Even though I was corrupted by coffee this past summer, my heart will always and forever belong to tea. I will always call myself a tea drinker before I call myself a coffee drinker. Which is funny since as a kid, I HATED tea. It was just gross and never passed my lips. I don't remember what or when that changed, but I have loved tea for years now. Multiple cups a day is the name of the game. Even in the hot 90 degree days of summer, I will happily be drinking my hot mugs of tea. And of course during the winter...tea consumption is on high! I hate being cold, my body is wired to thrive in the heat (I should live in the desert). Meaning tea is my lifeline starting...now, with the colder and colder temperatures creeping in.
So I've rounded-up my all time favorite teas of the season (although I drink these through the year...I tried to make this a "seasonal" post for you all!). I always vary which tea I have so I don't "wear-out" a flavor and get sick of it. But one tea I always have everyday no matter what, is peppermint. It is essential for sound sleeping. My little comfort cup before bed.
I was always a Twinings Peppermint Tea
Β girl, but recently fell in love with the taste of Celestial Seasonings
! Both are fabulous, just straight up pure peppermint leaves. Peppermint not only helps you sleep, but it's also really good at soothing the tummy. Tummy ache = drink some peppermint tea! Even when my acid reflux acts up, peppermint is good for that (seems like it would be the opposite, but no!).
O boy, this stuff
Β is crack! I am a die-hard roobios lover, so when I came across this this stuff, I knew I had to try it! It is fabulous! I usually am not a fan for overly spiced and flavorful teas (I like them pure and simple), but this one just works. It really satisfies that cold weather warming craving. I feel like you could drink this tea without any sweetener either (haven't tried though...I like my stevia!) Which leads me to the seasonal Pumpkin Spice Sweetleaf Stevia
! They sent me some and man....add this to an already pumpkin spice tea and you are in business!
Now here is a holiday tea for yea! If you like peppermint tea, but you also like green tea, and a little more magic, this tea
Β is for you! It is so lovely and SO holiday-ie. I wait all year for this one to come out and then I have to stock up. It is the perfect light palate refresher to unwind after a holiday dinner in my opinion. It's like drinking a candy cane...just not as gross!
This one is a killer! O so good! I love black teas. I'll pretty much drink any variety of black tea I come across. I just love the deep rich flavor. This Nutcracker tea
Β is perfectly flavored with vanilla and cinnamon notes. But I feel like I can more accurately describe it as tasting like "Christmas". So if you know what that tastes like...then yes, that is what this tastes like π
My grandma introduced me to this tea
Β a few years ago as a Christmas present and I have been a lover ever since! She always gets me a few boxes each year now (thank you grandma!). This may be one of the greatest black teas ever crafted. I always drink this Christmas morning while I'm opening presents (at least I did last year). I don't have this tea right now, but I can't wait to get my hands on it again!
Maybe I lied. This may be my favorite black tea ever
. No...maybe my favorite tea of all time. The highest quality organic Ceylon ever! The vanilla is so light and perfect. Whenever I make a Vitacost purchase, I always stock up on a few boxes. If this was the last thing I ever tasted, I may be okay with that (it's that good!). So if you think you don't like a black tea, you have to try this light vanilla Ceylon. Perfection!
No going to lie, I thought when I bought this one
Β it was going to be a complete fail. I usually hate teas like this. I've tried many "soothing" spiced teas and they always left a lot to be desired. However...I was pleasently surprised by this one! Maybe it's that fact that it's a roobios tea, but this is just so yummy! I've actually cheated on my bedtime peppermint tea a few times with this one. It warms the soul and makes me feel nice and comfy. It's smooth and the flavor isn't BAM in your face, but subtle and gentle. Perfect for bedtime or cozying up by the fire π
Okay, I haven't had this tea
Β in years, but I remember the sweet perfect taste. I always put it on my Christmas list...but Santa never brings it! I first found this tea-drinker gem down in Wildwood, NJ in a small specialty cook shop on the boardwalk. I fell in love with the soft wood box it came in actually! This tea isn't in many stores since Metropolitan Tea Company is only a wholesale company, but you can get it on Amazon! The light chocolate notes with this lasting mint taste is just amazing! I crave this tea in the winter, but I never have it!
