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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.