At The Republic of Tea, we love incorporating the flavor of vanilla into palate pleasing teas that delight the senses. Vanilla is one of the most popular and delicious flavors in the world. However, not many people know that the unique and rich taste of vanilla comes from a delicate orchid flower.
The vanilla orchid has been cultivated by the Totonac people of eastern Mexico since 1185. They used the delectable scent of vanilla in their temples and good luck amulets. The flavor of vanilla was also an important component in their cuisine. When the vanilla flavor was introduced to Europeans in the 1520s, it immediately gained popularity and spread worldwide.
Vanilla bean is currently the second most expensive spice in the world after saffron. This is due to the delicate nature of the vanilla orchid. Each vanilla blossom only blooms for 24 hours. If it is not pollinated in that time frame, it immediately dies without producing a vanilla bean. Even today vanilla orchids are hand pollinated to ensure each blossom produces a delectable vanilla bean. Cultivating the fickle vanilla orchid requires true dedication to flavor.
Knowledge of the cultivation processes and the history of the ingredients in your tea cup can make every sip even more special. Next time you sit down with a steaming cup of one of our vanilla teas, perhaps you will picture the misty jungle and stunning white orchids that inspire this flavor.
Good Hope Vanilla
An excellent choice the next time you are craving vanilla is The Republic of Tea’s Good Hope Vanilla. This premium tea features fragrant vanilla beans and rooibos tea from the Cape region of South Africa. The rooibos and vanilla flavors truly bring out the best in each other, making this an infusion you will want to savor sip by sip. We offer Good Hope Vanilla in both full leaf and tea bag varieties so there is an option for every preference. This Good Hope Vanilla tea is so exceptional that it was once shared as part of the "What's New" segment on NBC's Today show.
Vanilla Almond
Are you on the lookout for a vanilla tea that will make a perfect tea latte? The sweet and nutty flavor of our Vanilla Almond tea is perfectly enhanced by a dollop of milk or your favorite plant based milk. For an extra luxurious touch, froth the milk or milk substitute with an electric frother. The delicious result will remind you of a vanilla almond latte from your favorite cafe, but with a smooth black tea twist. There is also a decaf version of our Vanilla Almond tea available. Consider the decaffeinated variety when you want a soothing after dinner drink.
Organic Honeybush Vanilla Turmeric SuperDigest
The Republic of Tea has thoughtfully crafted this palate pleasing vanilla tea that may support overall health and digestion.* This Honeybush Vanilla tea uses ancient fermentation methods and probiotics to make a delicious tea that you will want to sip daily. The herbal allies of turmeric and African honeybush make this an excellent tea choice for everyday wellness. Experts agree that this is a must try tea. Our Honeybush Vanilla blend won the 2021 Specialty Food Association sofi™ Silver Award and was a Natural Products 2020 NEXTY Finalist for Best Tea.
