If you know me, you know I am ALL-IN when it comes to natural goodies. Tulsi tea falls squarely in this category, friends, and I’ll eagerly drink it up whenever I have the chance. Tulsi is an adaptogenic herbal tea, which means its herbal smarts adapt to support your body in the way that you need at that moment. (Remember, I’m not a doctor. I’m just riddled with hippie tendencies.)
This particular blend from Wild Leaf boasts a balance of tulsi and chamomile with hints of lemon balm and rose petals. A true herbal, it brews up beautifully, and the flavor only intensifies as you let it steep. I will say– stevia-haters, beware: it’s included in this blend. It’s not overwhelming or saccharine to me, but if you’re sensitive to any trace, you might want to stay away.
Beyond that, though, this cup has become a new favorite for me to sip in the long workday afternoons, or right before bed– regardless of whether it’s actually working to boost my happiness levels, who knows! But it does make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know that I’m not only getting the benefits of those smart herbs from Mama Nature, but that I’m enjoying them via a delicious cuppa as well!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Wild Leaf Active Teas
Description
Stress and anxiety-busting tulsi and calming chamomile create this bright and flavourful blend designed to help you be in your best mood, no matter what is thrown your way today. Sit back, sip this tea and then get back to making your way through life’s journey.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Turmeric Chai from The Whistling Kettle. . . . .
The experience I had recently with Turmeric Chai from The Whistling Kettle is something I would like to share with you today!
‘ This isn’t your average chai! Why? Because it goes above and beyond with the addition of BOTH turmeric and Tulsi (holy basil). A little bit of each of those ingredients goes a long way! You can see and taste the specks of turmeric and the tulsi is just as wonderful! The dynamic duo surely makes this blend of flavors what it is. And it IS wonderful!
This is a blend of black tea, ginger, and cinnamon, Tulsi (known as Holy Basil), and turmeric.
Tulsi has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes – from use in Hindu worship and the healing practices of Ayurveda, to flavoring in Thai cuisine and even as an all-natural insect repellent! Perhaps I should look into some tulsi for my kitchen because the fruit flies are crazy this year!
Turmeric is an integral spice in curry and I adore it! It has been found to contain anti-inflammatory compounds and can increase your body’s antioxidant capacity. Curcumin, the compound that’s responsible for the bright yellow hue, is particularly effective in preventing heart attacks, delaying diabetes, and even fighting cancer.
Black pepper, found in this tea, is often used to boost the amount of curcumin (an active compound in turmeric) that is able to be absorbed into the blood.
Of course we aren’t making any claims here because we aren’t doctors – we are just tea loving beings, folks!
If any or all of this intrigues you THIS is a flavor chai you will WANT to try!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Whistling Kettle
Description
What’s better than a piping hot spiced tea? Warm and spicy, this is sure to be a favorite among chai drinkers.
Featuring a blend of black tea, ginger, and cinnamon, this chai incorporates Tulsi (known as Holy Basil) and turmeric for added flavor and health benefits.
Tulsi has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes – from use in Hindu worship and the healing practices of Ayurveda, to flavoring in Thai cuisine and even as an all-natural insect repellent!
Turmeric, an integral spice in curry, has been found to contain anti-inflammatory compounds and can increase your body’s antioxidant capacity. Curcumin, the compound that’s responsible for the bright yellow hue, is particularly effective in preventing heart attacks, delaying diabetes, and even fighting cancer.
Black pepper, found in this tea, is often used to boost the amount of curcumin (an active compound in turmeric) that is able to be absorbed into the blood.
Like with all chais – we recommend this with milk and a small amount of sugar to bring out the flavors.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Focus Vanilla Mint from Sportland Tea Co. . . .
This company has caught my eye before so I was very excited to finally try one of their teas.
This company has blends geared towards athletes. I am an athlete I play volleyball regularly and am very active in general and I love tea so my interest is definitely peaked. This blend is called a Focus Blend since with the caffeine it would help you focus more. This blend is very simple with matcha, yerba mate, peppermint and vanilla. The smell surprisingly light not overly peppermint. It has a nice fresh smell, lightly grassy from the matcha. Once brewed the peppermint smell was definitely stronger but still not overwhelming.
