Holy Basil, Vana (Tulsi) - Organic

Picture of Holy Basil, Vana (Tulsi)
Brand:Mountain Rose Herbs
Style:Vana Tulsi
Caffeine:Caffeine Free
Region:India
Loose/teabag:Loose
Product page:Holy Basil, Vana (Tulsi)

This tea's info last updated: Apr. 27, 2018

Commercial Description

Vana (Ocimum gratissimum), aka. “forest type”, is known for its fragrance. The plant has green leaves and stem, with white blossoms. It is found in the Himalayas and plains of India. Grows wild in Asia and Africa and is used medicinally there as well.

Ratings & Reviews

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Reviewer pic83 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
(1453 reviews) on

Dry leaf smells complex, like dried ginger and anise, with a hint of straw or hay. Much more complex than the only other example of Vana tulsi that I've tried.

Brews up a very strong, dark cup relative to the amount of leaf used. The brewed cup has a spicy and very complex aroma, and a piquant (sharp but enjoyable) flavor, tones of wood, especially cedar, and hay. Although the dry leaf suggests ginger and anise, I find the brewed cup suggests allspice and mace more. Reminds me a bit of gingerbread, which I like, but also slightly of potpourri, which I am less a fan of. Also reminds me a bit of being in an old barn.

Fairly astringent, and leaves a tingling and slightly numb sensation on the palate. Moderately bitter and I find the bitterness grows upon drinking further. The body has a character more like black tea than any other examples of tulsi I've tried.

Quite unexpected and fascinating to drink, I also liked how I felt after drinking it. It was relaxing but it didn't seem quite as strongly relaxing as the Rama or Krishna tulsi.

As with most of Mountain Rose Herbs, I thought this was exceptional quality for its price. I still think I prefer the other two varieties of holy basil, but this was my favorite example of the Vana variety that I've sampled yet.
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