Enhance Your Cup: 8 Natural Tea Additives
Enhance Your Cup: 8 Natural Tea Additives
One lump or two? For all the youngsters out there, that’s the old-timey way of asking how much sugar you’d like in your tea. But sugar in tea is way too 20th century - it just feels so outdated with our 21st-century trend of prioritizing our health and wellness.
Sugary drinks are some of the worst forms of calories and blood sugar levels spikes out there. They are packed full of calories without providing other nutrients like fat and fiber that can help you better manage the blood sugar level spike. Regularly drinking sugar-loaded beverages can increase your risk of not only weight gain but also type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
However, some of us like to add a jest or kick to make our tea more exciting and even tastier. Or for some, adding sugar seems like the only way to actually enjoy drinking their tea because maybe they just don’t like plain ol’ herbal tea but love the rich health benefits of drinking it. Hmm… so how do we spice up our tea without crushing our health priorities?
Well, luckily for you, there are so many better and healthier options out there. No matter what your reasons are for wanting to add some pizazz, there are some super easy and exciting natural tea additives that’ll enhance the flavor and make every cup of tea even tastier.
We recommend that you get creative by trying each of our suggestions with a different type of tea, so, you can find the perfect combination that works for your palate. You may not like every tea combo you try, but you’ll surely find a couple that you absolutely love too!
Have an open mind and have fun with it. Here is a list of 8 natural tea additives and enhancers that will keep you sipping on tea all day long.
1. Chai Spices
We’re not talking about those 300 calories per serving chai spiced tea lattes you pick up at your local coffee chain. Mix in green cardamom pods, cinnamon, and fresh ginger root to your next cup of freshly brewed tea and prepare for your tastebuds to be sparked. Plus, if you’re looking for sweetness, cinnamon has a distinctive spicy-sweet kick, perfect for adding some warm sweetness to your tea.
Chai spices go well with black, ginger, green, chai, and citrus teas.
2. MCT or Coconut Oil
Combine the two superfood powerhouses of coconut oil (or MCT) and tea in a delicious and healthy drink that will soothe both your body and soul. Coconut oil and MCT are both excellent for adding a rich satisfying coconut flavor to your tea that has the added benefit of keeping you feeling full and fueling your brain. We recommend blending or frothing them into your cup.
Take a look at the health benefits of these oils that we examined in a previous post.
3. Blossoms
Add subtle flavors to your tea while simultaneously upping its aesthetic. Jasmine, marigold, honeysuckle, hibiscus, and cherry blossoms are all excellent for adding some delicate tasting notes. As a bonus, you can snap a few shots for Instagram and break 10 likes. Trust us on this.
4. Essential Oils
Is it possible to make a warm cup of tea more soothing than it already is? The answer is a resounding yes. Add a few drops peppermint, orange or bergamot essential oil into your tea and fall into a Bob Ross state of relaxation. Also works wonders for getting over a cold.
5. Fresh Mint
Ah yes, the Clint Eastwood of tea additives. By that we mean it’s classic and loves guns (minus the guns part). Throw in a few leaves to your tea of choice and savor both its minty flavor and digestive benefits. This is especially good if you’re one of those people who need to settle their stomachs in the afternoon. Mint is not only refreshing but can also aid digestion and prevent bloating. Plus, if you like sweetness, mint adds a slightly sweet taste, perfect for adding a nice burst of flavor to plain ol’ green tea.
6. Dried Lemongrass
Another simple enhancer for your tea: dried lemongrass also believed to possess digestive benefits. Of course, if you don’t feel like hunting down dried lemongrass a few squirts from a fresh lemon will give you the same lemony flavor you seek.
7. Vanilla Sticks or Beans
This is a truly delicious add-on to your boring vanilla cup of tea. Wait, what? Moving on, vanilla is a lovely way to add a bit of sweetness and creaminess to your beverage.
8. Raw Honey
Honey is a classic yet effective option for sweetening your tea. Honey has been used for tea for centuries and for good reason. It adds a wonderfully soft and silky taste tea.
A nice alternative to the standard sugar, raw honey is a fantastic natural additive that possesses some health benefits such as helping to ward off your allergies (use locally sourced raw honey) and it's also one of many ways to help you get your sleep on.
Honey goes really well with lemongrass, orange, and chamomile tea.
Bonus Enhancer
Bourbon: Ok, not exactly a 'natural' tea additive, but with the cool nights upon us, we figured it's one worth mentioning. Popularly known as the Hot Toddy, a little bit of bourbon and lemon mixed into hot tea is a great way to unwind on a cool fall evening.
Skip The Natural Tea Additives...
If you want to skip having to add natural tea additives just to enjoy your cup of tea or for adding flavor to an otherwise seemingly boring beverage, then why not try out Wise Ape Tea. Here at Wise Ape, we skip the boring - our teas are fun and flavor tea blends. Discover boldly flavored teas with amazing health benefits, here at Wise Ape tea.
