Why so unpopular?

Healthy herbs, rooibos, honeybush, decaf tea, and yerba mate.


Dec 28th, '05, 22:19
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Why so unpopular?

by Snow on Cedar » Dec 28th, '05, 22:19

Why are the herbals seemingly so unpopular? I love them, but I get a wierd impression that they are almost disdained in the tea world? :?:
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Dec 29th, '05, 08:59
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by klemptor » Dec 29th, '05, 08:59

I don't like them because they're not really tea. I've considered buying some herbals to use as an add-in to a nice basic Ceylon. Other than that, I personally have no use for herbals.

I feel the same about Rooibos and Maté, though. And I know others aren't in agreement with me on that. ;)
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Dec 29th, '05, 10:41
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by Tadiera » Dec 29th, '05, 10:41

I, actually, like herbals. But that's mostly from the standpoint of a person who hates going to the doctor and dislikes medications, so finds ways to keep healthy without.

So while I don't drink herbals regularly, I keep some around for when I need them.
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Dec 30th, '05, 12:57
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by teaspoon » Dec 30th, '05, 12:57

It's probably because a lot of the people that like tea like it for its distinctive "tea" taste; herbals just don't have that.

I like some herbals, but not because it's like drinking tea. It's a completely different experience. Blending them with real tea is good, too. One of my favorite teas is a blend of Darjeeling (my fav anyway) with raspberry and vanilla rooibos. Oh yum.

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Feb 19th, '06, 18:24
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by TeaFanatic » Feb 19th, '06, 18:24

I think people don't like herbals for the same reason that people who enjoy greens and whites don't like blacks. It is because they have not tried them yet and are therefore scared to change from the norm to try something different.

I know I have done this before. I mostly drink green, and going to oolong or black or even some herbals is difficult for me because I have grown so fond of my greens.

I don't know, just a hypothesis.
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Feb 20th, '06, 19:13
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herbals

by Snow on Cedar » Feb 20th, '06, 19:13

I'm not offended, just curious is all. I love them!
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Feb 22nd, '06, 18:56
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by javyn » Feb 22nd, '06, 18:56

I think the most important reason has yet to be mentioned....CAFFEINE!!! heheh

There's nothing that says you can't like both real tea and tisanes. In the morning, I drink black, in the afternoon I drink white, and in the evening, I drink a big mug of Rooibos.

Regardless of what tea or tisane you like, it sure beats soda water!
John

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Feb 23rd, '06, 00:56
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by mijako10 » Feb 23rd, '06, 00:56

I haven't tried too many herbals so I definitely want to sample some of the fruity ones.

But one of my favorite drinks (since I can't really call it tea) remains Chamomile with a little sugar. It's just pure perfection. The chamomile is so sweet on it's own and the sugar brings out those flavors a little more.

So I can't say I don't like herbals.... I just haven't tried very many.
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Feb 23rd, '06, 10:42
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by PlantFan » Feb 23rd, '06, 10:42

I enjoy herbals. They taste divine and I like the health benefits. I also like honey and herbals seem to be a better medium for it than say "real tea". I don't think they're unpopular so much. Maybe it's just that tea purists have trouble w/ calling herbals "tea".

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Jan 1st, '07, 18:00
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by Word4word » Jan 1st, '07, 18:00

I love the herbals, both for the flavor and for the lack of caffeine. Peppermint is one of my favorites. Its especially good iced.

I have recently discovered rooibus as a wonderful "tea replacement".

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Jan 2nd, '07, 14:49
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by hummingbird » Jan 2nd, '07, 14:49

The herbals are my absolute favorites! The flavors are wonderful, especially the fruit ones, and the absence of caffeine is a total plus. Years ago I discovered that when you cut out the caffeine, the munchies pretty much disappear too.

Horray for herbals!!! :D

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Jan 6th, '07, 19:01
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by EvenOdd » Jan 6th, '07, 19:01

I don't drink herbals simply because I don't like hot drinks that are sweet excepting hot cocoa. Rooibos is all right, I don't really drink it much any more. The only herbal I do now is peppermint.

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Feb 5th, '07, 12:46
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by Madam Potts » Feb 5th, '07, 12:46

I am not sure that herbals are unpopular per se....

While they are often closely associated with tea, they are not tea (as discussed above). The increasingly common use of the word tea to mean either herbals or camelia sinensis is based that both are essentially leaves infused in hot water. But please understand that they are not the same. (How use chose to use the word is invariably up to you, and with no judgement here)

While many people are familiar with peppermint, chamomile and hibiscus, there is a whole world of natural flowers, roots and leaves that make for nourishing and comforting brews. Go beyond the basics and try something new - you might like it!

But asking a tea board about herbals is akin to asking an apple farmer about oranges....
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Feb 15th, '07, 13:22
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by Oolongaddict » Feb 15th, '07, 13:22

On one hand, I think herbal teas are unpopular due to the stigma it has received in popular culture. It is often associated with "yuppie" culture, and in general, is so often connected with femininity which, of course, turns away a male consumer audience.

On the other, people, especially many tea drinkers, forget that camellia sinensis /is/ an herb by virtue of its botanical classification.

I happen to like tisanes, especially spearmint and chamomile. When I was ill, my grandmother would give me an infusion of sassafras mixed with wintergreen. Though, in my opinion, there's a time and place for them, in every season.

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