7 Best Mamaki Teas (Complete Guide)
Māmaki tea is a unique and delicious Hawaiian tea that is gaining popularity all over the world. Made from the dried leaves of the māmaki tree, māmaki tea is high in antioxidants and has a pleasant earthy flavor.
What are the best māmaki teas? For strong herbal flavors packed with health benefits, we suggest buying loose-leaf pure māmaki tea. You can also get tea bags and māmaki blends, but the nutritional benefits and flavors will be able to compare.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best māmaki teas on the market today. So, if you’re looking for a healthy tea to add to your routine, be sure to read on!
What Is Mamaki Tea?
Māmaki tea is an herbal tea that originates in Hawaii. The māmaki plant is a shrub with hairy stems and large green leaves that has been used medicinally by the Hawaiian people for centuries.
The leaves are harvested and dried, then brewed to create a herbal tea with an earthy, slightly sweet flavor. The leaves of the plant have a unique flavor, which can be described as tasting like hibiscus tea with nutty, earthy tones.
The tea can be enjoyed hot or cold and is sometimes used as a base for other herbal teas.
Today, māmaki tea is gaining popularity for its health benefits, which are due in part to its high content of catechu, chlorogenic acid, and rutin:
- Catechu is a natural astringent that can help to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Chlorogenic acid is a powerful antioxidant that can help to protect cells from damage.
- Rutin is a plant-based compound that can help to strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation.
Together, these three compounds provide a wide range of health benefits, making māmaki tea an excellent choice for those looking to improve their overall well-being!
Māmaki is sometimes spelled “mamake” in Hawaiian, so if you are looking to buy this tea, you will sometimes see it labeled as “mamake” instead.
Māmaki tea naturally does not contain caffeine, so it makes an excellent herbal tea for those who are seeking a calm and relaxing beverage, and it can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Origins Of Māmaki Tea
Māmaki can be a rare find if you don’t live in Hawaii because the māmaki plant can only grow in Hawaii’s volcanic soil, which is packed with nutrients.
It requires very high humidity and lots of rainfall in order to thrive, which is why māmaki plantations are often located on mountains to enjoy the higher volume of rainwater.
One of the māmaki plant’s most notable features is its resistance to almost all known pests and diseases. This māmaki is an organic tea without much effort from the plantations themselves.
Hawaiians have a long history of using the māmaki plant for a variety of purposes.
Traditionally, the leaves were used to make tea, which was believed to have medicinal properties. The stems and branches were used to create tools and weapons, while the roots were often used in religious ceremonies.
Today, māmaki is still widely used by Native Hawaiians. The leaves are still brewed into tea, and the plant is also used in a number of traditional medicines.
Māmaki is now being studied for its potential use in treating a variety of ailments, including cancer and diabetes. As a result, this humble plant continues to play an important role in Hawaiian culture.
The Hawaii State Legislature has even designated the māmaki as the state’s official medicinal plant!
If you are looking to buy māmaki, then finding a tea of Hawaiian origin is the best way to ensure a pure flavor and organic origins.
Varieties Of Māmaki Tea
Traditionally, Hawaiians prefer 100% māmaki tea, which provides a delicious, pure drinking experience that is perfect for any tea lover who appreciates unadulterated flavors.
As māmaki becomes more popular, manufacturers have started to offer unique blends of flavors. Nowadays, māmaki tea is also available in a variety of organic blends that can add a twist to the flavor profile.
For example, the combination of mint and hibiscus creates a refreshing and slightly tangy beverage, while the addition of ginger provides a spicy kick that can help to wake up the taste buds.
If you have never tried māmaki tea before, we suggest trying 100% māmaki tea first to fully enjoy its flavors.
If you are an adventurous tea drinker, then you’ll be glad to find that māmaki can add a herbal twist to already delicious tea flavors like mint and hibiscus!
Types Of Māmaki Tea
Similar to other types of tea, māmaki tea is also available in loose leaves or tea bags.
While tea bags may be convenient, there is no denying that loose-leaf tea is of a higher quality. Loose-leaf tea is made from whole leaves, which can result in a more nuanced flavor for your cup.
