*This is a little late due to some database issues this morning, but thanks for holding out and being patient!*

In my cup this morning steeped a tasty Naked Strawbeery Green Tea from Fully Loaded Tea.

I’ve always liked the Fully Loaded Teas. Their packaging is bright and colorful. Its vibrance alone perks me up a bit.

This specific tea seems to play a bit of confusion on the palate. I taste the fruitiness with the tart expected from strawberries, but there’s something almost dry about the palate texture itself which I cannot place. Not bad per’s but unexpected.

The aroma is very light with hints of fruitiness and subtle hints at a natural sweetness.

Morning Cup #51

What’s in your cup?

It’s hard to believe a couple months ago I started this daily morning cup series. I hope you find it interesting. These don’t go into as much detail as my regular in-depth reviews or my other content, but I hope you like them nonetheless.

I chose this Organic Lemon Valerian from Hampstead Tea for my cup this morning.

Smooth and light is how I would describe this brew. The Valerian root adds a nice relaxing touch this morning.

In both the flavor and aroma there are undertones of Lemon mixed amongst a couple even more subtle hints at hay and citrus spice.

Morning Cup #50

What’s in your cup?

I woke up on the grumpy side of the bed this morning. So, I instantly gravitated to this Organic Peppermint from Taylors of Harrogate to soothe my nerves.

Crisp and clean, this tea remains invigorating throughout the infusion. I think it’s best hot, but even chilled a bit it proves quite refreshing.

The aroma and flavor are spot on what I expected and was hoping for.

Morning Cup #49

What’s in your cup?

Teas & Tisanes

Here’s a fun fact for you: there are teas that are not made from tea leaves. Gasp!  Technically this means that these are not ‘teas.’ Instead they are called tisanes, or herbal teas.

The word tisane is derived Greek word ptisanē, which means crushed barley.  This is in reference to an old drink that was made from crushed barley.  Essentially you could throw any herb, flower or spice into a pot of boiling water and voila you have a tisane.  Once you add tea leaves to the mix, and then it is officially tea.  Just so you know, since the tisane are lacking in tea leaves, there is usually no caffeine.

Tisanes have been popular for years for their health properties.  People have been creating these herbal teas for centuries.  If you are interested in finding a tea to cure certain ailments, here are some herbs and their properties:

To invigorate: rosemary, rosehip, lemon verbena, peppermint, borage

To calm: chamomile, lavender, basil, dill, orange peel

To relieve a sore throat or head cold: elderberries, rosehips, peppermint, sage, and cayenne

To treat a cough: thyme, rose petals, eucalyptus, linden, licorice

To sooth an upset stomach: ginger, peppermint, lemon balm, and chamomile

To ease a headache: rosemary, willow bark, peppermint

However, I must note that these herbal teas, like or medication, contain components that can cause unwanted side effects so please be wary of using it while on other medication.  If you are interested in creating your own concoction, please discuss this with a trained health care professional.

I have a particular fondness for tisanes.  When I want to sleep, I immediately go for a cup of chamomile.  When I have an upset stomach, there is always a cup of peppermint tea by my side.  Teas and herbal teas have a lot of health benefits; it is more than just great flavor.

What do you think, dear readers?  Do you use tea to cure your own ailments? If so, what teas do you go for and why?

This morning I’ve got another tea from Mighty Leaf. A Rainforest Mate (mah-tay).

This tea brews up a nice amber liquor accompanied by a lightly spiced aroma.

The flavor is balanced and comforting with slightly spicy notes in the tail, but fruitier notes in the body.

Morning Cup #17

What’s in your cup?