This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Maya Stokley. Find her on Instagram at @maya.aesthetic. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
The alarm starts to blast through your bedroom as the sun peeks through the blinds of your rent-controlled apartment. Your eyes flutter rapidly, and your left hand unsuccessfully searches underneath the covers for your phone. Then, you turn to the other side of your twin-sized bed and use your right arm to unleash a small gust of wind from revealing your sheets. Your phone is lying there with a bright orange button spelled “STOP.” In a few minutes, your head is lying against the headboard as you hear faint birds chirping from a distance. Still adjusting to the morning light, your parched mouth formed small curves around itself. A small cough here and there.
“Damn, I would love some tea right now,” you said while swinging your legs over to the edge of the bed and landing on your carpeted floor.
Springtime is officially upon us with the amount of pollen swirling around in the breezy air and the spontaneous bursts of rain downpouring in the evenings. The world is taking a moment to cleanse itself and plant the seeds for summer. So, why can’t we? One of the top beverages consumed during this season is tea. Why is that? From March to May, most tea plants are ready for harvest! Yes, this is historically true and accurate. Now, let’s jump into the five most excellent teas and their benefits that will help you soothe your way through the season!
Excellent Teas #1: Matcha
And no, I am not talking about the Starbucks Matcha Lattes with Vanilla Cold Form with any milk substitute. I am talking about the real deal here! Firstly, matcha is one of the ancient teas that was discovered in China in the 12th and 13th centuries by a monk! The monk brought the delicious drink to Japan, which became a popular phenomenon since then! For context, matcha is a powdered green tea that comes from Camellia Sinensis (green tea leaves).
Also, known for its bright green color due to the plant’s chlorophyll, matcha is known for its antioxidant abilities to calm down stress and boost metabolism. Also, the tea is known for its inflammation reduction and digestive improvement! If I do say so myself, matcha is extremely healthy and an excellent tea to indulge in! For more benefits (since there are many of them), check out this video below about the start of your matcha journey.
Now, you can purchase store-based matcha from Starbucks, Dunkin, Wawa, and more! However, some of their matcha powders are filled with added sugars, which strips away their natural benefits. It is much better to indulge in the drink at a local cafe shop, purchase matcha powder from H-Mart, or at an authentic Asian grocery store. There are several ways to prepare matcha, including boiling water, adding milk and ice, and much more! The drink is very versatile, and it is one of those excellent teas that will get you flowing through the season!
Excellent Teas #2: Lavender
I’m going to be so honest with you: I have tried lavender tea once! My goodness, it is one of the most calming teas that I have ever tasted! With a blend of the lavender plant with some boiling water, the combination is very simple. Lavender tea has a compound called linalool that produces a soothing effect when consumed. Like matcha, lavender tea has antioxidant properties to help reduce inflammation but it also improves your sleep. I remember that I tried lavender tea to help me fall asleep after pulling an all-nighter, it was one of the best decisions of my life. I was knocked out instantly.
Here is the recipe that I did for my lavender tea goodness:
Ingredients:
- 1 Bag of Celestial Seasonings, Herbal Tea, Sleepytime Lavender
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 cup of boiling water
I have my bright yellow-white polka-dot and pour my boiling water inside. I place my lavender tea bag and let it steep for 3-4 minutes. After the timeframe, I remove the lavender tea bag from my cup. I drop a teaspoon of honey inside my cup and voilà! You will not be disappointed! If you want more ways to prepare this tea, check out this video below!
Excellent Teas #3: Chai
For context, no it is not called “Chai Tea”! Chai means “tea” in Hindi and Urdu so when you go to order this tea, say chai folks! Moving on, chai is a fused drink with cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom with a blend of black tea and milk. As intricate as it sounds, it is an absolute treat. The first time I tried chai was when I was a sophomore in college. I wanted to try something different from my usual green tea consumption, so one of my friends recommended chai to me. And what did I do? I went to this beautiful store called Khyber in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and tried chai for the first time. Mind blown.
It is speculated that chai was invented by a king a couple of thousand years ago. However, the origins of chai definitely date back almost 10,000 years to the Indian culture. Chai became more popular in the West when Starbucks introduced its latte version of it in the late 1990s. Ever since, chai has become a staple in Western culture. But, enough of the historical information. Let’s get into the real kicker of the tea.
Chai has many benefits, such as digestive health, lowers blood sugar, and reduces nausea. One specific benefit that it has over the others so far is that it boosts immunity! The cinnamon and ginger presence in the tea helps fight against illness. So, grab a cup of chai the next time you have a rough cough or a harsh sneeze because of the pollen in the air! Check out these videos on the many ways to prepare chai!
Excellent Teas #4: Chamomile
I know you have come across this tea before when you are grocery shopping! Chamomile tea also has its ancient origins around the Mediterranean regions of Greece and Rome. The drink uses the chamomile plant and brews it into today’s tea. Chamomile tea has the same benefits as matcha and lavender, but one benefit that is not known as much is skin health. For instance, chamomile helps reduce redness and battles acne! Also, the tea can help with eczema and hydrate your skin! Let me add chamomile tea to my skin care regimen!
Just like matcha, chamomile tea is very versatile as to how you make it! I love to add honey to my tea but you can add sugar, steamed milk, chocolate, and more. Honestly, make the tea your own and have fun with it! Here is a video that can guide you on making your own chamomile tea!
Excellent Teas #5: Peppermint
Last but not least! Peppermint tea offers a refreshing blend of taste and health benefits that have been consumed for centuries. When I am out of matcha or chai, peppermint tea is my go-to! The tea has been used for traditional medicine for its benefits like bloating and indigestion. Peppermint tea is a calming, healthful addition to any daily routine and is naturally flavored and caffeine-free. Think of all of the benefits mentioned before wrapped up into this drink!
Here is a simple recipe for peppermint tea:
- 1 tablespoon of dried peppermint leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
- 1 small slice of lemon
- 1 pinch of sugar
Make sure to rinse the leaves (you have to ensure they are clean enough to consume). Then, you get your mug and pour a cup of boiling water into it. I personally drop my slice of lemon in first, along with my pinch of sugar. It is up to you! For sure, place your peppermint leaves into your cup and let it steep for about four minutes. Stir the leaves in the cup and enjoy! Here is a video that shows more ways to drink peppermint tea!
Which one of these excellent teas will you partake in? Share in the comments!
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