What is Herbal Tea?

Takeaways:

• What is herbal tea? Contrary to common usage in our lexicon, herbal teas (also known as tisanes) are not technically considered “teas” in the botanical sense. Herbal teas don’t incorporate leaves from Camellia sinensis, a plant species that defines a “true” tea.
• There are many types of herbal teas. Rishi Tea & Botanicals expertly crafts a variety of botanical blends using globally sourced ingredients such as chamomile, ginger, peppermint and elderberry. Each blend is curated to offer a distinctive expression of flavor that’s true to origin.
• Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free—this makes them different from decaffeinated teas, which are those made from Camellia sinensis leaves but stripped of their caffeine during processing.

“What is herbal tea?” is a more nuanced question than the name itself might suggest. Herbal Teas refer to naturally caffeine-free products that are not actually “tea” in the botanical sense. New tea drinkers can be surprised to learn that all true tea is made from the leaves of a single plant species: Camellia Sinensis. However, herbal teas are made from non-tea botanicals. 

Learn more about tisanes and herbal blends from the experts at Rishi Tea & Botanicals.

What is – and Isn’t — Herbal Tea

In Western culture, the word “tea” is often used broadly to describe any type of brewed drink that’s made from herbs, spices, flowers, roots and other botanicals. Many types of what we commonly refer to as “herbal teas” feature ingredients like ginger, peppermint, hibiscus and chamomile and not actual tea leaves.

Herbal blends that don’t incorporate the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant are more accurately known as “tisanes.” The Camelia sinensis plant is what defines a true tea, like Oolong or Matcha.

Even so, we often refer to tisanes as teas because they are cultivated, brewed and savored within the same rich traditions of tea culture. Across the world, herbal infusions have long been cherished for their flavor, aroma and restorative qualities, and we’re honored to share these timeless botanical blends as part of the experience at Rishi Tea & Botanicals.

Decaffeinated Tea vs. Herbal Tea

This raises another question: if herbal tea is not technically tea, what is decaffeinated tea? 

Many mass market decaffeinated teas are still made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. By definition, they remain true teas even after the caffeine has been removed. At Rishi Tea & Botanicals, however, we choose not to offer decaffeinated teas because the decaffeination process can diminish not only caffeine content, but also the tea’s depth, aroma and character. 

For that reason, you will not find decaffeinated Camellia sinensis teas among our types of herbal teas. Instead, we focus on crafting vibrant botanical tisanes and sourcing exceptional low- and medium-caffeine teas that preserve the integrity and full sensory expression of the leaf. If you’re seeking a gentler tea experience with naturally balanced energy, these varieties offer a more authentic expression of the tea plant and its traditions.

Rooibos, a Naturally Caffeine-Free Tea Alternative

Rooibos is a well-loved, naturally caffeine-free herbal tea. But what is in Rooibos tea, if not the tea plant?

Rooibos is a type of herbal tea that has its own fascinating contributions to the history of tea. The Rooibos plant, also known as Aspalathus linearis, was traditionally harvested by the Khoisan people of South Africa. Despite its African origins, Rooibos is Dutch for “red bush,” as the Boers who came to South Africa adopted this colorful plant for their own tea time rituals. 

Rooibos isn’t just rich in color; it’s rich in antioxidants and minerals like iron. Recent clinical studies suggest that the flavonoids in Rooibos tea may help reduce oxidative stress. Aspalathin and nothofagin are the main flavonoids, or type of polyphenols, found in Aspalathus linearis and have stronger anti-oxidative activity than other flavonoids.

To this day, Rooibos is grown exclusively in the Cederberg Mountain region of the Western Cape, and we are proud to offer premium varieties of this beloved blend.