I remember as a kid there was this small red bag in our pantry that had this amazing berry/floral smelling loose leaf tea my mom had brought back home from Germany. I may have only had it once or twice (I think I could never find an infuser to make it with) but the smell and taste are something I will never forget.
My obsession with tea is similar to my obsession for essential oils. You’re extracting the essence of a plant and using it to benefit your health. Be it great taste or medicinal properties, tea is one of my favorite go to beverages. I finally decided to get delivery water service (because I go through like 8 $5 a gallon bottles a week and its getting to be a pain in my ass) and I think I’m most excited about the fact that I have a water cooler with a hot water spicket! Now I don’t have to boil water to make my tea!! I had like 8 cups last night, oh the things that excite me… Anyway, here are some of my favorite teas.
While I was in Paris for 24hour I legit stopped into any store I hadn’t seen before just so I could buy random things I couldn’t get back home. I saw the Kusmi Tea store shortly before I headed to out on my flight to Ibiza, and being that I love tea… Well they have 2 teas in a Jean Paul Gaultier collection, and I clearly needed it. Jump to a few months later and Gilt City was having a sale on Kusmi tea, so I purchase the highest amount and order a bunch of teas from their site. I found out that the have this BB Detox Tea that has a huge cult following (apparently Kendall Jenner loves it). Tell me anything is good for my skin and I’ll buy it, but have it taste great too? I’m a customer for life. Its blend of maté and green tea detoxify while rooibos and dandelion give anti-oxidant benefits, guarana for energy, and grapefruit scent is added for a light fruity flavour. This has been my go to tea lately and I have at least a cup or 2 every day (I'm drinking it right now). Kusmi BB Detox Tea 5/5 Stars 4.4 Ounce Loose Leaf $21.20, 8.8 Ounce Loose Leaf $35.70, 24 Pack Individual $24.50
I also really like the Kusmi Thé Vert á la Rose for a little floral flavour
Whenever I get a sore throat I run out and grab the Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat Tea w/ Lemon Echinacea. After a few cups of this my throat always feels better and it definitely helps speed up the healing process. It contains Echinacea to boost the immune system, Licorice Root for soothing and expectorant properties, Marshmallow root and leaf for its soothing properties. I steep it for 15min and usually squeeze a little lemon and add Manuka honey in for added anti-bacterial benefits. Throat Coat Tea w/ Lemon Echinacea $4.39 5/5 Stars
If you need help with bowel movements, the Smooth Move Tea is caffeine free and has a great chocolate taste!
My sweetener of choice is Manuka Honey. If you’re not familiar, Manuka honey come from honey of bees that forage on the Manuka Tree (related to the Melaleuca Tree – Tea Tree Oil?) native only to Australia and New Zealand. This honey has anti-bacterial properties making it a go to for so many seeking natural anti-bacterial remedies. I’ve used everything from skincare and lipgloss to cough drops containing this magically honey. It has a distinct rich and thick texture, and all the great sweetness you expect from honey. Its potency is given a UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) rating, the higher the rating, the stronger its unique properties (and cost), the best quality will be in the 10-25 UMF. Check out Manuka Honey UMF Active 10+ 5/5 Stars $43.09
Other Tea Tips
- If you suffer from allergies, try using local honey. Honey from the same local plants causing your allergies acts like a natural vaccine helping your body learn to defend itself from allergens.
- If you like ice tea, throw boiling water into a French coffee brew with loose leaf in the bottom, put into the refrigerator after steep time, until cool, then boom, about 3 glasses of iced tea.
- If you’re in France, please stop by La Maison Du Miel, it’s the coolest honey shop, they have so many different amazing flavours of honey, I’m so upset I can’t get it delivered to the US!
- If you’re in Australia, T2 has a HUGE selection of amazing loose leaf teas, the Japanese GMC Sencha is my favorite (green tea with toasted rice)