Botanical Ingredient Library
PANDAHOMEMART BOTANICAL INGREDIENT LIBRARY
Explore Flowers, Fruits, Roots, Leaves, Seeds & Traditional Botanicals
Botanical ingredients have been part of everyday food, tea, and household traditions across Asia for generations.
Some are valued for fragrance.
Some add sweetness, tartness, earthiness, or warmth.
Others are simply enjoyed as part of a familiar daily brewing ritual.
The PandaHomeMart Botanical Ingredient Library is designed to help you understand what each ingredient is, what it tastes like, how it is commonly prepared, and what it may pair well with.
Explore by Ingredient · Learn by Flavor · Brew With Confidence
BOTANICALS AT A GLANCE
Botanical infusions can be made from many different parts of a plant.
These may include:
Flowers
Fruits
Roots & Rhizomes
Leaves
Citrus
Seeds
Grains
Beans
Fungi
Traditional Botanical Ingredients
Each part contributes something different to the cup.
Flowers often bring fragrance.
Fruits may add sweetness or tartness.
Roots may provide earthy, woody, or warming character.
Leaves can taste fresh, green, or herbal.
Seeds and grains often create nutty, toasted, or mellow flavors.
EXPLORE BY CATEGORY
FLOWERS
Fragrant, colorful, and often delicate.
Popular botanical flowers include:
Rose
Chrysanthemum
Jasmine
Osmanthus
Honeysuckle
Roselle
Peach Blossom
Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum
Imperial Chrysanthemum
EXPLORE BOTANICAL FLOWERS →
ROOTS & RHIZOMES
Earthy, warming, woody, or naturally mellow.
Popular root ingredients include:
Ginger
Kudzu Root
Chinese Yam
Danshen
Codonopsis Root
Mai Dong
Angelica Root
Polygonatum
Red Ginseng
Maca
EXPLORE BOTANICAL ROOTS →
FRUITS & BERRIES
Sweet, tart, fruity, or rich.
Popular ingredients include:
Goji Berry
Black Goji Berry
Hawthorn
Longan
Jujube
Dried Plum
Monk Fruit
Dried Fig
Apple
Sea Buckthorn
EXPLORE BOTANICAL FRUITS →
LEAVES
Fresh, herbal, grassy, or lightly bitter.
Popular botanical leaves include:
Lotus Leaf
Mulberry Leaf
Mint
Dandelion Leaf
Selected Traditional Leaves
EXPLORE BOTANICAL LEAVES →
CITRUS
Bright, aromatic, and naturally refreshing.
Popular citrus ingredients include:
Dried Tangerine Peel
Tangerine Peel Strips
Pomelo Peel
Kumquat
Green Kumquat
Buddha's Hand
EXPLORE BOTANICAL CITRUS →
SEEDS
Nutty, mild, earthy, or gently aromatic.
Popular botanical seeds include:
Coix Seed
Cassia Seed
Fox Nut
Sour Jujube Seed
Selected Traditional Seeds
EXPLORE NOURISHING SEEDS →
GRAINS
Toasted, mellow, comforting, and familiar.
Popular grain ingredients include:
Barley
Black Rice
Buckwheat
Yellow Tartary Buckwheat
Coix Seed
Selected Whole Grains
EXPLORE WHOLESOME GRAINS →
BEANS
Mild, earthy, naturally wholesome, and often used in traditional food preparations.
Popular beans include:
Red Adzuki Bean
Black Bean
Selected Natural Beans
EXPLORE NATURAL BEANS →
FUNGI & SPECIALTY INGREDIENTS
Distinctive ingredients with unique textures, aromas, and traditional culinary uses.
Examples may include:
Reishi
Lion's Mane
Dendrobium
EXPLORE SPECIALTY BOTANICALS →
FEATURED INGREDIENTS
ROSE
Floral · Soft · Fragrant
Rose is one of the most recognizable botanical ingredients used in aromatic infusions.
Dried rose buds or blossoms produce a delicate floral aroma with a soft, slightly sweet character.
FLAVOR
Floral
Soft
Lightly Sweet
Elegant
HOW TO ENJOY
Steep on its own or combine with tea and other botanicals.
PAIRS WELL WITH
White Tea
Black Tea
Goji Berry
Longan
Jujube
EXPLORE ROSE →
CHRYSANTHEMUM
Floral · Clean · Light
Chrysanthemum flowers are widely enjoyed as a simple botanical infusion.
