Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush, Tulsi & Herbal Blend
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Product Description:
It’s 102° in Wichita today, I’ve been stressing out like crazy lately over a bunch of personal stuff, but fortunately, I have the perfect remedy: a tall tumbler full of iced tea, specifically, our tea of the week for this week.
Frankie Says Relax (I just couldn’t resist), is a blend of caffeine-free organic African honeybush, organic Tulsi Rama, lemon myrtle (come to think of it, I think it’s organic too), and natural lemon and lime flavors.
The resulting blend is a bit spicy, a lot citrus-y, with a touch of natural sweetness from the honeybush, and ALL relaxing. It is an “Ahhhhh”-moment in a cup. And I can tell you firsthand, it is amazing hot or iced.
I fully expect this one is going to go fast, and I don’t have an unlimited supply of tulsi (or honeybush right now for that matter), so don’t drag your feet, get some now and enjoy this one-of-a-kind refreshment.
Taster’s Review:
Wow! This tastes much better than I thought it would. Not that I doubted Frank’s artistry; however, I just thought that this blend seemed a little more “ordinary” … or is “tame” a better word? It’s not a “far out” blend like some of Frank’s other fantastically famous blends like Pancake Breakfast or Marshmallow Treat Genmaicha. In comparison, this lemon-lime Tulsi & Honeybush blend would seem a bit boring.
But it isn’t.
The flavor is very refreshing. The lemon and lime flavors meld wonderfully with the herbal-minty flavor of the Tulsi and the honey-nutty flavor of the honeybush. The Tulsi does give the cup a slightly medicine-y kind of taste … no… more like an herbal-health-food kind of taste in the background, but, it doesn’t offset the delicious sweetness of it.
The citrus notes hit the palate first. The citrus tastes tangy, juicy and just a little bit sweet. The citrus is crisp but not sharp, as I think that the sweetness from the Honeybush tempers the sharper tones well. Beneath these stronger flavors, the honeybush offers its sweet, nutty taste, while the mint-basil-y taste of the Tulsi sits back in the background.
I think that Frank describes it best when he says it’s “a bit spicy, a lot citrus-y, with a touch of natural sweetness from the honeybush, and ALL relaxing.” This is all that!
Cooling Mint Tulsi from The Tao of Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Tulsi
Where to Buy: The Tao of Tea
Product Description:
An organic blend of green leaf (Rama) Tulsi and spearmint.
Known as Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum), Tulsi is a sacred plant from India used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Tulsi is considered an ‘elixir of life’ providing alchemy to one’s well being.
Taster’s Review:
While brewing, this tea filled the kitchen with a savory, herbaceous aroma. I’ve brewed a few different tulsi blends, and I don’t recall ever experiencing as strong a fragrance as I did with this tea. From the scent, I thought I was in for a very herb-y tasting tisane and I worried it might taste medicinal. But it doesn’t.
The flavor is very cool and minty, but not in a mouthwash kind of way. There is also a sharp and slightly peppery kind of taste to the tulsi that I don’t think I’ve ever detected in a tulsi blend before. The contrast of these characteristics makes for a very interesting and exciting flavor. The cup is light and refreshing with a crisp mint taste. It’s quite tasty.
I have kind of been on the fence when it comes to tulsi, but for no other reason than because it’s an herb and my automated response to herbals tends to be that of alarm and distrust. Well, I think it is time for me to embrace the tulsi, because I have yet to find a tulsi blend that I dislike!
Hibiscus Flower Tulsi from Davidson’s Organics
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!
