Palo Azul Wood Chips 4 oz (Kidneywood, Palo Dulce) for Palo Azul Tea

Organic or wildcrafted palo azul wood chips, 4 oz. In English it goes by kidneywood, and in parts of Mexico you will hear palo dulce. The tree is Eysenhardtia polystachya, a flowering shrub of Mexico and the southwestern United States, where families have been simmering the wood into te de palo azul for generations. Grown and harvested in Mexico.

Why the water turns blue

The name means blue stick, and it earns it. Boil the chips and the water picks up a blue cast that shifts to amber depending on how the light hits it. That is fluorescence, not dye. Compounds released from the wood absorb light at one wavelength and give it back at another, so the same cup genuinely looks blue from one angle and amber from another. It was written up by European naturalists in the sixteenth century, and it is one of the oldest recorded observations of the effect in any material.

How to make palo azul tea

Add 1 to 2 pieces, about 1 ounce, to 1 to 2 litres of water. Boil gently for 20 to 30 minutes until the water turns blue or amber. Strain, and drink it hot or chilled over ice. You can brew the same chips a second time.

The flavour is mild and lightly woody, faintly sweet, and there is no caffeine.

Frequently asked questions

What is palo azul?
Palo azul is the wood of Eysenhardtia polystachya, a shrub native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. The chips are boiled to make palo azul tea. In English it is called kidneywood.

What is palo azul in English?
Kidneywood. You will also see it spelled palo azule, and called palo dulce in some regions.

Why is my palo azul tea not blue?
Give it longer. The colour builds as the wood releases its compounds, usually somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes of gentle boiling. Water chemistry and the light in your kitchen both change how strongly you see it. Brown or amber tea is normal and is not a sign of a bad batch.

Can I reuse the chips?
Yes. A second brew works well, and it is one of the reasons a 4 oz bag lasts.

How long do I boil it?
20 to 30 minutes, gently, using 1 to 2 pieces per 1 to 2 litres.

Does palo azul have caffeine?
No.

Where is it from?
Mexico, and it is printed on the bag.

How should I store it?
Tightly closed in a dry place at room temperature, 59 to 86°F.

PRECAUTIONS

• Not for use during pregnancy or nursing.
• Individuals under 18 and individuals with known medical conditions should consult a physician before use.

HOW TO MAKE PALO AZUL TEA:

Add 1 to 2 pieces (about 1 ounce) of palo azul wood chips to 1 to 2 liters of water. Boil gently for 20 to 30 minutes, until the water turns blue or amber. Strain and drink it hot, or chill it for iced kidneywood tea. You can brew the same chips a second time.

• Processing Time: Orders ship within 1 to 2 business days.
• Refunds: 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact within 30 days of receipt, return unused portions at your expense, and receive a full refund upon receipt.
• Customs Duty Tax: Pre-paid and covered for most countries.