Herbal Teas and Tisanes

When looking for a way to relax, many people turn to herbal teas and tisanes. It really is no surprise since the lack of caffeine in these beverages can lead to a certain sense of calm. But what exactly are herbal teas and tisanes? Would it surprise you to know they aren’t actually teas at all? Let's take a look.

Herbal Tea
Usually, when someone talks about drinking herbal tea they mean they’re drinking a beverage made from herbs, flowers, roots, barks, fruit, and the like. These “teas” are not made from the Camellia sinensis meaning they are not truly tea in the traditional sense. At GourmetCoffees.com, we carry a handful of the most popular herbal teas.

Chamomile - Made from the daisy-like flowers of the Roman chamomile plant (Chamaemelum nobile), chamomile tea is ideal for reducing stress, calming an upset stomach, and even promoting a good night’s sleep.

Peppermint - Typically known by the more generic mint tea - which encompasses both peppermint and spearmint teas - peppermint tea is known to relieve stomach aches, reduce stress, soothe aches and pains, and is thought to even boost mental acuity.

Emperor Ying’s Feel Better Tea - Primarily mint tea with a secret blend of other herbs all combined to help you combat anything that ails you. Good for upset stomachs as well as a boost during cold and flu season, this tea is high in vitamin C. Mint is thought to help reduce fever, aid in the treatment of asthma and allergies, and help with congestion.

Rooibos - Made from a broom-like plant in Africa known as a red bush (rooibos actually means red bush) this tea is high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Tasty on its own, it also makes a great chai!

Yerba Mate - Extremely popular in South America, Yerba Mate is known to reduce stress, boost the immune system, aid in digestion, and help with concentration. It has a high number of polyphenols, antioxidants and is considered to help with allergies, high blood sugar, increased mental focus, increased energy, improved mood, and even weight. Unlike the previous herbal teas, Yerba Mate has caffeine (which may be the answer to the increase in mental focus and energy).

Tisanes
Also known as fruit tea, a tisane (pronounced ti-zahn) is caffeine-free and is made with fruits, herbs, and flowers. You will sometimes hear the liquid from a tisane called an herbal infusion. Many tisanes include hibiscus and rose hips along with other ingredients like citrus peels, dried fruit pieces, berries, and herbs.

Visit our Tisane page for our collection of gourmet tisanes that will refresh and relax you. Hot or cold, they are the perfect substitute for high-calorie drinks. All tisanes from GourmetCoffees.com start with a base of hibiscus and rosehips.

Angel Falls - Strawberries and lemon with hibiscus and rosehips

Apricot Supreme - Juicy apricots and bright marigold petals with hibiscus and rosehips

Bella Coola - This tropical mix has pineapple and orange with hibiscus and rosehips

Berry Berry - Black and red currants impart a strong berry flavor with hibiscus and rosehips

Blue Eyes - Orange and apple with hibiscus and rosehips

Cranberry Apple - The fall flavors of tart cranberry and juicy apples is surprisingly refreshing all year. With hibiscus and rosehips

Lady Hannah - Filled with fruits like apple, papaya, brambleberry, blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, and pineapple mixed with hibiscus and rosehips

Lemon Mango - Rosehips and hibiscus with tropical mango, lemon, and sweet apple

Herbal teas and tisanes are relaxing hot and refreshing over ice. Think about replacing those sugary and caffeine filled sodas with a cool glass of one of our tisanes. And for the kids, instead of buying sugary ice pops, make a batch of tisane and freeze it for a treat you'll be happy to serve.