Best herbal tea, according to chefs
Two picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Carmen Varner, Christine Clark, Justine Sterling, Aba T. Gyepi-Garbrah and 1 more. Recommendations come from tastingtable.com, thespruceeats.com, saveur.com and nymag.com and 1 other sources.
Drinks · The ranking
- 1Top pick
Rishi Organic Peppermint (loose leaf or sachets)
Chosen by- Carmen VarnerFood & beverage writer, Tasting Table
- Christine ClarkWriter, The Spruce Eats
Also chosen by- Christine Clark · Writer, The Spruce Eats source ↗
- Saveur source ↗
First of 11 peppermint teas Varner ranked: “marvelously aromatic,” with “the most potent and fragrant aroma” of the lot, and a blind sip from her husband named it the mintiest. Clark’s premium loose-leaf pick: “balanced and refreshing,” with “no shortage of that minty zing.” Organic Pacific Northwest peppermint from the Milwaukee tea company, sold loose and in sachets at rishi-tea.com, Whole Foods and Amazon. Saveur names Rishi’s caffeine-free botanicals its best herbal blends.
- 2
Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile (or Chamomile with Lavender)
Chosen by- Lana ButnerNaturopathic doctor
- Aba T. Gyepi-GarbrahCertified aromatherapist; founder, Aba Love Apothecary
- Justine SterlingEditor, Sporkedsporked.com ↗
Also chosen by- Justine Sterling · Editor, Sporked source ↗
- Carmen Varner · Food & beverage writer, Tasting Table source ↗
The supermarket herbal brand that experts and tasters both name. Butner and Gyepi-Garbrah pick its chamomile and lavender blend as “the exact right blend of herbs” for winding down. At Sporked’s chamomile tasting, Sterling picked out its “hay notes” and grassiness, which set it apart from milder bags. Varner ranked its peppermint fourth of 11 for “a substantial mint taste.” Organic, in compostable wrappers, at most US grocery stores.
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on MyTastr. It never affects the ranking. Disclosure
Questions, answered
- What is the best herbal tea, according to chefs?
- MyTastr’s top pick is Rishi Organic Peppermint (loose leaf or sachets), chosen by Carmen Varner (Tasting Table); Christine Clark (The Spruce Eats). First of 11 peppermint teas Varner ranked: “marvelously aromatic,” with “the most potent and fragrant aroma” of the lot, and a blind sip from her husband named it the mintiest. Clark’s premium loose-leaf pick: “balanced and refreshing,” with “no shortage of that minty zing.” Organic Pacific Northwest peppermint from the Milwaukee tea company, sold loose and in sachets at rishi-tea.com, Whole Foods and Amazon. Saveur names Rishi’s caffeine-free botanicals its best herbal blends. Source: tastingtable.com ↗
- What are the other top picks for herbal tea?
- No. 2 is Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile (or Chamomile with Lavender), chosen by Lana Butner (naturopathic doctor); Aba T. Gyepi-Garbrah (Aba Love Apothecary); Justine Sterling (Sporked). Only two picks cleared the bar so far. Each card above links to the original source.
- How does MyTastr choose these picks?
- Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.