For decades, 'herbal blends' have been a staple in kitchens around the world. From soothing chamomile-lavender mixes, fruity floral combinations to citrus-ginger concoctions, these blends (often in colourful caddies or pouches) have offered a convenient way to access the power of various botanicals. However, a quiet revolution is brewing in the teacup. Mono infusions, infusions made with a single plant, are taking centre stage, offering a more focused and personalised approach to health & wellness, in addition to be being a foodie's idea of heaven. Here are 11 reasons why the era of complex blends might be waning, and why we're going back to our roots:

1. Functionality Driven Wellness - with knowledge on the specific benefits of each infusion, the flexibility provided by mono infusions allows for a more functionality driven lifestyle, which can be tweaked during the times of the day, month and year. In addition to, utilising the benefits of different plants for different acute or chronic physical and mental health needs.
2. Targeted Wellness - herbal blends often combine several plants with potentially overlapping or even conflicting properties. For example, a sleep-promoting blend might contain peppermint, which can have a digestive effect and potentially disrupt sleep (depending on the person). Mono infusions eliminate this confusion. You know exactly what you're getting and the specific benefit it offers, allowing for a targeted approach to your wellbeing.
3. The Power of Personalisation -  mono infusions empower you to become your own alchemist and master-blender. Feeling under the weather? Steep some elderflower, linden and olive leaf for an immune-boosting punch. Craving a refreshing afternoon drink? Steep some lemon verbena for its citrusy aroma. Suffer from insomnia? Try blending linden, lavender and chamomile due to their collective GABA-receptor-binding properties. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to create personalised beverages tailored to your unique needs and preferences. On the other hand, pre-blended infusions do not encourage learning and development.
4. A Celebration of Botanical Diversity - the world of infusions offers a vast and exciting botanical landscape. Mono infusions encourage exploration and discovery. With each cup, you embark on a journey to discover a new plant and its potential benefits. It's like building your own botanical library, one delicious steep at a time.
5. Dietary Restrictions and Allergies - blended infusions can make pinpointing allergens a frustrating guessing game. Mono infusions eliminate the mystery. If you experience an adverse reaction, you can easily identify the culprit and avoid it in the future.
6. A Celebration of Single Origin - the rise of the locavore and provenance movements have fostered a deeper appreciation for more locally-sourced and single origin produce. Mono infusions embrace these philosophies by allowing you to savour the unique characteristics of a plant grown in a specific region or estate. Imagine enjoying a cup of damask rose buds, grown on a rose farm 1,100m above sea level in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus, or cocoa beans harvested from a 200 year old cocoa bean plantation on the volcanic island of Grenada. You can celebrate your favourite island/mountain/farm/estate/grower with each sip and even visit to immerse yourself further.
7. Purity of Flavour - blended infusions can mask the subtle nuances of individual plants. A mono infusion lets you experience the full spectrum of a plant's aroma and taste, whilst also tasting a snapshot of the specific terroir. A cup of pure wild Armenian mountain mint offers delicate notes of menthol with a sense of walking through the Odzun forest, while Naxian comb-picked chamomile flowers unveil their delicate floral, sweet and grassy notes. This appreciation for the unique character of each plant elevates the infusion experience. Think of it like appreciating a single-origin coffee bean instead of a generic blend.
8. Sustainability - blends often require sourcing infusions from multiple locations, increasing the environmental footprint. Mono infusions can potentially support local growers and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation of ingredients.
9. Transparency and Quality Control - with mono infusions, what you see is what you get. You can be more confident about the quality and origin of the infusion. This is particularly important for those seeking organic or ethically sourced infusions. A mono infusion allows not only for a tasting of the pure infusion itself, but also a closer inspection of the plant parts used, ensuring a higher quality product. The industry commonly blends lower grade plant material, hiding a multitude of sins. If an infusion cannot be drunk alone due to quality, then it should not be sold, simple as.
10. Gimmicky - blends are being seen more and more as gimmicky (some being released with themes irrelevant to wellbeing) in colourful pouches or caddies, and in a lot of cases sold as souvenirs, as opposed to being a serious product for health and wellness.
11. Mindful Brewing - the ritual of preparing a mono infusion fosters a deeper connection with the plant and its potential benefits. Taking the time to measure, steep, and savour a single botanical encourages a more mindful approach to health and wellness. It's a small act of self-care that allows you to appreciate the power of nature in its purest form.

The rise of mono infusions isn't about discarding blends entirely. It's about offering a more focused and personalised approach to health and wellness. So, the next time you're looking for a soothing cuppa, consider exploring the world of mono infusions. You might just discover a new favourite that perfectly complements your unique needs and taste buds.