Different varieties may offer slightly different aroma, color, and intensity.
FLAVOR
Floral
Clean
Light
Gentle
POPULAR TYPES
Imperial Chrysanthemum
Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum Buds
PAIRS WELL WITH
Goji Berry
Green Tea
Cassia Seed
Jujube
EXPLORE CHRYSANTHEMUM →
JASMINE
Fragrant · Floral · Delicate
Jasmine is prized for its unmistakable fragrance.
Jasmine buds may be infused alone, while jasmine flowers are also traditionally used to scent tea leaves.
FLAVOR
Floral
Fragrant
Soft
Fresh
PAIRS WELL WITH
Green Tea
White Tea
Rose
Osmanthus
EXPLORE JASMINE →
OSMANTHUS
Floral · Fruity · Honeyed
Small osmanthus blossoms have a distinctive fragrance often described as floral, fruity, or apricot-like.
FLAVOR
Floral
Fruity
Honeyed
Aromatic
PAIRS WELL WITH
Oolong Tea
Black Tea
Green Tea
Goji Berry
EXPLORE OSMANTHUS →
ROSELLE
Tart · Fruity · Bright
Roselle creates a vivid red infusion and a naturally tart, fruit-forward flavor.
FLAVOR
Tart
Fruity
Bright
Refreshing
HOW TO ENJOY
Enjoy hot or cold.
Use a small amount at first, as roselle can create a strongly tart cup.
PAIRS WELL WITH
Rose
Apple
Hawthorn
Jujube
EXPLORE ROSELLE →
HONEYSUCKLE
Floral · Herbal · Light
Dried honeysuckle flowers are traditionally used in botanical infusions and have a light floral-herbal character.
FLAVOR
Floral
Herbal
Light
Subtle
PAIRS WELL WITH
Chrysanthemum
Monk Fruit
Green Tea
Selected Botanical Blends
EXPLORE HONEYSUCKLE →
GOJI BERRY
Mild · Fruity · Naturally Sweet
Goji berries are one of the most familiar ingredients in traditional Chinese food and botanical preparations.
When infused, they become soft and contribute mild sweetness to the cup.
FLAVOR
Mild
Fruity
Soft
Naturally Sweet
PAIRS WELL WITH
Chrysanthemum
Rose
Red Ginseng
Longan
Jujube
EXPLORE GOJI BERRY →
BLACK GOJI BERRY
Fruity · Soft · Distinctive
Black goji berries are visually distinctive and release natural pigments into water.
The infusion color may vary depending on water chemistry.
FLAVOR
Mild
Fruity
Soft
Subtle
PAIRS WELL WITH
Rose
Mulberry
Goji Berry
White Tea
EXPLORE BLACK GOJI →
HAWTHORN
Tart · Fruity · Bright
Dried hawthorn slices provide a distinctive tart fruit flavor.
They are commonly used in food, drinks, and botanical blends.
FLAVOR
Tart
Fruity
Bright
Slightly Sweet
PAIRS WELL WITH
Jujube
Apple
Roselle
Dried Tangerine Peel
EXPLORE HAWTHORN →
LONGAN
Sweet · Fruity · Rich
Dried longan has a naturally sweet, rich fruit character.
It may be brewed alone or used to soften more earthy botanical blends.
FLAVOR
Sweet
Rich
Fruity
Mellow
PAIRS WELL WITH
Jujube
Goji Berry
Rose
Black Tea
EXPLORE LONGAN →
JUJUBE
Sweet · Mellow · Familiar
Dried jujube is widely used in teas, soups, desserts, and everyday food traditions.
FLAVOR
Sweet
Mellow
Fruity
Warm
PAIRS WELL WITH
Goji Berry
Longan
Ginger
Rose
Black Tea
EXPLORE JUJUBE →
DRIED PLUM
Tart · Fruity · Deep
Dried plum brings a darker fruit character and natural tartness to botanical drinks.
FLAVOR
Tart
Fruity
Deep
Rich
PAIRS WELL WITH
Hawthorn
Roselle
Jujube
Black Tea
EXPLORE DRIED PLUM →
MONK FRUIT
Naturally Sweet · Fruity · Rich
Monk fruit is known for its naturally intense sweetness.
Only a small amount is usually needed when blending.
