The Native American Tea Co. is owned and operated totally by American Indians and creates formulas based on stories and legends of the use of herbal tea in American Indian culture, using all natural ingredients. The company is based in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and on a recent trip to the Black Hills area, I saw their tea everywhere. I was intrigued by the stories on the sides of the square yellow boxes. For example:
“Native Americans believe that in order to have good health you must first learn to live your life in complete balance with the natural laws set forth by the Creator. Included in these laws are a respect for nature, to possess a kind heart and to have high moral standards. These and other beliefs are what Native Americans call “Good Medicine.” American Indians believe that Mother Earth has provided us with plants and herbs that are essential in maintaining good health. Our “Good Medicine” tea is a healthful blend of natural herbs that is said to life your spirits and bring you many good thoughts and feelings.”
There are six flavors, of which “Good Medicine” is one. This particular blend includes spearmint, gota kola, wood betony, rosemary, eucalyptus leaves, ginseng leaf, and “natural flavors.” (Side note: I hate seeing natural flavors as an ingredient). I had heard of most of the ingredients, but gota kola was a new one for me, so I looked it up. Apparently, it stimulates memory. Something I can always use!
As for “Good Medicine” as a beverage, I was not impressed. Packaging was part of the problem, fulfilling all of my usual complaints about bagged tea. A cardboard box with paper wrappers and paper teabags simply does not maintain freshness. Some stronger flavors survive, but any subtlety disappears, and in general tea packaged in such a way tends to taste a bit dusty. While I could taste the spearmint, the other flavors just sort of blended together to create a generic stale herbal taste, with nothing to set it apart from Celestial Seasonings. (At least it lacks those lovely flavor crystals).
I do have another flavor to try, a gift from someone on the trip who knew about my tea blog/obsession, “Teepee Dreams.” Look forward to a review of that in the future, which hopefully will distinguish itself further, as I would love to be able to promote this company. It’s a small company (I’ve never seen their tea anywhere but in South Dakota) and anything that can support American Indians sounds good to me. But I’m afraid this tea isn’t for the tea connoisseur.
Also coming in the near future: A review of the Zarafina Tea Maker Suite!
Welcome back!
It's a bit disappointing that this tea isn't packaged better than Celestial Seasonings. Ah well, at least the evil flavor crystals are absent.
Posted by: Mary R | June 30, 2007 at 04:45 PM
intresting...i like adding different herbs to my tea..i tried this apple flower teas from www.teacuppa.com can't seem to find anywhere else and brew it with goji berries. i mix a lot of herbs here and there..
Posted by: mary | July 01, 2007 at 04:31 AM
This tea is sold in Syracuse, NY, so it is found out of SD.
Posted by: Candee W | July 01, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Oh that's good to know...I've never seen it anywhere else.
Posted by: Stephanie Wolfe | July 02, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Oh that's good to know...I've never seen it anywhere else.
Posted by: Stephanie Wolfe | July 02, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Thank you for this review! An appealing concept. Too bad the result is mediocre!
Posted by: Steph Wilson | July 02, 2007 at 11:18 AM