Tea Blog

The last time I checked, many parts of the world experience four fairly distinct seasons. People sometimes assume we don’t really have seasons here in the deserts of southern Arizona, but that’s not entirely true. They simply tend to break down into four categories: warm, hot, hotter, and hottest.

Regardless of where you live, however, the changing seasons can influence the types of tea you choose to drink. Since spring is approaching as I write this, let’s begin there.

In Japan, these fresh spring teas are known as shincha, the first harvest Japanese green tea of the year. The word shincha roughly translates to “new tea,” and many tea lovers eagerly await its arrival each year for its fresh flavor and seasonal significance.

Summer

It’s not difficult to determine which tea shines during the warm days of summer. For many people, the answer is iced tea.

Although tea consumption in the United States may not rival that of some other countries, a large percentage of the tea consumed here is served cold. Iced tea has long been a favorite summer beverage thanks to its refreshing qualities and endless flavor possibilities.

For more ideas and inspiration, explore these iced tea recipes, brewing methods, and tea articles.

Fall

In my part of the world, autumn often feels more like other people’s summer, which means iced tea remains a welcome choice. Your experience may vary depending on your climate.

For tea-growing regions, however, autumn can be an especially significant season. In Darjeeling, for example, the autumn flush represents the fourth and final tea harvest of the year. It follows the prized second flush harvest of late spring and early summer as well as the monsoon flush harvested later in the season.

These seasonal harvests contribute distinct flavor characteristics that tea enthusiasts often seek out and compare.

Winter

Winter, of course, is the season most people associate with hot tea—at least for tea drinkers who prefer hot beverages during colder weather.

If I were reaching for tea on a cold winter day, I would probably gravitate toward the richer and more robust flavors of black tea. Tea drinkers who enjoy bold flavors might also choose heavily oxidized oolong teas or aged pu-erh teas, both of which can provide a deeply satisfying cup during cooler weather.

That said, there’s certainly nothing wrong with enjoying lighter teas during winter. Green tea, white tea, and delicate oolong teas can be just as enjoyable if they fit your personal taste preferences.

Tea for Every Season

One of the great joys of tea is that there is truly a tea for every time of year. Whether you’re enjoying fresh shincha in the spring, refreshing iced tea in the summer, seasonal harvest teas in the fall, or a comforting cup of black tea in the winter, the changing seasons provide an opportunity to experience tea in new and enjoyable ways.

See more http://englishtea.us/author/williamlengeman/”>tea history, tea culture, and commentary articles by William I. Lengeman.

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