Tea Culture

There’s something undeniably magical about the classic s’mores experience—gooey marshmallows, melted chocolate, and crispy graham crackers, all roasted to perfection over a roaring campfire.

As fireworks light up the skies and families gather across the country this July, there's no better time to enjoy a refreshing, homegrown beverage. Honor America with a sip of something truly patriotic: peppermint herbal tea grown right here in the United States.

As the sun climbs higher and the days stretch long with golden light, there is no greater pleasure than the satisfying chill of a tall glass of iced tea. Crisp, refreshing and endlessly versatile, iced tea has long been the beverage of choice for those who seek both flavor and refreshment.

Across the globe, tea is more than a beverage — it is a tradition, a ritual, a moment of reflection. Whether it is steeped in ceremony or shared across a kitchen table, tea unites cultures, nurtures the spirit and honors the Earth.

Let’s face it. When it comes to Valentine’s Day presents, the first thing that comes to mind is a beautifully wrapped box of silky, decadent chocolates. If your sweetie happens to be a tea aficionado, our Cuppa Chocolate teas are the perfect companion to that heart-shaped box of treats.

The new year means a fresh look on life, and a chance to reflect on what’s really important. It gives you the opportunity to make changes to your routine and finally focus on yourself. With our hectic schedules, we often forget the importance of self-care — whether that means hitting the gym, enjoying a hobby or getting a good night’s sleep.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on our favorite teas for bolstering your immune system. Tea and immunity go hand in hand, thanks to the natural properties found in delicious botanicals, teas and herbs that enhance our body's defenses.

Fight the post-holiday slump with a soothing cup of tea.

Are you tired of dealing with the discomfort of sinus congestion? Whether it's due to a sinus infection, allergies or the common cold, the symptoms can be almost debilitating. The good news is there are natural remedies that can help ease your congestion and provide relief. One such remedy is herbal tea, which has been used for centuries to provide relief from a variety of ailments, including sinus congestion.

The best holiday teacher gifts are thoughtful, cozy and versatile, and our holiday gift guide is brimming with heartwarming gifts any teacher would be thrilled to receive.

Learn why many herbal tea enthusiasts enjoy the flavor of St. John's wort, boasting a long history of wellness with many delightful benefits.

Take a sip and learn about fresh and sweet white tea, full of delightful benefits to compliment its delicious flavor.

Sweeten your September and celebrate National Honey Month!

Honeybush is a flowering shrub native to the Eastern and Western Cape regions of South Africa. It grows only in coastal mountainous regions, which makes it challenging to harvest and therefore highly prized. Learn more about this delicious herb, commonly used to make flavorful herbal teas.

Celebrate the longest day of the year with a delicious and uplifting cup of herbal tea.

Cramping is often a normal part of menstruation, but it can also be painful, disruptive and unwelcome. The severity of menstrual cramps varies quite a bit between individuals — for some they may be a nuisance, while for others, period pain can disrupt daily life.

Herbal bitters have a long and storied history of use in traditional medicine. For thousands of years, our ancient ancestors foraged bitter herbs like dandelion, chamomile and milk thistle to support digestion and to treat ailments such as bloating, nausea and heartburn.

Afternoon tea is a time–honored tradition, and so are its many accompanying etiquette rules. While the custom originated in Great Britain, afternoon tea can now be enjoyed at a wide range of venues around the world — even from the comfort of your own home. Whether you are hosting a formal tea party or attending afternoon tea elsewhere, it is a good

Teas and herbs offer countless benefits for your body and mind. Some teas help you relax and enjoy a good night’s sleep, while others support healthy immunity, weight loss or natural energy levels. But did you know tea can also help you achieve glowing, radiant skin?*

The joy of steeping our Jasmine Pearls Tea is something every tea drinker should experience. From the way these tightly-rolled pearls unfurl as hot water is poured over them to the delightful floral fragrance that fills the air as they steep, each step of this process is a treat for the senses. The tea’s flavor is clean and smooth, even after multiple infusions.

Valerian root, scientifically known as Valeriana officinalis, comes from the flowering valerian plant native to Europe and China. While the plant famously has a smell akin to stinky socks, the better-smelling root of the plant has a long history of being used as an herbal remedy. This use of herbal tea can be traced as far back as ancient Greece and Rome—Hippocrates even wrote about the root being used to treat ailments, such as headaches and nervousness.

When you drink herbal teas containing ginkgo biloba, you might be unaware that you are benefiting from the powerful properties of a living fossil. The ginkgo biloba, also known as the maidenhair tree, is the last member of an order of plants found only in the fossil record.

Imagine yourself at the end of a long day. Perhaps you are just getting home from work and are finally able to set aside your worries, change into your most comfortable clothes, and put your feet up while enjoying some relaxing music.

