STEEP Organic Chamomile Citrus Tea - Bigelow

A Calm Cup of Organic Chamomile Citrus, Made for the End of the Day

There is a particular kind of quiet that arrives when the kettle clicks off, the screens go dark, and you finally sit down. STEEP Organic Chamomile Citrus from Bigelow is built for exactly that moment. It pairs soft, honeyed chamomile flowers with a bright lift of citrus, producing a cup that feels gentle without being flat. This is a herbal infusion rather than a true tea, which means it carries no leaf from the Camellia sinensis plant and, importantly, no caffeine at all. If your goal is to wind down rather than wake up, this is the brew that fits the hour.

Bigelow has spent decades blending herbal cups, and the STEEP line is their certified-organic range. LocoYoko stocks it for customers across Canada who want a dependable, no-fuss way to relax in the evening as part of our wider tea collection. You get the convenience of a sealed bag, the reassurance of organic sourcing, and a flavour that works whether you drink it plain or dress it up. Below you will find everything you need to know to get the most out of every cup.

Who This Tea Is For

This blend suits a wide range of drinkers, but it shines for a few specific people. If you are someone who reaches for a warm drink in the last hour or two before bed, the caffeine-free formula means you can enjoy it without worrying about a restless night. If you find true teas like black or green too astringent or simply too stimulating after dinner, a floral herbal cup gives you the ritual without the kick.

It is also a friendly choice for households with mixed needs. Teenagers, expectant parents who are limiting caffeine, and anyone tapering off afternoon coffee can all share the same pot. People who appreciate a softly sweet, citrus-touched flavour will get more from it than those chasing a bracing, tannic brew, though if you would rather fight off a cold than wind down for bed, a lemon and echinacea blend built for immune support is worth a look too. And because it arrives in individual bags, it is genuinely practical for the office, travel, or a bedside kettle where loose-leaf gear is a hassle. If you have been searching for a good chamomile tea that requires zero equipment, this is an easy one to keep on hand.

What It Tastes Like

The first thing you notice is the aroma: warm, slightly grassy chamomile with a clean lemon-peel brightness rising off the surface. On the palate the chamomile leads, delivering that classic apple-and-honey softness that the flower is known for. It is naturally a little sweet even before you add anything, with a rounded, almost creamy body for a herbal infusion.

The citrus is what sets this blend apart from a plain single-note cup. Rather than a sharp, sour hit, the orange and lemon notes sit underneath, lifting the florals and keeping the finish fresh instead of heavy. There is no bitterness and no drying tannin, so the aftertaste stays smooth and mellow. The colour brews to a pale, sunny gold. Overall it reads as soothing and comforting, the kind of flavour you can drink night after night without tiring of it.

The flavour at a glance

• Lead note: honeyed, apple-like chamomile
• Top note: bright orange and lemon citrus
• Body: smooth, lightly sweet, no bitterness
• Finish: clean and fresh, gently lingering

How to Brew It Properly

Herbal flowers and citrus need fully boiling water and a longer soak than green or white tea to release their full character. Skimping on either is the most common reason a cup ends up tasting thin and watery. Get these two variables right and you will be rewarded with a fragrant, full-flavoured infusion every time.

Start with fresh, cold water and bring it to a rolling boil at 100 °C. Place one bag in your cup or mug and pour roughly 240 ml of that just-boiled water directly over it. Let it steep for a full 5 to 7 minutes with the bag in the water the entire time. Because there is no risk of bitterness from over-steeping a caffeine-free herbal blend, you can lean toward the longer end of that window if you like a deeper, more pronounced cup.

Step by step

• Boil fresh water to a full 100 °C rolling boil.
• Use one bag per 240 ml cup.
• Pour the water over the bag, not the other way around.
• Steep 5–7 minutes; cover the cup to trap the aromatics if you can.
• Lift the bag, give it a gentle squeeze to release the last of the flavour, and drink.

If you are brewing a pot for two or more, simply scale up: one bag for every 240 ml of water, keeping the same boiling temperature and timing. Covering the vessel while it steeps helps keep the delicate citrus oils in the cup rather than letting them escape as steam.

Milk, Lemon, Sweetener and Simple Variations

This blend is designed to be enjoyed plain, and most people will prefer it that way to let the citrus shine. That said, it takes well to a few additions. A teaspoon of honey is the natural partner here, echoing the flower's own sweetness and rounding the whole cup out, which makes it especially comforting if you are nursing a scratchy throat. A thin slice of fresh lemon amplifies the existing citrus and adds a little extra zing.

Milk is unusual with a herbal infusion and generally not recommended, as dairy mutes the bright florals and citrus that make this cup interesting. If you want a richer texture, a small splash of oat milk is a gentler option, but try it neat first. For something a touch more indulgent, a thin curl of orange peel dropped into the cup deepens the citrus aroma beautifully.

