Cozy Springtime Teas

Tea! Bless ordinary everyday afternoon tea! - Agatha Christie

Teas are soothing to the soul, year-round regardless of the weather. But did you know that a "spring flush," or the first harvest of the year, which happens in spring, are considered the best-tasting? Slow growth in winter makes the teas more favorable. Perhaps that's why spring seems a perfect time of year for stocking up on teas.

Certain teas go better with certain times of the year. Spring is the season of flowers in bloom, wind in the air, and gardens bearing fruit. That's why spring favors light flavors, like flowers, fruits, berries, and soft herbs. Read on to discover some of the best teas for spring.

Teas containing Caffeine

All teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant, but how they are processed create the different teas we've come to know as green, white, black, yellow, and so on. The processing changes the caffeine content and other aspects of the teas, but tea in general has beneficial qualities that make them both tasty and healthy any time of year.

Green/Matcha

Green teas are light in flavor and they bloom in spring. Matcha is a type of green tea that is processed differently for a richer flavor. Both contain caffiene as well as antioxidants, amino acids, and other healthy content, but matcha is a bit higher in levels on all of these. Among the many benefits of green teas are the ability to improve brain function and fight cancer. There's also the extra side benefit of curing bad breath.

White

White tea is a delicate tea cultivated before the flowers of the have bloomed and is more expensive because it is harvested by hand. These teas are low in caffeine, though, so if you're looking for a pick-me-up, this may not be the tea for you. Still, there are many health benefits of white tea, such as fighting aging, cancer, and heart disease. White tea may also help with weight loss, as is the case with some other teas.

Yellow

While green teas are sometimes sold as yellow tea, real yellow tea is a rarity, coming only from China. It has a sweet, floral taste people may enjoy more than green tea. Not much is known about its health benefits, but like the other teas, it is rich in antioxidants.

Oolong

Oolong or "black dragon" tea is processed in Taiwan and China and has less caffeine than green tea but more than black. It's known for weight loss and as a cancer-fighting tea.

Floral Teas

Hibiscus

With a sweet and tart flavor, hibiscus teas can be enjoyed for their flavor alone. But these teas also has antioxidants, lowers blood pressure, fights cancer, may help with weight loss and more!

Jasmine

In addition to helping with heart disease, jasmine is known to improve brain function. Tastes vary depending on the brand, but these teas are green with a sweet, floral flavor.

Rose/Rosehip

Women, if you're having menstrual cramps or bloating, rose tea may actually help. And for men and women alike, the anti-inflammatory effects are a benefit to everyone. The taste is a subtle sweetness that's both light and floral.

Fruity Teas

Citrus Teas (orange, tangerine, lemons, mango, etc.)

Like any citrus, these teas have a sweet, tangy flavor on the tongue. They are great for detoxifying the body, helping the skin, and the vitamin c fights infections. Other health benefits include aiding digestion, improving hearth health, and more.

Tropical fruits (Dragonfruit, Passionfruit, Pineapple, etc)

My personal favorite type of summertime tea is the tropical fruit flavor, which sometimes overlaps with citrus. Most tropical fruit teas contain vitamin c, which fights infections like citrus teas do. Most tropical fruits also help with anxiety, immune health, and metabolism.

Berry Teas

Strawberry Tea

Strawberry teas can help with brain function, cardiovascular health, immune system health, and even fighting cancer. If you're into anti-aging, strawberry tea may also help with that. It's sweet, tart flavor is also delightful, especially in spring!

Blackberry Tea

If you like a tart, tangy, berry flavor, you may enjoy blackberry teas. These teas may also help with mouth sores, gum health, inflammation, and diarrhea.

Rhubarb Root Tea

Rhubarb root tea has a slightly bitter taste, but if taken once in a while it improves bone health, heart health, and digestion. It's also known to protect against cancer and inflammation.

Herbal Teas

Many herbs tend to bloom in late spring or summer. Here are some that bloom in spring and make great springtime teas:

Lavender

Among the most common of teas, lavender is also one of the most calming bedtime teas. It also helps with the immune system and overall health. It's aromatic and easily blended with other flavors like mint.

Thyme

Thyme has a somewhat strong flavor similar to mint but more peppery. It benefits the immune system and respiratory system, among other positives for this herbal tea.

Mint

It's hard to describe the mint tea flavor as anything other than...minty. It's a strong flavor, that leaves your mouth feeling fresh. If you need energy or suffer from headaches, you might try some mint tea. Mint and peppermint also help with digestion, so it may relieve stomach pains. There are many other health benefits, too, like helping with sinuses and sleep.