Changing the Morning Ritual

I hear so often that people are trying to drink less coffee by making “the switch” to tea! It might have to do with health issues, you may be a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding, or the you simply feel something with less caffeine would be more ideal.

It is not necessarily that you need that caffeine every morning, but the key is switching up your habits. Every morning you wake up, start your coffee pot, and begin your day, but why can’t you try this process for tea? Use your coffee pot to heat your water instead, and just don’t add the coffee grounds. Once the water is ready and heated, if you don’t have a tea filter/steeper, you could use a paper coffee filter to create a makeshift tea bag. Fill the paper filter with tea leaves and gather the tops together to tie with kitchen twine. Then, steep your “tea bag” for the appropriate time.

Another great and easy way to brew tea every morning is by using a French Press(just don’t actually press it)! Use it as a tea steeper by adding your leaves, letting them steep for a few minutes, and straining the brew by pouring the liquid into your cup. If you use it as a “press,” it may give a bitter flavor to your brew because you are actually compressing your leaves instead of giving them room to open up and “breathe” by floating around freely.

Black teas are the best to switch to from coffee if you are still looking for caffeine and a bold flavor. You could get a Chai, or add your own spices such as cinnamon or pepper, which will help wake you up and get your blood flowing. Or, you could add fresh peppermint which is invigorating and awakens your senses as well not to mention freshening your breath.

Two of my favorite Do You Tea winter brews are Chocolate Mint and Orange Spice. Chocolate Mint has black tea leaves, peppermint, and cacao nibs (which also adds a bold and fuller flavor to the brew). Orange Spice is a blend of black tea leaves, orange pieces, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and blood orange oil.

Try brewing a pot of tea tomorrow morning instead of coffee, and see what you think! You may be surprised with the results once you keep it up for a few days.
By Kelley Scruby of Do You Tea

Kelley Scruby is the owner of Do You Tea? in Hoboken, New Jersey. As the owner of a small, loose leaf tea business, Kelley is passionate about educating her customers on the benefits that come from drinking loose leaf tea. With a background at a major tea company, she was able to become an expert on the versatility of the beverage and is inspired in her own creations by the changing of the seasons and also desserts. Kelley created Do You Tea? with the confidence that she can help find a tea blend that works for any of her customers’ lifestyle and palate. As Do You Tea? continues to grow, Kelley hosts events and tastings that add a more interactive approach to the expansive world of loose leaf teas. Do You Tea? hopes to have a truck out on the streets of the NYC metro area soon! You are able to purchase her seasonal blends and gift sets online at www.doyoutea.com and follow her on instagram and twitter @doyoutea for updates on tastings and new blends. Please email requests and questions to doyoutea@gmail.com.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.