FLAVOR
Sweet
Fruity
Rich
Distinctive
PAIRS WELL WITH
Honeysuckle
Chrysanthemum
Dried Citrus
Botanical Blends
EXPLORE MONK FRUIT →
DRIED TANGERINE PEEL
Citrus · Aromatic · Warm
Dried tangerine peel is a familiar ingredient in Chinese culinary and tea traditions.
It contributes a concentrated citrus aroma with gentle bitterness.
FLAVOR
Citrusy
Aromatic
Slightly Bitter
Warm
PAIRS WELL WITH
Pu-erh Tea
Black Tea
Hawthorn
Jujube
Ginger
EXPLORE DRIED TANGERINE PEEL →
POMELO PEEL
Citrus · Aromatic · Slightly Bitter
Dried pomelo peel offers a distinctive citrus character that works well in warm botanical blends.
FLAVOR
Citrusy
Aromatic
Bitter-Sweet
Fresh
PAIRS WELL WITH
Black Tea
Pu-erh
Jujube
Ginger
EXPLORE POMELO PEEL →
KUMQUAT
Citrusy · Fruity · Bright
Dried kumquat contributes bright citrus aroma with sweet-tart fruit character.
FLAVOR
Citrusy
Tart
Fruity
Aromatic
PAIRS WELL WITH
Green Tea
Black Tea
Hawthorn
Jujube
EXPLORE KUMQUAT →
GINGER
Warming · Spicy · Aromatic
Ginger is one of the most recognizable botanical ingredients in everyday food and drink.
Dried ginger produces a warm, spicy infusion.
FLAVOR
Spicy
Warm
Aromatic
Earthy
PAIRS WELL WITH
Black Tea
Jujube
Longan
Dried Citrus
Brown Sugar
EXPLORE GINGER →
KUDZU ROOT
Mild · Earthy · Neutral
Dried kudzu root has a mild flavor and is traditionally used in food and botanical preparations.
FLAVOR
Mild
Earthy
Neutral
Soft
HOW TO ENJOY
Depending on the cut and preparation, kudzu root may be steeped, simmered, or prepared as part of a longer botanical decoction.
EXPLORE KUDZU ROOT →
CHINESE YAM
Mild · Starchy · Earthy
Dried Chinese yam is more closely associated with food-style preparation than highly aromatic tea.
FLAVOR
Mild
Earthy
Starchy
Soft
HOW TO ENJOY
Use in soups, porridges, long-simmered botanical preparations, or selected infusions.
PAIRS WELL WITH
Coix Seed
Jujube
Fox Nut
Grains
EXPLORE CHINESE YAM →
DANSHEN
Earthy · Herbal · Distinctive
Danshen is a traditional botanical root with a distinctive earthy-herbal character.
FLAVOR
Earthy
Herbal
Slightly Bitter
Distinctive
HOW TO ENJOY
Traditionally used in botanical preparations rather than as a conventional everyday tea.
Use according to product directions.
EXPLORE DANSHEN →
MAI DONG
Mild · Herbal · Soft
Mai Dong is a traditional botanical ingredient often used in combination with other ingredients.
FLAVOR
Mild
Herbal
Subtle
Soft
PAIRS WELL WITH
Selected Roots
Goji Berry
Botanical Blends
EXPLORE MAI DONG →
ANGELICA ROOT
Herbal · Earthy · Aromatic
Dried angelica root has a strong, distinctive aroma and is usually used in small amounts.
FLAVOR
Herbal
Earthy
Aromatic
Distinctive
HOW TO ENJOY
Commonly used in traditional culinary preparations, soups, and botanical blends.
EXPLORE ANGELICA ROOT →
POLYGONATUM
Mild · Sweet · Earthy
Polygonatum is traditionally prepared in different forms, including processed varieties.
Its flavor can be gently sweet and earthy.
FLAVOR
Sweet
Mild
Earthy
Mellow
PAIRS WELL WITH
Goji Berry
Jujube
Red Ginseng
Botanical Blends
EXPLORE POLYGONATUM →
RED GINSENG
Earthy · Bitter-Sweet · Aromatic
Red ginseng has a concentrated, distinctive root aroma and is generally used in small quantities.
FLAVOR
Earthy
Bitter-Sweet
Aromatic
Rich
PAIRS WELL WITH
Goji Berry
Jujube
Rose
Longan
EXPLORE RED GINSENG →
MACA
Earthy · Malty · Distinctive
Dried maca has a strong root-like, malty aroma and can be brewed or added to blended drinks.
