Buddha Teas Review

To know me is to know I love tea. I love it for many reasons- the memories of tea time with my Grandma and Great Aunt, and also for the sense of calm and peace it brings to my often busy life. It is a warm respite I cherish daily.

I first learned about Buddha Teas last month on Instagram, and was more than thrilled for the opportunity to review their teas, being the tea lover that I am!

Based in Southern California, Buddha Teas specializes in offering a wide variety of high quality teas that are not only certified organic, but are also GMO-free and free of any added flavorings or preservatives (natural or artificial). In addition to the purity of their high quality teas, Buddha Teas are packaged in bleach-free bags that are heat-sealed, ensuring their customers a relaxing tea experience without the worry of added chemicals or other toxic additives. Their tea boxes are even made from 100% recycled materials!

Today I’ll be reviewing three selections of Buddha Teas including their Chaga Mushroom Tea, Sencha Tea, and Solar Plexus Chakra Tea.

Chaga Mushroom Tea

I have been wanting to try Chaga Mushroom Tea for quite some time, ever since I’ve heard and read about all of the many health benefits from drinking it. Found on birch trees, the chaga mushroom doesn’t really look like a mushroom at all, but rather looks like burned wood. The reported health benefits are numerous – reports of high antioxidant levels, Vitamins B, D, and K, and minerals as well. Besides being nutrient-dense, Chaga Tea has been also noted to strengthen immunity, promote healthy skin and digestion, and have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. If this isn’t enough, the chaga mushroom is also an adaptogen, which means it helps to bring the body back to balance during times of stress.

Made from sustainably wild-harvested chaga mushrooms, I wasn’t too sure what to expect in terms of taste since I have never tried this tea before. I actually found this tea to be sweet and smooth, but also a bit earthy at the same time. I didn’t expect this tea to have a sweet taste at all, so this was a pleasant surprise. I really like this tea, and since it has zero caffeine, I have been enjoying it in the evenings before going to bed. This tea will be going into regular rotation at my house, and I am really impressed and fascinated by all of its health benefits!

Sencha Green Tea

Green tea (either Genmaicha or Sencha) is usually my ‘go-to’ tea. As a green tea, Sencha is minimally processed and is unfermented (unlike black tea). It’s tea leaves are rolled and steamed, and depending how you brew it, Sencha can either have a light flavor, or it can have a rather strong and bitter one. I prefer a lighter brew and found the Sencha by Buddha Teas to have a mild but green and crisp taste, which I immediately fell in love with. I noticed that I left the tea bag in for longer than I usually do, and didn’t find that my tea became bitter, unlike other brands that I have tried. This is the best quality Sencha to be introduced to my tea time! I started drinking Sencha in OT School, and it became a tradition with my dear friend Molly to get a cup of tea before class. We always commented on how relaxed it made us feel. Years later, while studying at Bauman College, I would learn that Sencha contains an amino acid called L-Theanine which has a great relaxation effect! While it does have a relaxing effect, be aware there is still caffeine in this tea. On the sides of their boxes Buddha Teas has a caffeine guide, and this Sencha tea rates as a ‘medium’ on the caffeine scale. I won’t be able to drink this at night, but I am looking forward to this Sencha as a regular daytime tea.

Solar Plexus Chakra Tea

To write about the Chakra system in great detail is a whole other post, but in a nutshell (if you are not familiar with the term), the word Chakra is a Sanskrit word that translates to ‘wheel’, and is thought of as a ‘wheel of energy’ in the body. There are seven Chakras, aligning from the head all the way down to the base of the spine. In Ayurveda and yoga practices, these wheels are thought to contain invisible energy which is called Prana, or otherwise our ‘vital life force’. The Solar Plexus Chakra Tea is designed to balance the third chakra, also called the ‘Manipura’ Chakra. This chakra is known for being the center of our ‘personal power, self-esteem, and acceptance of one’s self’. This tea is created from rosemary, lemongrass, ginger root, orange peel, and marshmallow (all organic, with zero caffeine). It is even infused with the essence of the crystal citrine. I have to tell you, this tea blend is DREAMY! When I took my first sip I initially tasted the rosemary, then later the lemongrass and ginger. Since this has zero caffeine, I have been enjoying this tea in the evenings (alternating with the Chaga Mushroom Tea), and it has helped me to feel so relaxed before bedtime. In fact, I am enjoying a freshly brewed cup right now!

One little detail that I appreciate about Buddha Teas is that every tea bag has a different little saying on the tag. The message I got on the Solar Plexus Chakra Tea I’m drinking now (and will share with you) is “Positive mind, positive vibes, and positive life”. I have to agree!

If you are looking for an organic, and eco-friendly tea brand, definitely check out Buddha Teas for a high quality tea experience!

http://www.buddhateas.com

(A note from The Therapeutic Foodie: Please consult your doctor or healthcare provider before trying herbs or any medicinal plants, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking any medications to avoid a potential reaction).