Tea at times can taste bland and too herbal. Sometimes you need a kick or jest to make your drink more exciting and tasty. Here is a list of 10 additives that will make you want to drink once seemingly boring tea all day long.
This list goes well with all green tea. Most of the juices or ingredients listed are universal, meaning they go with every type of tea. I recommend you be creative and try out each suggestion with a different type of tea. I will list some of the teas I think each goes well with. You may end up finding the perfect combination for yourself.
Have an open mind to these suggestions because they will leave you in awe!
1. Citrus
Adding grapefruit, oranges, lime or lemon can work as a natural sweetener. You can either cut up slices to add or squeeze the citrus juice into the cup. If you dislike pulp, then use a strainer when squeezing. The lemon and grapefruit are the stronger of the three, but the orange can add a subtle tangy taste to the tea.
Drink with all tea, but specifically any type of citrus tea flavor.
2. Berries
While berries might seem odd to put in a tea, throwing in a mixture of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries will bring a fullness to the drink, leaving you less hungry. This brings more sugar and texture to the tea. I love to use this additive during the spring and summer months, when I want a more fresh and blissful tea.
Drink with lavender, blueberry, peach, or hibiscus tea.
3. Cinnamon
During crisp, fall afternoons or winter, snowy nights cinnamon in your tea will create a spice to the drink. Cinnamon puts me in the spirit of the holidays and allows for a dollop of chocolate to be eaten on the side or mixed into the tea as well. The flakiness of the cinnamon will dissolve if stirred and can truly work wonders in masking the taste of the herbal tea.
Drink with cinnamon, chocolate, pumpkin, or vanilla tea.
4. Honey or Honeysuckle (with lemon if needed)
Honey is a classic ingredient that lots of people use in their tea. But if honey doesn't do enough for you, you can add a splash of lemon and/or a couple flowers of Honeysuckle. This will add a soft and silky taste to the drink that will strike out the leafy taste of the tea. The more honey you the thicker and stickier the drink will become. You can balance the honey with the lemon.
Drink with lemon, lemongrass, orange, or chamomile. Also, drink honey and lemon with hot water.
5. Lemon Verbena, Lemon Basil or Lemon Thyme
If you can't already tell, lemon makes everything better. Adding either all three or lots of one of these herbs will make your tea more aromatic and flavorful. Instead of harsh herbs, you will taste this sweet and lemony herb.
Drink with green, chai, ginger, citrus, or chamomile tea.
6. Mint or Peppermint
If you have smelt mint you will know it is a strong and acquired smell. Add as much or as little to overcome the boring, herbs in green tea.
Drink with green or mint tea.
7. Ginger
Ginger will add spice and zing to your tea. Not only will it cleanse your sinuses, but it also will settle nausea and flu symptoms. If you include a large amount and let the ginger dissolve, you will get a more sour taste.
Drink with citrus, pomegranate, or chai tea.
8. Maple Syrup
Great for: Vanilla, green, caramel, chocolate, or cinnamon tea.
Pure maple syrup can cure any disgusting tea. Just drop a shot or two in and you will have a cup of gooey, golden goodness.
Drink with vanilla, green, caramel, chocolate, or cinnamon tea.
9. Almond Milk or Coconut Milk
While Almond and Coconut will make your tea creamy, they will be much lighter than a whole milk. The accompanying almond and coconut flavors, which ever you choose, spark an extra flavor that makes the tea much easier to drink.
Drink with cinnamon, chocolate, green, or pumpkin tea.
10. Ice Cream or Sorbet
Sugar! Sugar! And more sugar! A citrus, berry, mint, ginger sorbet or vanilla ice cream are my favorite thing to add to tea. It definitely seems odd, but it melts into yummy goodness that will make you want a second cup of tea. While this isn't very healthy, it sure is delicious.
Drink with raspberry, peach, citrus, or green tea.
With these 10 tips, tea time will get better with each one you try.