FLAVOR
Earthy
Malty
Nutty
Distinctive
PAIRS WELL WITH
Black Tea
Grains
Jujube
Selected Botanical Blends
EXPLORE MACA →
LOTUS LEAF
Herbal · Green · Light
Dried lotus leaf creates a fresh herbal infusion with a distinctive green character.
FLAVOR
Herbal
Green
Light
Slightly Bitter
PAIRS WELL WITH
Cassia Seed
Hawthorn
Coix Seed
Selected Botanical Blends
EXPLORE LOTUS LEAF →
MULBERRY LEAF
Green · Herbal · Mild
Mulberry leaf produces a light herbal-green infusion.
FLAVOR
Herbal
Green
Mild
Clean
PAIRS WELL WITH
Green Tea
Chrysanthemum
Selected Botanical Blends
EXPLORE MULBERRY LEAF →
MINT
Cooling · Fresh · Aromatic
Mint contributes an instantly recognizable fresh aroma.
A small amount can dramatically change the character of a blend.
FLAVOR
Fresh
Cooling
Herbal
Aromatic
PAIRS WELL WITH
Green Tea
Jasmine
Citrus
Roselle
EXPLORE MINT →
BARLEY
Toasted · Nutty · Mellow
Roasted barley creates a comforting, grain-forward infusion.
FLAVOR
Toasted
Nutty
Mellow
Warm
HOW TO ENJOY
Enjoy hot or cold.
PAIRS WELL WITH
Buckwheat
Black Rice
Selected Grain Blends
EXPLORE BARLEY →
TARTARY BUCKWHEAT
Toasted · Nutty · Grain-Like
Tartary buckwheat produces a golden infusion with a pleasant roasted grain aroma.
FLAVOR
Toasted
Nutty
Mellow
Grain-Like
HOW TO ENJOY
Brew alone or combine with other roasted grain ingredients.
EXPLORE TARTARY BUCKWHEAT →
BLACK RICE
Grain-Like · Toasted · Soft
Black rice is traditionally used as food but may also appear in grain-based infusions and blends.
FLAVOR
Toasted
Grain-Like
Soft
Nutty
PAIRS WELL WITH
Black Bean
Black Sesame
Grain Blends
EXPLORE BLACK RICE →
RED ADZUKI BEAN
Earthy · Mild · Grain-Like
Red adzuki beans are widely used in Asian food traditions.
In botanical and grain blends, they create a subtle earthy character.
FLAVOR
Earthy
Mild
Soft
Bean-Like
PAIRS WELL WITH
Coix Seed
Fox Nut
Poria
Selected Grain Blends
EXPLORE RED ADZUKI BEAN →
BLACK BEAN
Nutty · Earthy · Roasted
Roasted black beans can create a deeper, nutty infusion.
FLAVOR
Nutty
Earthy
Roasted
Mellow
PAIRS WELL WITH
Black Rice
Black Sesame
Mulberry
Selected Grain Blends
EXPLORE BLACK BEAN →
COIX SEED
Mild · Grain-Like · Mellow
Coix seed is traditionally used as a grain-like food ingredient and frequently appears in botanical blends.
FLAVOR
Mild
Grain-Like
Mellow
Neutral
PAIRS WELL WITH
Red Adzuki Bean
Fox Nut
Chinese Yam
Poria
EXPLORE COIX SEED →
FOX NUT
Mild · Nutty · Starchy
Fox nut is commonly used in traditional food preparations and blended botanical recipes.
FLAVOR
Mild
Nutty
Starchy
Soft
PAIRS WELL WITH
Coix Seed
Chinese Yam
Red Adzuki Bean
Poria
EXPLORE FOX NUT →
SOUR JUJUBE SEED
Nutty · Earthy · Mild
Sour jujube seed is a traditional botanical ingredient often used as part of blended preparations.
FLAVOR
Nutty
Earthy
Mild
Slightly Roasted
PAIRS WELL WITH
Lily Bulb
Poria
Jujube
Selected Botanical Blends
EXPLORE SOUR JUJUBE SEED →
LILY BULB
Mild · Soft · Slightly Sweet
Dried lily bulb is commonly used in traditional food, soups, desserts, and botanical preparations.
FLAVOR
Mild
Soft
Lightly Sweet
Starchy
PAIRS WELL WITH
Sour Jujube Seed
Poria
Jujube
Longan
EXPLORE LILY BULB →
REISHI
Woody · Earthy · Bitter
Reishi has a distinctly woody and bitter character.
