The Best Herbal Teas

Buying Guide for Herbal Teas

Why buy herbal teas?

Herbal teas are a great alternative to coffee because they’re full of antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients. Some herbal teas contain caffeine while others don’t, but even the teas that contain caffeine won’t make you crash like coffee. Herbal teas can make you feel warm and cozy on a cold day, and they can be iced for cool refreshment on a hot day. Herbal teas come in various flavors to suit just about any palette, and they can be enjoyed on their own or by adding milk, honey, sugar, or lemon for a kick of flavor.

What should you consider in herbal teas?

• Caffeine: Many herbal teas are made without caffeine, a stimulant that can be detrimental to health or make you lose sleep. If you have had trouble with caffeine in the past or would like to avoid it, stick with herbal teas that are labeled caffeine-free.
• Healthy Ingredients: Every brand of herbal tea contains some health-benefiting ingredients. If you’re looking to improve gut health, turmeric teas and detox teas are said to help boost your gut. Chamomile tea is a tried and true medicine for troubled sleepers. And teas with dark berries are said to do wonders for the skin.
• Flavor: You won’t enjoy your daily cup of tea without loving the flavor. Herbal teas come in countless flavors, so there’s something for everyone. Ginger tea is a favorite, as is berry tea, lemon and honey tea, hibiscus tea, and nutty almond tea.

Is it easy to make tea?

Yes! Some people might feel intimidated by brewing tea because of steep times and the various ways that it can be done. First, if your tea comes in a tea bag, you can simply boil water on the stove, in an electric kettle, or in a mug in the microwave. Then add your tea bag(s), wait a few minutes for it to steep, and enjoy. Tea also comes in convenient K-Cups, so you can make it right in your single-serve coffee maker. Lastly, loose-leaf tea is a little more complicated simply because it requires an extra accessory of a strainer basket or infuser. Or you can buy empty tea bags and fill them with the loose-leaf tea yourself. Ultimately, it’s really not as intimidating as it might seem, and you’ll get a great beverage at the end of whatever method you choose.

Our Picks for the Best Herbal Teas

Pros: Containing 10 key ingredients for better gut health, this tea helps good gut bacteria flourish. It also uses botanicals with laxative effects to remove toxins and boost immunity. There are three delicious flavors to choose from—citrus cinnamon, ginger peach, and mint berry. This tea is made in the U.S. at GMP-compliant (good manufacturing practice) facilities. Each tea is Kosher-certified, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly. Plus, these teas are available in 25-bag boxes or in K-Cup pods.

Cons: The cleansing effects of this tea work better for some people than for others. Also, if you have a sensitive stomach, this tea may cause some discomfort.

Bottom Line: For people looking to align their gut health, this tasty tea may be a helpful tool. It has a pleasant flavor that’s light and delicate. And it’s made from all-natural ingredients.

 

Pros: If you’re new to drinking tea and want to sample a variety of different flavors, these multi-packs may be a great solution. There are 66 different flavors available, and you can purchase packs in many different sizes. Each tea is expertly crafted from the finest tea leaves found around the globe, and they’re cultivated to exacting standards by trusted tea growers. Plus, this brand has over 300 years of experience in crafting the finest flavors, so you can enjoy a world-class tea-drinking experience.

Cons: The boxes are a bit flimsy and may become dented or crushed in transit.

Bottom Line: With many years of experience in crafting teas, this brand creates some marvelous flavors. You can enjoy several flavors in each variety pack, so you can find your favorite blend.

 

Pros: Inside this beautiful box are 45 bags of beautifully crafted organic herbal teas in five different flavors: elderberry and echinacea, lemon, ginger and manuka honey, turmeric gold, three ginger, and blackcurrant beauty. Plus, there are two other flavor variety boxes available. It’s the perfect self-care gift for you or a friend or family member. The packaging is recyclable, and the ingredients are certified organic. And each tea is expertly blended by herbal experts and nutritionists for the best possible health benefits.

Cons: Not all of these teas are caffeine-free. You must read the labels carefully.

Bottom Line: This is the most giftable variety pack because of the great flavors and beautiful packaging. You can try three different flavor combination packs for a total of 15 different amazing teas to choose from. And every ingredient is certified organic.

 

Pros: These loose-leaf teas are expertly crafted by a handful of tea experts who source over 150 of the highest-quality ingredients from over 40 countries to promise you the best tea experience possible. By sourcing ingredients directly from farms around the world, you get a great value in comparison to other premium teas.  Each sample bag in your pack will brew six to ten cups of delicious, flavorful tea. There are nine different variety packs to choose from so you can find your favorite flavors. Plus, you can feel good about buying from a company that gives back to the community.

Cons: Some of the flavors contain extra sugar.

Bottom Line: If you haven’t tried loose-leaf tea and are curious about the robust flavors, this a great sampler pack to try. Each box comes with detailed instructions for crafting your tea. Plus, this tea is made with responsibly-sourced ingredients.

 

Pros: With 23 flavor options to choose from, you’ll have no problems finding your favorite tea flavors or trying something new. There are many pack sizes available to suit your needs, whether you only need a small box of tea for visitors or whether you’re a daily drinker who is stocking up. This tea company has been selecting the best flavors from all around the globe for over 300 years. The teas are expertly flavored for maximum enjoyment, whether they come in a bag or in a K-Cup. For the best possible flavor, it’s suggested to select the 6- or 8-ounce selection on your Keurig when brewing your tea.

Cons: Because these are K-Cups, they’re more expensive than standard tea bags.

Bottom Line: Even in a K-Cup, this tea is expertly made, so all the flavors come through during the brew. It’s a medium-strength flavor, so it’s not too heavy or too light. These cups are a bit more on the expensive side, but worth it if you prefer to use your Keurig rather than brewing traditional tea.

Final Thoughts

People have been drinking tea for hundreds of years for health benefits, hydration, and the cozy, warming feeling of a cup of tea. Many herbal teas come in variety packs, so if you’re new to tea, you can taste many options and choose your favorite. And tea is flexible, so you can add milk, honey, or sugar to enhance the flavor and get it just right.