Are you grumpy and unsociable when you get up in the morning? Do you wake up with a thirst? Not a coffee drinker? Still, you need something with a little zing to start off the day. Or something with a lovely flavor to remind you of all that’s good in the world? Then you are definitely a tea drinker. Fortunately, in that case, you are spoilt for choice. Whether or not you are old school and go with loose leaf tea or prefer the convenience of tea bags, there’s plenty to choose from. Online tea and coffee shops usually offer the widest choice.
The Properties of Tea
Tea comes from a plant type called Camillia sinensis, which can also be called a tree or shrub that was first found in East Asia. Without getting all scientific about it, the leaves produce caffeine when infused in boiling water. Caffeine acts on the central nervous system as a stimulant. Tea can be a relaxant too, with many medicinal properties. Black tea produces a higher amount of caffeine than green tea, so when you choose your tea for early morning you can decide how much of a boost you need to start the day. It should be noted that ‘true’ or ‘real’ tea only comes from the Camillia sinensis plant and that all other kinds are herbal, also called tisanes. You also get different flavors of yerba maté, that is very beneficial for health.
Tea Varieties:
Black Tea
Black tea is grown from Turkey to China and are there are many different types that come under that banner. These include Assam and Darjeeling from northeast India, Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka, Golden Monkey, Keemun, Lapsang Souchong and Yunnan from China. Description of their flavors range from sweet, floral, fruity, citrus to smooth, smoky and malty. These are all especially good to drink in the morning, as they give you that little uplift. All these types can easily be found on online tea and coffee shops. They can also be found as loose leaf and in tea bags.
Green tea
Green teas go through a different process from black teas and therefore result in different flavors. As stated above green tea doesn’t produce as much caffeine as black tea. People who wake up energetic, without the need for any stimulus would benefit from drinking green as their early morning tea. There is a list different types of green tea that are sold under various brand names. Supermarkets and shops only sell the most prominent brands that are well known, so if you are looking for more variety of teas for early morning it is easier to search for an online tea and coffee shop that have greater scope. It is estimated that there are over 1500 varieties to try coming from China, Japan, Korea Vietnam and Indonesia.
Blended tea
Many of the teas on the market today are blended. They are mixtures of both strong and smooth types. These are good for those like good flavor without any acidic sharpness. They have the initial first taste or bite but are coupled with a smooth and lingering after tang. Such household names as Earl Grey, Darjeeling and English Breakfast tea are good examples and are very popular with ardent tea drinkers. These are universally recommended for early morning tea.
- Earl Grey
Earl Grey is blended with Bergamot oil. Bergamot a citrus fruit which has an aromatic smell that is found mainly around the Mediterranean. The oil is extracted from the peel of the fruit, not the fruit itself. The taste differs from supplier to supplier as each has their own blending processes. It can be drunk either hot or cold. tea connoisseurs describe it as having a fruity taste that is bright, bold and refreshing.
- Darjeeling
Darjeeling tea is very versatile as it can be used to make different other styles of tea, such as Oolong tea. Darjeeling itself has 5 different grades, which all depend on when the leaves are harvested. This is one of the finest teas in the world. With it{s strong, fruity aroma, experts call it the Champaign of teas.
- English Breakfast tea
English breakfast tea is a blend made from other black teas. The leaves come from three sources, Assam, Kenya and Sri Lanka. Avid tea drinkers say that it has a bright and brisk taste with a malty aftertaste.
Conclusion
When you enter the wonderful world of tea, there is an almost endless variety to drink and enjoy.