Orange, mint and rose tisanes are among the most popular herbal teas, or more properly speaking tisanes, sold today. The three flavors may be enjoyed separately or in combination with other herbs for a soothing beverage with medicinal qualities.
Tea and Tisanes
Properly speaking, tea is defined as a beverage brewed from the leaves of the Camelia sinensis plant, or the tea plant. This includes black tea, white tea, and green tea which pack powerful health benefits. A tisane is the correct term for beverages brewed from herbal plants. Most people use the terms interchangeable, but it's important to know that a tisane simply means a beverage made from any plant other than the actual tea plant.
You can purchase tisanes such as orange, mint and rose tisanes at grocery stores, specialty shops, herbal stores or online. Most grocery stores carry some variation of herbal teas and tisanes, with health food stores or specialty shops carrying a greater selection of medicinal teas.
Orange Mint and Rose Tisanes
These three flavors offer medicinal properties as well as wonderful tastes that most people enjoy.
Herbal Properties
Among the three herbs, mint and rose are the best known for their medicinal qualities.
Mint: The mint family, especially peppermint, has a long history of medicinal use. Mint tisanes soothe an upset stomach and settle indigestion. They are excellent for nausea, flatulence, and any digestive problem. Peppermint oil capsules are often suggested by herbalists to quell digestive problems.
Rose: Rose hips are the seed pods left behind when the rose blossoms fade in the fall. Rose hips are a traditional medicine for colds, and it's no wonder - they're packed with vitamin C. Rose hips add a sweet and sour note to teas that is very enjoyable, particularly when combined with a bright note like orange and a little spice such as cinnamon.
Orange: Orange flavoring comes from the rind of the orange itself, usually Mandarin oranges. It does not offer any medicinal properties but yields a strong, sweet taste that blends nicely with rose, rose hips, mint, and many other herbs. It's frequently included in herbal teas and tisanes to balance other flavors.
Choosing a Tisane
Since herbal teas and tisanes are so widely available today, choose according to flavor and characteristics of the tea. True herbal tisanes such as orange mint and rose tisanes do not include caffeine, but some companies use black tea as a base for a flavored tea. Black tea contains a natural amount of caffeine. Read the ingredients on the label if you're trying to avoid caffeine.
Some considerations when purchasing tisanes include:
- Loose tea or tea bags: Tea bags are convenient, portable, and standard. Loose tea allows you to brew a pot and avoids the waste of bags and string. Either is a matter of preference.
- Shape of tea bag: New tea bags come in pyramid shapes. These shapes supposedly allow the water to circulate better around the leaves and thus brew a better cup of tea. Many tea companies suggest that they offer a vastly superior cup of tea or tisane, but the difference is in the taste buds of the beholder. As you may expect, such tea bags cost more.
Make Your Own
Mint and rose are easy to grow in most gardens, especially mint. Mint can be so invasive that it rapidly takes over the garden on its own. If you have mint in the garden, a few oranges from the store, and rose petals, why not brew your own tisane? Recipes may be found on Garden Guides for various herbal teas. Brew a pot, pour into your favorite teacup, and sip the relaxation.
