Native American Tea Company Part II

While in South Dakota on a trip recently, I had been talking a great deal about my tea blog. One of my fellow travelers therefore made a gift of Native American Tea Company’s “Teepee Dreams” on the stipulation that I write a review of it. While I was not impressed with the company’s “Good Medicine” tea, I thought I would give this flavor a shot.

My favorite part so far about this brand is the packaging, including a little story (that may lack somewhat in accuracy).

“Native American Indians learned long ago how to make life enjoyable, to listen to the birds sing and to appreciate the harmony of nature. At the end of the day it was always a special time to wrap up in buffalo robes and sit next to the fire to eat and tell stories while relaxing with a cup of herbal tea. It was during these special times when old-time stories were told. Stories of the creations of mankind, prophecies and dreams, as well as other traditional stories designed to teach Indian youths of the good in the world.”

The ingredients of this particular tea include peppermint, chamomile, catnip, valerian root, passion flower, strawberry leaf, and scullcap. Steeped for three minutes, the liquor is a bright yellow color that then fades to a rather honeyed color. It definitely smells like a nighttime tea with a strong chamomile odor. The first flavor that hits is definitely the peppermint, which is to be expected as no one can compete with peppermint. Mostly, it just tastes like peppermint and chamomile. The peppermint definitely comes in a bit stronger than the spearmint did in the other tea, but not quite strongly enough to make it a good mint infusion. My conclusion? Better than “Good Medicine” but not my dream tea.

Comments

[David Wolfe]

Sounds to me that the Native American Tea Company is better at marketing than making tea -- starting with the corporate name!

DB