Iced and seasonal ideas

This brew makes an excellent caffeine-free iced tea for warmer Canadian evenings. Steep two bags in 480 ml of boiling water for the full seven minutes, let it cool, then pour over ice and finish with a lemon wheel. For a calming bedtime version, brew it strong, stir in honey, and add a tiny pinch of cinnamon. It also works as a soothing base for a hot toddy-style mocktail, combining well with a splash of apple juice and a clove or two for a cosy winter drink. If berries and aloe sound more like your speed for a lighter afternoon cup, Bigelow's blueberry and aloe blend is a fruitier alternative worth trying.

When to Drink It and What to Pair It With

The natural home for this cup is the evening. Because it is completely caffeine-free, it is the ideal drink for the hour or two before bed, slotting neatly into a wind-down routine alongside reading, a bath, or simply doing nothing. Many people find a warm, calming brew like this a helpful signal to the body that the day is over. It is equally welcome on a slow weekend afternoon when you want something warming but not stimulating.

For food pairings, lean into the lighter, sweeter end of the table. Shortbread, butter cookies, and lemon loaf all complement the citrus notes without overwhelming them. A bowl of fresh berries or a slice of pound cake works beautifully too. After a heavy meal, a plain cup acts as a gentle, soothing digestif. Because the flavour is delicate, avoid pairing it with anything heavily spiced or chocolate-rich, which would bury the florals.

Caffeine and Ingredients

This is a caffeine-free herbal blend, full stop. There is no black, green, white, or oolong tea in it, so there is nothing to keep you awake and nothing to limit how late in the day you drink it. That is precisely why it earns a place in the evening rotation where a caffeinated tea or a cup of coffee simply would not work. It is a safe choice for anyone deliberately cutting back on stimulants.

As part of Bigelow's certified organic STEEP range, the blend is built around organic chamomile flowers with natural citrus flavour for that signature orange-and-lemon lift. The result is a clean, simple cup with no artificial colours. If you have specific dietary needs or allergies, always check the printed ingredient panel on the box you receive, as manufacturers can update formulations. For most drinkers, this is about as straightforward and gentle as a hot drink gets.

How to Store It So It Stays Fresh

Dried flowers and citrus oils stay vibrant when they are protected from their three enemies: air, light, and moisture. Keep the bags in their original box or an airtight tin, stored somewhere cool, dry, and dark. A pantry shelf or a closed cupboard is perfect.

Avoid storing the box near the stove, the kettle, or a sunny windowsill, where heat and humidity will dull the aroma over time. Keep it well away from strong-smelling neighbours like coffee, spices, or onions, because tea bags readily absorb surrounding odours. Sealed and stored properly, the blend will hold its flavour for many months. Because LocoYoko ships fresh stock rather than letting inventory sit, the cup you brew at home tastes the way Bigelow intended.

Why Buy This Tea From LocoYoko

LocoYoko is a Canadian coffee roaster and tea shop, and we ship right across Canada. Buying from us means your order is fulfilled domestically, so you avoid the long waits, surprise duties, and customs headaches that come with importing a box of tea from abroad. You also get genuinely fresh stock, because we move product quickly and store it correctly until it reaches your door.

Every order over $50 ships free, and everything we sell is backed by our 30-day happiness guarantee. If this blend is not the calming, citrus-bright cup you were hoping for, get in touch and we will make it right. We would rather earn a repeat customer than make a single awkward sale, whether you stick with this calming blend or branch out to something spiced like our Constant Comment orange-and-spice tea. When you are choosing where to buy your Bigelow chamomile from, a Canadian shop that actually cares about freshness and stands behind its products makes the decision easy, and if mornings call for something stronger, browse our coffee collection for the other half of your day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this chamomile tea contain any caffeine?

No. It is a herbal infusion made from chamomile flowers and natural citrus flavour, with zero caffeine. That makes it a sound choice for the evening and for anyone limiting their stimulant intake.

How long should I steep it?

Steep one bag in 240 ml of fully boiled water at 100 °C for 5 to 7 minutes. Since herbal blends will not turn bitter, you can go closer to seven minutes for a stronger, more aromatic cup.

Is it really organic?

Yes. It is part of Bigelow's certified-organic STEEP range, built around organic chamomile flowers. As always, check the printed panel on your box for the full, current ingredient list.

Can I drink it before bed?

Absolutely, and that is one of its best uses. The caffeine-free formula and soothing chamomile flowers make it a natural fit for a wind-down routine in the last hour or two before sleep.

Can I add honey or lemon?

Yes. A spoon of honey complements the flower's natural sweetness, while a slice of fresh lemon amplifies the citrus. Both are excellent if you are soothing a sore throat. Milk is not recommended, as it mutes the bright florals.

How should I store the bags to keep them fresh?

Keep them sealed in their box or an airtight tin, somewhere cool, dry, and dark, and away from strong-smelling foods. Stored this way, the blend holds its flavour for many months.