Why do so many herbal teas contain hibiscus flowers?

[Pablo]

Why do so many herbal teas contain hibiscus? I feel a bit like moribudman griping on this (mr. particular) - butt man I hate the flavor of hibiscus. I think the tea companies like the red color or something. It seems like the all do it. Hain/Celestial, Tazo, Bigelow, etc....you name the herbal tea and it's got hibiscus. I don't think it's harmful, but it ruins the otherwise good flavor title of the tea.

 

[moribundman]

I don't even understand how an herbal brew can be called "herbal tea" when it's not tea. Rose hip "tea" is the vilest of them all. Chamomille is a close second. However, I do like iced barley "tea." I'm sure you know that stuff, Pablo.

 

[Pablo]

OK remove "tea" from my post and insert a word of your choice. (dry blend of plant parts for hydration/infusion) I can actually stomach some, sans the hibiscus....and rose hips!

 

[moribundman]

You know what I cant stand? When I order iced tea and they bring me a Snapple or some pink-tasting Nestle crap. Tell me something, Pablo. How do you feel about putting lemon in your black tea? Be careful now...

 

[Quattro Pete]

Glad my peppermint tea (or whatever) doesn't contain any hibiscus, or does it?

 

[Pablo]

I hate lemon black tea! Peppermint is usually sans hibiscus, thank goodness. I like Morrocan green tea and spearmint mix.

 

[moribundman]

I hate lemon in any tea. It makes me gag.

 

[Shannow]

I mix three teaspoons of black tea, and 1 1/2 of green in my morning pot of tea. I'm not a fan of any of those herbal things...or bergamont either.

 

[moribundman]

Isn't bergamot the flavoring in Earl Grey tea? I don't like Earl Grey at all.

 

[Pablo]

Yes bergamot in Earl Grey I can't handle the caffiene past 9 am. I like to drink hot water, and sometimes I drink a good herbal tea, but criminy what's with the hibiscus?

 

[moribundman]

Hibiscus must be the flavor of the day. Luckily I haven't run into it. To answer your question, supposedly hibiscus brew lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure. I'm sure it'll lower my blood pressure to the point of me passing out from that vile weed.

 

[Pablo]

If you want to start with a really bad one, try TAZO Passion: Hibiscus flowers, natural tropical flowers, citric acid, orange peel, licorice root, cininnamon bark, rose hips, lemongrass and red poppy.

 

[moribundman]

I'm not performing exorcisms.

 

[Pablo]

Maybe a little mouth to mouth?

 

[tdi-rick]

so you did see Brokeback Mountain....

 

[tdi-rick]

I actually haven't noticed hibiscus in any brews here. OK, lets see whats in the pantry aside from black and green teas of various persuaisions....(Refresh) Peppermint, lemongrass and green tea. (Zinger) Liquorice and peppermint. and my current favourite (Black Adder) Liquorice root, Fennel seeds and oil, Peppermint leaves and Aniseed. Not recommended if you suffer from blood pressure. oops, just found an old box of Celestial Red Zinger and yep, Hibiscus

 

[Pablo]

That's it. I'm moving to oz.

 

[Pablo]

I asked Bigelow: Thank you for visiting the Bigelow Tea website. You asked for the reasoning behind having hibiscus, as a prominent ingredient in the majority of herbal teas. We do apologize if you feel the flavor is not a pleasant one, however, this is flavor we feel balances the flavors of our blends of herbal teas. We do appreciate your comments, and have forwarded your inquire to our management. Thank you again for contacting us. Cordially, Kathy Pangrac -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 5:04 PM To: Bigelow Consumer Questions Subject: Web Contact Name: Paul Seminara Address: City: Duvall State: WA Province: Zip: 98019 Country: United States E-mail: Catalog?: No In Regards To? Product Information Comment: I have had opportunities over the last 6 months to try many of your Herb Teas. I find many of them have the terrible taste of hibiscus in them. The rank acrid flavor of hibiscus overrides the nice fruit or other flavors of your tea. I notice other tea blenders add hibiscus as almost always the first or second ingredient. Why? I know hibiscus makes a red color, but the flavor is so bad - and believe me - I'm not the only one who thinks this. Most "average" people just know they don't like herb tea because it has "that strange flavor". Can you explain why you use so much hibiscus in so many products? Is it cheap? Kathleen Pangrac, Customer Service Supervisor [email protected] Bigelow Tea 201 Black Rock Turnpike Fairfield, CT 06825 (203) 334-1212 x3267 http://www.bigelowtea.com

 

[Shannow]

quote:

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Cordially,

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LOL ROFLMAO etc.

 

[tom slick]

I haven't found a bigelow tea that I like. I have sworn off prepackaged/bagged teas. I have a local coffe shop with a ton of loose teas that are the best I've found. Have you ever tried Yerba Matte from central/south america? It's a great herbal tea, very very earthy and smokey. gayuki brand is my favorite.