This one
Β may seem...out of place in this list of high quality awesome teas, but don't be fooled! Thanks to my dining hall, they have a bunch of these in the "tea box" and I always grab a few. It is just straight up black tea...decaffeinated. But what makes it do good is how you can sweeten and flavor it however you want! I first had this with my new Peppermint Mocha Sweetleaf Stevia
Β and almost died, it tasted so good π Then I had it again with my English Toffee Sweetleaf Stevia
Β and died a second time. This tea is the perfect blank slate for ANY flavor and has been my go-to black tea for later hours in the day since it's decaf. This just does to show, don't judge tea quality until you actually try it π
So this is my Sweetleaf flavor collection. I use the packets in most of my teas, but I like the flavored ones for plain teas (like the black one I just talked about!). I bought that Cola flavor
...but still haven't used it! Need to think of a recipe for that one! Anyway, Sweetleaf sent me their seasonal Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint Mocha to review last week and all I can say is wow!
These are so fabulous in the teas I've tried them in like I shared above, but obviously you know I add these to my coffee first and foremost π Like I said, I love tea, but I still drink coffee! No one needs those expensive PSLs or Peppermint Mochas when you can just flavor black coffee with the sweet stuff! So much better (and healthier!). So hurry up and get these before they aren't "in-season" anymore! (They have 21 other flavors though, so even if you miss out, you'll be good to go all year!) You should also really try the English ToffeeΒ flavor, that one is my absolute favorite!
Thanks Sweetleaf for flavoring my winter teas and coffee the best ways possible! XOXO
So tell me:
+ What is your favorite winter tea?
+ How do you sweeten you tea (or coffee)?
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Raia
What a great list! So many delicious teas to choose from. π Thanks for sharing this at Savoring Saturdays!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The flavors of teas are endless!
channon
My favorite tea is strawberry, but I don't think to buy it very often. So, I usually go with something seasonal, or peppermint. You can't beat that. I add a little honey. Fun post, with some wonderful suggestions.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I love St. Dalfour's Organic Strawberry Tea!
channon
Will be checking it out ASAP π
megan @ NoSmallLife
They make Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint Mocha Stevia?!? *Happy Dance*
I love Sweetleaf and usually stick to Vanilla just because it goes with everything and tends to be pricy, but those new options could definitley make me stretch my grocery budget π Where can you find them?
Also, I'm a big "Candy Cane Lane" Fan myself and my other favorite is "Gingersnappish" by Bigelow. So good! π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Online is the easiest way, lol!
Ah, I don't like any type of ginger tea. Even though I love gingerbread, I just can't do "liquid" ginger, haha!
Katherines Corner
a lovely selection of teas. I have tea in my veins, giggle. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop xo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, me too π
Cate Hoepner
I am a HUGE fan of Oolong tea, which tastes a lot like Rooibos!
I love all the holiday teas you listed! π I am totally envious over Trader Joe's pumpkin spice..I live in the middle of nowhere.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I've never had oolong! But if it is anything like Roobios, I must try it!
Once my stash is gone...I won't be getting it for awhile π I feel you grocery store pain!
Janelle@The Peaceful Haven
I love peppermint tea!! It is refreshing too...I am going to have to try the chocolate peppermint tea! What a great combination!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just chocolate mint! It's not peppermint, haha!
Trish @TheTrishList
I LOVE this post! I am a tea lover to the max. I need to try those Stevia Drops. I am hosting a Holiday Tea Swap for anyone that is interested! http://www.thetrishlist.com/2014/11/swap-time-holiday-giveaway.html
Trish
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Very cool Trish!
Marlys (This and That)
I am a big tea fan and probably have about 30 boxes of different kinds.. My favorites are chia and Lady Grey Tea... I sweetened mine with condensed milk.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O man, I could NEVER but any type of milk in tea! That seems so "filling"!
Stephanie
I've been a tea drinker (hot and cold) since I was a kid. Coffee is my first love, but tea is not far behind it. I absolutely have to try that Nutcracker tea. Sounds amazing! I tried some awhile back, it was a pomegranate flavor, and it tasted like cough syrup lol. I don't remember the brand but it was definitely not good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea, fruity teas are not always the best. One or two I've found are great, but usually I am a more richer tasting tea lover!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
I love peppermint tea! My favourite winter tea is probably... chai, although I'm happy with anything along the chai/rooibois variety. I drink green tea year long- either toasted rice green tea (tastes like popcorn!), jasmine, or matcha. I used to not like vanilla tea very much but I fell in love with a vanilla chamomile tea a year ago and haven't looked back since. It's hard to pick a favourite tea because I love all of them too much! As for sweetening coffee, I usually opt for coconut sugar with a coconut creamer I make myself with pure vanilla extract. So delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Send me some toasted rice green tea! That sounds amazing!
