In a prior post, A Tea Primer, I discussed teas made from the leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. I mentioned that herbal and fruit teas are not made from that plant and so are not true “tea.” For those of you who are saying, “Then, what have I been drinking?”, this post is for you.
What Are Herbal & Fruit Teas?
Rather than coming from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, these teas come from many different herbs, fruits or a combination.
Because of that, they are more properly called infusions or tisanes. We call them tea only because they are brewed in the same manner as real tea.
Do Herbal Teas Contain Caffeine?
Although there are many differences between herbal/fruit teas and real tea, perhaps the most significant is the absence of caffeine. All beverages made from tea leaves will contain some caffeine, though the amount may vary. In contrast, most herbal/fruit teas are caffeine-free. There are some exceptions, though, of which you should be aware.
Among the herbs that do contain caffeine are the following.
- Yerba Mate – a plant native to South America.
- Guaraná – also known as Brazilian cocoa. The seeds of this plant are said to have the highest caffeine content of any plant.
- Yaupon Holly – a plant that Native Americans historically used for purification and ceremonial purposes.
- Cola nut – this is cultivated in Africa and Central/South America and is mostly used as a caffeine-containing extract for flavoring foods and cola beverages.
- Cacao – although the level is very low, chocolate does contain caffeine.
Types of Herbal & Fruit Teas
Some examples of single herb teas are Peppermint and Chamomile. Some of the most popular herbal teas are actually a blend of different herbs.
You will rarely find fruit teas that are made of only a single fruit. Typically, tea blenders use a combination of fruits to achieve the taste they want. An example is our Pink Lemonade. Its main flavor profile is lemon and rhubarb, but the actual fruits used are pineapple, apples, and lemon.
What Is Rooibos?
Probably the most common type of fruit and/or herbal tea is one that contains both fruits and herbs. In this case, a popular herb used is Rooibos (and its cousin, Honeybush). Rooibos is not a typical herb in the way we think of herbs. Rather, it is a plant native to South Africa and a member of the legume family.
After harvesting, just like with the leaves of the tea plant, it may or may not undergo oxidation. If it does, it will be reddish in color and have a sweet, smoky and woodsy flavor. In the 1990s, green rooibos was created. Just as with green tea, the oxidation process is not allowed to happen. Its flavor is a bit grassier with mineral-like notes.
Why Rooibos Is So Popular
There are a couple of reasons that rooibos is so popular in making herbal teas.
- Antioxidants – Rooibos has similar healthy antioxidants as are found in real tea, with the green version having higher levels than the red.
- Body – There is a concept in tea drinking called “body”. Another word is “mouth feel”. This is the sensation of thickness or viscosity in your mouth when drinking tea. For example, drinking cream feels much thicker than drinking skim milk. Real teas have body, although it may vary from light to full. Most herbal and fruit teas have very little body. Adding rooibos to the mix gives those herbal/fruit teas more body.
We carry a variety of rooibos-based herbal/fruit teas with a range of flavor profiles. From our Lemon Soufflé to our Peach Apricot to our Gingersnap Cookie, there is something to fit everyone’s palate.
Whether you’re looking for a soothing evening cup or a caffeine-free summer refresher, our herbal and fruit tea collections have something for every palate. Explore and find your new favorite.