Cota is an herb tea wild-gathered for us in northern New Mexico by one Navajo family, and we have sold it since 2009. It goes by Navajo tea, Hopi tea, Zuni tea, Indian tea, Colorado greenthread. It is not related to the tea plant and has no caffeine, so it suits an evening cup. It brews gentle and low in bitterness, with a light pine note, and comes cut small enough to brew like loose tea. Cota is in our Moonlit Mesa blend, with organic juniper berries, rosehips, and lemongrass.
Cota grows wild across northern New Mexico and the Four Corners, and its names record the peoples who have gathered and brewed it for generations: Navajo tea, Hopi tea, Zuni tea. The name greenthread describes the plant itself: thin, thread-like stems and leaves topped with small yellow flowers. At the Gallup flea market and Old Town plaza, the stems are still sold in hand-tied bundles. Ours arrives loose, already cut for the pot. The harvest is small and seasonal, and when a year's supply runs out, it is out until the next cut. Recent cuts have arrived in spring and midsummer; one whole batch came to about twenty pounds.
FAQ
Is Navajo tea the same as cota and greenthread?
Yes, and Hopi tea, Zuni tea, Indian tea, and Colorado greenthread are the same plant. The greenthreads are the genus Thelesperma.
Does Navajo tea have caffeine?
No. Cota is not the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, and it has no caffeine.
How do you brew it?
Amount, temperature, and minutes are on this page under Brewing Instructions.
Why is it sometimes out of stock?
One Navajo family gathers our whole supply, and the harvest is small and seasonal. Join the notify list on this page: in 2024 a customer signed up in February and was emailed on the March restock day.
Bring filtered or spring water to 212°F. Add 1.5 tsp of tea leaves to an 8oz cup. Pour boiling water over the tea leaves and let steep 5-7 minutes.
Cota is traditionally simmered, not steeped. A few minutes at a low boil pulls more from the stems than hot water will, and longer simmering only deepens the cup. If a steeped cup comes out thin, simmer it instead.
Ingredients:
Origin:
Northern New Mexico
Disclaimer:
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Discontinue use if you experience difficulty breathing, hives, or skin irritation. If you are pregnant or nursing consult your healthcare professional before use. Combining certain herbal products with prescription or over-the-counter medications may not be advised.
