Tulsi (Vana)

Tulsi (Vana)

Vana is the wild one — the forest tulsi, bright green where Krishna is purple, and by some distance the most approachable of the three. The cup is light and clearly lemony, with a soft Thai basil warmth underneath and a gentle peppery lift at the end. Where other tulsis can be assertive, this one is easy company.


It's the tulsi to start with if you've never had holy basil, and the one most likely to be drunk simply for pleasure rather than ritual. Lovely plain, good with honey, and it blends beautifully with lemongrass, mint or green tea.

Two to five minutes in just-boiled water. It cold brews well too, where the lemon note comes forward and the pepper recedes.

Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, the Queen of Herbs, the Incomparable One and The Mother Medicine of Nature, is as powerful a medicine as it is spiritual and holy. It is one of India's most sacred herbs, an aromatic shrub recognized for its spiritually uplifting and healing properties. In Ayurveda, Tulsi has been cherished for its unique medicinal properties. Today modern science has confirmed many of these properties, recognizing Tulsi as one of nature’s most powerful medicines.

There are three types of Tulsi sold by Shanti Tea: Krishna, Rama, and Vana. All varieties belong to the mint family and are cousins of sweet basil. They differ slightly in aroma and flavour profile but their medicinal properties are very similar.
Krishna (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is known for its peppery crisp taste.
Rama (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is known for its cooling and mellow flavor.
Vana (Ocimum sp.), aka. "forest type", is known for its beautifully rich fragrance and lemony flavor.

Ingredients

Organic Vana tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum)

Specifications