And homemade vanilla coconut creamer.....now that could make me not want my coffee black π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
end me some toasted rice green tea! That sounds amazing!
And homemade vanilla coconut creamer.....now that could make me not want my coffee black π
ana @ fit, fun & delish!
I love the trader joe's one!! That's my fave! i'll have to try some of the other ones.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Which TJ one? I listed a few, haha!
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet
I'm sadly limited in my tea selection because I don't consume caffeine and am allergic to chamomile (which seems to secretly sneak into most teas). I recently found a decaf chai tea with cardamom that I'm loving.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Drink peppermint and roobios! They are herbal and pure leaf!
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating
As a born and raised Southern girl, tea is like our other water! Haha. I have been drinking tea since I was a small child, but I think I enjoy the hot teas and all of the different varieties even more at this age. I haven't seen the Nutcracker Sweet before, but I love Celestial Seasonings! I need to try to find that one. And as for the Sweetleaf, I only have the peppermint mocha that I won from a giveaway, but I'm excited about their whole lineup! My favorite tea is probably honey chamomile.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha "tea is like our other water"! That is good π No shame!
I'm mpt so much a chamomile girl. I really do love my dark black vanillay teas best!
Teffy
It's now summer here in Sydney, but when I lived in London I was obsessed with chai tea and a night time blend, which I think had aniseed and ginger!
So warming and delicious!
{Teffy's Perks} X
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Tea is my essential night time drink! I really can't sleep without a mug!
Linda @ Veganosity
I like tea, especially matcha on a cold morning or evening. And, like you, Alex hated tea, until she studied in London her junior year of college. Now she's and Earl Grey tea snob-haha! The pumpkin spice rooibos looks intriguing! I'm going to have to try that.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm pretty sure you can't leave London without becoming a tea convert!
Any roobios tea is a winner to my taste-buds π
Tianna
lovely picks ! I love tea in the winter time - esp peppermint and just mint in general β₯
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Peppermint is just so fabulous!
Nancy
Peppermint teas sound great but my favorite is a black russian tea π
http://neatly-packaged.com/
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well my favorite is Ceylon π Black teas will always be the winner!
Kelly
These flavors sound amazing! I never really liked tea. But then I never really liked coffee either, until a few years ago. I may have to give it another try. Thank you for the suggestions!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Never give up! Sometimes it just takes awhile to find the types and flavors you love!
Fashnboucou
I will be trying some of these teas this winter! For some reason, I only enjoy hot tea during the snowy season. I usually sweeten my tea with honey but lately have been entertaining the not-so-good-for-you white sugar.
http://www.fashnbeaucoup.com
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I need tea every day, 365 days a years!
You've got to try Stevia! Sweetleaf is the best quality!
Hayley
I love the celestial seasonings holiday teas! Sugar cookie sleigh ride is so good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, everyone likes that one! If it was gluten-free I would so be ALL over that!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
I'm definitely more of a coffee than tea drinker, but I'm so inspired by your post to start broadening my horizons. The Soothing Caramel Bedtime tea really piqued my interest!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You'd be surprised how many really awesome teas there are! You just have to find the right tastes for you and you'll fall in love like I did!
Shashi @ runninsrilankan
Until I had Yogi teas, I was not a tea fanatic - but Yogi's green tea kombucha and the Caramel have me hooked!
I so understand when you say "my body is wired to thrive in the heat" - that's me to a tee! (sorry i couldn't resist)! π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I loveeee Yogi's green tea kombucha! It's a surprising awesome fruity tea!
Hahahaha! A pun that good is always welcomed π
Erica @ Coming Up Roses
I'm sorry, pumpkin spice tea and chocolate mint?! Are you trying to torture me here?? I MUST find them right now. Holy deliciousness. Are you a fan of hot green mint tea?? That's been my go-to so far this season!
lovelovelove,
Erica
cominguprosestheblog.com
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I've had some minty green Tazo teas before! Not bad!