Whether you are snuggling up with your favorite novel or hosting a garden party with close friends, a freshly-steeped cup of chamomile tea (also known as manzanilla tea) can turn any occasion into a cozier and sweeter affair. But did you know, alongside its delicate floral notes and honey-like flavor, chamomile tea also promotes total body wellness by offering multiple health benefits?

Chai has a rich, nuanced history, but its current form is still in its relative infancy. Known as “masala chai,” meaning “spiced tea” in Hindi, the combination of native spices with black tea did not begin until Britain’s colonial rule of India. Widespread domestic consumption of chai was not immediate, and its introduction to the working class was the result of a variety of historical factors.

Lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible mushroom that derives its name from the long, cascading white strands of its fruiting body, which give the appearance of a majestic lion’s mane. It has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is renowned for its ability to possibly give support to neurological health.*

Sitting back and relaxing while sipping your favorite tea is a wonderful way to treat yourself at any time of the day. Picture it—you place your carefully selected tea bag in your favorite mug and feel the steam wash over you as you bathe your teabag in the warm water. Nothing could be cozier.

Aronia berries are small, dark-colored berries that are known for their high levels of antioxidants.* These healthful berries are native to North America, and played an important role in the traditions of Native American and First Nation tribes. Today aronia berries are considered a superfood and are recognized as one of the richest sources of plant antioxidants on the planet.*

Summon the flavor of your favorite treat — from red velvet cake to gingerbread cookies to chocolate-covered strawberries — with the quick and easy steep of a tea bag. Most of these delicious dessert teas contain zero calories, and they all contain less than five calories.

Could there be a more delicious duo than tea and chocolate? Each of these culinary delights is wonderful on its own, but when intentionally paired together? A match made in heaven!

The use of herbal medicines in women’s wellness is an ancient practice, passed down through generations of traditional healers. During a woman’s life cycle, there are a number of natural transitions that can manifest in a range of symptoms: menstrual cramps, fatigue, PMS, headaches, hot flashes and changes in skin and hair texture.

Happy Global Movie Day! The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences established this annual holiday as an occasion to celebrate the power movies have to reach, connect and inspire people around the world.

We all know the telltale signs of an oncoming cold or flu: a tickle in the back of the throat that gradually progresses into a raw, irritated throat and a deep, hacking cough. When your throat is sore, it can be painful to swallow, cough and even talk.

Feeling out of balance? Overindulging during the holidays can lead to a build-up of toxins in the body, which can cause symptoms such as fatigue, bloating, headaches, insomnia, constipation, weight gain, anxiety and stress. To combat these unwanted side effects, many Citizens enjoy starting the new year with a post-holiday detox.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant with a long history of medicinal use. Originally native to the Arabian Peninsula, the aloe vera plant now grows in tropical and arid climates across the globe. It was regarded by the Ancient Greeks as the panacea—a universal remedy for all diseases and ailments. In Ancient Egypt, aloe vera was known as the plant of immortality. In modern times, the aloe plant is commonly used in cosmetics, skincare and beverage products.

Today, the use of nootropics is on the rise. Increasingly competitive work and school environments are some of the driving forces of the renewed interest in nootropics. Everyone is interested in harnessing the power of these brain-boosting substances.

You may have heard that drinking tea is good for your health—but what is it exactly that makes tea so healthy? Tea is rich in antioxidants, but it also contains a unique amino acid called L-theanine, which plays a significant role in tea’s wellness benefits.

Taking good care of your mind, body, and spirit is important for maintaining your physical health, as well as your mental well-being. Tuning in to your own needs and being kind to yourself can foster self-esteem and confidence, and diminish negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, and loneliness.

There is nothing better than a hot cup of tea first thing in the morning—or at any time of the day. Drinking tea throughout the day is a wonderful way to take care of your body from the inside out, and to support your holistic wellness goals such as stress management, gut health, and getting enough sleep.

The five senses mindfulness exercise is a simple yet effective technique for grounding and centering yourself during moments of chaos. The idea is to release distractions and bring your awareness solely to the present moment by focusing on all five of your senses: sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.

The beginning of a new year is a time for self-reflection, positive changes, and seeking opportunities for growth. With 2020 looming on the horizon, our Ministers have been keeping a watchful eye on emerging health and wellness trends for the coming year. We are pleased to share these findings with our Citizens, to help them on their journeys of enlightenment. Below are the top 10 wellness trends Citizens will want to know of in 2020.

Autumn has long been associated with celebrations and expressions of gratitude. This tradition dates back hundreds of years, when entire communities of farmers and their families would gather to celebrate the bounty of the harvest season.

Staying hydrated is an essential component of living a healthy lifestyle, especially when you add exercise to the mix. Whether you’re running outdoors, lifting weights in the gym, or taking group fitness classes, it is important to replenish the fluids your body loses as you sweat.

