Collection: Loose Leaf Teas & Infusions

A leaf does not always tell the story of the fruit we know

We often know a plant by its most familiar part.

The mango tree by the mango. The guava tree by the guava. The cinnamon tree by its bark, which becomes cinnamon. Ravintsara, in Europe, mostly by its essential oil.

Yet their leaves are materials in their own right.

A mango leaf does not taste like mango. A cinnamon leaf develops a more herbaceous profile, different from the bark. Ravintsara takes us back to the aromatic leaf before the essential oil.

The same plant can therefore be discovered differently depending on which part we look at.

Infusion or decoction?

Not all leaves are prepared in exactly the same way.

An infusion generally means pouring hot water over the material and letting it steep for a few minutes.

A decoction means keeping the material in hot or simmering water for longer. It may suit some thicker leaves, or when a stronger extraction is desired.

Observing the material also helps adapt the preparation: a whole leaf, a broken leaf or a thicker material does not behave in exactly the same way in water.

Leaves you can still recognise

At Kintavolana, we favour whole or minimally processed leaves whenever possible.

You can still see their shape, their veins, their colour and the natural variations that come with drying.

They may curl, break or change colour slightly: these are not defects, but the normal changes of a dried plant material.

The plant remains visible in the material.

Leaves from Madagascar

A large share of the leaves in this collection come from Madagascar.

Its tropical climate is home to trees and plants that we often know mainly for their fruits, spices or essential oils.

Kintavolana wants to present them differently: by returning to the leaf itself, its scent, its shape and the way it is prepared.

Frequently asked questions

Does a mango leaf taste like mango?

No. Its profile is herbaceous and green. It does not reproduce the sweet flavour of the fruit.

What is the difference between an infusion and a decoction?

An infusion relies on contact between the material and hot water for a limited time. A decoction generally involves longer heating or extraction.

Why don't all the leaves look the same?

Leaves are natural materials. Their size, shape, colour and degree of curl can vary.

Can all the leaves sold by Kintavolana be drunk?

It depends on each product. The intended use stated on each leaf's product page is authoritative; please refer to the page of the product you are interested in to find out how it is meant to be used.