
Beetroot is the deep red root of the beet plant, grown across Europe and North America and a staple of Eastern European kitchens. Dried beetroot pieces give an earthy, gently sweet flavor and turn the infusion a vivid ruby or magenta color. They are used in herbal and fruit blends to deepen color and add body, pairing well with hibiscus, berries, apple, ginger and cinnamon. Beetroot powder is also popular in colorful lattes whisked with warm milk.
Learn about every ingredient we use in our Tea Ingredients A–Z.

Fennel seeds are the dried fruits of a feathery, yellow-flowered herb native to the Mediterranean and now grown in India and around the world. They have a sweet, gentle anise-like flavor with a warm, slightly licorice aroma that is softer than star anise. Fennel pairs well with chai spices, licorice, peppermint, chamomile and citrus in herbal blends, and it adds sweetness to rooibos and black tea. In India, candied fennel seeds are a traditional after-meal nibble offered to guests.
Learn about every ingredient we use in our Tea Ingredients A–Z.

Ginger is the knobby root, or rhizome, of a tropical plant first grown in Southeast Asia and now cultivated in India, China and beyond. In the cup it brings a lively, peppery heat with a bright, zesty, slightly citrusy aroma that warms from the first sip. Ginger is one of the stars of chai and pairs well with black tea, green tea, rooibos and herbal blends, often alongside lemon, cinnamon, turmeric and peach. It is great hot with honey or brewed strong and served iced.
Learn about every ingredient we use in our Tea Ingredients A–Z.

Hibiscus tea is made from the deep red calyces of the roselle flower, a tropical plant grown in West Africa, Egypt, Mexico and Southeast Asia. It brews a bold, tart, cranberry-like cup with a fruity tang and a stunning ruby-red color. Hibiscus is the backbone of many fruit and herbal blends, pairing beautifully with rosehip, orange, berries, ginger and cinnamon, and it adds zing to rooibos and black tea. In Mexico, chilled hibiscus tea known as agua de jamaica is a summer favorite.
Learn about every ingredient we use in our Tea Ingredients A–Z.

Lemon balm, also called melissa, is a leafy herb in the mint family, native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean and now grown in gardens worldwide. Its leaves brew a light, mellow cup with a fresh lemon scent, a hint of mint and soft green, grassy notes. It blends nicely with chamomile, peppermint, lemongrass, rooibos and green tea, adding brightness without sharp acidity. Lemon balm is lovely hot as an evening cup and also makes a crisp, lemony iced tea in summer.
Learn about every ingredient we use in our Tea Ingredients A–Z.




































