Wintertime, and the kettle is always ready to boil. What better than a steaming cup of tea to warm hands stiff with wind and cold? Or cheer the heart grown weary of the long, dark winter months? These teas for winter are sure to comfort and satisfy all season long.
A pot of tea with pleasant conversation is the solution to a case of cabin fever, while a solitary cup may be all the company you need to enjoy a quiet evening by the fireside.
There are many facets of winter, reflected by the different teas listed here. Bold and spicy blends reflect the firelight dancing on the wall. Red winter fruits tell tales of merry gatherings or brighten up a dreary day.
Whatever your mood or occasion, there is a tea to match! Whether you prefer your tea loose-leaf or bagged, read on to discover some new favorite teas for winter.
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Cranberry Blood Orange Black Tea
Let’s start with black teas, and move down the list by caffeine content. This pretty loose leaf tea has flecks of color from dried cranberries and orange peel. When steeped, it turns a lovely reddish color in your teacup.
The flavor is surprisingly mellow for cranberry and orange: this is certainly not a zingy hibiscus tisane! Instead, you can appreciate the flavor of the Indonesian black tea with grace notes of sweet fruit.
It is perfectly complemented by a drizzle of honey and a squeeze of lemon. Serve it for afternoon tea with a plate of sweet cranberry almond scones!
The cranberry and blood orange flavors make this a tea to drink from the first snow flurry until spring breezes appear. The absence of aromatic spices in this blend remind me more of winter itself than specific holidays, which makes it a nice change of pace in January and February!
Comfort & Joy Tea
This bagged black tea is made by The Republic of Tea. It is hands down my favorite Christmas tea, and drinking it brings back many happy memories.
A bold black tea with notes of cinnamon, cloves, and licorice makes any day feel like a holiday! There is a subtle sweetness to this blend, imparted by bits of dried apples amongst the spices. It’s not strong enough to give the blend an apple flavor, just lends a complementary hint of sweetness.
I like this tea best black, but it dances well with milk too. The sweetness makes it an ideal dessert tea. The warm spices match nicely with fruitcake! This warmly spiced blend is sure to become a holiday favorite!
Sweet & Spicy Herbal and Black Tea
Here is another bagged tea from the Good Earth tea company. If I had to describe it in one word, that word would be “unexpected.”
I realize that’s not a word normally used to describe tea, so let me explain. This tea is full of so many flavors: some familiar, others perhaps not, and all gathered from different parts of the world.
Orange and cinnamon are the predominant flavors, mixed with a hearty black tea. They are joined by a chorus of other voices, including: rosehip, lemongrass, peppermint, chamomile, anise, and ginger.
I can’t think of any other food or drink that could take so many wildly different flavors and combine them in a deliciously different melange. Tea provides a backdrop that is strong enough to carry them all, yet subdued enough to take a supporting role.
Raspberry Black Tea
Looking for a delicate afternoon tea that’s still strong enough to drink with milk? Rich and sweet, this tea is heavenly with a splash of milk. It’s worthy of an afternoon tea with your valentine–just add shortbread hearts!
Many different tea companies make a raspberry black tea. Some have raspberry flavor added, and others have real pieces of dried raspberry in them. This seems to be more common in loose teas than bags.
I have tried several different brands, and my favorite is Herman’s Boy, a local specialty of Rockford, Michigan. It is a loose tea that comes in a charming paper packet.
Another good option is Raspberry Indulgence Black Tea by Ahmad Tea, if you prefer your tea in bags. Or try the aromatic Arctic Raspberry loose leaf tea by the English Tea Store.
Spiced Cranberry Tea
Did you know that certain spices and fruits are rich in antioxidants and other immune-boosting compounds? Spices like cinnamon and cloves have been prized for their medicinal benefits for thousands of years. Fruits like cranberries and citrus fruits also provide great immune benefits.
This easy recipe combines black tea with cranberries, citrus zest, and spices for a warm blend that’s sure to soothe a sore throat or ease cold symptoms naturally. You can also make it caffeine-free if you wish. It’s simple to let the infusion simmer away on the stove while making your kitchen as aromatic as a pomander!
I love to make a big batch and keep some in the freezer all winter long. That way, it’s always on hand when a family member or neighbor is down with a cold or flu. I don’t mind drinking it any day, even when I’m not the least bit sick! You can find the recipe here.
Rooibos Solstice herbal blend
If you’re looking for herbal teas for winter, this blend is sure to delight! This loose leaf herbal blend from Summit Spice & Tea Company is a bright, sweet mix of citrus, vanilla, and peppermint. The base is South African rooibos, a bush in the Fabaceae family.
The leaves of this reddish bush have been used to make a tea-like infusion for years in its native land, and now it is drunk worldwide. If you like yerba mate, you might like rooibos. They have similar earthy flavors. I find rooibos somewhat similar to hibiscus teas, but milder.
The combination of these three bold flavors against the backdrop of rooibos is intriguing and complex. The citrus warms, while the vanilla adds a sweet and creamy note, and peppermint provides a soothing finish. It reminds me of firelight and cozy sweaters. If you’re looking for a unique herbal winter tea, I suggest you give this blend a try!
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That sums up my list of winter tea favorites! From fruity to spicy, bold to delicate, each of these embodies some part of wintertime. I do hope you try some of them. I would love to hear about your favorite teas for winter!
If you enjoyed this list of winter teas, take a peek at The Tea Caddy, where I keep a running list of favorite teas for every season!
Happy steeping!
~Kimberly
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