In the mood for a nice, warm cup but not in the mood to make a decision? These are my favorite combinations by time of day. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
This combination of strong, hearty flavors helps cut through morning grogginess with full caffeine amounts and wakes up the tastebuds and the brain in equal measure.
Not a fan of smoky tea? Decaf Earl Grey makes an excellent substitution in place of Lapsang Souchong.
This flavorful, refreshing combination offers a light, earthy, complex palate. With mild caffeine levels, this blend sustains rather than energizes. The hint of peppermint lingers to ease sore throats or tired voices.
Flavorful enough to keep you interested, but with enough chamomile to help calm you down, this blend smells sweet yet tastes slightly spicy. Naturally free of sweeteners, added flavors, and caffeine, this simple cup is sure to intrigue.
The technique for producing black tea was first developed during the late Ming Dynasty. Fully oxidized tea leaves are more potent than other varieties, producing teas that are darker, stronger, and often more bitter as a result.
Lapsang Souchong / 立山小種
Standing Mountain Small Strain
China |
Also known as smoked tea, this style is very distinct from other black teas because the leaves are smoke dried over pinewood fires to reveal a strong, smoky flavor.
Barooti Assam
India |
This traditional breakfast tea features strong, bold flavors that hold up to cream and sugar. Less malt-forward than Kalami Assam, the Barooti variety offers a more traditional taste.
Darjeeling
Golden Monkey
West Bengal, India |
First planted in 1841 by the East India Company, these tea leaves are partially damaged by leafhoppers and moths, causing the plant to create terpene as a bug repellant. Terpene adds a distinct flavor called muscatel, unique to this variety.
Decaf Earl Grey
India |
This blend combines robust decaffeinated black tea with natural oil of bergamot to create a brew that is both deeply layered and delightfully citrusy.
More delicate than black teas, oolong tea is partially oxidized, withered in the sun and wind before being curled and twisted. The flavors of these teas vary greatly by cultivar and processing.
Tieguanyin / 鉄観音
Iron Goddess of Mercy
Anxi, China |
Presents a yellowish-green appearance and has a clear, yellow-green liquor that is silky and smooth. The aroma is fresh, stone fruit verging on peachy. The taste is soft and floral.
Mountain Copper
India |
Known for its white-tipped leaf and copper brew, this organic tea offers a robust, wine-like base with a buttery finish.
Da Hong Pao / 大紅袍
Big Red Robe
Wuyi Mountains of Fujian, China |
This tea is orange-yellow, bright, and clear. It has a unique fragrance of orchid flowers, flavor that is soft and smooth, a thick mouthfeel, and a long-lasting sweet aftertaste. The leaves can steep many times over, with some saying the third or fourth cup is best.
By undergoing no oxidation, these leaves retain more of a grassy, herbal character in their flavors. Unless over-steeped, these teas tend to be less bitter than other varieties.
Pingshui Pearl / 平水珠茶
Temple of Heaven Gunpowder
China |
The original and most common variety of gunpowder tea with larger pearls, better color, and a more aromatic infusion.
Imperial Sencha / 緑茶
China |
The traditional sharpness of green tea yet light and sweet, this organic tea is known for its spine-like shape.
A popular alternative to traditional tea, this infusion uses needle-like leaves from a bush native to South Africa in place of leaves from the typical tea plant. The leaves are usually oxidized, just like regular tea leaves, producing a similar reddish-brown color and complex flavors without tannins or caffeine.
Red Rooibos
South Africa |
Bursting with antioxidants including quercetin and aspalathin, and low in tannins, this naturally caffeine-free needle bush brews a deep amber color with full-bodied flavor.
Green Rooibos
South Africa |
This unfermented, non-oxidized leaf offers a light, earthy flavor profile, much milder and slightly sweeter than that of traditional rooibos.
Chocolate Ginger Turmeric
United States |
This smooth combination of rooibos tea, ginger, and turmeric balances warmth, spice, and richness.
Blood Orange Vanilla
South Africa |
A delightful combination of organic South African rooibos, organic blood orange peel, organic hibiscus, organic rose petals, organic apple pieces and natural lemon-vanilla flavoring.
These tisanes contain neither tea leaves nor rooibos stems. Their flavors and colors come from a creative mixture of flowers, fruits, and roots.
Kuding / 苦丁
Bitter Nail
Wuzhishan, Hainan Island, China |
Related to the plant used in mate (but caffeine-free), these large, curled leaves are exceptionally bitter. In fact, Kuding is often considered the most-bitter infusion on the planet. Touted for a long list of unproven health benefits, this brew is at least guaranteed to warm your body and wake up your tastebuds.
Tulsi Turmeric Ginger
This anti-inflammatory blend combines turmeric, cinnamon and ginger with three adaptogenic varieties of tulsi to produce a spice-forward blend with a zingy ginger finish.
Chamomile
United States |
A perfect union of sweet fragrance and soothing flavor, this flower has a natural calming effect and is perfect for bedtime.