Organic India

A very lovely lady left a few Organic India Tulsi teabags for me in the hostel at the Providence Alaska Medical Center, and so I tried this one yesterday. I’m used to black tea mainly and appreciate green tea, but I have never tried a tulsi tea. The first thing I noticed was how delicate the scent and taste were. It took a bit of time for the tea to steep for me — more than 6 minutes, I’d say. The scent and taste are pretty light unless oversteeped, but the general taste is warm and somewhat savory, and it gets better with milk (I know I’m not the only one who puts milk in green tea). I’m much more used to stronger teas, but this really calmed me down and made me happy — happy enough to do the dishes from about ten other people in the hostel*. I do believe that I’m getting more used to green teas, too, and I was really satisfied with the green tea base in this tea.

*If you use a public kitchen, please clean up after yourself; it’s just general hospitality and the other people using it won’t be angry at you (or throw away the deep frying oil you’re not supposed to use because it’s messy and smelly).

I was in the mood for a floral tea, so I grabbed this. It is definitely a rose tea so if rose isn’t your thing you probably wouldn’t enjoy this. However, I like rose in my tea! There is a nice, light sweetness that emerges during the sip and lingers for awhile. This tea is very calming and relaxing – I may have to stock up on this.

Not bad. Probably wouldn’t drink just for the taste of it. But it’s holy basil!

this is the first tea ive ever thrown away, its absolutely disgusting

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – January 2024 Tea #6- A grocery store blend

It was time to finish this one!  I have certainly loved it.  I would definitely buy this green beany tea again… I wonder if it tasted like green beans originally?  hmm… too long ago to remember…
2024 sipdowns: 8

Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge – October Tea #1-A vegetal tea

Thing is, I will never know if this is a sipdown as wrapped teabags tend to escape their boxes to conserve space.  As one of my oldest teas, this will probably be a sipdown soon, if it isn’t already.  It’s hard to tell!  This did always taste very vegetal to me – green beans!  I would love to see a purple basil tea. Since this isn’t even in my Steepster cupboard anymore, I’m counting it as a sipdown.
2022 sipdowns: 100

I LOVE basil, so I had to try this tea. I’m not sure if the water is too hot when I steep it, or if I’m steeping it too long (which is already maybe three minutes) but it goes from a nice light lime green to a light brown color. The scent is definitely basil, flavor seems like a bit of lemon myrtle with GREEN BEANS which is another thing I love actually. I’ll have to fine tune this one and see what it is like when the water isn’t so hot, though I did leave the boiled water sitting there for a bit. I’d love for it to keep that light green color while still having some flavor.

A friend of mine was very sweet to serve me this at our last dinner together, and it was quite unlike any other tea I’ve ever tasted. It has a great flavor to it. Definitely sweet and flavorful enough to drink on its on. We enjoyed it iced, but it would definitely be decent hot. Although I think I would prefer it always iced. I’m so glad she sent me home with two bags, so I can enjoy it again before purchasing it for my growing tea collection.

Am trying to go a bit more ayurvedic to center myself and decided to grab this because it was recommended for pitta dosha people.

Definitely can taste the light stevia, giving a sweet finish and aftertaste. Lovely tulsi aroma and the rose isn’t as strong as I thought it’d be, but it’s still there in the middle of the sip.

All in all, a nice relaxing cup for a Monday morning, but I miss the caffeine in my usual Earl Grey ;_;

It’s got some zest from the Lemon & Ginger, and the Tulsi flavor comes thru. A warm, relaxing cup of tea. This one would be nice if you had a cold and were hanging around the house, reading or staring out the window.

Very strong smell brewing it. I thought I would be drinking liquid roses. However I was pleasantly surprised. Very muted sweet taste, with just the right amount of fragrance. Yummy.

This is one of my absolutely favorite teas (unless I brew it too strong). It has kind of a semi-sweet, earthy/grassy component to it, almost has an incredibly delicate citrus backnote? It’s really difficult to pin. Tulsi itself is supposed to be an adaptogen and have all kinds of beneficial properties (immune system, energy, etc). I adore it. Not sure when I got hooked on it but always keep a box or two handy. I should probably add I’m not a big fan of green teas (prefer black with a shot of almond milk) but this still blew me away.

Another Jamie tea! I admit, rose teas are growing on me. And this is my very 1st Tulsi tisane so I had to try it.

