Kōrero Talk - Wild Tea Stories, Rongoā Māori & NZ Botanicals | Ti Ani

Learn about the beauty and wellness benefits of organic hibiscus flower tea, its rich history, antioxidant properties, heart health support, and how to brew the perfect cup hot or iced.

Meet Horopito - our ancient pepper tree in Aotearoa and one of the most powerful plants in rongoā Māori tradition. Wild-harvested by hand from our family farm in the Owen Valley, this bold, peppery tea has been growing in New Zealand’s forests for over 65 million years. Its remarkable history, wellness benefits, and fiery kick have our customers coming back for more.

Tea is considered the second most consumed beverage after water in the world. Though tea comes from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis, it has a different type, aroma, flavours, and taste. Additionally, there are different ways through which they are harvested and processed. However, one of the most popularly consumed tea types all around the world is black tea. 

Sacred to Māori and revered in Rongoā Māori healing for centuries, Kawakawa is one of the most treasured native plants in Aotearoa. Learn about its remarkable health benefits, fascinating fun facts, brewing tips, and why our customers call it the best Kawakawa in NZ. Wild harvested by hand.

You may have dandelion growing in your garden or lawn (unintentionally) but before you start ripping these pesky weeds out or reach for the weed spray lets take a quick look at the impressive medicinal benefits. 

Here are just some of the many benefits in the leaf, stem, flower and root:

There are dozens of popular varieties of tea in the world. One of the varieties that tops it all is  white tea, which is often prized for its rich flavour and unique appearance. Most varieties of white tea are derived from Camellia sinensis. Camellia sinensis is the same plant that is responsible for green, black, and oolong tea. The divine flavour of white tea deserves a special mention because it has lighter notes of honey with a rich and incredible smooth, honey like taste. It is a perfectly balanced white tea, featuring a sweet & fresh aroma with a soft fruity flavour.

From a childhood hop farm in the early 1970s to hiking the Waitakere Ranges, travelling through South America and India, and finally coming home to Te Waipounamu, this is my story. I'm not a practitioner or a rongoā expert, just someone whose love for the ngahere and traditional plant knowledge has led me here. Tī Ani was born from that journey, and I'm so glad you're part of it.