A discussion of the health benefits of different varieties of tea and a roundup of the my personal favorite teas!
I always think it’s not going to happen, but every year mid-October rolls around and I find myself drinking ALL THE TEA. Maybe it’s because cold and flu season happens or because the weather starts to get chilly enough for me to actually feel the change in temperature (I run HOT all the time!)…but I find myself drinking almost as much tea as I do coffee. AKA a lot!
In the fall and winter, I drink tea everyday (sometimes more than once day). Sure I don’t totally boycott tea the rest of the year, I drink a few glasses of iced tea every now and then, but during this time of year two cups of HOT tea is a daily norm. And I think it all started when I finally did some research on the health benefits of tea and also found a few varieties of tea I absolutely love. I am a tea snob for sure. ๐
And why not start including a daily mug of tea into your day? It’s a great way to warm up, change things up from regular water, AND get some extra antioxidants in!
And the bonus is, like I mentioned above, depending on the type of tea you’re drinking, there are actually a lot of health benefits…
Green
High concentrations of ECGC (a polyphenol that is therapeutic for a number of disorders), high in antioxidants, prevents artery clogging, burns fat, stress reducing properties, improves cholesterol levels
White
Less processed, has anti-cancer properties, lowest caffeine content, high in theanine (an amino acid),ย promotes mental and physical relaxation, improves mood, reduces anxiety, boosts the immune system and increases concentration
Black
Highest caffeine content, may reduce stroke risk, protects lungs from second-hand smoke and air pollutants
Pu-erh
Aids weight loss, lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol, similar antioxidant properties to green tea
Herbal
Support restful sleep, reduce congestion, caffeine-free, high in infection-fighting properties (TOP pick for cold and flu season!)
Oolong
Lowers LDL cholesterol, lowers blood sugar, reduces plaque in the arteries, lowers total cholesterol, boosts metabolism, strengthens the immune system
And now that you know all the reason to drink tea…here are some varieties you should definitely try! My personal favorites, if you will. ๐
Sugar Cookie Sleigh Rideย – Celestial Seasonings
It’s only seasonal, I know. But luckily I stocked up when a bunch of boxes were on super sale at Target! I also noticed you can order this online. The scent of this tea smells just like freshly baked cookies and I love the subtle sweet taste it has. It’s a very light, mild tea and the more you let it sleep the more flavorful it becomes.
Roastaroma – Celestial Seasonings
I am addicted to this tea. If any of you are coffee lovers, this tea is for you! It tastes like the most perfect, creamy, sweet cup of coffee or latte you’ve ever had. No sweeteners needed at all! It’s got a subtle coffee flavor, with hints of cocoa, cinnamon, and carob. If I don’t stop myself, I could drink like four cups at once. I enjoy this tea so much more than a cup of coffee! And it’s decaffeinated so for those of you who like the taste of coffee but not the buzz…this is perfect!
Candy Cane Lane – Celestial Seasoning
Another seasonal one, sorry guys! But again I stocked up on a clearance sale. This is a delicious green tea that is perfectly minty without being too overpowering. It gives me that nice, cool sensation in my throat and has none of the bitterness that traditional green tea has. You can also let it steep with the whole time you’re drinking it without the flavor becoming to strong. I love how much this tastes like sucking on a peppermint candy!
Comforting Chamomile – Yogi Tea
My favorite tea when I am sick! Chamomile tea in general is SO relaxing and soothing. And it’s actually been used for centuries to help relieve occasional sleeplessness and ease minor stomach discomfort.
Chocolate Pu-erh – Numi Organic
My all time favorite from Numi. This tea tastes like hot chocolate. No joke. It is incredibly rich and chocolatey tasting despite having no natural or artificial flavors and NO SWEETENERS. It gets all it’s flavor from pure, natural ingredients. The more you let this tea steep the creamery it seems to taste. So good.
Glazed Lemon Loaf – Tazo Dessert Delights
My favorite lemon tea! It’s incredibly lemony but also sweet all on its own without any sweetener added. This is an herbal infusion tea with notes of zesty lemon (obviously) and aromatic vanilla. It’s also caffeine-free if that’s important to you. It’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth in a totally guilt-free way. Other flavors in the tea include: hints of apple, green rooibos, orange peel, chamomile, rose petals, licorice root and ginger.
Butterscotch Blondie – Tazo Dessert Delights
When they say dessert delights, they mean it!! This tea literally tastes like a butterscotch dessert. It’s a blend of different black teas paired with notes of sweet butterscotch and vanilla.
Classic Chai – Teavana
I LOVE anything chai but this is by far my favorite chai tea. Yes it’s got the classic mix of cardamom, ginger, black pepper, ground cloves, cinnamon and fennel…but it’s the most flavorful chai tea I’ve ever had. Adding a little stevia makes it even better!
Bonus!! This one is available for order at Starbucks.
Are you a tea or coffee person?
What’s your favorite type of tea?
Do you add anything to your tea when you drink it?
[signoff
I love minty teas and it sounds like Candy Cane Lane is right up my alley, or ummm, lane lol. My favorite tea is Earl Grey. Twinings has a great one. I usually drink mine plain, but will sweeten it occasionally or add a splash of cream or almond milk to black teas (like Earl Grey). I’ve been drinking a lot of Matcha green tea lately, I loooove making homemade matcha lattes!
The Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride is one of my favorites too! I LOVE Celestial Seasonings teas. Honey Chamomile is another favorite of mine from their company. Also I like Tazo green tea.
