Herbal Teas

[TimmyBoston]

I have a lot of trouble sleeping so more caffeine in my diet at night usually isn't a good idea. So herbal tea has always been a nice alternative. I know many of them aren't actually tea, but regardless it is still a pleasant drink in those wee small hours.

I like Celestial Seasonings, their Sleepytime and Tension Tamer teas.

Does anyone else have any favorites? What are some other products other worth trying?

[Hobbesoxon]

By pure chance, I just wrote about this exact subject (http://half-dipper.blogspot.com/2008/08/wheat-tea.html). :)


Toodlepip,

Hobbes

[R-James]

rooibos interests me, as my personal rule is no tea after 3pm. Where is the best place to pick some up to try?


I think its safe to say now that I love pu, the rest of the teas will have to be sampled, even though rooibos is not a true tea.

[ouch]

Amazing timing, Tim. Hobbes just wrote about this on his blog. I would normaly ridicule such a notion offhand, as I find it akin to wine made from apples, but if David says it's worthwhile, I'd be willing to give it a go.

[R-James]

Amazing timing, Tim. Hobbes just wrote about this on his blog. I would normaly ridicule such a notion offhand, as I find it akin to wine made from apples, but if David says it's worthwhile, I'd be willing to give it a go.

I see you operate the same philosophy as me!

[RichGem]

I have a lot of trouble sleeping so more caffeine in my diet at night usually isn't a good idea. So herbal tea has always been a nice alternative. I know many of them aren't actually tea, but regardless it is still a pleasant drink in those wee small hours.

I like Celestial Seasonings, their Sleepytime and Tension Tamer teas.

Does anyone else have any favorites? What are some other products other worth trying?

I have transient sleep issues and have cut way back on my caffeine as well. I haven't found the "sleepy time"-type teas to be particularly calming or sleep-inducing, but that's me. Valerian root, however, has been helpful as a general calmer and it's also improved my blood pressure (another reason I've cut back on caffeine).

As far as herbal teas go, I drink either decaf green (I know, not herbal), or chrysanthemum which is big in Chinese culture and medicine. It's mildly diuretic and supposed to be good for just about everything: sinuses, blood lipids, blood pressure, liver, and on and on. I often add a squirt of liquid thyme extract since that's good for my sinuses also.

[expatCanuck]

Admittedly, I'm pretty much a tea purist (Read: stuck-up tea snob. :wink:) But ...

Celestial Seasonings used to make a tisane called Emperor's Choice, which I really enjoyed:

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/drinks/emperors-choice-herb-tea/

Sadly, it's long been discontinued.

The closest I've found (and it's not all that close, but I enjoy it nonetheless) is the Republic of Tea's Safari Sunset, which is a Rooibos-based drink. IMHO, overpriced in its retail package, but reasonable in bulk:

http://www.republicoftea.com/templates/detail.asp?navID=312

Terrific with lemon, particularly so if you've got a cold.

Cheers,

- Richard

[thirdeye]

When I do feel like tea late or if I am having a little trouble relaxing, I reach for Sleepytime from Celestial Seasonings as well. I generally add a teaspoon of fresh grated lemon zest to it.

[RichGem]

Forgive me for a slightly OT question... but this would seem to be the tea lovers thread.....

My local Thai restaurant (where the food is fantastic but the staff doesn't speak much English) serves a great hot tea which has a distinct woodsy/cedar-y note to it. It's quite nice, especially in Winter. I suspect it's the same tea they use as a base for the Thai Iced Tea. Any idea what tea (clearly, not an herbal, I assume) it could be? Yes, asking would be easiest, but not much English from the staff.

TIA and apologies for the OT.

[Scotto]

Forgive me for a slightly OT question... but this would seem to be the tea lovers thread.....

My local Thai restaurant (where the food is fantastic but the staff doesn't speak much English) serves a great hot tea which has a distinct woodsy/cedar-y note to it. It's quite nice, especially in Winter. I suspect it's the same tea they use as a base for the Thai Iced Tea. Any idea what tea (clearly, not an herbal, I assume) it could be? Yes, asking would be easiest, but not much English from the staff.

TIA and apologies for the OT.

I make Thai iced tea all the time. This (http://importfood.com/thaiicetea.html) is the stuff, and the place I get it from.

Ingredients: Thai tea leaves, dried lemongrass, dried pandan leaves, yellow #6

[apswartz]

When it comes to Celestial Seasonings I like anything with zinger in its name.

Otherwise, give me a decaffeinated Earl Grey! hehehe!

[RichGem]

I make Thai iced tea all the time. This (http://importfood.com/thaiicetea.html) is the stuff, and the place I get it from.

Ingredients: Thai tea leaves, dried lemongrass, dried pandan leaves, yellow #6

Thanks Scotto!

[ouch]

Thanks Scotto!

+1

Damn, now I wish it were summer again.

[RichGem]

+1

Damn, now I wish it were summer again.

as do i, but the tea (minus the milk) is quite good hot.

[ouch]

Yep, winter beckons.

Now where can I get some yak butter..... :tongue_sm

[expatCanuck]

Damn, now I wish it were summer again.


as do i ...Not me -- my Canadian blood is looking forward to winter. And, in between, we get the sublime New England fall.

I do so love the change of seasons.

- Richard

[Hobbesoxon]

For rooibos, I go to Jing (the UK business, not the Chinese one). They're usually extortionate for other teas, but their rooibos is (i) fresh, (ii) tasty, (iii) not a huge rip-off. I like it. It's unflavoured, and tastes a lot like a complex, vanilla-like hongcha.

Instead of leaves, it consists of what look like zillions of miniature pine needles. This is a PAIN IN THE DERRIERE. Apart from that, it's great. :chinese:


Toodlepip,

Hobbes

[whiskerlips]

There is a Sleepytime Extra, including valerian. Does it really make a difference? Not sure, but both my girlfriend and I really enjoy this tea.