Don’t kettle for just good, here are the best teas for your every need

When it comes to hot caffeinated beverages, tea and coffee always seem to be pitted against each other. For someone who doesn’t know me too well, it will seem that I am a coffee person—I am sipping my third cup as I type. I do love coffee and I absolutely need it to get my cranial wheels running. But tea (plus snacks) gives me the comfort I get wearing my favourite hoodie when the blasting AC in my office gives me the feel of the Alps. 

Tea has been around forever. It dates back to 2,700 BCE—which is before Sanskrit was invented and before Mohenjo-daro even existed—and was used as a medicine in China. All types of teas are made from the plant Camellia sinensis, which also has two varieties: Sinensis and Assamica. The former is grown in China and is more mellow. The latter originates in India and is a more robust blend. 

The best thing about having so many types of tea is that you can use each one to your advantage, depending on your needs (or wants)!

Rooibos tea: Perfect post-dinner blend with a hint of sweetness

Also called red tea, it has its roots in South Africa and is similar to black tea but comes decaffeinated, with a slight sweetness. It comes in various blends such as vanilla, chocolate, peach, and other delicious flavours, and aims to soothe your senses as you wash down your day’s stress with a warm cuppa. You can add milk to your rooibos beverage, depending on the blends—like vanilla and rooibos chai.

Jasmine tea: When sleep deprivation hits like a tsunami

Work and social commitments, errands and the need for ‘me time’ leaves us wishing there were more than 24 hours in a day. But since this is what we get (instead of eight hours of sleep), there is a type of tea that can help improve your mental clarity and focus. Jasmine tea is made by, as the name suggests, blending jasmine flowers with tea. Even though it can be made with green, white, or black tea, if you want it to wake you up, go for black since it has the highest caffeine content.

Peppermint tea: For whatever bloats your boat

This refreshing tea contains a good amount of flavonoids and can help deal with digestive issues, abdominal pain, and bloating. If you are prone to bloating after meals, a warm cup of this tea will make your stomach feel lighter. It also soothes stomach cramps, which is why this should occupy a very crucial place in your period care kit.

Matcha tea: When coffee makes you jittery

Are you someone who gets filled with nervous energy after consuming coffee but also low-key wishes it wasn’t the case? The caffeine in coffee gives you a sudden spike of adrenaline and an equally unforeseen crash, giving you the collywobbles. Matcha, which comes from the same plant as green tea (the difference is in the method of production), on the other hand, gives you longer-lasting energy, the levels of which rise and drop gradually. If anything, coffee is the one-night stand of caffeinated beverages and matcha tea is the sweet, slow romance we crave. In fact, matcha’s phytonutrients make it team anti-cortisol and ensure you remain calm and collected. Start your mornings with this tea to have a power-packed day ahead!

Liquorice root tea: When you’re under the weather

It has antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, which help get rid of colds and soothe sore throats. If you’re feeling nauseous, the naturally sweet tea works for that too. In fact, liquorice root tea tends to diffuse very strong flavours, and hence it’s a good idea to combine it with ginger or peppermint blends if you’re looking for something that helps your stomach feel better.