Tea Blog

Overindulging during the holidays is so easy to do, but tea can help you keep your intake to a somewhat reasonable level. That will save you a lot of dieting in the New Year ― a feat in and of itself worth celebrating.

The main cause of this overindulgence, or so I theorize, is that our natural craving for fats and sweets is not satisfied by some alternate and lower calorie items (like carrots and celery). So, when the holiday baking binge kicks in and every party or gathering of family and friends you attend lays out that fat laden, sugar laden, and totally satisfying feast, it’s small wonder you cave ― big time!

Roast turkey with bread stuffing. Lasagna with lots of fatty cheese and sausage. Sweet potato casserole (I make mine with lots of butter and brown sugar and top with mini-marshmallows). Green bean casserole made with cream of mushroom soup (and therefore containing a dose of calories from fat) and topped with those canned fried onions. Corn pudding with lots of whole milk and crackers. That takes care of the main course. Then, there are the desserts. Mince pies. Pumpkin pies. Cherry, apple, and other fruit pies. Cookies of all shapes and sizes. Fruit cakes (yes, there are edible ones!). Chocolates by the pound and in many styles, including truffles and the kind with cherry centers. Your Aunt Suzy’s very special deluxe rum cake (no calories there ― ha!).

Many of these things are seasonal favorites and tend to be served only during Winter Holidays. Another reason for overindulging. They’re so yummy that we have to get our fill while we can.

Or do we?

As Lainie Petersen pointed out in her Chocolate Orange Black Tea review, tea can save you from a host of temptations abounding at this time of year. The key is to select a tea with a flavor that would satisfy your urge to indulge in one of these holiday treats. In addition to the tea Lainie recommends, you can try a few of these:

• Chai Green Tea loose leaf ― Starts with a Ceylon green tea processed gunpowder style, grown at 5,600 to 6,400 feet above sea level. The green tea character is then enhanced with strong Indian spices and, unlike most green teas, it can take a bit of milk, although I love it straight.
• Pumpkin Spice Flavored Black Tea ― The versatile pumpkin pops up in all sorts of things this time of year, from Jack-o-lanterns to delicious soups, baked goods (pies, breads, scones), and even main dishes. This flavor mix starts with black teas, adds in some South African rooibos, and tops them both off with natural pumpkin flavoring and spicy cinnamon. A perfect tea to serve hot with milk and sweetener.
• Holiday Spiced Tea ― A seasonal favorite (yet available year round) that is made from quality loose leaf black tea with natural cinnamon, orange, and clove. Another tea to try with a little sweetener and milk.
• Chocolate Mint Flavored Black Tea ― A classic and popular combination, chocolate and mint are also superb in a flavored tea. This tea steeps up a bright and coppery liquid with a chocolaty mint flavor that becomes more prominent with a bit of milk and sweetener added and served hot.
• Apple Spice Naturally Flavored Black Tea ― Fresh orchard apples and spicy cinnamon add their flavors to this high grown Ceylon black tea (from estates at more than 5,500 feet above sea level).
• Indian Spiced Chai ― A prevalent style of tea in India and Sri Lanka, this tea is made from premium black Ceylon tea and is flavored with cardamom, cloves, coriander, sweet cumin seeds, curry leaves, lemon grass, and rampe leaves. Add milk and sweetener for an authentic taste.
• Cinnamon Naturally Flavored Black Tea ― A natural high grown Ceylon tea (from estates at more than 5,500 feet above sea level) spiced with a refreshing cinnamon flavor. The cinnamon lovers at your parties will crave this one.
• Black Forest Naturally Flavored Black Tea ― Perfect as a dessert tea, Black Forest Naturally Flavored Black Tea has chocolate flavor with creamy cherry notes and is even better with a little milk and sweetener. This is a high grown Ceylon tea from estates at more than 5,500 feet above sea level.
• Vanilla Cream Naturally Flavored Black Tea ― A delicious high grown Ceylon tea (from estates at more than 5,500 feet above sea level) flavored with rich fresh vanilla and having a lovely cream character.
• Vanilla Chai ― Rich, black Assam tea loaded with spices (cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and pepper) and a dash of vanilla. Steep about 7 minutes in water that has been brought to a boil. Prepare your cups with a generous amount of milk (about twice what you normally use) and about 2 teaspoons of sugar or the equivalent amount of alternate sweetener. Pour the tea into the cups, stir, and relish!
• Cinnamon Sibu Green Tea ― A green tea flavored with cinnamon pieces, rose petals and natural flavors. The sweet cinnamon is complemented by delicate rose, and the aroma of the cinnamon makes this green tea an experience for your sense of smell as well as taste. A tea that’s delicious with dessert.
• Cinna-Vanilla Flavored Black Tea ― A Winter favorite, Cinna-Vanilla flavored black tea with its bright, coppery infusion is divine with a touch of your sweetener of choice. Best when served hot.

Take your pick of one of these teas now, be sure to have plenty on hand to help you resist those temptations, and you won’t be jogging an extra mile or taking an extra aerobics class to work off those “holiday pounds.” Enjoy!

See also:
Tea Helps Avoid “The Dryer Shrunk My Pants”
Drinkable Desserts (Teas as Good as Dessert)
Apple-Flavored Teas and Tisanes
Tea Time and Sticky Toffee Pudding
Chai for Fall

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