Last year for Christmas I got a surprise—orange tea. It was a gift from one of my relatives who always tries to find a unique tea for me to try. While I have added citrus to traditional tea, I never had one that was all citrus. It had a pleasant refreshing taste—one that I could pair with a cinnamon stick to give a little bit of warmth and holiday feel in the cold of winter. The whole house smells amazing when you brew orange peel with cinnamon on top of the stove. It made me realize that I can make a type of tisane (an herbal infusion) out of just about anything that will infuse into water.

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Issue #87

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Issue #86

Tea With Peggy: Summer Hibiscus Tea

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Issue #86

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.

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Issue #86

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Issue #85

Tea with Peggy: Mindfulness and Tea

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Issue #85

Try the following experiment with me. Shut off your TV, silence your phone, grab your tea kettle, and go over to the sink. Fill it with cold water. Listen to the sound of the water falling into the pot. How does the sound change as it fills? Place the kettle on the stove. Listen to the sound the kettle makes as the water gently heats to a boil. Pour the hot water in a clear mug. Place your tea in the water. Observe as the color slowly swirls and filters through the cup until it turns the water a rich brown. Take a moment and breathe in the tea’s aroma. Take a small sip. Sit for a moment and just breathe.

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Issue #85

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Homemade, Issue #84

Tea with Peggy, Mystical Pu'erh Tea

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Homemade, Issue #84

As fall and winter fast approach, night arrives earlier, and the once lush fields and gardens filled with flora and fauna are dying. The magic of fall and winter is different than that of spring. Earth emits a darker unknown quality. It’s a mystery to be explored. A time of year to tell a good ghost tale while shipping on something warm, dark, and inviting—like Pu’erh tea.

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Homemade, Issue #84

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Issue #83

Tea Time with Peggy: Cold Brew Tea

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Issue #83

By Peggy A. Alaniz

With the high heat and humidity of a summer day in Michigan, the last thing I want to do is boil water for tea. It’s summer! I want to take life easy, maybe play in my garden or go out on the lake. While boiling water is not hard, I don’t want to waste time waiting for the tea to chill. While I could let the sun brew some tea, I could just as easily cold brew it in the refrigerator overnight.

Columns, Food & Nutrition, Food Section, Issue #83