As October comes to an end, things are sloooowly starting to cool off here in Orange County. (Little tidbit about Southern California. The warmest part of summer doesn’t start until late August and carries on until November. So while most of you are looking all cozy in your fall sweaters and boots this month, I’m usually sweating my arse off in my hundredth reincarnation of J. Crew vintage cotton tanks, lightweight cargos -yep, these are still kickin’ – and flip flops.)
But! This week it cooled down to the high 60s – low 70s, and I’m full of joyous joyful joy. When I woke up this morning, I realized that, why, I think I needed some socks on my bare feet. Joy to the world!
Which leads me to my request. I need suggestions of delicious, warm, lovely teas to drink during chilly mornings.
As many of you know, I don’t drink caffeine. But I love (LOVE) everything about coffee. The aroma, the rich flavor….love it. Coffee + a splash of half and half + pinch of sugar = HELLO DELIGHTFUL. The problem is that we have one coffee pot, which D uses for his (very caffeinated) coffee in the morning. (I was using one of those Tassimo machines, but I’m not really a fan of the decaffeinated options.) Also, as D will attest, I don’t drink a lot of my hot beverage in the morning. Maybe half a cup, tops, so brewing a new pot of decaf after D is finished seems kind of wasteful. (Plus, I want to drink my delicious hot beverage WITH my husband, not after he’s finished.)
This is all to say that I know the answer to my hot beverage woes! TEA. I can sip a lovely cup of tea in the morning and get my warm beverage fix without being wasteful OR drinking a little bit of D’s which makes act like a drill sergeant on speed.
I feel like I’ve been seeing lots of tea photos on Instagram lately, so I know you can help a lady out. Any teas that you just love? Decaffeinated and/or low caffeine is a must.
Anna
October 23, 2012 at 10:17 amI buy almost all of my tea from Tea Gschwender out of Chicago. Everything they have is delicious. I specifically recommend the Arabian Nights, which they make in decaf. Even better? Shipping on orders over $20 is only $1 tomorrow!
http://www.teagschwender.com
Amy
October 23, 2012 at 10:20 amDavid’s Tea! I ordered a bunch and every single one is awesome. I recommend Paradise Found, the Super Organic Chocolate Green Tea, the chai and the Immunizer (I atttribute fighting off a nasty cold to that tea). Also, the pumpkin anything ones are awesome.
My best tea tip is to get a tea ball (heh) and loose leaf tea. It’s messier than the bag but oh so worth it! We are obsessed with tea in our household right now and it’s awesome.
whoorl
October 23, 2012 at 12:50 pmOkay, so a tea ball is the way to go? I’m looking at all the rooibos teas from David’s and they all look so great. Thanks!
Amanda @ Ramblings of an Empty Mind
October 23, 2012 at 2:19 pmGet a fine infuser instead…because it is finer than the mess on the tea ball and it allows the tea to float around more, getting a better steep. http://www.davidstea.com/accessories/infusers-and-filters/david-s-perfect-infuser
Honestly, despite the tweets and the comment I have no connection to David’s Tea…although with my collection I really need to be. :)
whoorl
October 23, 2012 at 2:25 pmThank you, Amanda! Will do!
Judy Mowrey
October 23, 2012 at 10:21 amTen Ren sells a decaffeinated ginger tea that is really special, very gingery and refreshing. I don’t know if they have a shop in OC but here’s the link to their web page and the decaf ginger tea
http://www.tenren.com/ginteacaffre.html
Emily
October 23, 2012 at 10:27 amAnything Republic of Tea. The cylindrical containers that they come in also have an endless number of uses. LOVE.
Raluca | WhatWouldGwynethDo
October 23, 2012 at 10:37 amI second David’s Tea, it’s awesome. And this post came at a funny time, as I sip my english breakfast and dumped my half full cup of coffee from earlier this morning.
Gemma
October 23, 2012 at 10:38 amI’ve had a never ending cold for the past month, so today I went out to a health food store and bought a cranberry and echinacea tea to boost my immune system. I think I’m going to drink some every morning, because if I’m going to drink tea it might as well do my health some good at the same time!
Erin G
October 23, 2012 at 10:43 amI’m a big fan of Harney & Sons teas. Great family-run business that really takes pride in their product. I’ve visited their darling little storefront in CT a few times – a nice stop on our way to NY state. My favorites are the Paris, Hot Cinnamon Spice, and Earl Grey…all of which are avaiable in decaf version.
Website: http://www.harney.com
Enjoy your tea! Erin G
Jill Will Run
October 23, 2012 at 11:03 amI’m a fan of Adagio’s rooibos offerings.
https://www.adagio.com/rooibos/index.html?SID=23e496b60d43ba5c495fe6c151ecaa57
I really like the rooibos almond flavor!
I’ve had to cut out caffeine recently because it doesn’t sit well with my baby!
AnnabelVita
October 23, 2012 at 11:22 amYou could get a one cup French press for your decaf coffee?
My favourite non-caffeinated teas are rooibois (with or without milk) or peppermint after meals. Oh! I also love half fermented yellow oolong but that’s a bit specialist….
Lynne
October 23, 2012 at 1:08 pmI second the French press idea!
Megan
October 23, 2012 at 11:27 amStash – chocolate hazelnut tea. SO FULL OF THE YUM. I found mine at Target, but here’s the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Stash-Chocolate-Hazelnut-Tea-18-Count/dp/B000CQG8B2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351016744&sr=8-1&keywords=chocolate+hazelnut+tea
stephanie
October 23, 2012 at 11:29 amI am currently obsessed with Teavana’s CocoCaramel Sea Salt herbal tea. http://www.teavana.com/the-teas/herbal-teas/p/cococaramel-sea-salt-herbal-tea
Sarah
October 23, 2012 at 11:55 amI’m a coffee person and would not switch to tea to have a hot beverage that isn’t caffeinated. I’d either get a one cup pour over filter (like this: http://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Ready-Single-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6) or a small french press. The pour over is easy and delish and you can brew a small cup easily once you figure out your rations of grounds to water.
I used a pour over filter for a while and really liked it. Then I got a 4 cup coffee pot and I really like it. I drink one pot a day and it works really well just for me.
Nancy
October 23, 2012 at 11:57 amI concur on David’s Tea! I headed in a few weeks ago and proclaimed I knew nothing about tea and left with a new mug and infuser and a few different flavours. They are also next to my office to I head in sometimes to try out different kinds – Red Velvet Cake! Toasted Marshmallow! Blueberry Jam!
The Green and Fruity is a really good decaf option.
nicola
October 23, 2012 at 12:03 pmI’m English so feel I can comment on this with impunity ;) I’m not sure if you can get the brand in the US but Teapigs tea bags are all amazing – and beautiful to look at!
AlisonC
October 23, 2012 at 12:08 pmI live in Ireland so can’t help you with brands but on a cold day I love a lemon and ginger tea. I also like to drink decaf earl grey in the evening.