I always feel I should explain this. Even though you probably already know. The phrase "chai tea" is redundant. Those two words mean the same thing. "Chai" is the word for "tea" in a number of languages, including Hindi. And India is where what we refer to as "chai tea" originates. But that has little to do with today's topic. You want to know what chai tea tastes … [Read more...] about What Does Chai Tea Taste Like? (Including Popular Variants)
Why Does Tea Make My Mouth Dry? (And What You Can Do About It)
I drink a lot of tea. At times, it does make my mouth feel a little dry. But generally, I don't notice this issue. However, everyone reacts differently to some of the components in tea. And there are many different kinds of tea. Getting a bit of dry mouth from drinking tea is not unusual. But what causes this? Why does tea make my mouth dry? It actually comes … [Read more...] about Why Does Tea Make My Mouth Dry? (And What You Can Do About It)
What Is Okinawa Milk Tea? (+The One Ingredient That Sets It Apart)
I used to think milk tea was just tea with milk. Boy was I wrong. Ok, at its very heart, that is all it is. But there are so many different varieties of milk tea, all with subtle but distinct differences. A slightly different ingredient or a small change in the method of preparation leads to a drink with a different flavor profile. And one famous type of milk tea … [Read more...] about What Is Okinawa Milk Tea? (+The One Ingredient That Sets It Apart)
How To Ferment Tea Leaves (Easy Step-By-Step Guide)
My first introduction to fermented tea came in 2007, when I was living in China. A coworker had some pu-erh tea at work that she let me try. I loved it. My second came when I was traveling through Myanmar in 2011. This time, I ate the tea instead of drinking it. You can find street vendors selling fermented tea leaf salad all over the capital Yangon. It was my … [Read more...] about How To Ferment Tea Leaves (Easy Step-By-Step Guide)
What To Put In Black Tea (9 Mouth-Watering Flavor Boosters)
Want to pump up the flavor of your black tea? There are a ton of great additives that will enhance the black tea flavor. And some that will change the flavor profile completely. Many also provide additional health benefits. Not sure what to put in black tea and still end up with a great-tasting drink? Not a problem. Keep reading for a list of 9 great … [Read more...] about What To Put In Black Tea (9 Mouth-Watering Flavor Boosters)
What Tea Does Not Have Caffeine? (10 Naturally Decaf Teas)
The word tea can mean many things. Traditionally, it refers to an infusion of the Camellia sinensis plant like green tea, black tea, white tea and others. But we also use the word to refer to any number of tisanes made with various herbs. One major difference is that true tea contains caffeine, while many herbal teas do not. If you are looking for a tea that does … [Read more...] about What Tea Does Not Have Caffeine? (10 Naturally Decaf Teas)
What Tea Is Good For Sleep? (10 Great Bedtime Teas)
You've probably been told not to drink tea before bedtime. That it can keep you awake. That may be true for some teas. But not all. Many teas contain no caffeine at all. And some can actually help you go to sleep. These teas are known to help us relax and drift off op sleep. Keep reading to learn what tea is good for sleep. We'll also let you know exactly why … [Read more...] about What Tea Is Good For Sleep? (10 Great Bedtime Teas)
Does Green Tea Keep You Awake? (The Answer May Surprise You!)
Green tea contains compounds that help you relax. But it also contains caffeine. Do those helpful compounds outweigh the caffeine? Or is it the other way around? Does green tea keep you awake, or does it actually help you sleep? Most people will tell you to avoid drinking any tea made from the Camellia sinensis plant before bedtime, because they all contain … [Read more...] about Does Green Tea Keep You Awake? (The Answer May Surprise You!)
Can Tea Dehydrate You? (Which Teas You Need To Worry About)
Tea contains caffeine. And you may have heard that caffeine is a diuretic. Diuretics cause an increase in urine production, which means you end up expelling more water. If you end up expelling more water than you take in, you could end up dehydrated. But tea is primarily water. Does the intake of so much water not offset the increase in urination? Keep reading … [Read more...] about Can Tea Dehydrate You? (Which Teas You Need To Worry About)
Are Tea Bags Compostable? (What You Need To Know)
Tea bags are convenient. They allow you to quickly and easily brew a cup of tea anytime and anywhere. All you need is a cup or glass and hot water. But tea bags have a number of disadvantages, too. Top on the list for me is that the quality of the tea does not come close to loose leaf tea. Simply put: most tea bags just don't taste very good. Another big issue is … [Read more...] about Are Tea Bags Compostable? (What You Need To Know)