Oh, It’s Tuesday: The Perfect Cuppa Tea
Photo Credit: Balakov
So I’ve recently made the switch from a glass of wine with after-dinner TV to a cup of tea. Wine tastes great and makes me happy, but it’s also 125 calories a glass and it encourages me to say yes to my MIL’s homemade gelato, even if I don’t have any calories left for the day. So new rule, I’ve started drinking a cuppa tea whenever I have a hankering for a glass of wine.
I’ve also started drinking green tea to make sure that I’m both comforted and alert during my daily writing sessions. And for the most part, I’ve loved getting into the habit of tea. I’ve always wanted to be a tea person, and now I am. The only problem is that I’ve yet to find the perfect cup of night time tea.
I’m perfectly happy with my caffeinated strawberry rooibos and pomegranate green teas before five pm, but so far I haven’t found something that is both fruit-infused and BOLD for the decaf hours. Chamomille’s so bland. Mint is just not minty enough. I found this sweet and spicy tea from Good Earth, but drinking it feels a bit like drinking a pale imitation of chai. Is there anything such as a BOLD-but-herbal tea? If so, I would love to hear your recommendations. I fear that if I don’t find a good tea soon, the bottles of wine that keep calling to me whenever I wander past them after 8pm just might win.
Don’t let the wine win. Recommend a tea I can love!
Tazo Passion tea. When I was doing WW, it was the only thing that could help me resist the late afternoon sugar cravings. It's bold and tart. You can test drive it at Starbucks.
Tazo Passion tea. When I was doing WW, it was the only thing that could help me resist the late afternoon sugar cravings. It's bold and tart. You can test drive it at Starbucks.
There are lots of good Sleepy Time versions out there. I think the trick is using 2 bags to make the flavor more potent, too.
There are lots of good Sleepy Time versions out there. I think the trick is using 2 bags to make the flavor more potent, too.
I've been doing the same thing. But instead of avoiding wine, I'm trying to avoid sweets by having tea. I like my teas with milk, so I still do black tea, but I do a decaf earl grey. I'm not sure if it's caffeine free, but I used to drink licorice root tea, which has a sweet, but spicy, flavor.
I've been doing the same thing. But instead of avoiding wine, I'm trying to avoid sweets by having tea. I like my teas with milk, so I still do black tea, but I do a decaf earl grey. I'm not sure if it's caffeine free, but I used to drink licorice root tea, which has a sweet, but spicy, flavor.
Trader Joe's has a Rooibos Chai that's good and no caf. There's also this barley/chicory based drink you can find at Whole Foods and other healthfood stores called Inka. I make it with a touch of honey and soy creamer sometimes adding cinnamon and nutmeg. I also add it to chai tea or Celestial Seasonings chamomile vanilla honey tea at night.
Trader Joe's has a Rooibos Chai that's good and no caf. There's also this barley/chicory based drink you can find at Whole Foods and other healthfood stores called Inka. I make it with a touch of honey and soy creamer sometimes adding cinnamon and nutmeg. I also add it to chai tea or Celestial Seasonings chamomile vanilla honey tea at night.