Silent Night

Licorice root comes from a herbaceous perennial that has been used medicinally for thousands of years in both the East and West. In modern times it has also become used as an ingredient in various tea blends. Licorice root is utilized to give body and sweetness to our holiday blend, Silent Night.

Ginger, used in many cultures to enliven food and drink, is also known for its healthful qualities. A light stimulant, it can treat cold symptoms and sore throat. Ginger is cultivated most prominently in India, China, Indonesia and West Africa. After the plant flowers and the leaves die off, the roots are dug, washed, peeled and sun dried. Ginger’s spicy-sweet flavor adds spark and complexity to our Big Hibiscus.

Stevia leaf is nature's best sweetener. Often confused for it's highly processed sweetener namesake, the leaf itself is more delicate and nuanced in its flavor. Still sweet and full of body, we use it primarily in our holiday blend, Silent Night, where it provides a natural sweetness earning it the title of "Candycane in a Cup." It's produced around the world, but we find it's best when grown in India or China.

Often called cinnamon, cassia is a spice with a significantly different flavor profile than true cinnamon. Grown in subtropical climates, its taste varies widely by origin, and quality is judged by the volatile oil content. In Kerinci in Sumatra, cassia bark is stripped and dried year round from a revolving crop of 10 – 12 year old trees that are continuously replanted. Cassia is sweet, hot and spicy and adds fragrance to our chai blend.

The world’s most flavorful peppermint comes from the Pacific Northwest, where the summers are hot and dry. Ours is harvested just before it begins to flower, when the oil content is highest. After cutting, the plant is allowed to field dry. Then the stems are removed and the mint is sorted into uniform leaf sizes. With intense menthol and rich chocolate notes, Pacific Northwest peppermint is a real wakeup for your senses.

Sarsaparilla root from India is unlike sarsaparilla from other origins. It has a taste and aroma that is vanilla-like and creamy, making it ideal for use in chai and blends with rooibos, or simply enjoying by itself. A climbing plant that grows throughout India, the root is dug, washed, peeled and sun dried. The thicker roots of the sarsaparilla plant make the best and most flavorful brew.

Sweet Blackberry Leaf is an excellent ingredient to add a touch of sweetness to an herbal blend.