“If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are depressed, it will cheer you; If you are excited, it will calm you.” – William Ewart Gladstone
Over the years, tea in its different forms has been known for its health benefits and unique flavor. Tea blends combine some art and some science as the right tea is combined with the right additive to enhance aroma, flavor and experience. If you love your tea and are all for tickling your taste buds from time to time, here is a list of some great additions to tea. All delightfully flavorsome and healthy too.
Spices
Cayenne pepper This is quite a strong spice but pairs well with tea, in minuscule quantities. A piquant tea with some added health benefits.
Cinnamon Cinnamon is a fairly common addition to tea, adding a spicy tinge.
Ginger Ginger adds a refreshing and flavor to your tea. The use of ginger in black tea is widespread and it is regarded by many as the perfect hangover remedy.
Cardamom Cardamom lends a sweet taste to tea and is a popular addition while steeping chai.
Flowers
Jasmine This aromatic flower is considered the perfect addition to a warm brew of green tea. The blend is so popular that blended jasmine green teas are available on the market, so that you don’t have to hunt for the flower yourself.
Rose is another surprising addition to tea. When blended well, it offers its fragrance and sweetness. Rose petals and rose buds are both popular additions to tea. It’s possible to find blends in both black and white tea varieties.
Herbs
Mint Mint is a popular addition to many foods, and tea is definitely one of them. All you need to do is put the mint leaves into hot tea and allow it to sit, so that the refreshing flavor will seep into the warm tea. Alternately, tea – especially green tea – blended with mint are available, that are light and supremely refreshing. The classic blend, Moroccan Mint, is made with spearmint.
Basil Basil is another great, healthy add on to your tea. Steep a basil leaf in your pot of green tea and experience the zesty flavour that it brings.
Oils
Bergamot oil Bergamot oil came to be used, blended with black tea, to create the Earl Grey tea. The oil lends a citrusy taste to the tea which has made this blend popular through the ages, across the world.
Fruits
Lemon Rich in Vitamin C, lemon is the perfect additive to add a little tangy twist to your tea. It lends itself to both black and green teas. Lemon teas are drunk without milk as the acid can curdle the milk.
Dried fruit Tea blended with dried fruit like peaches, strawberries, mango and pineapple make for a wonderfully fruity iced tea.
Other
Chocolate You read it right! Black tea blends well with melted dark chocolate for a deep rich flavor or white chocolate to bring a nice creamy flavor to it.
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