this tisane are the apple and pear flavors. These two flavors meld together so well. The flavor is sweet and nectar-like. The next flavor that I taste is the cinnamon – it is sweet but also delivers just a slight heat to the cup as well. This tisane is full of flavor!
I do recommend adding a little sweetener to the cup to help bring out some of the subtle notes of this tisane. It is good without the sweetener, but with it, it is even better. I can taste the pineapple and even the sharpness of the sunflower with this addition. And most importantly, be sure not to skimp on the amount of leaf you use when you steep this tea. You’ll be rewarded with a very flavorful cup of tea!
Tulsi India Chai from Shanti Tea
Tea Type: Chai (Tulsi Base)
Where To Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Tulsi is one of India’s most sacred herbs, an aromatic shrub recognized for its spiritually uplifting and healing properties. The minty armoa and flavor of tulsi blends very naturally with chai spices in this remarkable herbal variation to traditional black masala chai.
Tasters Review:
Shanti has come out with TONS of new Tulsi Teas and Tisanes and I have been able to enjoy many of them. I think it’s great that they are offering a variety of flavors paired with this herb!
Basically if you were to take gentle Indian Spices and pair them with sweet basil – this is IT.
This is herbally and spicy and comforting. It’s one of the better herbal-tasting tisanes and chai tisane’s I have had. It doesn’t leave a funky aftertaste either – and that I am thankful for!
Breakfast Black Tulsi from Shanti Tea
Tea Type: Black Tea & Herbal (Tulsi)
Where To Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
BREAKFAST BLACK TULSI
Certified Organic Tulsi Tea Blend
Tin / Bio-bag: 60g / 50 cups • Sample: 5 to 7 cups
Tulsi is one of India’s most sacred herbs, an aromatic shrub recognized for its spiritually uplifting and healing properties. This tulsi blend is a great morning tea, combining the strong and malty taste of Asamese black tea with the spicy-minty aroma and flavor of high-quality tulsi.
Story
Tulsi or holy basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition and is worshiped in the morning and evening by Hindus at large. The holy basil is also a herbal remedy for a lot of common ailments. Holy Basil has been called the “Incomparable One”, the “Queen of Herbs” and “The Elixir of Life.”
Tasters Review:
I’m getting to where I really like Tulsi when “done up nice” like this one!
The Tulsi is wonderful but I LOVE that it’s paired with the black tea! It’s almost the pioneers of both worlds coming together to collaborate.
Much like Run DMC & Aerosmith to come up with an awesome blend of flavors for a hit than will stand the test of time!
If you like Tulsi and you like black tea – this is darned tasty!The tulsi is like sweet basil herb and mint tied into one with the black tea for a nice TEA base! It’s Brilliant! I have been waiting for someone to do this and Shanti did! THANK YOU!
And now for a little RUN DMC and Aerosmith…
Achieve Clarity – Vanilla Earl Grey from Teamotions
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Teamotions
Product Description:
Flavor Profile Rich and robust black tea with notes of citrus and vanilla.
Ingredients Earl Grey Black Tea, Black Congu Tea, Black Breakfast Blend, Neem leaf, Tulsi, Lavender, Cornflowers, Natural Flavors.
Emotional Benefit Improves mental function. Calms a racing mind. Helps restore one’s ability to think clearly under stress and emerge from denial or confusion.
Taster’s Review:
This is a remarkable and deliciously different variation on the classic Earl Grey, and I’m enjoying it quite a lot!
The black tea is quite bold, and no wonder! This is a blend of an Earl Grey black tea, a Black Congu, and a Breakfast Blend (Assam and Ceylon?) With that many different black teas forming the base of this blend, it made me wonder if the bergamot might get lost in the mix. But one sniff of the dry leaf assured me that the bergamot is definitely there.
The aroma of the brewed tea is quite delightful. I love the way the various black teas, bergamot, vanilla, tulsi, neem and lavender mingle together to create one very intriguing and nose-pleasing fragrance. This is a tea that you want to inhale deeply before taking a sip to get full effect from the scent as well as the flavor.
The black tea is bold and robust, and there is a fairly strong astringency to this cup – it is slightly drying and leaves the palate feeling clean so that the aftertaste of vanilla, bergamot and the slightest whisper of mint can be enjoyed.
The bergamot flavor is considerably softer than in a typical Earl Grey tea, or even in a typical Earl Grey Creme for that matter. In fact, it is the vanilla that reaches the palate first. Smooth and creamy – and beautifully sweet! The bergamot is more of a sneaky flavor in this blend – peeking in and out of the sip. While I do love my bergamot strong and bold, it is also nice to come across one that is more mysterious like this.
The Neem, Tulsi and lavender do not contribute a lot of flavor to the cup, but I can taste a very subtle mint-like tone from the Tulsi. The lavender presents a VERY delicate yet distinct note that develops as I continue to sip, but it never becomes a strong presence in the cup.
Neem is not a taste that I’m very familiar with, I only remember trying it once or maybe twice. So, I can’t really tell you that I’m tasting Neem or not, but, what I can say is that I am familiar with the other flavors of this blend. I do detect a rather unusual sweetness – I want to describe it as an almost “wild” tasting sweetness – that is quite enjoyable.
This tea is a myriad of delicious flavors that makes for a very contemplative tea. It is aptly named “Achieve Clarity” as it does seem to recharge the mind and readies it to do what it does best – think! What a perfectly brilliant blend!