Ivan Chai is a tea with a history shaped by necessity, landscape, and patience.
Made from the leaves of Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), this traditional fermented tea has been prepared for centuries across Eastern Europe and Northern regions, particularly in Russia and surrounding areas. Before imported teas became common, Ivan Chai was a staple — gathered from wild plants, carefully fermented, and brewed daily as part of ordinary life.
Fireweed is one of the first plants to return after disruption. It thrives in clearings, woodland edges, and places where the land has been disturbed, growing tall and bright where other plants hesitate. That resilience is reflected in how the tea feels: steady, grounding, and gently restorative, without stimulation or sharpness.
The traditional fermentation process deepens the flavour and softens the plant’s edges, transforming fresh green leaves into something darker, richer, and more rounded. The result is a smooth, mellow tea with notes that are often described as malty, honeyed, and softly floral, without bitterness and without caffeine.
Ivan Chai has long been valued not as a “pick-me-up”, but as a tea for balance and rhythm — something to return to throughout the day or in the quieter hours, supporting a slower pace rather than pushing against it.
Our Ivan Chai is prepared using traditional fermentation methods and handled with care, allowing time to do the work rather than rushing the process. It’s a tea with depth, history, and a quiet confidence — no embellishment needed.
Ivan Chai’s smooth, rounded flavour makes it an excellent base for blending, adding depth without overpowering more delicate herbs. It pairs well with plants that bring softness, freshness, or gentle floral notes, creating balanced, easy-drinking blends.
Try blending with:
Hawthorn Blossom – softens and lifts the blend with gentle floral notes
Rose – adds sweetness and aroma
Cleavers – lightens the blend for springtime sipping
A great option for people who want a caffeine-free tea with body and balance.
Fireweed / Ivan Chai (Chamerion angustifolium)
• Naturally caffeine-free
• Traditionally fermented
• Smooth, mellow, and grounding in character
• Prepared slowly, using time-honoured methods
• A great addition for the daily routine
10 servings - Loose leaf - Optional compostable teabags
Ivan Chai is a tea with a history shaped by necessity, landscape, and patience.
Made from the leaves of Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), this traditional fermented tea has been prepared for centuries across Eastern Europe and Northern regions, particularly in Russia and surrounding areas. Before imported teas became common, Ivan Chai was a staple — gathered from wild plants, carefully fermented, and brewed daily as part of ordinary life.
Fireweed is one of the first plants to return after disruption. It thrives in clearings, woodland edges, and places where the land has been disturbed, growing tall and bright where other plants hesitate. That resilience is reflected in how the tea feels: steady, grounding, and gently restorative, without stimulation or sharpness.
The traditional fermentation process deepens the flavour and softens the plant’s edges, transforming fresh green leaves into something darker, richer, and more rounded. The result is a smooth, mellow tea with notes that are often described as malty, honeyed, and softly floral, without bitterness and without caffeine.
Ivan Chai has long been valued not as a “pick-me-up”, but as a tea for balance and rhythm — something to return to throughout the day or in the quieter hours, supporting a slower pace rather than pushing against it.
Our Ivan Chai is prepared using traditional fermentation methods and handled with care, allowing time to do the work rather than rushing the process. It’s a tea with depth, history, and a quiet confidence — no embellishment needed.
Ivan Chai’s smooth, rounded flavour makes it an excellent base for blending, adding depth without overpowering more delicate herbs. It pairs well with plants that bring softness, freshness, or gentle floral notes, creating balanced, easy-drinking blends.
Try blending with:
Hawthorn Blossom – softens and lifts the blend with gentle floral notes
Rose – adds sweetness and aroma
Cleavers – lightens the blend for springtime sipping
A great option for people who want a caffeine-free tea with body and balance.
Fireweed / Ivan Chai (Chamerion angustifolium)
• Naturally caffeine-free
• Traditionally fermented
• Smooth, mellow, and grounding in character
• Prepared slowly, using time-honoured methods
• A great addition for the daily routine
10 servings - Loose leaf - Optional compostable teabags
