Ashitaba Leaf Tea: Benefits, History, and Why This Japanese Herb Is Gaining Attention

We say a warm Tea Life welcome to the fascinating Ashitaba Leaf Tea! Known for its vibrant green leaves and traditional use in Japanese wellness culture, Ashitaba or Angelica keiskei has been valued over many centuries as a nourishing wonder plant.

These days, Ashitaba tea is gaining attention across the globe among tea drinkers seeking a unique herbal infusion that helps to support a more balanced lifestyle as well as wellness goals. The distinct flavour of this Japanese infusion, cultural history and the natural plant compounds within it make Ashitaba a fabulous addition to any modern tea collection.

We’ve put together a little guide to help explain what Ashitaba tea is, where it comes from, how it is traditionally used and why so many people are exploring it as a key part of their daily tea rituals.

What Is Ashitaba Leaf Tea?

Ashitaba leaf tea is made from the leaves of the Angelica Keiskei, which is a plant native to Japan and mostly found growing on the Izu Islands just south of Tokyo.

The name “Ashitaba” roughly translates to “tomorrow’s leaf”, which is a nickname given to the plant due to its ability to grow back quickly after being harvested. If a single leaf is picked one day, a new one usually grows by the next.

However, you may know it more as the infusion the folks on Japan’s Hachijō-jima island drink and their lifespan and overall health are pretty legendary with many residents living to over 100 years old!

The Angelica Keiskei plant belongs to the same botanical family as:

• Carrots

• Parsley

• Celery

However, Ashitaba definitely has its very own flavour profile and herbal character, which is well worth investigating.

When brewed as a tea or infusion, the dried leaves produce a gentle, earthy infusion with subtle grassy notes and an ever so slightly bittersweet finish.

The Traditional Use of Ashitaba in Japan

Ashitaba has been used for centuries in Japanese food and herbal traditions, especially within coastal communities where the plant is found naturally.

Historically, the plant has been enjoyed in multiple ways, such as:

• Fresh leaves used in cooking

• Tempura-style dishes

• Dried leaves brewed as herbal tea

• Powdered Ashitaba added to drinks or foods

Ashitaba grows naturally on volcanic islands with mineral-rich soil and has long been associated with nourishment and vitality.

Japanese herbal traditions regularly emphasise the use of plants in daily meals and beverages rather than just occasional usage. Drinking Ashitaba tea fits perfectly into this philosophy of gentle and consistent plant-based wellness.

What Makes Ashitaba Unique?

Ashitaba is packed with several naturally occurring plant compounds that have attracted a lot of interest from researchers who are studying traditional herbs.

One of the most discussed compounds, which is found in Ashitaba, is chalcones, a type of plant polyphenol.

These polyphenols are widely studied because they occur in so many fruits, vegetables, teas and herbs that form a large part of balanced diets across the globe.

Ashitaba also contains nutrients that are naturally found in many leafy plants, including:

• Plant antioxidants

• Dietary fibre, when eaten whole

• Vitamins commonly present in green leaves

As research into Ashitaba continues, plenty of tea drinkers are taking the time to simply appreciate the plant as a nourishing herbal infusion within a balanced lifestyle.

What Does Ashitaba Tea Taste Like?

For many tea lovers, Ashitaba has a flavour that sits somewhere in between green tea and herbal infusions.

We’ve had a lot of people describe the taste as:

• Mildly earthy

• Slightly grassy

• Gently bitter with a smooth finish

When you compare it to some other stronger herbal teas, Ashitaba is fairly subtle. This makes it easy to incorporate into daily routines without overpowering your palate or interrupting your meals.

How to Brew Ashitaba Leaf Tea

It’s super simple to brew Ashitaba as a tea like infusion. It’s also fairly similar to how you prepare most of our loose leaf organic herbal teas.

The basic brewing method is:

1. Add 1 teaspoon of Ashitaba leaves to a cup or infuser.

2. Pour over freshly boiled water (around 95–100°C).

3. Allow the tea to steep for 5–7 minutes.

4. Strain and enjoy.

As Ashitaba is a herbal infusion instead of a traditional tea leaf, it can often tolerate a long steeping time without becoming overly strong or harsh.

Many tea drinkers enjoy drinking plain whilst others prefer to add a dash of honey or lemon to suit their palate.

When to Drink Ashitaba Tea

Really, you can enjoy Ashitaba at various times throughout the day because it is naturally caffeine free. This makes it incredibly well suited for:

• Morning wellness routines

• Afternoon herbal tea breaks

• Evening relaxation rituals

Loads of people enjoy rotating different herbal teas throughout the week, and Ashitaba offers a brilliant alternative to more familiar herbal options such as chamomile or peppermint.

Why Herbal Teas Like Ashitaba Are Growing in Popularity

If you follow tea trends, then you’ll already know that herbal teas have seen a steady rise in popularity worldwide as more and more people start to explore plant based beverages.

A few of the biggest factors that contribute to this trend include:

Interest in traditional herbs

Consumers are increasingly curious about plants used in traditional cultures and herbal traditions.

Expanding tea culture

Tea drinkers are now exploring beyond classic black and green teas into botanical infusions.

Daily wellness rituals

Many people enjoy the calming ritual of brewing tea as part of a balanced lifestyle.

Ashitaba fits seamlessly into this growing trend because it combines cultural history with a delightful, distinctive flavour and healthy natural plant compounds!

Exploring Unique Herbal Teas

For thousands of years, tea has been enjoyed across the world, and each culture brings its very own unique plants or brewing traditions that we can now share and enjoy together.

Ashitaba leaf tea offers our customers a chance to explore a less well known Japanese herbal infusion whilst experiencing a plant that has been locally valued for generations.

Whether you’re interested in adding to your tea collection or simply exploring organic herbal teas, our online store will help you discover something new with every click! Shop now and discover how organic tea can boost your daily rhythm today!