Besides water, tea is the most consumed beverage worldwide. It makes sense why: it has a rich history cemented in many different cultures. Tea also has a large variety of flavors while providing health benefits, unlike other popular drinks. But with all these different kinds of tea, one might be confused about which ones are best for what they are doing. Although taste plays a large role in what tea one consumes, there are benefits to drinking certain teas at certain times.
One of the more popular teas for the morning is black tea. Black tea has about half the amount of caffeine per cup compared to coffee, which can help prevent the “wired” feeling some people may get when drinking coffee. Some good black tea varieties for the morning include English breakfast, with a rich and robust flavor, and earl grey, which has a citrusy undertone from the bergamot.
Another great tea for waking up and being productive is matcha. Although some people dislike the taste, matcha has been shown to help with productivity. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, matcha and other green teas contain L-theanine. L-theanine is a phytochemical that can help relax caffeine-induced arousal, like jitters, anxiousness, etc. This can have a beneficial effect when it comes to the memory and attention span of the drinker, which makes matcha great for a productive day.
In an Instagram poll of Franklin students, one of the most mentioned teas was chai. Chai tea often contains spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, and cloves. These spices are both comforting and are great for the body, aiding in digestion and reducing blood sugar levels. The spices in chai tea make it have an overall cozy feel, which is great for fall.
Herbal teas are a good choice for evenings due to them being caffeine-free. The best nighttime varieties include lavender, chamomile, and jasmine teas. Lavender is known for its calming properties, with some users claiming that it helps with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. However, it is still uncertain whether or not this is true scientifically.
Chamomile has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries. It is a mild sedative, making it good for sleep, it’s used as an anti-inflammatory, and aids in digestion. Chamomile is also known for calming anxiety, but — similar to lavender — this isn’t scientifically proven.
Jasmine tea is an anti-inflammatory tea, so it is great for digestion. Its scent has a calming effect, making it a good tea for the evening.
Other herbal teas, like lemon ginger, peppermint, and cinnamon, are great for when you are feeling sick. Lemon and ginger are both great for your immune system, plus they have a very comforting flavor. Cinnamon is also great for your immune system, boasting bolder flavor than other herbs. Peppermint is calming, and the scent can help unclog stuffy noses. These teas are especially good for evenings because they are naturally caffeine-free.
Finally, fruit tea is an excellent choice when you want a brighter, happier atmosphere. Fruity teas can be herbal or black, making them perfect whether you’re getting up or winding down. They are good for non-tea drinkers because they taste more like fruit than tea. Some common fruity flavors are citruses, like orange and lemon; berries, such as raspberry and blueberry; passion fruit, and peach, among others. Apple is another choice perfect for fall.
Whether you’re falling asleep, waking up, going outside, or staying in, there’s a perfect tea for every occasion.