It is very different from delicate flower or fruit infusions.
FLAVOR
Woody
Earthy
Bitter
Strong
HOW TO ENJOY
Often simmered rather than briefly steeped.
Use according to product directions.
EXPLORE REISHI →
LION'S MANE
Mild · Earthy · Savory
Lion's mane is primarily associated with culinary use rather than conventional floral-style tea.
FLAVOR
Mild
Earthy
Savory
Mushroom-Like
HOW TO ENJOY
Use according to the preparation method indicated for the product.
EXPLORE LION'S MANE →
DENDROBIUM
Herbal · Mild · Distinctive
Dendrobium is a traditional botanical ingredient commonly prepared through longer steeping or simmering methods.
FLAVOR
Herbal
Mild
Slightly Earthy
Distinctive
HOW TO ENJOY
Use according to product preparation directions.
EXPLORE DENDROBIUM →
HOW TO CHOOSE BOTANICALS BY FLAVOR
Not sure where to begin?
Start with the flavors you already enjoy.
FLORAL & FRAGRANT
Try:
Rose
Jasmine
Osmanthus
Chrysanthemum
Honeysuckle
Look for:
Floral · Light · Elegant
FRUITY & SWEET
Try:
Goji Berry
Longan
Jujube
Apple
Monk Fruit
Look for:
Sweet · Fruity · Mellow
TART & BRIGHT
Try:
Roselle
Hawthorn
Dried Plum
Kumquat
Look for:
Tart · Fruity · Refreshing
CITRUS & AROMATIC
Try:
Dried Tangerine Peel
Pomelo Peel
Kumquat
Buddha's Hand
Look for:
Citrus · Aromatic · Bright
WARM & SPICED
Try:
Ginger
Dried Tangerine Peel
Red Ginseng
Selected Roots
Look for:
Warm · Spiced · Earthy
TOASTED & NUTTY
Try:
Barley
Tartary Buckwheat
Black Bean
Black Rice
Look for:
Toasted · Nutty · Mellow
EARTHY & HERBAL
Try:
Polygonatum
Chinese Yam
Lotus Leaf
Mulberry Leaf
Selected Roots
Look for:
Earthy · Herbal · Mild
HOW TO BREW BOTANICAL INGREDIENTS
There is no single brewing method for every botanical.
Flowers, roots, fruits, grains, and fungi behave differently in hot water.
DELICATE FLOWERS
Examples:
Rose
Jasmine
Chrysanthemum
Osmanthus
STARTING POINT
Ingredient:
1–3 g
Water:
250 mL
Temperature:
85–95°C
Steep:
3–5 minutes
Delicate flowers usually do not need prolonged boiling.
DRIED FRUITS
Examples:
Goji Berry
Jujube
Longan
Hawthorn
Roselle
STARTING POINT
Ingredient:
3–10 g
Water:
250–400 mL
Temperature:
90–100°C
Steep:
5–10 minutes
Larger or denser fruit pieces may benefit from longer steeping.
ROOTS
Examples:
Ginger
Kudzu Root
Polygonatum
Red Ginseng
Chinese Yam
STARTING POINT
Ingredient:
Use according to product directions.
Water:
300–500 mL
Preparation:
Long steep or gentle simmer
Dense root ingredients generally require more extraction time than flowers.
GRAINS & SEEDS
Examples:
Barley
Tartary Buckwheat
Coix Seed
Black Rice
STARTING POINT
Ingredient:
5–15 g
Water:
300–500 mL
Temperature:
95–100°C
Steep:
5–10 minutes
Some ingredients may also be simmered.
BUILD YOUR OWN BOTANICAL INFUSION
Start Simple.
A good botanical blend does not need ten ingredients.
Begin with two or three.
Think in layers.
01 · CHOOSE A BASE
Examples:
Green Tea
White Tea
Oolong
Black Tea
Barley
Buckwheat
02 · ADD A MAIN BOTANICAL
Examples:
Rose
Chrysanthemum
Goji Berry
Jujube
Hawthorn
03 · ADD AN ACCENT
Examples:
Osmanthus
Mint
Dried Tangerine Peel
Ginger
Roselle
04 · BREW & ADJUST
Taste the first infusion.
If one ingredient dominates, use less next time.
If the cup feels too light, add a little more.
The goal is balance.
