Its nearly summertime! Normally, we think of summer flavors in the fresh, cold, and sweet family. Ice creams and iced coffees, frozen yogurts, and berries are just waiting to be converted into smoothies and juices while the weather outside slowly starts letting us know that we should put on shorts and leave the sweatpants at home.

But this summer is different! This summer were going to shift our attention from summer sweets for a moment because I want to tip you off to two savory herbs that might surprise you with their flavor potential when we look at them in two fantastic summer teas from Adagio: White Strawberry Basil and Blackberry Sage Oolong.

These herbsbasil and sageare full of rich history for their inclusion in both the kitchen pantry and the medicine cabinet.

Basil

Basil, for starters, has gone from being revered by the early Egyptians and Greeks as a free pass to paradise, to one of its cultivarsholy basilactively being studied for its anti-anxiety properties. Reduced stress sure sounds like a free pass to paradise indeed!

About Basil

Basil also has great significance in Ayurvedic medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ayurveda associates it with the qualities of being Clear, Liquefied, Dry, Mobile, Easy, Hot, Light, with the tastes of Bitter and Pungent to potentially aid with respiration and digestion. It is associated with the Heart, Lung, Spleen, and Stomach Meridians, with the key actions of Lifts the Spirits and Calms Shen (aka the Mind or Consciousness), Tonifies Yang (or outward-and-upward-moving energy, counter to downward-and-inward-flowing) Yin, Dispels Cold, Moves Blood, Tonifies the Lungs, Dries Damp and Transforms Phlegm, Clears Toxicity, Antidote for Poisons and Intestinal Infections.

Have a Cuppa!

The White Strawberry Basil definitely gives you the sense of lifting and lightness that its lore would imply. It does a fantastic job of taking a savory herb like basil and giving it the fruity friend of strawberry within a mild base of white tea so that all the main flavorsincluding hibiscus, rosehips, and lemongrasscan really come together well.

Since this has a white tea base, you dont want to go for the standard boiling water approach. Make sure that your variable temperature kettle is set to the under-boiling temperature of 180 degrees, and you only let it steep for three minutes. Both basil and white tea have a tendency to go bitter if treated too harshly, which is easily solved with a dollop of raw honey, especially since its been developed specifically for herbal teas.

Sage

Sage also boasts an impressive history and benefits. This mint family member, also known as The Holy Herb in ancient Rome, enjoys popularity to this day for being associated with wisdom, mental-spiritual clarity, and protection.

About Sage

Sage, a perennial herb known for its aromatic qualities, offers numerous health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, sage helps combat oxidative stress and inflammation, which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Its anti-inflammatory properties also contribute to better oral health, with sage mouth rinses shown to alleviate sore throats and gum inflammation. Additionally, sage supports cognitive function and memory, with studies suggesting it can improve mood and mental clarity. The herb is also known for its digestive benefits, aiding in the relief of bloating and indigestion. With its diverse health-promoting properties, sage is a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

Have a Cuppa!

Adagio has a beautiful Blackberry Sage Oolong that will certainly make you feel as if you can open your mind to the magic of unexpected flavors. Rather than coming across as presumptive or contrite, the sage in this blend is very sweet as it commingles with the blackberry and other ingredients, including raspberries and raspberry leavesthe latter of has been studied for being particularly good for alleviating symptoms of female-bodied ailments.

How about that? This tea is so full of magic surprises and fun facts, its certain to add a bit of wisdom to your day. Just be sure to steep it with boiling water for at least five minutes to bring out more of that complex sage flavor as the berries become more intense. And feel free to add some of that herbal tea honey if you so desire to really enhance the sweetness.