When brewed properly, loose-leaf tea gives the drinker a complex and well-rounded cup of tea that is far superior to the flat taste of bagged tea.
The leaves used in loose-leaf tea are allowed to fully unfurl during brewing, which allows for a complete release of their flavor and essential oils.
In comparison, tea bags don’t allow enough space for the leaves to expand and release their flavors.
In addition, loose-leaf tea generally contains a higher concentration of antioxidants than bagged tea, making it a healthier option as well.
However, loose-leaf tea can be quite cumbersome to prepare since you will need a tea infuser or strainer to make a cup of tea!
For many people, the appeal of tea bags is that they’re quick and easy to use.
There’s no need to measure out the right amount of leaves or to find a strainer big enough to hold them — you simply add the bag to a cup of hot water and steep for a few minutes.
This convenience is especially appealing when you’re trying to make tea in a hurry. For those who are looking for a quick and easy way to enjoy their favorite beverage, tea bags are the way to go.
For these reasons, we suggest trying loose-leaf māmaki tea to enjoy most of its flavors and health benefits. However, if you are a casual tea drinker, then using tea bags is definitely more convenient.
Best Māmaki Teas
If you are convinced that you want to add māmaki tea to your daily routine, here are some great options to introduce you to the world of māmaki teas:
| Rank | Product | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mauifarmacy Mamaki Tea | Loose Leaves |
| 2 | Hawaiian Mamaki Tea Loose Leaves | Loose Leaves |
| 3 | JustInfusions Mamaki Loose Leaf Herb Tea | Loose Leaves |
| 4 | Herbologie Mamaki Nettle Tea | Loose Leaves |
| 5 | Shaka Tea Dry Tea Bags | Tea Bags |
| 6 | Shaka Tea Mamaki Hawaiian Tea | Tea Bottle |
| 7 | Pop-Up Mākeke Tea Chest | Tea Bags |
1. Mauifarmacy Mamaki Tea
Mauifarmacy’s Māmaki Tea is a dried, loose-leaf tea from the māmaki plant’s home island of Hawaii (a.k.a. the Big Island). This organic tea is grown and packaged in the state of Hawaii.
This is the perfect introduction to the world of māmaki tea because the loose leaves allow you to fully enjoy the herbal, slightly sweet flavor of the tea!
The dried, gently crushed tea leaves will start to release flavors and nutrients after 10 minutes of steeping in hot water. Since the leaves are a bit larger, you can gently crush them before brewing to enjoy a stronger flavor.
Each cup is packed with antioxidants and polyphenols, which are believed to have numerous health benefits. These include reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, and protecting against heart disease.
2. Hawaiian Mamaki Tea Loose Leaves
Artisan Tea Garden’s Hawaiian Mamaki Tea is a loose-leaf tea that is 100% natural with no preservatives, colors, or flavorings.
The tea is made from the leaves of the māmaki plant, which is native to Hawaii. The leaves are picked by hand and then sun-dried before being gently crushed and packaged.
Since the leaves are crushed into smaller pieces, they can release more flavor and oil into each cup with just a tiny portion of tea leaves. Because these tea leaves are so small, you will need a tea infuser or strainer when brewing your tea.
However, the result will be worth it! Your cup will be filled to the brim with antioxidants that can help to boost immunity and protect against disease.
3. JustInfusions Mamaki Loose Leaf Herb Tea
If you want to support organic tea farmers, then this is definitely a great option!
JustInfusions’ Māmaki Tea is grown using organic and sustainable farming practices in Maui, Hawaii. All of the māmaki tea leaves are hand-picked and then sun-dried, ensuring that each batch of tea is of the highest quality.
The resulting māmaki tea has a light, nuanced flavor that is perfect for enjoying on its own or with a touch of honey.
Best of all, this is a local business that promotes sustainable farming practices that benefit both the environment and the local economy!
4. Herbologie Mamaki Nettle Tea
Herbologie Māmaki Nettle Tea is a deliciously potent tea that offers all the rich benefits of māmaki tea.
