13 best herbal teas for a full-flavoured brew without the caffeine

When it comes to herbal teas, Pukka is a key name to know. Not only does the brand produce a huge range of quality organic brews – from eucalyptus to blackcurrant – but they work ethically too, as a certified B Corp and a member of one per cent for the planet. A long-standing tea in the range, love is one of our all-time herbal favourites. The base is camomile, but there’s so much more going on here: heady rose and lavender, delicate marigold and elderflower. Natural sweetness from liquorice root gives it a treat-like quality too, perfect for squashing sugar cravings after dinner. To put it simply: we’re in love.

When a tea is as beautiful as it is delicious, you know you’re onto a winner. And that was the case with every single Bird & Blend Tea Co cuppa we tried, from the camomile-based dozy girl to the linden blossom-infused deckchair dreaming. But nothing could top enchanted Narnia: a stunning combo of whole small rosebuds, petals, cocoa shells and dried raspberry leaves. Add hot water and watch the lot bloom in your cup like some kind of floral art installation. Give it a sip and you’ll discover a richly aromatic tea that tastes a bit like liquid Turkish delight. Floral heaven.

There are a lot of CBD-infused teas out there, but they’re not all created equal. Ethos is top of the heap, ticking our boxes for quality, taste, sustainability and transparency. And good looks: as well as organic Irish hemp, each blend contains premium, chunky herbs that add natural flavour and look beautiful steeping in your cup. We especially love balance, the daytime tea – a complex mix of tulsi, lemongrass, apple and rosehip – as it gives you a relaxed, zen-like vibe without making you feel sleepy. The mild, earthy flavour tastes natural and clean too.

Turmeric isn’t a flavour for everyone, but if you’re a fan of its distinct earthy bitterness, then it comes with a host of benefits (it’s a powerful antioxidant, for starters). This Indian tea puts the punchy root front and centre, pairing it with prickly black pepper, sweet liquorice, lemongrass and ashwagandha – a stress-boosting herb used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. We love its spicy, flavourful profile. And its story: Vahdam sources ingredients direct from farms, packages everything in India and directs one per cent of its revenue towards the education of its tea growers’ children.

When you want a soothing cuppa to see you off into the land of nod, this dreamy blend of hops, valerian root and skullcap from Elle Macpherson’s WelleCo does the job. After sipping it we felt relaxed and calmed, our anxiety and stress blitzed – and yet, there was no hint of that drugged feeling that some sleepy teas can bring (you can even drink it during the day, if you wish). The fruity, tropical hit of mango flower, underlined by lemon balm and passionflower, gives it a fresh, unique flavour profile too. The overall impression is rather exotic – perhaps fitting given the company, like Elle herself, is Australian.

Fennel and mint are the tummy-soothing go-to squad. Whether you’ve just had an enormous meal that needs helping to digest – or regularly suffer from the likes of IBS – a herbal tea containing these botanicals can help to make you feel a little better. This version by gluten- and dairy-free brand Meera’s made from scratch also contains ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla and moringa for added goodness. We love its distinct fennel aroma and mild, clean flavour; just what you want to sip when you’re not feeling 100 per cent.

Craving something fresh and zingy? This organic brew is perfect for anyone who likes juicy citrus – it’s bursting with the zesty flavour of lemon and lime. But that’s not to say it’s one-noted. Herbal undertones from fennel and nettle give it a complex, balanced taste that leaves you craving the next sip. The tea bags are biodegradable and unbleached too, making them easier on the environment than many others. Delicious stuff from the world’s largest Fairtrade tea company, Clipper Teas, which supports around 114,000 producers around the globe.

This tea has a lot going on. Herby nettle and dandelion root. Refreshing mint and lemon balm. Piney juniper. Earthy burdock root. Fennel, rose hip and liquorice too. It all sounds a bit complicated, but everything comes together in a beautifully balanced way that makes the blend at once taste calming, refreshing and grounding. Kaytea calls it chillax blend and we agree. We could happily sip this all through a lazy afternoon with a good book in hand.

If you love green tea but want to swerve the caffeine, this brew made from the leaves of the moringa tree is a great alternative. It has a similar green, earthy flavour but with a slight natural sweetness that makes it taste round and approachable, rather than too tannic. Moringa has been used for aeons for its nutritional and medicinal properties, and is nicknamed the ‘miracle tree’ for its many applications. Jury’s out on the effectiveness when it comes to the odd cuppa, but if it tastes great too, why argue?

When you can’t get to the spa, bring it to you. From luxe beauty brand ESPA, these tea bags are packed with a zen-like combo of bitter turmeric, spicy cinnamon zingy ginger, sweet liquorice and refreshing rosemary. There’s calming ashwagandha and complex schizandra berries in there too. It’s relaxing, harmonious and somehow just tastes healthy – like the kind of thing you’d be served up in a five-star day spa after a full-body massage. Pour out a mugful, slap on a sheet mask and R-E-L-A-X.

Most herbal teas are designed to be drunk without milk. But this delicious number made with naturally caffeine-free rooibos – red bush tea – is perfect for dairy junkies. Laced with a gentle hit of sweet caramel, the earthy brew rounds into a desserty crème caramel profile when combined with a splash of milk or cream (or, if you prefer, a vegan option). Think of it as a healthy alternative to hot chocolate when you get that 3pm sweet craving – it scratches the itch, and yet contains only two calories per serving.

*Technically* this all-natural tea is designed for children. But our grown-up palates took a serious liking to it, too. Whereas some fruit teas taste overly confected, this one – stuffed with whole black currants, black rowan berries, rose hip, hibiscus and elderberries – is balanced with a judicious dose of peppermint and fennel, keeping it tasting refreshing. There is a proper zip of acidity in there, too, which makes it perfect for a fabulously purple-hued iced tea (added splash of vodka, optional).

Sometimes all you want is a classic mint tea. And this one’s a great example. The blend of peppermint and spearmint gives it a balance of high and low minty notes, a soothing sweetness and an intense fragrance. So far, so classic, right? But the point of difference with Hampstead is that it’s feel-good too: organic and biodynamically grown, plastic-free and home compostable. You’re making a tiny difference with every sip.