Holy Basil Purple Leaf (BH02)

1-1/2 tsp, 8 minutes, 2 tsp honey

I’m testing and comparing all of Upton’s Holy Basil (Tulsi) choices tonight. After loving Organic India’s Vanilla Tulsi, which is a blend of 3 types of tulsi and a few other things, I wanted to see where the flavors came from, in hopes of duplicating the blend.

When I smelled this in the bag, there was no obvious aromas that stuck out. When measuring, there was a little bit of clove/cinnamon and a hint of mint. Brewed, the clove note is coming out first, but not as strongly in the Organic India blend. There is definately a minty note coming through too, but the clove tramples all over it in the aftertaste.

This is good. Not as good, but good. Weaker tasting, even with an 8 minute steep vs. 5.

This is my second tasting of Holy Basil. I am going to make this and Celestial Seasons Tension Tamer my late-night relaxation brews. This is rich and complex in flavor and definitely something for later in the evening. I brewed this one day in the afternoon and I could not figure out why I was so mellow, bordering on sleepy. Thanks to all of the Steepsterites who turned me on to this herb.

The odd sample I picked up months ago…….

I don’t know why this one suddenly appealed, but it is my tea of the evening. Wow. This is really unique. I get notes of anise, cinnamon, and even a very faint spearmint note. I was reading up on this one, and it sounds like something I should try often. If this infusion does even half of what a google search says it does, it will be well worth it. The unique and relaxing taste is just a bonus. I did have a sore throat coming on, but it now feels very soothed.

24 oz teapot, 4 1/2 actual tsp holy basil, freshly boiled water, 8 minutes. Lightly sweetened, but I probably could have done without it.

Made some for my mom, brother and me after a delicious meal of Middle Eastern: hummus, mujaddara, falafel, baba ghanouj, tabbouli…yum!
This works well as a ‘digestif,’ light, soothing and refreshing
Most obvious to me was the smell of cloves that filled the kitchen while it was steeping.
Spicy anise, cloves and an end note of mint. Has a medicinal quality but not unpleasantly.
I think it’s pretty fantastic, mom likes it well enough, although thinks it’s probably an acquired taste, and my brother said he likes the smell better than the taste.
I think the mixed reviews are pretty indicative of the highly unusual and unique flavor..it’s definitely interesting!

Edit: I didn’t use sugar or milk with this one, don’t think it needs it. I would definitely drink it again but my family was more ambivalent, so I averaged out ratings. For me personally I’d put it at an 85.

This was the first holy basil I sampled, and I loved it. Since then, I’ve tried holy basil from a number of other companies, and also tried Upton’s green leaf (BH06), but I strongly prefer this one. It’s warm and balanced, rich, complex. Aroma is balanced, and mostly of spice. I also find this herbal tea to be very relaxing.

Amazing herbal tea. I will definitely have to add this to my permanent stock…
So relaxing!
(By the way, I love the name. Holy basil!)

It has kind of this musty clove scent to it. It’s not bad. In fact, I think I like it. There’s also some cinnamon in there… It’s pretty complex and definitely an unusual herbal. Neat.