by Mary Scanlan

I’m sure we’ve all noticed the temperature change as we progress into the fall season. I personally spend a lot of time during fall and winter trying to stay warm. Something that always warms me right up is a cup of tea! 

There are many types of tea, and while they all have unique benefits most of them are all rich with antioxidants. Here is a quick guide to common types of teas to get you through the chilly weather!

 

Caffeinated teas: These are teas that have naturally occurring caffeine in them. If you’re sensitive to caffeine (like me), I wouldn’t recommend drinking them in the evening. 

  • Stronger types – Black tea, Matcha, and Yerba Mate are teas that have the highest amounts of naturally occurring caffeine.
  • Weaker types – Green tea, white tea, and oolong tea are some examples of teas with less caffeine. While they won’t get you as twacked as the others listed, these typically will have more antioxidants.

 

Teas without caffeine: These typically are herbal blends. While not all herbal teas are non caffeinated (we see that with Yerba Mate) you can generally assume that they don’t have it. 

  • Chamomile – Famously referred to as the ‘sleepiest’ tea, this is what will be in most sleepy time teas. Don’t let its reputation fool you though! This is a wonderfully relaxing blend that, with a little honey or milk (oat, soy, any kind), can be enjoyed any time of day.
  • Peppermint – This wonderfully flavorful tea offers a kick of energy that will sharpen your senses. It doesn’t have caffeine in it, the peppermint just has that effect on some people! I find it to be the most enjoyable chilled on a hot day.
  • Ginger – This tea can pack a punch depending on what kind you’re drinking! Ginger naturally has spicy heat, so this is a very warming tea. Ginger is also very good for you, if you’re trying to look out for your immune system this might be a good choice! 
  • Echinacea – I’ve included this tea because it is great for your immune system, and with cold weather comes colds! You can find this type of tea in lots of grocery stores, my favorite kind is the one with elderberry flavor. 

 

Something fun about tea is that you can make it out of just about anything, as long as it is safe for you to consume of course. There are lots I haven’t included because as we get more niche with the tea types, they can become a bit more expensive. Happy tea drinking!