Botanical Ingredient Glossary

A guide to the plants, fruits, and botanicals used in Hilltop Botanicals teas and infusions. Each ingredient is selected for flavor, tradition, and seasonal inspiration.

Close-up of green plant leaves with sunlight shining through them.

Garden Herbs

  • Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
    An aromatic culinary herb that adds gentle herbal sweetness to tea blends.

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    • Herbal
    • Slightly sweet
    • Light peppery note

  • Botanical Name: Melissa officinalis
    A calming herb from the mint family with a natural lemon aroma.

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    • Soft citrus
    • Light herbal sweetness
    • Fresh garden notes

  • Botanical Name: Mentha × piperita
    A bold mint known for its strong cooling character.

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    • Cooling
    • Crisp mint
    • Bright finish

  • Botanical Name: Mentha spicata
    A milder mint with a naturally sweet herbal flavor.

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    • Sweet mint
    • Fresh
    • Soft herbal finish

  • Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
    A savory herb that adds warm herbal depth to blends.

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    • Herbal
    • Slightly savory
    • Light peppery warmth

A close-up photo of a yellow dandelion flower with green leaves in the background.

Meadow Herbs

  • Botanical Name: Taraxacum officinale
    A traditional meadow herb that produces a green, slightly bitter infusion.

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    • Earthy
    • Green
    • Slight bitterness

  • Botanical Name: Verbascum thapsus
    A soft herbal leaf traditionally used in respiratory herbal blends.

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    • Mild
    • Earthy
    • Gentle herbal notes

  • Botanical Name: Urtica dioica
    A nutrient-rich leafy herb that produces a deep green herbal tea.

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    • Earthy
    • Mineral-rich
    • Fresh green flavor

  • Botanical Name: Viola odorata
    A delicate leafy herb with subtle herbal character.

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    • Mild
    • Soft green
    • Light earthiness

Close-up of bright orange flowers with water droplets on petals, surrounded by green leaves.

Flowers

  • Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis
    Bright orange petals that add color and mild floral flavor.

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    • Mild floral
    • Light herbal notes

  • Botanical Name: Matricaria chamomilla
    Small daisy-like flowers known for their soothing herbal infusion.

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    • Honey-like
    • Soft floral
    • Gentle apple notes

  • Botanical Name: Sambucus nigra
    Delicate blossoms with a fragrant floral sweetness.

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    • Floral
    • Lightly fruity
    • Honey-like

  • Hibiscus

    Botanical Name: Hibiscus sabdariffa
    Produces a vibrant red infusion with bright tart flavor.

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    • Tart
    • Cranberry-like
    • Bright fruit

  • Botanical Name: Lonicera japonica
    Fragrant blossoms known for their nectar-like sweetness.

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    • Sweet floral
    • Nectar-like
    • Light honey notes

  • Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia
    Aromatic purple buds that bring elegant floral depth.

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    • Floral
    • Herbal
    • Light sweetness

  • Botanical Name: Syringa vulgaris
    Spring blossoms with a soft perfume-like floral aroma.

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    • Floral
    • Delicate
    • Soft sweetness

  • Botanical Name: Hibiscus syriacus
    A flowering hibiscus relative used for mild floral teas.

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    • Light floral
    • Soft herbal notes

  • Botanical Name: Rosa spp.
    Fragrant petals that add floral aroma and softness to tea blends.

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    • Floral
    • Slightly sweet
    • Perfumed

Multiple red apples growing on an apple tree with green leaves, set in a sunny outdoor orchard.

Fruits & Orchard Ingredients

  • Botanical Name: Malus domestica
    Dried apple pieces add orchard sweetness and gentle fruit notes.

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    • Sweet
    • Light tartness
    • Fresh apple aroma

  • Botanical Name: Prunus persica
    Dried peach brings soft orchard fruit character to teas.

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    • Sweet
    • Fruity
    • Light floral notes

  • Botanical Name: Rosa canina
    The fruit of the rose plant, often used in fruit-forward herbal teas.

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    • Tart
    • Bright
    • Fruity

  • Botanical Name: Fragaria × ananassa
    Dried strawberry pieces add natural sweetness and fruit aroma.

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    • Sweet
    • Bright fruit
    • Slight tartness

Close-up of a lemon tree with ripe yellow lemons hanging among green leaves, backlit by sunlight against a clear blue sky.

Citrus

  • Botanical Name: Citrus limon
    Dried lemon peel adds vibrant citrus oils and brightness.

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    • Bright citrus
    • Zesty
    • Fresh

  • Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis
    Sweet citrus peel that brings warmth and brightness to blends.

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    • Sweet citrus
    • Light bitterness
    • Aromatic oils

Close-up of dried tea leaves on a wooden spoon.

Roots

  • Botanical Name: Cichorium intybus
    A roasted root often used as a caffeine-free coffee alternative.

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    • Roasted
    • Earthy
    • Slight bitterness

  • Botanical Name: Aspalathus linearis
    A naturally caffeine-free herbal tea from South Africa.

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    • Smooth
    • Honey-like
    • Mildly nutty

Bundles of dried herbs or twigs tied with a string on a wooden surface.

Warming Spices

  • Botanical Name: Cinnamomum verum
    A warming spice that adds sweetness and depth to teas.

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    • Warm spice
    • Sweet
    • Aromatic

  • Botanical Name: Syzygium aromaticum
    A strong aromatic spice used in warming seasonal blends.

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    • Bold spice
    • Warm
    • Slight sweetness

  • Botanical Name: Vanilla planifolia
    Vanilla pods add warm aromatic sweetness to honey.

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    • Creamy
    • Sweet
    • Warm spice

Tea Leaves
(Camellia Sinensis)

  • Botanical Name: Camellia sinensis

    Black tea is fully oxidized, producing a rich and structured infusion.

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    • Full-bodied
    • Malty
    • Smooth tannins

  • Botanical Name: Camellia sinensis

    Green tea is made from lightly processed tea leaves, preserving their fresh vegetal character.

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    • Light
    • Grassy
    • Fresh

Close-up of fresh green basil leaves.