Oh yes! I forgot about Tazo! I always get there green tea when I go to Starbucks…just have to be careful not to let it steep too long or it gets super bitter. ๐
I’m so intrigued by that savoury tea!! I need to hunt it down! My favourite tea is Pukka Love tea. So good!!
Oh I’ve never heard of that! I’ll have to look for it!
GIrlfriend!
Are we the same person? lol I literally am addicted to sugar cookie sleigh ride and roast-a-rama. I literally have like 7 boxes of each. I stocked up on amazon–just a head’s up–you can get like a 6-pack of twenty bags of the Sugar cookie on amazon. I love the taste of the roast-a-rama–it’s like chocolatey/coffee/licorice. So good.
Have a great week.
XOXO
Haha great minds think alike! You described the roastaroma flavor PERFECTLY!!
I’ve been a tea drinker since high school, but my tastes have evolved so much over the past 6 years. My favorite tea for the past few years has been Adagio Tea’s early grey green. If you’ve never had Adagio, I highly recommend checking out their website. They are my favorite source for loose-leaf tea, and they ship all over the country and their teas are extremely well-priced. I also love Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride and I stock up whenever I see it in stores!
I will definitely check them out! Thanks for the suggestion!
I’m more of a coffee person but Roastaroma sounds awesome! Hopefully, I’ll be able to find some here.
I like it when you said, “Hereโs to crafting our futures through writing and sharing.” ๐
If you like coffee, then you would love that tea! I think it’s BETTER than coffee! ๐
I am all all all TAZO PURPLE PASSION.
<3 <3 so much Ive skipped the caffeine for months now…
Oooh that sounds so good! What type of flavor is it?
I’m a huge tea fan…never really knew all the benefits
Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve been getting into drinking tea over coffee lately, and I’m loving the effects its had on my body! I really like this dandelion/hibiscous tea that I got from Kiss Me Organics! Going to do a post soon!
HCBN love!
Oooooh dandelion hibiscus sounds amazing! I can’t even imagine what that would taste like!
Oh my gosh I wish I knew about that roastaroma tea sooner! I gave up coffee for lent, so that would have been perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Oh that tea would have been the PERFECT substitution! I like it BETTER than coffee!
I love tea! I am currently a big Matcha fan. I Usually do not sweeten my teas, but there are some I do add a bit to to balance the flavor. I prefer loose leaf tea. Happy Sipping! Keep blogging! ๐
Thanks Debbie! I think I prefer loose leaf as well…I just am too lazy to make it sometimes! LOL
You have two of my favorites up there! The sugar cookie sleigh ride and candy cane lane! I absolutely adore the holiday flavors by celestial. I am upset that I didn’t stock up this year.
I was lucky to find some on sale at my local health food store at the end of the season! Otherwise I would have forgotten LOL!
i love celestial seasonings tea! the gingerbread one is my fav during the holidays.
buuut, i will always be a coffee girl through and through ๐
I’ve actually never had the gingerbread flavor! I’m sure I’d love it though!
I LOVE tea, I think I adopted the habit during college in England and could never go back. My fave Celestial Seasonings is the Apple Spice. But I’m always up for a classic English Breakfast!
Oh apple spice sounds so good! Like hot apple cider!
SUGAR COOKIE SLEIGH RIDE AND Chamomile Honey – CELESTIAL SEASONING === THE BOMB TEA and I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT THEM!!
LOVE CHAMOMILE TEA!!! The best when I’m sick!
Love tea, and LOVE this great resource! Thanks!
No problem! Glad you liked it!
Years ago I used to drink hot tea on a weekly basis. I got out of it a while back but this has me thinking it may be time to get back with it. Thank you
No problem! Glad you enjoyed the post!
I’m definitely going to try Roastarama – thinking it will help me get through my mid-afternoon slump at work!
YES! It is PERFECT for that!
Thank you for such a great, insightful post! I love tea and am always looking for new flavours to try!! The chocolate flavoured one sounds amazing – so I am definitely going to have to try it, thank you for your help! ๐
No problem! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing is your favorite teas ๐ Herbal and green tea is probably one of my favorites although I probably drink coffee way too often. When I’m at work I get Starbucks’ Green Iced Tea Lemonade lightly sweetened because I like sweets but not too sweet. Not as healthy as it could be but at least I try haha.
Small steps towards living healthy are all it takes! What you can, when you can! ๐
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Have you seen this tea: Bigelow Girl Scout Caramel & Coconut Cookie Flavor Black Tea? It is amazing! I know it is seasonal and I hope they bring it back this year. I only have a few bags left.
I have seen the Girl Scout teas actually!! THEY ARE SO GOOD!!! I haven’t been able to find them recently though.
Cold weather is here, your list of teas is on time too! My daughter is a big tea drinker. I’ll be sending your link to her and Pinning your post. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.
Thanks Rhonda!! I hope your daughter finds a new favorite.
Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday,456. We look forward to seeing you again very soon!
Miz Helen
Kaila, I drink organic loose leaf black tea several times a day, and my favorite from Numi (though I’ve not yet tried *your* favorite from Numi) is their Earl Grey. Earl Grey is done badly by so many companies, but Numi’s does theirs right. #SundaysBestLinkup
I love their earl grey as well! I really haven’t had a tea from Numi that I haven’t loved! ๐
I love tea and I like to have it plain. I think it’s healthier when you don’t put anything to it. My favorites are rooibos, mint, chamomile and green ๐
I like mine plain as well!! You can really taste the tea that way. ๐