The Dog Days of Summer are upon us. They were originally named for when the dog star Sirius rose over the horizon about the same time as the sun did. Now, though, the dog days refer to the 40 or 50 days when temperatures are likely to be at their hottest. Never fear, though, you can keep cool by enjoying your tea cold (chilled or over ice) or hot in an air-conditioned tearoom or your home. Here are teas that will suit nicely.
1 Start with the right tea: Iced Tea by Shangri La Spring Melon Green Brew Bags
| 2008 World Tea Championship Winner for Best Iced Tea A flavorful, naturally sweet green tea with melon and pomegranate essence. Try it for the flavor, for the healthful qualities (pomegranate is good for men), and for its refreshing qualities. A tea you can steep, chill, and take along with you wherever you go — the beach, the mountains, the store or more! Comes in a re-sealable pouch. There are 6 filters and easy instructions for brewing on the stovetop or in your coffee maker. Each filter can brew up to two quarts of iced tea, so you get up to 12 quarts of tea from this one package. That should be enough to serve the crowd at your backyard barbecue! |
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2 You don’t have to rob a bank to afford this tea: Arctic Raspberry Naturally Flavored Black Tea
| The fragrance of fresh raspberries greets you when you open the vapor proof triple layer bag. And not just any raspberry — this is the arctic raspberry, which has a short growing season and so develops a distinctive intense flavor. A perfect tea to serve over ice, with that raspberry-ness standing up to the cold, naturally! And the tea leaves are high-grown Ceylon. What could be better? Even Al Pacino would like it. |
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3 For you Earl Grey devotees: Revolution Tea Earl Grey Lavender
| An award-winning black tea with that traditional Earl Grey flavor and a touch of fragrant lavender for a tea that is full-bodied, but light. The tea steeps up to a reddish brown liquid that has a rich aroma, with the black tea scent coming through. However, the flavor is much more delicate, with a slight tang. If you like Earl Grey and lavender, give this tea a try. It also works fairly well with a bit of milk and sweetener. |
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4 A tea to enjoy hot and by sips: Darjeeling White Tips White Tea
| A very rare tea from Darjeeling, each leaf is hand selected. The flavor has muscatel notes with a hint of white wine. Most of the best white teas come from the Fujian province of China, so the quality of this Darjeeling white tea is quite a surprise. It’s the same basic varietal of the tea plant (Camellia Sinensis) as those other white teas but is very different due to a number of factors, including the unique growing climate of Darjeeling, India. Give it a try! (Tip: Some people new to white teas complain that the flavor is very faint. Use more tea leaves and/or steep a bit longer. Or try a higher water temperature.) |
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5 Herbals shine during Summer time: Lady Hannah’s Whole Fruit Herbal
| A deliciously sweet herbal that is sure to please the pickiest palates! Caffeine free and packed with fruit and herbs. You get the flavors of lemon and strawberry, combined with other natural flavors and tartness from a variety of fruits that’s sure to be delicious hot or iced. Thirst quenching and refreshing, but not overly sweet, when served over ice, or use it to make popsicles for the kids. Made from natural dried apple pieces, hibiscus, rosehip, pineapple pieces, papaya pieces, brambleberries, strawberry pieces, blackberries, raspberries, and natural flavors. For the best brew, steep in water that has been brought to a rolling boil for 5-7 minutes. |  |
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