Ahh, autumn. There’s something magical about the sight of the trees changing when you walk in the park, and the chilly air tousling your hair like an old friend. Or perhaps it’s when the sun’s rays peek out from the colorful leaves as if they are stained glass windows, or you notice people wearing their best comfy clothing to make up for the lost warmth from the prior months. Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that autumn is a season that’s linked with delicious smells, beautiful sights, and wonderful nostalgic memories of the past.
And speaking of delicious smells, I’m pretty sure we associate autumn with all things delicious and warm, like pumpkin spice lattes, cinnamon apple pie, and apple cider. But believe it or not, there’s also other teas that are just as warm and perfect for this season. And best of all, these teas are also known to have amazing properties to boost up your immune system to keep away any future nasty colds.
Here’s some of my picks of autumn inspired teas that are worth trying.
1. Oolong Tea
According to ancient Chinese philosophy, it is believed that the food and drink we consume differs in correlation to the changing seasons. This is because changing seasons causes changing conditions for our body, so whatever we eat or drink also has a direct impact on our health. When following this belief, Oolong tea is ideal for the autumn season. When brewed right, Oolong tea has a wonderful amber-gold color, smells fragrant, and tastes savory with a light sweet aftertaste. It is also a highly sought out tea for those who want to shed some extra pounds or boost memory since it contains some caffeine. While there are tea bags available, it doesn’t hurt to try the loose tea leaves, which come as rolled-up buds. Personally, I think the loose leaf teas are definitely worth investing if you want to get the authentic tea experience.
2. Cinnamon Tea
Okay, this one doesn’t have an intricate story as the Oolong tea, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not delicious! If you’re a cinnamon fanatic like me, consider trying cinnamon tea. Of course, you can purchase tea bags if you’re on the go, or…you can try making this spicy herbal tea yourself. The recipe is super simple and only requires cinnamon sticks and hot water. Yep! Only two ingredients! All you need to do is boil one cinnamon stick in hot water for 15-20 minutes, and then let it steep for another 10 minutes with the heat turned off. Then it’s good to go! You can also try mixing in some honey for some added sweetness, or drink as it is to gain all the amazing benefits of cinnamon. This includes: fresher breath, regulation in blood sugar, lowered cholesterol levels, and even weight loss!
3. Ginger Honey Tea
This one is sort of cheating since it’s a common recipe. But I just have to mention this one here! Not only are honey and ginger super healthy for you, but they both have anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe an upset stomach, boost your immune system, relieve stress, and even help you with your menstrual cramps! You can opt for an instant version of this drink, or you can make ginger honey tea by boiling fresh ginger slices in water for 10-15 minutes. Set aside to cool while you prepare a cup with a teaspoon of organic honey. Then strain out the ginger and pour the infused water into the cup. Make sure you stir your tea to make sure all the honey has dissolved. For extra flavor, you can add a dash of cinnamon powder or some lemon juice.
Finally, you can have your tea on your toast too! Sounds confusing? Doesn’t have to be! This Korean Citron Honey Tea looks much like a thick marmalade rather than your normal steeped teas, with all the glorious bits of citrus held suspended within the giant glass jar it comes in. All that is needed is a spoonful (or more if you’re up for it!) of this wondrous stuff and a cup of hot water to stir it in. The outcome is a delicious tea that’s sweet, citrusy, and perfect for a chilly autumn day. You can even spread it onto toast for a vitamin-C packed breakfast!
5. Jujube Tea
Ever had a date…with a red date? All joking aside, definitely give this tea a try! Just like the Citron Honey Tea, the Jujube fruit tea comes in a glass jar that you can scoop out a spoonful to dissolve in hot water. But unlike the citron honey tea, Jujube tea has a very distinct taste that’s akin to wrapping yourself up in an incredibly soft and warm fuzzy blanket. It’s amber honey flavor and warmth will make you want even more! Best of all, jujube fruit tea is known to be rich in antioxidants to help prolong the anti-aging process on your skin as well as alleviate constipation.
You know how in that one climatic scene from Ratatouille where the food critic Ego takes a bite of a dish and was instantly transported back to his childhood? This tea did just that for me. I was in a café during one rainy day when I decided to try this tea and boom! I was transported to the memory of excitedly running home with my mom when we were caught in a downpour of rain. This black tea is smells reminiscent to Earl Grey with vanilla and caramel, and it tastes fruity due to the black currants in the blend. It definitely sets the autumnal mood of nostalgia right in the comfort of your home!
Hope this post gives you some inspiration for broadening your tastes for all things warm and soothing to the soul! Feel free to leave a comment below on what your favorite tea is!
https://www.beautywithin.tv/blog/warm-your-soul-with-6-autumn-inspired-teas
