In Hunza, families walk up to the high mountain pastures to collect a small, fragrant wild herb. Locally it is called tumuro. In English it is known as wild mountain thyme, and in Hunza homes it has been dried and brewed into a light, aromatic tea for generations.
This guide explains what tumuro tea is, the benefits people traditionally enjoy it for, exactly how to make it so it tastes right, and who should be careful with it.
What is tumuro tea?
Tumuro is a wild thyme that grows naturally in the high-altitude meadows of Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan. It belongs to the same plant family as the thyme and oregano you may know from cooking, but it grows wild in clean mountain air rather than on farms.
Every year, local communities handpick the herb, dry it gently and store it for the cold months. The dried leaves and flowers are brewed into a tea that is pale yellow, light and fragrant, with a warm, slightly minty, herbal taste.
Hunza Tumuro Tea is handpicked wild mountain thyme from Hunza, with nothing added: no blends, no preservatives and no artificial flavour.
Tumuro tea benefits: why people in Hunza drink it
Tumuro is a traditional herb, not a medicine. Here is how it is traditionally enjoyed, and what people commonly notice when they make it part of their routine.
1. Supports comfortable breathing in the cold season
In Hunza, tumuro tea is a winter staple. People drink it when the weather turns cold and dry, because the warm, aromatic steam feels soothing and clearing. Many people describe it as a “lungs cleanse tea” for this reason. It supports comfortable breathing and a feeling of freshness, but it does not treat cough, flu, asthma or any lung disease.
2. A warm, caffeine-free drink
Tumuro is naturally caffeine-free, so it is a good swap for your third or fourth cup of doodh patti. You can drink it in the evening without worrying about sleep.
3. Naturally aromatic plant compounds
Thyme plants are well known for their natural aromatic oils, including compounds such as thymol and carvacrol. These are what give thyme its strong, pleasant smell. This is part of why thyme has been used in traditional kitchens and home remedies across many cultures for centuries.
4. A calming, comforting ritual
Sometimes the benefit is simply the ritual: a hot cup in your hands, a strong herbal aroma and ten quiet minutes. Many of our customers drink tumuro after dinner as a light, soothing end to the day.
How to make tumuro tea (the right way)
Tumuro is delicate. The most common mistake is boiling it like regular chai, which makes it bitter and dark. Follow these steps instead:
- Boil 1.5 cups of fresh water.
- Turn off the flame and add 1 teaspoon of dried Hunza Tumuro.
- Let it steep for one minute only.
- Strain and drink warm. The tea should be a light yellow colour.
If your tea turns dark brown or tastes harsh, it has steeped too long or been boiled. Use slightly less herb or a shorter steep next time.
Tips for the best cup
- Use filtered water if you can. In cities like Karachi and Lahore, tap water is often hard or heavily chlorinated, which can flatten the delicate flavour.
- Add honey only when the tea has cooled slightly. A small spoon of honey or a squeeze of lemon goes well with tumuro.
- Do not add milk. Tumuro is meant to be a light herbal infusion, not a milky chai.
- Store it properly. Keep the pouch sealed in a cool, dry place away from sunlight so the aroma lasts.
When is the best time to drink tumuro tea?
There is no strict rule, but these are the times people enjoy it most:
- In the morning, as a warm, caffeine-free start to the day.
- During smog season, when air quality in Lahore and other Punjab cities drops in November and December and many people prefer to stay indoors with something warm.
- After dinner, as a light, soothing drink before bed.
One or two cups a day is a sensible amount for most adults.
Tumuro tea vs other herbal teas
If you already drink herbal teas, here is how tumuro fits in:
- Tumuro vs green tea: Green tea contains caffeine; tumuro does not. Tumuro has a warmer, more aromatic taste.
- Tumuro vs gymnema tea: Gymnema tea is chosen mainly to reduce sugar cravings after meals. You can read more in our guide to Gymnema tea vs green tea. Tumuro is more of a seasonal comfort tea.
- Tumuro vs sea buckthorn tea: Sea buckthorn is another Hunza favourite, known for its tangy berries. See sea buckthorn ke fayde to learn more.
Who should be careful with tumuro tea?
Tumuro is a gentle food herb for most adults when enjoyed in normal amounts. Still, please be careful and speak to your doctor first if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- are allergic to thyme, oregano, mint or other plants in the mint family
- have a long-term lung condition such as asthma, or any breathing problem that is getting worse
- take regular medicines or have a medical condition
If you have a cough that lasts more than two or three weeks, a fever, chest pain, shortness of breath or wheezing, see a doctor. A herbal tea is not a substitute for medical care.
Why choose Hunza Bucket Tumuro Tea?
- Handpicked wild mountain thyme from the meadows of Hunza Valley
- Gently dried and hand-packed, with no preservatives or fillers
- Sourced by a family business from Hunza
- Free delivery and cash on delivery all over Pakistan
Order Hunza Tumuro Tea here and enjoy a real taste of Hunza this winter.
Frequently asked questions
What does tumuro tea taste like?
It has a warm, aromatic, slightly minty taste and a light yellow colour when brewed correctly. It is not bitter if you steep it for only one minute.
Can I drink tumuro tea every day?
Most adults enjoy one or two cups a day as part of a normal diet. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, take regular medicines or have a medical condition, ask your doctor first.
Does tumuro tea cure cough or flu?
No. Tumuro tea is a traditional herbal drink that supports comfortable breathing and a feeling of freshness. It does not treat or cure cough, flu or any lung disease. See a doctor if you are unwell.
This article is general information, not medical advice.