Michael
I can honestly say throughout most of the year I don't drink tea. As soon as the snow begins to fall, that's when I drink it. I drink coffee every day. But, I don't even think about tea until there's at least a dusting of snow on the ground.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That should change! Tea year-round!!!
Emma @ em-poweredwellness
Ahh I love tea, especially in the winter. Thanks for the great suggestions! That TJ's black tea with cinnamon and vanilla is amazing π lately I've also been drinking herbal coffee in the morning--it's pretty good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I used to love Dandelion Root tea (a good "substitute" for coffee), but then it just started to turn my stomach the last few times I drank it, so I haven't since! But it was my favorite at a time!
amanda
I absolutely love tea and I am trying to broaden my tea horizons so this post is perfect for me! Making a list and going out to pick them up and try them all!
xo, Amanda | a. nicole style
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, awesome! Let me know which you do try!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie
I love celestial seasonings tea! Peppermint tea consumption is at an all time high this time of year for me! I still have yet to try out any of Trader Joe's teas but I am sure I would be in love. I'll have to pick some up next time I hit up TJs!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Peppermint is my love π
TJs makes some damn good quality teas, haha! You won't be disappointed!
Lynda@fitnessmomwinecountry
Rebecca, love tea...just love it. I have some of these on the list and some I have not tried yet. Thanks for sharing:)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I love it too! There are just so many to try! There is always some new one to love!
Olivia Schwab
Such a great post!! I posted about tea today too!! Love it! I've never heard of sweet drops before but I'm going to have to check it out! Love the idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You've never herd of stevia?! It is the ONLY way to sweeten drinks (or anything) in my opinion, haha!
Lisa @ RunWiki
I am a bug tea drinker! Love your list-- don't know if TJ's still has their Green Tea Peppermint, but I love that one... very similar to the CS.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! The TJs candy cane is really good too! My grandma always has that one at her house on Christmas!
Michelle
In the fall and winter months I like to make homemade pumpkin spice chai in the mornings- I love the taste, and of course the spices are very healthy too. I enjoy teas, especially organic green tea, every day, sweetened with a little raw honey. π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Green tea is totally one of those everyday teas! It works in all seasons!
Dietitian Jess
New reader and absolutely love this post. I went to a Coffee and Tea festival last weekend in Philly so I got to try so many amazing teas! I've never thought of buying black tea and flavoring it with the Sweet Drops- pure genius and definitely try π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That sounds like an awesome time! I would have LOVED that! Coffee and tea? You can't go wrong π
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
I'm a big tea fan in the winter! Chamomile, peppermint or spearmint, licorice and anything "holiday" flavored are favorites!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The tea cravings just INCREASE with the winter, but there are always there π
Helene
I love to brew loose leaf tea but you are tempting me with those chocolate and vanilla darlings!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I've never had loose leaf! I'm just to lazy and always go for my tea bags π
Natalie
I'm still stuck where you were as a kid...thinking tea is gross and flavorless. I don't know if I'm not making it right or not sweetening it right or what?? These all sound SO good, especially the vanilla and cinnamon one, but I'm afraid if I actually try to make it it will be disappointing π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Add stevia! Haha! I say try the Vanilla Ceylon first. You CAN NOT be disappointed! Add the stevia packet for the perfect sweetness!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom
I've been stuck on a Mango tea and a Pomegranate tea for too long. I've got a new grocery list starting with Pumpkin Spice Rooibos!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Get it! Fruity teas are never my first pick but I have found a really good strawberry Ceylon and a BlackBerry Ceylon from St. dalfour I do love!
Rachel
I love peppermint tea, it's a nightly beverage for me. I just recently discovered a love for "Winter Spice" tea when my office had a few k-cups of it, it has clove in it and it's now a winter favorite.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Peppermint will never die! The perfect nightly comfort!
Summer Ann
yum!! I am a coffee drinker but I love tea as well. My favorite is a homemade blend my aunt sends us every year. It's an orange spice flavor. Delicious!
Xoxo,
Summer Ann
http://www.simplysummerann.com
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Now you can't beat a homemade tea! That is fabulous!
GiGi Eats
I am ALL about the sugar cookie sleigh ride. But seriously. LOL! I buy so many boxes during this time of year that I have them for the ENTIRE year!! ha ha ha
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Girl...that one isn't gluten-free? Aren't you gluten-free, haha!?