I bumped up the suggested steeping time a min since I like my teas in a 6oz cuppa but I decided to make an 8oz cup today.

This reminds me a lot of RoT’s Get Relaxed! Except there’s no rooibos- a personal yay for me. The rose is strong, w/o tasting like grandma’s perfume and it is slightly sweet- although not anything close to being dessert like,. juice like, or artificially sweet. I’d definitely drink this again- maybe blended w/ Adagio’s vanilla or cocomint green.

A gentle, relaxing tea with a very very warm flavor. More powerful with a longer steep, but still tops off before reaching any kind of “strong” flavor.

Blech. It’s not sweet and doesn’t taste like roses. It’s got this weird herbal flavor that I can’t place (but can only assume it’s the tulsi) and don’t much care for. There’s a hint of chamomile, but you have to search for it in the cup. Really wishing I didn’t have any more of this in my stash. Yuck.

I was looking forward to this cup, Chamomile-Rooibos-Tulsi & Vanilla….sounds soothing. It’s good, but it needs more Rooibos and Vanilla to the mix. The Vanilla overpowers it.

I’ve just discovered my new favorite tea, I love the gentle influence of tranquility this tea induces. Nice spicy, mint type of flavor. I really like when tea is good by it’s self, no additives needed. Tea leaves and hot water. What a gift.

I’ve been drinking this one every morning for a few weeks, because I wanted to wake up, but am under so much stress that my stomach has been a mess. Coffee hasn’t been my friend lately. However much I like the other Tulsi teas though, this one is just okay. Rather than giving me that delicious black tea taste PLUS the benefits of tulsi, it really just tastes like tulsi to me (tulsi = holy basil). I find that some of Organic India’s other flavors do more to cover up the sorta herby-sweet tulsi taste.

Nonetheless, I shall finish up the box because the plant is good for my adrenals, and right now, in this stupid language immersion program, I need all the help managing the effects of stress that I can get.

I particularly like the Tulsi Teas for their flavor and I know this sounds crazy but for their product design as well!

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: ~12 ounces boiling NYC tap water (boiled in microwave)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Medium bodied
Translucent dark brown
Backlogged from a visit to MilitiaJim’s parents where our friend was returning from India and brought tea with her. She shared this tea with me while we were hanging around the house.

It was a strong black tea with a mild medley of spices, where none stood out. They were perfectly balanced to make you think spice and flavor, but not strong enough to discern individually or overpower the tea.

Not what I typically think of when I think of US “chai” spiced tea (chai actually means tea, there are whole articles on this topic, please note I am using the US definition of spiced tea).

This was a thoroughly enjoyable cup of tea, especially with the honey as it was too astringent and bitter without it.

Post-Steep Additives: a bit of honey

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/06/organic-india-teabag-black-tea-tulsi.html

I’ve been feeling a little out of sorts this morning…kind of anxious. So I thought that a sort of medicinal herbal blend might help.

I emptied three tea bags into my travel mug and topped it with hot water.

Tastes like spicy mentholated basil. It’s different and pleasant enough.

I’m going to drink this all day (using up the rest of the box) and see how I feel.

While browsing the tea aisle at Whole Foods (aka “Whole Paycheck” :P), I tossed this and Rishi’s Ginger Pu-erh into my basket.

I’ve read good things about the restorative powers of tulsi as well as these amazing properties:

“…reduces stress, enhances stamina, relieves inflammation, lowers cholesterol, eliminates toxins, protects against radiation, prevents gastric ulcers, lowers fevers, improves digestion and provides a rich supply of antioxidants and other nutrients. Tulsi is especially effective in supporting the heart, blood vessels, liver and lungs and also regulates blood pressure and blood sugar.”

What a magical herb, eh? ;)

The scent is spicy like cloves and cinnamon but the taste is so mild—mild but not wimpy—there’s a nice peppery, tannic bite. It’s slightly sweet with just a hint of clove-like flavor. I sense licorice too.

I like this. Even in its mellowness, I find it pretty good. I love the aroma. And, perhaps it’s the power of suggestion, but I can feel myself unwind already. The stresses of the week seem to be melting away… :)

I bet this would taste even better (and stronger) in the loose-leaf version. But, sadly, it wasn’t available at the store.

Cinnamon, spice, peppery, nice. Like this as part of a mix with chamomile and hibiscus, or by itself.