Shaka Tea is a lineup of Hawaiian iced teas made from handpicked mamaki leaves on the foothills of Mauna Loa. Read our Shaka Tea review to find out if they’re worth the price.
What is Shaka Tea?
Shaka Tea is a tea created to harvest the unique properties of a Hawaiian leaf: the mamaki leaf. That leaf is found on trees growing in the mineral-rich volcanic soil on the foothills of Mauna Loa. Then, the tea is naturally sweetened with organic juices and flavored with fruit purees to give it a touch of tropical flavor. The end result is healthy, delicious tea that’s made without any added sugar.
What’s the advantage of mamaki leaves? The official Shaka Tea website cites a number of studies showing that the leaves are rich with compounds like catechins, chlorogenic acid, and rutin, as well as minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc. You can view those studies here.
Another unique thing about the tea is that 3% of all profits go towards stewardship of the forest in the Kalihi Valley of Hawaii.
Overall, Shaka Tea promises to put mamaki on the map and build an authentically Hawaiian brand. The company recently made headlines for completing its first angel round of investment.
How is Shaka Tea Made?
Shaka Tea is made using leaves gathered from the mamaki plant on the Big Island of Hawaii. That tea is made with five organic ingredients or fewer, and then it’s distributed by Paradise Beverages in Hawaii.
The mamaki plant is found only in the Hawaiian Islands. That’s why it’s seen as a uniquely Hawaiian beverage. The mamaki plant, according to BigIslandNow.com, is “a native plant revered in the Native Hawaiian community for centuries for its health benefits”. Today, science tells us the mamaki plant may get its healing properties from its rich sources of antioxidants and minerals.
So far, there are three main flavors available, each of which is named after towns in Hawaii:
- Honoka’a: Mango Hibiscus
- Koloa: Guava Gingerblossom
- Hilo: Pineapple Mint
Overall, the tea promises to be a light beverage with 50 to 90 calories in each 16 ounce bottle. As mentioned above, the beverage has no sugar added.,
What is the Mamaki Leaf?
The mamaki leaf is not unique to Shaka Tea. Yes, they’re the first major beverage to offer mamaki leaves inside. However, the leaf has been prized for centuries for its medicinal properties. A quick Google search shows that the leaf has been prized for centuries by native Hawaiians. You can even find nutritional supplements like Mama-Kii that claim to offer the power of the mamaki leaf in a convenient, condensed form.
Today, we know that the mamaki leaf comes with antioxidants, beta-carotene, calcium, and other nutrients valuable for the human body. It’s also 100% natural, caffeine-free, gluten-free, and cholesterol free. Some people trace its benefits back to the pure water and volcanic soil on the Big Island.
Some of the specific benefits of the mamaki leaf, according to natural health practitioners, include:
- Antioxidants may help maintain cell integrity and fight free radicals
- Beta-carotene may neutralize free radicals and increase cellular antioxidant defense
- Calcium is linked to improved bone and teeth health, among other benefits
- Magnesium contributes to bone health and healthy immune system functionality
- Potassium can help maintain a healthy blood pressure level in combination with a low sodium diet
There’s also the added benefit that it’s typically described as a tasty leaf: unlike some herbal products or tinctures, most reports online seem to indicate that the mamaki leaf tastes pretty good. That’s a major reason why Shaka Tea doesn’t require the mountains of sugar you see in other iced tea beverages.
Where to Buy Shaka Tea
Shaka Tea, understandably, has a big presence in Hawaii, including at health food stores, Foodland locations, KTA Super Stores, and other grocery stores across the islands.
However, the company is also starting to appear in mainland grocery stores. They have a growing presence in Washington state, for example, including at health food stores across Seattle.
You can view the company’s retail sources at their official website here: http://www.shakatea.com/
Shaka Tea Pricing
Shaka Tea is priced at $2.99 for a 16 ounce glass bottle.
Shaka Tea recently completed an investment round fueled by leaders in the beverage world. The company claims to see growth opportunities in the mainland United States and in Asia in the RTD (“Ready to drink”) beverage market. Stay tuned for more information about Shaka Tea as we move forward.
