I love hot tea and typically drink at least two cups each day and some days it’s upwards of 4. I credit my mom for this as she was always making tea and offering me a cup when I was growing up. I should have taken a picture of her tea stash when I went to visit last weekend. It was impressive!

Tea used to be an every afternoon/evening ritual for me but I’ve started to incorporate it into my mornings as well. When I did the Skinny Limits juice cleanse last December I broke myself of the habit of having to have coffee right when I woke up. Now I kick off my day with a mug of warm lemon water followed by a smoothie and hot tea. I still drink coffee most days but just a cup sometime between 9-11 a.m. I don’t really know how to describe it but I feel like tea is “lighter” than coffee and a gentler way to start the day. In the mornings I gravitate towards more of black/non-floral/non-fruity tea like dandelion or English breakfast style tea.

I almost always make a cup of tea after lunch. Oftentimes it’s ginger tea because of its digestive benefits. I also like green tea variations in the afternoon. And finally, I love a good chamomile tea in the evenings…especially in bed with a book.

I wanted to share six of my favorite teas with you along with the benefits of each and what I like about them. And note…this is just store bought tea bags. We won’t even get into loose leaf tea. I have quite a supply of that as well! And another note…I almost always drink my tea with no added sugar/honey/agave/milk/etc. Straight up!

1. Yogi Green Tea Kombucha.

I have been drinking this tea since worked in advertising and lived in Birmingham 5 years ago! It tastes amazing with a lightly fruity taste and I always get compliments on how nice it smells when I make a cup at work.

From the Yogi Tea website:

Yogi’s special formula of Organic Green Tea with Kombucha is designed to support your immune system and provide antioxidants. Spearmint naturally supports digestion, and Lemongrass and Plum flavor combine to create a smooth, fragrant blend with a light, fruity flavor.

I like to drink this tea in the afternoons as a pick me up.

2. Traditional Medicinals Roasted Dandelion Root Tea.

This is a pretty recent addition for me. I started drinking this tea a couple of months ago upon the suggestion of a fellow trainer. The taste takes a little getting used to. It’s earthy and slightly bitter while having a natural sweetness.

This article from MindBodyGreen cites the following 8 reasons to drink dandelion root tea:

1. It improves digestion and aids weight loss.
2. It eases congestion of the liver.
3. It helps to purify the bladder and kidneys.
4. It reduces the risk of urinary tract infections.
5. It contains calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, vitamins B and C.
6. It helps to purify the blood, regulate blood sugar and improves blood circulation.
7. It helps to ease bloating and aching joints.
8. It helps to cure skin conditions.

I typically drink this tea in the morning with breakfast. I feel like it’s a great way to start the day given its benefits.

3. Yogi Ginger Tea. 

I like anything ginger…ginger ale, ginger chew candies, fresh ginger, ginger kombucha, green juice with ginger…I just can’t get enough of that subtle spice and I love it’s benefits of easing digestion and nausea.

From the Yogi Tea website…

For millennia, herbalists throughout the world have known of the rejuvenating, soothing and invigorating qualities of Ginger. Naturally warming, Ginger supports healthy digestion. Ayurvedic practitioners have used Ginger as a way of activating the body’s internal energy to help regain balance and harmony. In our organic Ginger tea, we build on this therapeutic tradition by adding a unique blend of herbs and spices to complement Ginger’s piquant flavor.

I drink this tea almost every day after lunch.

4. Trader Joe’s Spiced Chai. 

I drink this tea more as a treat than for its health benefits. It tastes all warm and spicy. It’s an especially perfect compliment for an afternoon of baking! 🙂

From the Trader Joe’s website…

Trader Joe’s Spiced Chai takes its cue from masala chai, a lively blend of black tea and warm spices. It’s a carefully crafted combination of strong black tea from India’s Assam valley, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, star anise, black pepper, nutmeg, roasted chicory and vanilla bean.

This is a tea where I may occasionally add some milk or agave.

5. Yogi Bedtime. 

This tea is perfect for unwinding and relaxing. The tea features valerian and chamomile to help with relaxation but it also includes licorice, cardamom and cinnamon and they add the most cozy slightly sweet and warm flavor to the tea.

From the Yogi Tea website.

This blend is a soothing combination of herbs traditionally used for centuries to promote relaxation and sleep. Valerian and Organic Chamomile can help calm occasional nervousness and restlessness. Then we add Passionflower, used in Native American blends to helps reduce every day stress to support sleep. Licorice, Cardamom and Cinnamon add a delicious, warming flavor that’s just right for drinking before bedtime. 

I drink this one in the evenings before bed.

6. Tazo Awake Tea. 

I have been drinking this one as long as the Green Tea Kombucha. It’s an a great choice for plain black tea. It’s got a decent amount of caffeine without being as strong as coffee and also features what I would consider a “traditional” tea flavor.

I frequently drink this tea “black” in the mornings but I also make my own Starbucks Awake Tea Lattes with it as well.

There you have it…my six favorite teas and when/how/why I drink them. Let me know if you have any questions!

Are you a tea drinker? If so, what’s your favorite kind? Any recommendations for me?