I’m not just a wine nerd. I’m also a tea nerd. I know tea nerds are very critical of anything prepackaged, but I was very impressed last year when I first tasted the full line of Rishi Tea. So I was all smiles when I got my paws on some free samples of their herbal teas.

They call them “caffeine-free botanical blends.” OK. Whatever. It’s also certified USDA organic and fair trade.

words… words… Too many words. Let’s just say good for Momma Nature and you.

I love to buy green when I can. But the way I see it, that camp’s got the same problems as the Democrats. Need to shore it up. Quick, quick, quick. Sound bites, people. Easy Tic Tacs of info for this one-click wonder of a world.

“From the basic principals of Ayurveda, we use only the finest shade grown…” Tssst. Stop. You lost me. I guess the Granolas and the Boomers like that stuff, but some people are turned off by the whole J. Peterman, touristic approach of marketing. Make green less hippie and more cool–and you’ll sell buttloads of earth friendly product. Bear Naked Granola comes to mind. Righteous.

So back to my favorite bodacious botanical. Rishi Sweet Mint. Ingredients: Peppermint, Cardamom, Licorice Root, and natural essential oils of basil and clove. Aroma: sweet and minty (!!), with a hint of zippy, peppery, freshness. It’s green, green, green. I get the same feeling after chopping tons of basil. Wow, you really can suss out all the components.

And you know I loves me the cardamom. I think that between its peppery/sweet lift and the subtle use of licorice (which comes off more fennel-ish), this is a complex, dreamy tea that’s dying for you to order out for sushi. Extra chiso.