Pumpkins carved into scary, funny, or friendly designs and lit from within are a symbol of the month of October. But so are brilliantly hued tree leaves that shine against a bright blue Fall sky before they follow the wind and gather in piles on the ground. And then there are haystacks and farmers’ markets overflowing with bushel baskets of apples and fragrant, tasty pumpkin pies. Yes, it is the season of bounty, when the Fall crops are harvested. How great to enjoy teas now that either incorporate or complement these flavors! Here are a few to get you started thinking about the possibilities:
1 A great herbal from one of the top U.S. tea companies: Harney and Sons African Autumn
| Harney and Sons has been around for several generations, and Michael Harney even penned one of the most respected books on tea: Tea Book Review — “The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea”. They have a wide variety of teas, many of them specially flavored. But they also have herbals, like African Autumn. This is a blend of rooibos, hibiscus petals, cranberry, orange flavor, and orange peel. It’s caffeine-free and has a dark reddish brown liquid with a fruity and slightly woodsy aroma. |
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2 Apples abound this time of year in everything from pies to tea: Apple Spice Flavored Black Tea
| Wonderful high-grown Ceylon black tea (the kind that comes from estates at 5,500 feet or more above sea level) is the starting point for this flavorful mix. Added to that is the lively fruity flavor of fresh orchard apples with delicious cinnamon notes. All natural flavorings give a clean true taste with no chemical aftertaste. You can also smooth it out with a little milk and sweetener for a seasonal delight! |
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3 A brand that’s been around for 10 generations now brings you this treat: Twinings Spiced Apple Chai Tea
| For us in the U.S. “chai” means a spiced tea. This one starts with a selection of expertly blended black teas, then adds in the natural flavors of apple, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and other flavors. One customer remarked that “a little milk really brings out the apple cinnamon flavor. Good stuff for a chilly fall afternoon!” Another says that the “cinamon [sic] is not the main flavor…possible to taste the apple”. That is my main issue with any tea where cinnamon is added, not having it totally overwhelm the flavors. Achieving a good balance is key, and being able to add milk without losing those flavors and still be able to taste that tea base is also important. |  |
4 Forego those calorie-laden cinnamon rolls for a cuppa this: Cinnamon Naturally Flavored Black Tea
| It can be a season of temptation as people get into the baking mode. Pies, cakes, tarts, breads, rolls, and a host of other high-calorie goodies seem to be everywhere. How to resist? A hot cuppa “temptation fighting tea” which in this case is another high-grown Ceylon black tea (the kind that comes from estates at 5,500 feet or more above sea level). The cinnamon is mild and natural so there is no chemical aftertaste. I recommend adding a touch of sweetener since it will heighten the cinnamon but keep it from getting a bit too edgy. |  |
5 Fall-flavored herbal on the go: Stash Cinnamon Apple Chamomile Herbal
| Busy work schedules, chauffeuring kids to activities and sports events, a seasonal party or two — these can all leave you tea-less, or worse yet having to settle for something called “tea” from one of those coffee shops or the office break room. This is actually an herbal infusion, so it’s caffeine-free, assuring you won’t get those jitters yet can enjoy a wonderful Fall flavor. It takes a wonderful chamomile base and adds a bit of cinnamon and apple flavors. A perfect substitute for that slice of fattening apple pie. |  |
See more of A.C. Cargill’s articles here.
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