By Kenda - February, 18th 2015

There are so many things during my day that I do out of habit. One of the biggest is churning out cup after cup of coffee. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love my coffee and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. But, a few times I’ve caught myself making a 4th or 5th cup…hand shaking while I prepare it. Caffeine overload! It’s great when I’m feeling unmotivated and really need to knock some items off my to-do list, but sometimes my body just needs to chill out.

TODAY I WILL … RELAX

Not long ago I was gifted a box of herbal teas. I placed them on the shelf and went back to my coffee. It wasn’t until I found myself out of coffee one day that I decided to try a cup of tea. As I sat there, sipping the steaming cup, I realized what I’d been missing.  I still enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning to knock the sleep out of my eyes, but now the rest of my day is filled with the warm, aromatic experience of herbal tea. It warms me up with delicious flavor and no shaking hands by two o’clock. So what was in that box that changed my mind? Smith Teamaker.

I tried several types of tea, but always came back to Smith Teamaker. So, I reached out to them – I had to let them know they’d impressed even this diehard coffee-holic. I was so excited when they agreed to send me a sampling of my favorite brews. I couldn’t wait to share them with you. Maybe you’ll find a favorite too.

MY 5 FAVORITE HERBAL TEAS

1. FEZ / green tea with spearmint and lemon myrtle / This is the perfect early afternoon tea. Among many other health benefits, green tea is a great way to improve brain function and get over that afternoon ‘yawn phase’ with 2/3 less caffeine than coffee. Spearmint is one of my favorite flavors and really perks up my senses so I can feel awake and refreshed. 

2. BIG HIBISCUS /red hibiscus with Indian sarsaparilla, ginger, pink rose petals, and elderflowers / Smith Teamakers calls this the ‘cabernet of hibiscus teas’ and I agree. This is my dessert tea and I save it for late afternoon or early evening when I’m craving something soothing and sweet. The smell bursts from the cup and the deep red brew is perfect for sipping while you’re curled up with a book and a blanket. This one is caffeine free so you can enjoy it right before bed.

 

3. MEADOW / Egyptian chamomile flowers with hyssop, Cape rooibos, rose petals and linden flowers / This brew is sunshine in a cup. My first thought on tasting it was “Who put honey in here?” – the natural florals carry such a bee-utiful flavor that you’ll swear someone snuck in a spoon of clover honey when you weren’t looking. Smooth, refreshing and naturally sweet – Meadow will have you thinking of your next cup before you’ve even finished your first.

4. RED NECTAR / South African rooibos with honeybush and natural orchard fruit flavor / This lightly sweet brew is to be savored – hot or iced. The flavor makes me think of being in an open fruit field under the sun. The brew itself is smooth and light, but the flavor is warm and enveloping.

5. PEPPERMINT / pure peppermint leaves / From the Pacific Northwest, these pure peppermint leaves need no other accompaniment. Perfectly soothing, this simple brew is my go-to on days when my voice is a little scratchy or I just want something to warm me up from the inside. The creamy flavor and soothing aroma help me feel settled as I grab a few minutes for myself. Delicious.

I’m so glad I decided to mix herbal tea into my day. Coffee and tea CAN coexist! Now I get my wake-me-up java in the morning and enjoy my herbal teas throughout the rest of the day and evening. No more caffeine jitters and I get additional benefits like antioxidants (green tea), flavonoids (rooibos), digestion health (spearmint and peppermint) and more. Not to mention they’re DELICIOUS. It’s becoming my new adventure, trying out all the different flavors and combinations that are available.

Smith Teamaker has been providing quality, all natural teas since 1949. They currently offer 15 different gourmet tea brews, gift sets, samplers and more. Start your own tea adventure at SmithTea.com