Cocoa Nouveau

Originally grown in India as an additive to coffee, Chicory Root has become a popular ingredient for teas and coffee alternatives worldwide. The intensely rich flavor of chicory made it a natural addition to coffee for multiple reasons. Chicory is naturally free of caffeine, nutrient dense and can be used as a substitute for coffee when the latter is difficult to source. In teas, it provides a deeply rich and satisfying flavor to build upon, so that a bold warm cup can be enjoyed morning, noon or night. 

Cacao nibs come from the Theobroma cacao tree and are one of the main raw ingredients used for making chocolate. Whole cacao beans are shelled, fermented and then broken down into chopped bits of cocoa seeds. These nibs then go through an additional roasting step, resulting in a more flavorful and less bitter tasting cacao nib.

Coconut flakes are made from the dried, edible fruit of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), a tree of the palm family. Coconuts likely were first cultivated on islands in Southeast Asia and are one of the most important crops of the tropics. Coconut flesh is high in fat and can be dried or eaten fresh or processed into coconut milk or coconut oil. Dried coconut flakes provide a silky and decadent mouth feel when used as an ingredient in tea blends.

Hibiscus flower is cultivated in many coutries around the world including China, Thailand and Egypt. We particularly like the Egyptian variety–it is brighter, fruitier and more exciting. High in vitamin C, hibiscus is tart, deep red, and slightly earthy with concord grape-like characteristics.

Elderberry is the deep red fruit of the elder tree and a superfood that has been used for its health benefits for hundreds of years. It is known to be high in antioxidants and many believe it can relieve colds, fight the flu, and boost the immune system.

Osmanthus is a species of evergreen shrubs and trees native to Asia. Its flowers are extremely fragrant and when made into a tea have strong peach notes. A favorite of Steve's, we use this botanical in our signature White Petal blend.