Let us bring your attention to some of our lesser-known, unique and niche ingredients. These might be the new favourites you didn’t know you needed, let alone existed.
The world of tea runs deep – just when you think you’ve sipped all there is to try, you’ll discover something new. The ingredients are endless, from flower buds and petals, to roots, seeds and herbs. Each has a wealth of flavour and benefits, that can be incorporated to your daily tea rituals.
This article is inspired by the all-new Cabinet of Curiosity Advent Calendar, which is designed to spark your curiosity and encourage you to try 24 different blends. Discover the Advent Calendar and more of the alchemy-inspired Christmas collection, online and in-store.
For more articles exploring the world of specialty tea, go to our article page. One of our favourites is the T2 Tea Glossary, where we share how to talk about tea like the experts do.
Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea)
With origins in South Asia, the petal of the butterfly pea is known for its characteristic bright blue colour. It’s a magical, colour-changing ingredient which is also said to be high in antioxidants. Simply add a squeeze of citrus and watch this blue brew change colour to violet.
Taste it in Blue Raspberry Ripple.
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Silver lime flowers (Tilia tomentosa)
With a warm, sweet apple-like taste similar to chamomile, it is considered useful in soothing colds, flus and sore throats.
Taste it in Sweetest Dreams.
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Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
The botanical name comes from the Greek glukus (meaning sweet) and rhiza (meaning root). Naturally sweet yet sugar free, it is also said to remedy coughs and stomach pains. You’ll love it for its sweet, anise-like, thirst-quenching taste.
Sip it in Liquorice Legs.
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Yerba mate (Ilex oaraguariensis)
Made into a traditional brew throughout South America, where in some areas it’s more popular than tea and coffee. It’s a powerful stimulant said to ease fatigue, it is also said to ease stress and be generally beneficial to your wellbeing.
Taste it in Wakey Wakey.
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Flowering tea (Camellia sinensis blend)
Flowering tea, also known as blooming tea is hand-tied by artisans who weave dried blooms such as jasmine, chrysanthemum and globe amaranth into delicate bundles of white or green tea. When steeped in hot water, the bundle slowly unfurls, or "blooms," transforming into a mesmerising floral display right in your cup. The flavour is light, softly sweet and gently fragrant, carrying the subtle freshness of the blossoms with hints of grape, lemon blueberry, raspberry lychee rose and sweet orange.
Experience it in Blooms Like Magic.
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Rose (Rosa spp.)
The flower of love, produces a sweet-smelling herbal tea with both the petals and rose hips. The botanical name comes from the Greek word rodon, which means red. The hips taste fruity and aromatic, they are known for their high vitamin contents, especially vitamin C. The petal, that taste delicate and fragrant when brewed, is believed to soothe the body and mind.
Sip rosehip in The Quiet Mind.
Sip rose petals in Just Rose.
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