Made of 100% sustainably grown māmaki, this tea is also organic. The tea is processed in small batches to ensure quality and freshness, offering beneficial antioxidants and minerals.
Few types of tea can claim that it is naturally caffeine-free, gluten-free, cholesterol-free, and sugar-free while offering herbal benefits! Fortunately, you can enjoy the delicious flavors and benefits of natural māmaki tea with this loose-leaf variation.
5. Shaka Tea Dry Tea Bags
When it comes to tea, there are endless flavor combinations to explore. However, few teas can match the unique flavor profile of Shaka Tea!
This māmaki tea comes in a few varieties, each infused with a rich combination of herbs and flavors. You can choose māmaki tea infused with lemongrass, butterfly peas, hibiscus, rosehips, lemon, rose, and passion flowers.
This delicious māmaki tea is sustainably sourced and perfect for those who appreciate exotic infusions. It also comes in small tea bags packed with flavor, making them quite convenient to brew. Thanks to the creative flavors, you’ll be delightfully surprised by every cup!
6. Shaka Tea Mamaki Hawaiian Tea
If you want to try māmaki tea but don’t love brewing tea at home, why not try these pre-bottled drinks from Shaka Tea?
Shaka Tea’s Māmaki has zero sugar and zero calories per bottle, yet it’s packed with māmaki tea and infused with tropical flavors like guava ginger blossom, lemon lokelani rose, or mango hibiscus!
This tea is brewed with freshly picked māmaki leaves and then cold-pressed to preserve its valuable nutrients. The result is a delicious and refreshing tea that is rich in antioxidants and naturally caffeine-free.
The creative and refreshing flavors also add a kick to the tea — it’s definitely a great way to enjoy all of the benefits of māmaki tea, even if you don’t love tea!
7. Pop-Up Mākeke Tea Chest
This tea is packed with Hawaii-grown māmaki wrapped in the comforting fragrance of pikake blossoms. This pairing creates a tea that is both delicious and beneficial for your health.
The tea leaves are sustainably sourced, hand-rolled into tea balls, and infused with the calming fragrance of pikake blossoms, which is a type of jasmine.
Māmaki is known for its high antioxidant content, which can help to boost your immune system and protect your cells. Pikake, on the other hand, is a natural sedative that can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Together, these two herbs make a tea that is perfect for winding down at the end of a long day. Best of all, they come in tea bags that are quite convenient to make, so they are perfect for incorporating into your busy day!
Related Questions
Now that we’ve learned all about māmaki tea, here are some additional questions that we thought you might have.
What’s the best way to make māmaki tea?
The best way to make māmaki tea is with loose-leaf tea and a tea infuser. This way, you can enjoy all the benefits of loose-leaf tea without having to strain your tea when it’s time to enjoy it!
Fill the infuser with a teaspoon of loose-leaf tea for every 8 oz of water. Then, steep the tea for 7–10 minutes in boiling water — the longer you steep, the stronger the tea flavor will be.
Alternatively, if you want to enjoy cold māmaki tea, you can also let the boiling water cool down and place the entire teapot in the fridge overnight. The result will be a strong, cold pot of tea that can refresh you in the morning.
Is māmaki tea caffeinated?
Unlike other types of green tea, māmaki tea is not caffeinated — this makes it a popular choice for those who are looking for a healthy alternative to coffee or soda.
Despite containing no caffeine, māmaki tea has a unique flavor that many people find refreshing! For these reasons, māmaki tea has become a popular choice for many people looking for a healthy and delicious beverage.
Do I need to add sugar to māmaki tea?
Many tea drinkers enjoy adding milk and sugar to the tea to enhance the taste. Since māmaki tea already has a slightly sweet, herbal taste, you definitely don’t have to add sugar to enjoy the tea.
If you have a sweet tooth, then a healthier alternative to sweeten your tea is honey or even pure maple syrup.
These natural flavors will complement the herbal taste of māmaki tea very well, and you will get to fully enjoy the health benefits!
