Herbal Tea | Beyond Mint and Chamomile

Without theine or caffeine, without sugar and without alcohol, herbal tea has the gift of brightening up evenings gently, whether after a dinner with friends, around a board game or in front of the TV. Here are five suggestions of Quebec herbal teas to discover.

The Purple Rose

A Montreal tea institution for 25 years, Camellia Sinensis also offers a fine selection of herbal teas, including La Rose pourpre, made with three ingredients: raspberry, purple basil and wild rose buds. The result is a violet herbal tea, with a basil taste, and a peppery finish. The most original we have tasted.

Purple Rose, Camellia Sinensis, $15 for a 20 gram bag

Rooibos Earl Grey

Rooibos tastes similar to black tea, but this South African bush has nothing to do with the tea plant. It therefore contains neither theine nor caffeine! These pretty pyramid bags contain red and green rooibos, blue centaury flowers, natural flavors and bergamot oil, for the “Earl Grey” touch.

Rooibos Earl Grey, Ariel, $11.85 per box of 20 teabags (50 grams)

Black Crowberry

This herbal tea surprises with its acidic taste and red color, which comes from the hibiscus flower and the poppy flower, but also from the crowberry, a small northern shrub to which the Inuit attributed virtues for respiratory health. With sugar and ice cubes, it also makes an excellent lemonade. Délice boréal is a company founded and operated by Inuit from Nunavik.

Crowberry, Délice boréal, $12.95 per box of 20 sachets (30 grams)

Indian Summer

This is a very delicate herbal tea, composed of raspberry leaves, wild rose petals, wintergreen and pine needles. It is a floral blend, therefore, with a hint of pine. It can be drunk hot or cold. Tip: serve it in a transparent teapot, for the pleasure of the eyes.

Indian Summer Herbal Tea, Gourmet Sauvage, $10.50 for a 20 gram bag

Aronia and alder

This herbal tea inspired by the boreal forest contains aronia, a berry native to North America. Floèm sources the aronia pulp from a company that extracts the juice. Long live the circular economy! It also contains other native plants, including alder, goldenrod and Labrador tea. All this makes for a tasty and appealing herbal tea.

Aronia and alder, Floèm, $13.95 for a 35 gram bag