I am always fully stocked no matter the time of year! My stash can never dwindle!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
Lol...I am the opposite! My heart truly belongs to coffee. I love tea though. These are really nice choices! My current fave is a harvest blend from Trader Joe's.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I want to try that one! I think the fox on the box is so cute...HAHA!
Emily @My Healthyish Life
During the fall/winter I love chai tea! But year round, basic green tea is my usual. I used to hate tea when I was little but now it's such a simple pleasure.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Chai is...strange. Once in a blue moon I can stomach the taste but otherwise I am anti-chai! Haha π
Green is always a good one! Pure and simple! It was the first tea I ever started drinking!
Susie @ SuzLyfe
Love the pumpkin spice rooibos! I also love the Republic of Tea Apple Cider Tea and I just got another new one from them that is vanilla cinnamon rooibos.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Apple teas...are not my thing. They are all too sour!
The vanilla cinnamon roobios...now that sounds heavenly!
Lindsay
that pumpkin one ---> I NEED! love winter teas. my favorite kind!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The pumpkin one is to die for! So good! Usually I don't like "pumpkin" teas, but this one is so good!
Sara @ Lake Shore Runner
I have been drinking a lot of coffee lately (naturally cold person too) and I thought I should start trying tea. I am not a high fan of it but I think it is because I haven't tried the right ones - a lot of the ones you posted about caught my eye! Peppermint, pumpkin...say no more! Do all of these have caffeine in it?
I am hosting a new weekly linkup for people to post about what they have tried lately - Tried it Tuesday! This post would be perfect. If you would like to linkup and check out what other people have tried you can here:
http://www.lakeshorerunner.com/2014/11/18/first-tried-tuesday-core-fusion-express-exhale-spa/
Happy Tuesday! And can't wait to try some of these teas.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You do just have to keep trying different ones until you find the best for your tastes! Some teas are just terrible but some are amazing! It's trial and error! Once you find you tea groove, you'll have an easier time picking the ones you love!
Most of the Ceylon's and blacks have caffeine but the roobios, greens, and herbals don't!
suzie
green tea has caffeine
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Not the one I listed here π
Amber
I think I need those drops ASAP. Christmas gift? I think so π As for tea, I was such a tea drinker, but I've shied away, the good kinds always have caffeine and I've had to cut down on my intake, but that candy cane one looks yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Time to tell Santa! π
The candy cane is the perfect option then! All the love of the holidays without any caffeine π
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
I am a total nut for tea too, though I have a sensitive tummy (GERD) so I have to stay away from certain mixes. My favorite these days is rooibos. I can't wait to find that Trader Joes Pumpkin Rooibos. Sounds incredible.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, my acid reflux disease is like no other along with my troubled tummy! So yea tea coffee....it all kills me sometimes but I just love warm drinks too much!
Pure roobios is soooo good! I just love the beautiful color and scent!
Laura
I am such a tea fiend so you have given me loads of new ones to try thank you! I'm not normally very adventurous - I usually stick with my English Breakfast/ Lady Grey/ Earl Grey/ Green Tea or Twinings Detox tea but will definitely have to try some of these Christmassy flavours now!
Laura | http://www.laurakathren.blogspot.co.uk
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can never go wrong with a pure leave tea! But when you want to get fancy, there are some great options π
Meredith N.
I love winter teas too! I want to try the Sugar Cookie tea that everyone is drinking now. I bought the gingerbread but I wasn't really a fan :(. I will definitely be getting some of the vanilla and cinnamon tea next time I'm at TJ's. If you don't have one near you, I'd love to send you some happy mail! π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I wish I could drink the sugar cookie tea! But it's not gluten-free :/
I always love happy mail π Haha! XOXO
Farrah
Ooo, there are a lot in here that I've never tried! :O I love the pumpkin one and the vanilla cinnamon black tea from Trader Joe's though! A couple of my friends in southern California send me tea every winter because they feel bad that I'm freezing in the bitter, bitter cold. <3 I also really love peppermint tea in the winter! π I don't tend to sweeten my tea ever, but I have a couple packets of SweetLeaf that I should try out!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I always have to put stevia in my tea! I just can't do tea without!
Haha, you friends love you π You should send them some cold brew tea bags for their hot days π