By Kaitlin McDowell
With the coldest winter months in full force, hot foods, drinks and big blankets are all the rage. When the coldest temperatures hit, we must find other ways to warm up. I’m here to spill some serious tea on one of the best fixes for cold weather: tea.
There are so many benefits of tea beyond the warm feeling in your chest when sipping on a piping hot mug. Not only does tea offer health benefits, but there is also a large variety to choose from, ensuring there's tea for everyone.
Matcha Tea
Probably the most popular tea at the moment, thanks to its virality on social media, is matcha. This tea can be customized in many ways—hot or iced, with milk or different syrups. Matcha is also a great caffeine alternative, with around 30 to 60 milligrams per serving. This makes matcha a great choice for an energy boost without the jitters of a traditional cup of coffee.
Peppermint Tea
A classic choice with many benefits, peppermint tea is known to aid digestion. The menthol in peppermint tea is also great for bad breath. Who needs a stick of gum when you can drink peppermint tea? This is a great choice to sip before bed and relax.
Green Tea
Caffeinated or decaffeinated, green tea is packed with antioxidants which support one’s metabolism. Additionally, green tea’s effects have been known to improve brain function and memory as well, making this a great choice for us busy college students.
Ginger Lemon Tea
Perhaps one of the tastier teas, ginger lemon tea is great for preventing sickness. Ginger itself has many benefits, which is why some people take ginger shots. But if you want to avoid the burn of ginger on its own, look no further than ginger lemon tea. Combined with the sweet, vitamin C-packed flavor of lemon, this tea supports immune health and helps fight sore throats, which are common in colder weather. It also provides digestive support.
Tea tip: Add a fresh lemon slice to make this tea even sweeter!
Chai Tea
While this tea is most famous for its pairing with milk in a chai tea latte, it can also be enjoyed on its own. Chai is a type of black tea packed with spices like ginger and cinnamon. It can contain small servings of caffeine for a burst of energy or be decaffeinated.
Chamomile Tea
For those who struggle with sleep or anxiety, look no further than chamomile tea. Many of the ingredients in this herbal tea help with relaxation. Swap out your “sleepy girl mocktail” for a “sleepy girl tea.”
These are only a few of the teas and their benefits that can help with seasonal depression or the common cold. I encourage everyone to try different teas to find one that suits you.