Adaptogens are a special category of plants, herbs and mushrooms that may help the body resistoccasional stress. True to their name, adaptogenic herbs are believed to adapt their effects as needed; the same herb may provide either calming or stimulating benefits depending on the individual.

Tea ceremonies are used to commemorate weddings and other special occasions in many cultures around the globe, especially in South and East Asia. Tea unity ceremonies are also growing in popularity among Western brides and grooms, as a meaningful way of symbolizing the coming together of two people and their families.

Pairing wine and cheese is a centuries-old tradition that originated in Italy and France, and slowly spread across the globe as British wine merchants traveled selling their wares. But did you know that you can also pair tea with cheese?

But while matcha may be the most well-known Japanese tea, it’s far from the only variety. The vast majority of tea produced in Japan is green tea, but these can vary greatly in flavor, aroma, and quality depending on their regional origin and manner of processing.

In the lush, tropical equatorial regions of Southeast Asia, the Butterfly Pea plant—a flowering vine known for its vibrant blooms—has long been cultivated and revered. The flowers have a striking sapphire color, and the petals are flecked with streaks of yellow and white.

Spirulina is a type of cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) that grows in both freshwater and saltwater environments. Historically, spirulina was an important source of food for the Aztecs and other Mesoamericans until the 16th century.

The holiday season has come and gone, and that means one thing is on everyone’s mind: New Year’s Resolutions. Whether you want to enhance your existing healthy lifestyle, jump-start a new passion for wellness, or simply reset after indulging all season long, the start of a new year is a wonderful time for re-evaluating and re-focusing on your health goals.

There’s a chill in the air, the leaves have changed colors, and pumpkins are appearing on doorsteps in every neighborhood. There’s no denying it – Halloween is just around the corner!

The reishi mushroom thrives on the base of deciduous trees in tropical and temperate regions of Asia, and is exceptionally rare in its wild form. It grows in a range of colors, with the red reishi being the most potent and well-known form.

The Japanese Tea Ceremony, also called Chanoyu, Sado or Ocha, is a cultural ceremony steeped in history that dates back as far as the 14th century. Also known as the Way of Tea, this traditional Japanese tea ritual is not exclusively about drinking tea, but also about presentation, aesthetics and connecting with guests on a spiritual level. While it can be a very complex ritual that changes with the seasons, a basic understanding of the steps and tea supplies required can provide you with enough insight to host your own Japanese Tea Ceremony at home.

To detox means to rid your body of and abstaining from toxic substances over a period of time, usually a few weeks. This practice has gained popularity in recent years as many people have begun to take a deeper interest in improving their health and well-being. Drinking tea can be very beneficial during the detoxing process. Let us take a look at the advantages of drinking tea during a natural detox and five varieties that will keep your body hydrated and preforming at its best.

There is nothing more soothing during these cold weather months than getting cozy with a steaming hot cup of herbal tea. Although not technically tea since it is not derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, teas comprised of high-quality premium herbs have been known for centuries, like all other varieties of tea, to offer up a wide range of health benefits.

While no one food or beverage can guarantee a life free of illness, in recent years there have been many studies that support what people in The East have believed for generations: The health benefits of premium green tea are diverse and plentiful. Along with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, there is much research to support the health benefits of green tea and we have compiled just a small sample for you.

You know what your favorite tea is and how you like to prepare it: Maybe you love to start your day with one of our premium breakfast teas and end it with a soothing chamomile or decaf tea, or perhaps you look forward to the serenity of your mid-day green tea ritual. As dedicated tea lovers, we know that tea makes life better, and each time we savor a cup we align ourselves with the billions of tea drinkers who have enjoyed their own tea rituals for centuries.

We all know that we should be drinking more water. It seems like everyone – from health experts to personal trainers – wants us to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay properly hydrated.

Your specific tea ritual may involve sitting down with a hot cup of tea and a good book. Did you ever consider the possibility that some of your favorite authors might enjoy doing the same thing?

Today you’ll find us at 8,000 ft. among the rolling hills of the Korakundah Tea Estate, the HIGHEST situated commercial tea estate in the world! Korakundah Tea Estate also produces certified Organic tea, Fair Trade certified tea, and Rainforest Alliance certified tea.

Visiting the Chamraj tea estate, 6,000+ feet in the mountains, was a once in a lifetime experience. The passion for, and commitment to producing premium quality tea was obvious in everything we saw and everyone we spoke with. We were lucky enough to spend the night at the estate manager’s house and enjoyed an amazing dinner together outside above the tea gardens.

We the people of The Republic of Tea take great delight in the knowledge that tea drinking brings about more than a pleasurable experience. For centuries, tea has been associated with good health. Now more than ever, scientific research supports that connection.