Favorite Finds: Beyond the Bean: Exploring Alternative Caffeinated Beverages
In the dimly lit corners of a quaint café, where the scent of creativity mingles with the aroma of exotic brews, the spirit of the Bohemian lifestyle thrives. Here, artists and dreamers gather, seeking inspiration in the eclectic symphony of flavors and experiences. This is not your typical coffeehouse, and these are not your average cups of jo. Okay, okay…you are actually late for work, didn’t get your eight hours of sleep (seriously, who does?) and need a boost of caffeine to wake you up and get you out the door. This is a more realistic scenario of daily life, although we do prefer the more romanticized version, dreaming of sipping on a Kopi Luwak somewhere in Bali.
However, if you're seeking a caffeinated break from your standard cup of coffee or a healthier alternative to your daily Frappuccino from the local drive-thru, we've discovered some fantastic options. These beverages offer unique flavors and numerous health benefits, while still delivering that much-needed caffeine boost. As we explore these diverse caffeinated delights, we embrace the Bohemian ethos of breaking free from convention and celebrating the unique. Each sip tells a story, each flavor a new adventure. This is not your average cup of jo. Ok…we had to add a little romance to it!
Rise Yaupon is a family owned, women-led tea company dedicated to reducing the impact of poverty in their community. For those not familiar with Yaupon Tea, its consumption dates back over 8,000 years, making it 3,000 years older than traditional Chinese teas. Yaupon was at the center of Native American civilization, playing an integral part in commerce, religion, medicine and social structure. The tea is made from Yaupon Holly, the only naturally caffeinated plant in North America. It tannin-free, so it doesn’t have a bitter taste and cannot be over-steeped. Yaupon tea has about 60mg of caffeine per 12oz cup.
According to Dr. Melinda Steele, who is a medical contributor and has helped develop the recipes for Rise Yaupon, their best selling blend Healthy Kick adds more anti-inflammatories and antioxidants to the powerful base of Yaupon and unlike other “healthy” choices, it tastes great with a combination of fragrant rose petals, vitamin-packed rose hips, robust hibiscus flowers, zesty ginger, and warming cinnamon. It is the ultimate addition to your daily wellness routine.
Shelly Steele, president and co- Founder of Rise Yaupon add that Strawberry Zen is also a fan favorite (it is our favorite!) featuring a unique concoction of Yaupon Holly, fresh strawberries and refreshing lemongrass transformed into a tasteful symphony of tranquility.
Rise Yaupon also has Chocolate Mint-Up, a delightful blend of refreshing peppermint, spearmint, and natural flavors to elevate your tea experience and their Classic Yaupon Tea, a pure Yaupon Holly blend that boasts a smooth, slightly grassy flavor with a subtle hint of sweetness and no bitter taste.
If you have never tried Yaupon Tea, Rise Yaupon offers a sampler pack with all four flavors for just $5…we wish everyone did this! And if you can’t decide which one is your favorite, they have variety packs that also make fantastic gifts for any tea lover.
We encourage you to give Rise Yaupon a try, not only for their great-tasting tea, but even more so because every tea purchase includes a donation to charity. Funds raised will go towards FBH Community, an organization aimed at feeding the hungry, giving a hand up, and empowering those in our community to break the cycle of poverty. And we think that is worth the investment.
If you are looking for a twist on your morning cup of coffee, the Paul John Indian Caffeine Company is one of very few brands on the market specializing in Indian coffee. They produce the highest quality coffee from shade-grown select beans that are expertly sourced predominantly from the luscious estates of Coorg in Karnataka, India, then lovingly roasted, packaged and shipped here in the US. Shade-grown Indian coffee beans develop a strong and robust flavor, due to their slow growth and maturation process, which allows them to have a highly complex flavor profile, and low acidic content.
The Paul John Caffeine Company is on a mission to introduce the best Indian coffee beans to the rest of the world. At its helm, is founder Shonali Paul, one of the very few women in the male-dominated world of coffee. At Paul John, they believe that coffee is not a beverage – it’s an experience. That is why they craft each blend to curate unique experiences that cater to every taste, mood, and occasion. From the foothills of Coorg, their South Indian coffee beans are grown meticulously to satisfy not only your palate but your soul, crafting bold yet creamy blends that evoke complex emotions. And we are here for all of it.
