By Peggy Alaniz
The 2019 Farmer’s Almanac has predicted another cold, snow-filled winter for the state of Michigan. Big Surprise! Having lived in Michigan most of my life the prediction seems average at best. A mild winter is more of a rarity than one with consistent below zero weather and a foot of snow every two days. I say embrace winter! It’s a good time for winter sports such as skating, hockey, skiing, and sledding. Wintertime is tea time. After all, there is no better way to warm up from being outside in all the cold and yuck, than a warm, flavorful drink. Winter is a playground for various hot tea combinations. Some of the herbal teas, such as peppermint, can even spice up your coffee or cocoa.
The winter is about enjoying the cold, and then finding comfort. So, I am going to suggest a few combinations of tea to try to heat things up. Any of them that use milk can also be made with almond, rice or coconut varieties due to allergy reasons, as well as to add depth of flavor.
Chai Tea is my number one pick for the winter. Traditionally, the tea is made with black tea and a variety of spices, such as cinnamon, clove, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, and fennel. Usually, the tea combination is steeped then combined with hot milk and some sugar to taste. For me, cinnamon makes Chai sweet already, so I don’t add any sugar to it. The spices are warming as well as comforting. Chai simply put is a smile in a cup. Not only is the tea delicious it also has amazing health benefits. Chai tea has been known to help reduce blood sugar levels, aid digestion, and it works to help alleviate inflammation.
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Cambric Tea is made from milk with some sugar and a little bit of tea. Some people make the tea prior to adding the milk. As a former barista I usually steep the tea in the hot milk. The flavor of tea used should be very mild. Traditionally, a Cambric tea should be mild because it is often referred to as nursery or infant tea. My favorite Cambric is one made with Earl Grey tea. However, any flavor of tea will work, even Matcha with a bit of cane sugar or honey. For me a Cambric is an ideal way to drink Matcha tea, which tends to be quite strong and even medicinal. Overall, Matcha contains many health benefits such as help with weight loss, type two diabetes, heart health, and even cancer.
Finally, tea can be used to make a heck of a good hot toddy. On a cold winter night sometimes you need something a little extra to help warm things up. One of my favorite hot toddy’s combines whisky with Earl Grey tea. The citrus notes found in the tea complement a good whiskey. So, I leave you with a Hot Toddy Recipe. Enjoy the snow with a nice cup of hot tea in hand!
Earl Grey Hot Toddy Recipe
2 to 2 ½ cups of hot water, not boiling. You want it hot enough to drink, but not scald yourself
1 tablespoon of orange juice
2 tablespoons of your favorite whiskey, rum, or spirit
1 slice of orange
1 cinnamon stick
1 bag of Earl Grey tea, or approx. one to two tablespoons of loose leaf tea in tea infuser
Combine the hot water with the Earl Grey tea. Allow tea to steep for one to two minutes, or until it has reached a desired color. Remove tea and add orange juice, cinnamon stick, whiskey, and an orange slice to garnish. Drink and enjoy.
Peggy Alaniz is a local tea enthusiast and former resident of Boulder, CO. where she spent time employed by Celestial Seasonings. Have a question about tea? Email Peggy at paalaniz.email.me@gmail.com.
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There is nothing better than reading an enjoyable book while sitting outside soaking up the sun. I delight in sitting on the back patio overlooking the lake, listening to the boats go by, and hearing kids laugh as they tube across the water. It is also a fun time to drink a glass of iced tea which can help keep you hydrated in the warm weather.