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As a pioneer in the spiced teas sector, YOGI TEA® has been the inimitable original since the ‘70s - and today - with its innovative concepts and unusual tastes, YOGI TEA® is still leading the way in the tea market.
The unique combinations of approximately 70 different ingredients give YOGI TEA®s their inimitable taste.
With 41 different teas, YOGI TEA® offers a very wide variety of tastes for all situations in life. YOGI TEA®s are based on the ancient tradition of Ayurveda which have been adapted to suit the particular requirements and expectations of people of the modern world.
All YOGI TEA® ingredients are of premium quality. All raw materials are repeatedly controlled for taste, appearance and purity during the processing procedures and are also tested by an external, independent laboratory.
The ingredients used by YOGI TEA® are bio-organic having been grown in controlled organic cultivations and with international certificates: IMO (D), SKAL (NL), KRAV(S), Debio (N), Soil Association (UK), AB (F).
YOGI TEA® products are available in almost all European countries. The teas can be purchased in natural food stores, tea stores, drugstores and health food stores and, most recently, also in selected supermarkets.
The retail price for the teas varies slightly depending on the country and its distribution channels. In Germany, the recommended retail price for a box with 15 tea bags is €2.99.
In 1969, Yogi Bhajan, a master of yoga and Ayurveda began to teach Kundalini yoga in the western world and at the end of each yoga session served his students a special tea. This “YOGI TEA®” became extremely popular and increasingly famous over the years resulting in a constant growth in demand. This increase in demand led to the start of commercial production in 1986. Since then, the range of teas offered has been continually expanded with new, successful recipes being brought on to the market.
The first YOGI TEA® was only available loose. It was made from whole or roughly cut spices and had to be boiled in water for 15-30 minutes. It was only during the boiling period that the ingredients and essential oils contained in the spices were released to give the tea its unique, intensive aroma. This first tea was traditionally served with milk and honey.
Since the ‘90s, YOGI TEA® is also available in tea bags. These include the same ingredients as the loose tea, but finely cut and enriched with spice extracts, allowing a shorter infusion time, thus easier and more convient in its usage, in particular in the office or when travelling.
At the moment, YOGI TEA® offers five different tastes loose: Classic Chai, Himalaya Chai, Good Morning Chai, Choco Chai and Ginger Lemon Chai.
Generally speaking, about 3-4 tea bags are needed to make just under one liter of YOGI TEA® (250ml per tea bag). More tea bags can be used as desired in order to create a more intensive taste, especially for the teas which are traditionally served with milk (such as, for example, Classic, Himalaya, Choco, Black Chai, Green Chai, Rooibos and Sweet Chili).
YOGI TEA® Classic is also available pre-brewed in a 1 liter tetra pack. It is doubly concentrated and is served 1:1 with milk. Requiring no infusion time, it is quickly prepared and is therefore ideal for use in the food service and gastronomy sectors. It can be used hot or cold, and has a long shelf life without containing added preservatives.
In many parts of the world, “Chai” is the term used for tea in general. In India, “Chai” is a sweet spiced tea made of a mixture of black tea, milk and spices. As there is however no definite recipe, additional ingredients such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper or cloves are often added in varying amounts.
YOGI TEA® Classic is a spiced mixture made using the ingredients of a traditional Chai - but without the black tea - and is served in the traditional style sweetened and with milk. YOGI TEA® also offers Black Chai - which includes black tea, Green Chai - made with green tea, and Sweet Chai - made using licorice. These teas are also normally served sweetened and with milk.
YOGI TEA® recommends that certain teas be served with milk (see brewing suggestions) so that the pure spiced tea fully develops its taste.
It can also be said that milk balances the sharpness of the spices whilst the spices take away the “sliminess” of the milk.
Whether YOGI TEA® is served sweetened or unsweetened is a matter of individual taste. However, as sweetness generally enhances the inimitable taste of YOGI TEA® and allows it to unfold, it is recommended that certain YOGI TEA® varieties are served sweetened with either sugar or honey (see brewing instructions). Ideal for this purpose is a healthy, organic, unrefined sweetener. Teas which contain a natural sweetener do not need to be additionally sweetened (for example, Sweet Chai, Sweet Chili or Licorice).
This information is provided in the lists of ingredients on each product page.
Temperature: generally speaking, all YOGI TEA® varieties are to be prepared using boiling water (100°C). The only exception to this rule are the green teas, which should be made using water at 80°C so that they do not develop a bitter taste (see brewing instructions). Water at 80°C can be obtained by boiling water and then leaving it to cool (without a lid) for approximately 10 minutes.
Infusion time: the infusion time varies between 2-3 minutes for green teas and 4-7 minutes for all other teas (see table). The general rule is: the longer the infusion time, the and more round and intense the taste, as the natural substances in these herbs and spices are only released after a certain period. For this reason, the infusion time for YOGI TEA® varieties (except the green teas!) can also be extended above the time recommended on the pack to individual taste.