BUILD YOUR OWN BOTANICAL BLEND →
BOTANICAL + TEA PAIRINGS
Traditional tea and botanicals can complement one another beautifully.
WHITE TEA + ROSE
Soft · Floral · Mellow
A gentle pairing that keeps both ingredients light.
GREEN TEA + JASMINE
Fresh · Floral · Fragrant
One of the most familiar tea-and-flower combinations.
OOLONG + OSMANTHUS
Aromatic · Floral · Layered
The fragrance of osmanthus works especially well with aromatic oolong.
BLACK TEA + JUJUBE
Rich · Sweet · Warm
A fuller combination with natural fruit sweetness.
PU-ERH + DRIED TANGERINE PEEL
Deep · Citrus · Earthy
Citrus aroma can brighten the deeper character of pu-erh.
WHITE TEA + GOJI
Soft · Fruity · Gentle
A simple pairing with mild fruit sweetness.
BOTANICAL INFUSIONS VS TRUE TEA
The word “tea” is used broadly in everyday language.
Technically, traditional tea comes from:
CAMELLIA SINENSIS
This includes:
Green Tea
White Tea
Oolong Tea
Black Tea
Pu-erh Tea
Botanical infusions may instead be made from:
Flowers
Fruits
Roots
Leaves
Seeds
Grains
Other Plant Ingredients
Both can be enjoyed as part of everyday brewing rituals, but they are botanically different.
EXPLORE TEA GUIDE →
BOTANICALS IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Botanical ingredients are not limited to teacups.
Depending on the ingredient, they may also be used in:
Tea
Infusions
Soups
Porridge
Desserts
Cooking
Cold Drinks
Food Pairings
Traditional Recipes
Always prepare each ingredient according to its intended food or beverage use.
HOW TO STORE BOTANICALS
Dried botanicals are sensitive to moisture, light, heat, and strong odors.
Use the same basic storage principles as quality tea.
KEEP DRY
Moisture can damage dried ingredients.
KEEP SEALED
Use a well-sealed container or resealable package.
KEEP AWAY FROM LIGHT
Direct sunlight can affect color and aroma.
KEEP COOL
Avoid hot cupboards, ovens, heaters, and sunny windows.
KEEP AWAY FROM STRONG ODORS
Dried ingredients may absorb surrounding smells.
SIMPLE STORAGE RULE
COOL · DRY · DARK · SEALED · ODOR-FREE
Always follow any additional instructions printed on the product packaging.
NATURAL VARIATION
Botanical ingredients are agricultural products.
Natural differences may occur in:
Size
Shape
Color
Aroma
Texture
These variations can depend on:
Growing Region
Harvest Season
Plant Variety
Drying Method
Storage
Natural Crop Variation
Slight differences from one batch to another are normal.
WHOLE VS CUT BOTANICALS
Ingredients may be sold as:
Whole Flowers
Flower Buds
Whole Fruits
Fruit Slices
Root Slices
Root Pieces
Leaf Pieces
Seeds
Grains
Peels
Strips
Different cuts affect:
Brewing Speed
Appearance
Flavor Extraction
Ease of Use
Smaller pieces generally release flavor faster.
Larger pieces may require longer steeping or simmering.
START WITH LESS
Some botanicals have very strong flavor.
Examples include:
Ginger
Roselle
Dried Citrus Peel
Red Ginseng
Reishi
Monk Fruit
When trying a new ingredient, begin with a small amount.
You can always add more.
CAFFEINE & BOTANICALS
Most single botanical ingredients listed in this library are not made from Camellia sinensis.
However, caffeine content depends on the actual ingredients in a product.
A botanical blend may contain:
Green Tea
Black Tea
Oolong
White Tea
Pu-erh
Other Caffeine-Containing Ingredients
Always check the complete ingredient list when caffeine matters to you.
A NOTE ON TRADITIONAL USE
Many botanical ingredients in this library have long histories in traditional food and beverage cultures.
When PandaHomeMart discusses traditional use, we are describing cultural, culinary, or historical practices.
Traditional use should not be interpreted as proof that an ingredient can diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent a medical condition.
PandaHomeMart botanical products are presented primarily for food, beverage, cultural, and everyday lifestyle use unless otherwise specifically stated.
RESPONSIBLE USE
Botanical ingredients can interact with personal circumstances differently.
Before using unfamiliar botanicals, especially concentrated roots, fungi, or traditional ingredients, review the product information carefully.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, managing a medical condition, preparing botanicals for a child, or uncertain whether an ingredient is suitable for you, seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ARE BOTANICAL INFUSIONS THE SAME AS TEA?
