Jan 11
Buying green tea can be surprisingly confusing. One box promises delicate Japanese sencha. Another contains Chinese gunpowder green tea. A third combines green tea with jasmine flowers, while an entire shelf may be devoted to matcha powders ranging from inexpensive latte blends to premium teas intended for traditional preparation. And then there is the biggest …
Nov 16
Rosehips and rosemary make an unexpectedly lovely herbal tea. Dried rosehips bring a pleasantly tart, fruity flavor and a warm reddish color, while rosemary adds a piney, savory aroma that keeps the infusion from tasting overly sweet or fruit-forward. A little honey softens the edges and brings the two ingredients together. The result is a …
Aug 28
Chamomile tea is caffeine-free, floral, and commonly associated with relaxation, which can make it especially appealing during pregnancy. When coffee suddenly tastes unappealing, sleep becomes difficult, or nausea changes what you feel like drinking, a warm cup of herbal tea may seem like one of the simplest choices you can make. Chamomile, however, is also …
Jun 11
Barley tea is one of those drinks that can surprise you the first time you try it. There are no tea leaves, no floral perfume, and none of the grassy character you might associate with green tea. Instead, roasted barley creates a warm, nutty infusion with flavors reminiscent of toasted grain, bread crust, cereal, and …
May 24
Chewy tapioca pearls, cold tea, milk, ice, and an oversized straw have turned boba tea into one of Taiwan’s most recognizable modern food exports. Also called bubble tea, pearl milk tea, tapioca tea, or simply boba, the drink has evolved far beyond its original milk-tea format. Modern shops may offer black tea, jasmine green tea, …
Apr 26
Chamomile tea has one of the gentlest reputations in the tea cupboard. Its tiny daisy-like flowers produce a pale golden infusion with a soft floral aroma and naturally mellow flavor. Many people associate a warm cup of chamomile with evenings, quiet routines, upset stomachs, and winding down before bed. That reputation has made chamomile one …
Apr 25
Hibiscus tea is difficult to mistake for anything else. Drop dried hibiscus into hot water and the liquid quickly turns a brilliant ruby red. The flavor is equally distinctive: tart, fruity, refreshing, and often compared with cranberry. Unlike black or green tea, hibiscus contains no traditional tea leaves and is naturally caffeine-free. It can be …
Apr 20
Oolong may be the most difficult major tea category to describe in a single sentence. Some oolongs are pale, floral, creamy, and almost green in appearance. Others are dark, roasted, woody, fruity, and closer in character to black tea. Leaves may be tightly rolled into compact balls or left in long twisted strips. One oolong …
Apr 19
Dandelions may be familiar as bright yellow flowers scattered across lawns and roadsides, but the plant has a much longer culinary and herbal history than its reputation as a garden weed might suggest. The leaves can be eaten as greens, the flowers can be used in foods and drinks, and the roots are commonly dried …
Apr 17
Rooibos is one of the easiest herbal teas to love. Its naturally smooth flavor can suggest honey, vanilla, wood, caramel, and gentle earthiness without the pronounced bitterness found in some traditional teas. It can be served plain, sweetened with honey, splashed with milk, brewed into a latte, poured over ice, or combined with spices and …
