The pantry
Ingredient library
All 37 ingredients that make up our tales and the blending table — what each one tastes like, where it comes from and why it's been brewed for generations.
Tea bases
True tea leaves — the heart of a caffeinated blend
Assam black teaBrings natural caffeine and a deep, malty backbone — the opening chapter of many a breakfast blend.
Australian green teaAustralian-grown leaf that naturally contains L-theanine and a moderate amount of caffeine.
Black teaNaturally contains caffeine, and its sturdy, malty body is the foundation of chai, Earl Grey and breakfast blends.
Ceylon black teaNaturally contains caffeine, with a brisk, bright character that keeps breakfast and Earl Grey blends lively.
Gunpowder green teaNaturally contains L-theanine and caffeine, and one spoonful of pellets will happily brew a second pot.
Herbal bases
Caffeine-free (or mate) bodies for your blend
Flowers
Colour, perfume and softness
Chamomile flowersNaturally caffeine-free, and a lights-out ritual in homes across Europe for generations.
Cornflower petalsNaturally caffeine-free, and here for the colour: a sprinkle of true blue that makes every blend prettier.
Hibiscus flowersPaints any blend a jewel-bright red and adds a tangy snap that shines over ice.
HopsNaturally caffeine-free, with the bitter, floral aroma that brewers prize, best softened by gentler herbs.
Lavender flowersTurns any evening cup into a calming, fragrant little ritual.
Mallow flowersNaturally caffeine-free, adding deep violet colour and a silky softness without overpowering other flavours.
Rose petalsRose has perfumed teas, sweets and gardens for millennia; a few petals make any cup feel like an occasion.
Sunflower petalsNaturally caffeine-free, and a cheerful scatter of gold that brightens a blend without changing its flavour.
Herbs & leaves
Fresh, green and functional
Lemon balmA naturally caffeine-free mint-family herb with a mellow lemon scent, and a calming evening ritual for centuries.
Lemon myrtleAn Australian native leaf that tastes intensely of lemon, yet is naturally caffeine-free and contains no citrus.
LemongrassNaturally caffeine-free, with a sunny lemon flavour that comes from a grass, not a citrus tree.
Nettle leafNaturally caffeine-free, and a springtime brew in European cottage kitchens for generations.
PassionflowerNaturally caffeine-free, and a traditional evening herb that brings a gentle, grassy note to night-time blends.
Peppermint leavesNaturally caffeine-free, and a cool, crisp full stop to the evening meal.
Spearmint leavesNaturally caffeine-free, and sweeter and softer than peppermint, for a mellow, refreshing cup after dinner.
TulsiNaturally caffeine-free, with a clove-sweet, peppery aroma that has been treasured in Indian homes for millennia.
Spices & seeds
Warmth and depth — a little goes a long way
AniseedNaturally caffeine-free, with a sweet liquorice note that comes without any liquorice root.
Black pepperNaturally caffeine-free, and its piperine brings a tingle that a golden turmeric blend loves — a pinch is plenty.
Cardamom podsNaturally caffeine-free, and wonderfully aromatic: a few pods perfume a whole pot.
Cassia cinnamonNaturally caffeine-free, with a bold, sweet heat that gives chai its unmistakable warmth.
Celery seedNaturally caffeine-free, with a savoury, herbal warmth that gives earthy root blends an interesting edge.
Cinnamon barkBakery-window warmth and a natural sweetness — a spice prized by traders since antiquity.
ClovesNaturally caffeine-free, and so aromatic that just a couple of buds will scent a whole pot.
Vanilla beanNaturally caffeine-free real vanilla that adds creamy, dessert-like sweetness without added flavouring or sugar.
Fruits & berries
Sweetness, tartness and colour
Roots & barks
Earthy, grounding character
Burdock rootNaturally caffeine-free, with a mellow, earthy sweetness that rounds out root and green-herb blends.
Dandelion rootNaturally caffeine-free, with a clean, earthy bitterness that brings backbone to herbal and root blends.
Ginger rootA fiery kitchen staple, simmered into drinks from Kerala to Kyoto for centuries.
Liquorice rootNaturally caffeine-free and naturally sweet, so a small scoop rounds out bitter herbs without any sugar.
Roasted dandelion rootNaturally caffeine-free — an easy swap for the afternoon coffee when you want something dark and roasty.
Turmeric rootA sunny, caffeine-free spice that has coloured South Asian cooking for thousands of years.