Not technically.
Traditional tea comes from Camellia sinensis.
Botanical infusions are made from other plant ingredients such as flowers, fruits, roots, leaves, and grains.
CAN I MIX BOTANICALS WITH TEA?
Yes.
Many botanicals pair well with green tea, white tea, oolong, black tea, or pu-erh.
Start with small amounts so the botanical does not overwhelm the tea.
CAN I MIX DIFFERENT BOTANICALS TOGETHER?
Yes.
Simple combinations of two or three ingredients are often a good place to start.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I USE?
It depends on the ingredient.
Delicate flowers may require only a few grams, while grains or fruits may require larger amounts.
Follow the individual product directions whenever available.
CAN I RE-STEEP BOTANICALS?
Some can be infused more than once.
Flowers, fruits, roots, and grains vary widely, so the second infusion may be lighter.
DO BOTANICALS CONTAIN CAFFEINE?
Many do not naturally contain caffeine.
However, botanical blends may contain traditional tea or other caffeine-containing ingredients.
Check the product ingredient list.
SHOULD I RINSE DRIED BOTANICALS?
Preparation varies by ingredient.
Follow the product instructions.
Where appropriate, a brief rinse may be used before brewing certain larger dried fruits, roots, or grains.
SHOULD ROOTS BE STEEPED OR BOILED?
Some root ingredients extract well through a long hot-water infusion, while denser roots may benefit from gentle simmering.
Follow the individual product directions.
CAN I DRINK BOTANICAL INFUSIONS EVERY DAY?
Suitability depends on the specific ingredient, quantity, personal circumstances, and complete diet.
Botanicals should not all be treated as interchangeable.
Use individual ingredients responsibly and follow applicable product guidance.
HOW SHOULD I STORE BOTANICALS?
Keep them cool, dry, sealed, away from direct sunlight, moisture, and strong odors.
WHY DOES THE COLOR LOOK DIFFERENT FROM THE PHOTO?
Natural botanical ingredients can vary from harvest to harvest.
Water quality and brewing conditions can also change the color of an infusion.
FIND YOUR BOTANICAL
FLORAL & ELEGANT
Rose
Jasmine
Chrysanthemum
Osmanthus
EXPLORE FLOWERS →
FRUITY & BRIGHT
Goji
Hawthorn
Roselle
Longan
Jujube
EXPLORE FRUITS →
CITRUS & AROMATIC
Dried Tangerine Peel
Pomelo Peel
Kumquat
EXPLORE CITRUS →
WARM & EARTHY
Ginger
Polygonatum
Red Ginseng
Traditional Roots
EXPLORE ROOTS →
TOASTED & MELLOW
Barley
Tartary Buckwheat
Black Rice
Black Bean
EXPLORE GRAINS →
GREEN & HERBAL
Lotus Leaf
Mulberry Leaf
Mint
EXPLORE LEAVES →
KEEP EXPLORING
Continue your PandaHomeMart journey with:
TEA GUIDE
Understand green tea, white tea, oolong, black tea, pu-erh, and jasmine tea.
EXPLORE TEA GUIDE →
BOTANICAL PAIRINGS
Discover simple ways to combine traditional tea and botanicals.
EXPLORE PAIRINGS →
BUILD YOUR OWN BOTANICAL BLEND
Choose a base, add botanicals, and create a blend around the flavors you enjoy.
BUILD YOUR BLEND →
TEA FLAVOR MATCHING
Find traditional teas based on floral, fresh, roasted, mellow, rich, or earthy flavor profiles.
MATCH YOUR TEA →
BOTANICAL COLLECTIONS
Explore PandaHomeMart flowers, roots, fruits, leaves, citrus, seeds, grains, and traditional ingredients.
SHOP BOTANICALS →
DISCOVER ONE INGREDIENT AT A TIME
You do not need to understand every botanical before you begin.
Choose one ingredient.
Look at it.
Smell it.
Brew it simply.
Taste it on its own.
Then try pairing it with another ingredient or a traditional tea.
Over time, unfamiliar ingredients become familiar flavors.
And a simple cup becomes another way to explore Eastern food, tea, and everyday living traditions.
EXPLORE THE BOTANICAL COLLECTION →
PandaHomeMart
Tea · Botanicals · Teaware · Eastern Living