Man this is delicious. I am a sucker for vanilla and mint together and it really works in this blend. I don’t really taste the yerba mate at all which is great for me because sometimes yerba mate can come across a little too herby for me. The matcha is the strongest flavor but it is not bitter at all. I think the vanilla really mellows out the matcha so it is very smooth.
The mint really comes out in the aftertaste. This is a very refreshing blend I like it a lot. Sadly this blend appears to be sold out at the moment but I put in my email because I would love to have some of this on hand. I am checking out some other blends on their website that definitely sound interesting as well, a roasted oolong and rooibos blend with cloves, star anise and orange peel. Yes count me in!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Matcha/Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: Sportland Tea Co.
Description
Sportland Tea Co.’s focus blend is a stimulating mix of matcha green tea and yerba mate.
With mint and vanilla for a smooth and delicious flavor, this blend offers a naturally sweet option to those looking for a boost of caffeine. Get the laser focus you are looking for!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Natural Cacao Tea from Micacao. . . . .
The site for this tea describes cacao as a “superfood” — a fact that almost every woman on Earth innately knows. (Am I right?)
The touted health benefits of this tea include kicking caffeine addiction, weight loss, and boosting mood.
Like I care about any of that.
I just want to drink chocolate.
This is a tasty brew, sweet with a tiny smoky tinge. It has a lot of the impact of eating chocolate, with few (if any) of the calories.
Would I rather be shoveling pure candy bars into my face? Obviously. But this tea does, to a degree, help with the chocolate urge.
I was reading an article about the inevitability of food regret. If you’re trying to eat right and you eat junk food, you regret that. If eat an apple instead of a candy bar, you don’t enjoy the apple as much (regret). The crux of the article was that either way, you’re going to be slightly unhappy with your choice — so you might as well make the right choice.
In this instance, the right choice was this tea. I recommend trying it. Maybe with a little bit of sugar or honey. But I’m drinking it straight, because that’s the responsible food choice. It works that way, too.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Micacao
Description
Herbal chocolate tea made from the shell of the cacao bean. Cacao Tea is 100% cocoa based. It is completely natural, preservative free, and without any artificial flavors or starches. Sugar-free. Organic. Gluten-Free. Vegan-friendly.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Green Tea + C Effervescent Tea Mix from Sencha Naturals. . . . .
I love the Emergen-C packets that you add to water.
As someone who rides public transportation, I drink those very often in the winter months when everyone is coughing and sniffling over my shoulder. I also drink them several times a day if I feel myself getting the sniffles. But they do have some questionable ingredients, and as a vegan I have to be careful about what flavors I buy because they aren’t all vegan. (Weird that animal products would have to be added anyway)
So I was excited to try this Sencha Naturals effervescent drink mix that is vegan, and also all natural. I can pronounce and recognize all of the ingredients listed. I tried the dragonfruit flavor, which is flavored with acerola cherry, dragonfruit extract, ginger and turmeric root, and organic orange peel. Although it also has matcha and sencha green tea, it’s still pretty low caffeine at 10 milligrams per packet.
I poured the packet into some cold water, and gave it a good shake. At first it was a little clumpy and I was worried because who likes drinking clumps? But there was no need to worry, once it was properly mixed it was a nice smooth drink. It has a sweet, slightly tart taste that I found very refreshing. And best of all it tasted natural, like it was made of real ingredients, not mixed in a lab by people wearing lab coats and goggles which is how I imagine Emergen-C being made. I feel hydrated and refreshed after drinking it, the little surge I always get after a vitamin c infusion.
Each packet has 180 mg. of vitamin C, so that’s really great. Next winter when it’s sniffle season, I will definitely be choosing this over Emergen-C.
It would also be great just as a mid afternoon pick me up without a ton of caffeine. I look forward to trying their other flavors!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Sencha Naturals
Description
We believe that nutrition should come from whole food ingredients, not synthetic vitamins. Whole leaf green tea, acerola cherry, coconut water, and supporting herbs to help you stay well. Exotic dragonfruit has a tangy, yet slightly sweet flavor profile we think tastes extra amazing over ice.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
