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.
Jen
October 23, 2012 at 12:17 pmI purchase loose-leaf tea from Teavana, and this mug is absolute BEST for both steeping and sipping. Use the mesh lid for steeping, then swap out for the sipping lid. A spill-proof cover lid screws on to either lid when needed. (It’s stainless steel and travel-worthy to boot.)
http://www.amazon.com/Thermos-Nissan-12-Ounce-Stainless-Steel-Tumbler/dp/B00004S1CV
chan
October 23, 2012 at 12:17 pmSmith Tea makes wonderful teas in pretty packaging … the package is always important, LOL. Aveda also sells their own loose leaf caffeine-free licorice/peppermint tea that they offer up in little sample cups to sip while you shop. I always end up buying a big container of it; It’s DELICIOUS.
Jennifer Rupert
October 23, 2012 at 12:18 pmI love Teavana, they often have teas out that you can try. Or have them make you up a cup of a particular tea you want to try. Provided of course they are in your area. I love any flavored tea. On a trip to Epcot I picked up some wonderful Twinings tea, a winter spice and a couple boxes of some flavored chai teas.
sarah
October 23, 2012 at 12:18 pmThe mango black tea from TJ’s is awesome. So is chamomile with a splash of honey.
Roxanna
October 23, 2012 at 12:22 pmI am simple. PG Tips with sugar and cream. Or milk. Delicious!
Linsey
October 23, 2012 at 12:24 pmI like Stash tea in either Peach Black Tea or Peppermint. I like to add a lemon wedge to my peppermint tea.
Danielle (elleinadspir)
October 23, 2012 at 12:29 pmI have been drinking tea lately too (although I still have my morning jo). I use my Keurig for coffee but can’t bring myself to use the tea pods. Excited to see what your readers recommend. Right now i am working my way through some tea my mom bought in China. I have also moved a tea pot to the top of my holiday want list, le creuset in teal blue.
Aubrey M.
October 23, 2012 at 12:34 pmI’m a new reader to your blog… love it so far! You piqued my interest with tea. :) One of my go-to’s is Teavana’s Honeybush Vanilla Herbal tea. Quite tasty!
Ashley Stone
October 23, 2012 at 12:41 pmMy mom drinks a fabulous rooibos tea that tastes EXACTLY like a cappuccino without the caffeine. She has health complications that limit her caffeine intake and this is her perfect solution. I can’t remember the name off the top of my head but I’ll ask her and get back.
whoorl
October 23, 2012 at 12:48 pmPlease do! That sounds perfect!
whoorl
October 23, 2012 at 12:48 pmWhoah. This is some serious tea inspiration! Thank you so much!
Elizabeth A
October 23, 2012 at 12:58 pmI have no tea recommendations, BUT, I did want to agree with you 100% on the weather! Here in the San Fernando Valley (North of Los Angeles), I have felt exactly the same way this week, right down to the socks!
And — thank you for saying that about “our” summer season. I have said for a couple of years now that the seasons have shifted, that summer is now Aug-Sept-Oct for us in SoCal, and people look at me like I’m crazy. Thank you for validating me.
Enjoy your tea, wherever you land.
Sirena
October 23, 2012 at 1:08 pmThis is the tea! http://www.amazon.com/Twinings-Infusion-Camomile-Honey-Vanilla/dp/B000UZLKGI
I love loose-leaf tea (they actually do use a superior grade of tea leaves for loose tea, versus the “shake” that winds up in bags) with an infuser, but this Honey Vanilla Chamomile tea from Twinings is incredibly special. They have a chocolate-vanilla-coconut tea (Brazil in their Voyager line) which is also pretty awesome.
nap
October 23, 2012 at 1:36 pmStash Vanilla Chai Decaf Tea from the grocery store is cheap, easy, and so good!
Dawn
October 23, 2012 at 1:48 pmI second the Aveda Comforting Tea (it is decaffeinated and the licorice root and peppermint combo is great).
http://www.aveda.com/product/5210/17081/Body/Tea/Aveda-Comforting-Tea-Bags/index.tmpl
And Trader Joes has a fun decaffeinated Candy Cane Peppermint Green Tea – but you can only get it during the holidays (not sure if it is out yet).
Elizabeth
October 23, 2012 at 3:19 pmRooibos tea is really good. But the Good Earth original is the best “tea” (technically an herbal blend). It is strong, cinnamon-y and delicious. Here is a link to it on Amazon, but grocery stores carry it too. http://www.amazon.com/Good-Earth-Original-Caffeine-Multi-pack/dp/B005GTV9IM/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1351030502&sr=8-33&keywords=good+earth+tea