They say that their signature roasts make you want to bottle the aroma and relive the flavor a hundred times over….and we agree. We may have been caught smelling the bag more than once! They offer multiple coffee blends to suit every taste, mood, and occasion. Some varieties include Indian Summer, Smell of Rain and Bangalore Dreams….we are sold just on the names alone….however, couple that with the best aromas and smooth taste and we give this caffeinated experience two thumbs up!
If you are looking for something cool, refreshing and flavorful to pull you out of your mid-day slump, Guayakí Yerba Mate is our fav and always in the office. Yerba Mate is a South American treasure that ignites the senses and awakens the soul. Katie Vidaillet, Head of Guayakí Yerba Mate Communications says that, “historically yerba mate has been described as having the ‘strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the euphoria of chocolate’.”
She goes on to tell us that, “the strength is largely attributed to the naturally occurring caffeine found in yerba mate which acts as a central nervous system stimulant, known for providing feelings of alertness and increased energy. An infusion of yerba mate also contains polyphenols, a contributor to antioxidant activity, also found in green tea. Theobromine, an alkaloid found in cacao and commonly associated with dark chocolate, is also present in the yerba mate plant and is associated with feelings of bliss and upliftment.”
No wonder we love it so much! And Guayakí Yerba Mate has taken all that natural goodness and seamlessly blended it into refreshing flavor combinations that make our mouths sing. Tropical Uprising ranks as our favorite, giving you a sun-kissed, tropical vacation for your taste buds. However, they have flavors for every mood, every palate and in whatever way you want to hydrate, with options in sparkling or not, cans, bottles and loose leaf and bags.
Need more reasons to support this standout brand? They are not only B-Corp certified, (Certified B Corporations are considered leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy), but are also on a mission for Market Driven Regeneration™. Market Driven Regeneration™ is Guayakí Yerba Mate’s business model that aspires to create a net positive impact in the world throughout our operations and supply web. This starts with the conservation and regeneration of the land where their yerba mate grows by focusing on the positive environmental, cultural, and societal impacts of their business at its origin. It influences the ingredients they source and products they make, distribute, and sell in order to have a positive impact on people and the planet throughout the business. SOLD! This is why they take top honors as one of our favorite brands at Boho Blue.
At the end of the day (or shall we say the beginning) , you may just want a great cup of coffee, and James Coffee Co. definitely delivers. James Coffee Co. isn't just about coffee; it's a lifestyle choice that reflects their commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and making a positive impact on the world.
Their eco-friendly coffee blends are sourced from sustainable farms, and seek out coffees from smallholder producers, such as our partners in Honduras and Costa Rica. In addition, through their partnership with Bean Voyage, they support smallholder women coffee farmers in Costa Rica, fostering economic empowerment and sustainable practices. We were sold on just on this alone, but wait…there’s more!
James Coffee Co. also upholds the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility and with each purchase, you're contributing to initiatives that benefit local communities and promote environmental stewardship. Their dedication to sustainability extends to their brick-and-mortar locations across San Diego, where they have a glass jar exchange program to drastically reduce single-use items like paper and plastic cups. Serious good stuff here! Okay, we know you want to know how it tastes…AMAZING! The aromas alone will make you melt into a relaxing, but alert state that sooths the soul and warms the palate.
From their signature blends, such as One Life, One Chance and Good Morning and Night Owl, to their single-origin offerings from Ethiopia (Rainforest Alliance Certified) , Guatemala and more, every product from James Coffee Co. tells a story of craftsmanship, quality, and conscious consumption. It will make it very hard to chose a favorite!
If you love Chai Tea, you will love Leely Chai Co. Leely Chai Co is a Chicago-based chai and superfood blend company rooted in Indian culture founded by Asha Patel. Leely Chai Co. creates drink products inspired by the spices and flavors of India for a better mind, body & spirit. Their flavor rich superfood blends contain ingredients like turmeric, cinnamon and cardamom with no added sugar.
Their Chai blends are sustainably sourced, made with better for you spices like turmeric, fennel seeds and ginger. With their various spice blends you can brew it to be iced or hot, making this cup of full, aromatic flavors, great in any season.
