Let’s talk about character. When it comes to tea, other health benefit buzz words go off in our heads like the good angel on one shoulder tugging us toward a better life. Maybe this is due to all the information out there about how good it is for you or to the fact that so many cultures have integrated tea into healthy lifestyles across the world for centuries.
Green teas get most of the credit.
I’m interested in character, and black teas have so much of it.
The good news is black teas also come from the same plant. They too enhance a healthy lifestyle with antioxidants, anti-carcinogens, polyphenols, and more healthy-sounding words. All of this aside, black teas are my personal favorite, so I can focus on the taste that tempts me the most.
I came into work this morning – once again staring wide-eyed and expectant at the wall of black teas on hand. The wind is whipping outside bringing snow flurries later today. The newspaper predicts more budget cuts and economic trials ahead. As a college student, I’m certainly not immune from these worries, but now I have a few minutes of peace as I focus on one of the more important tasks of the day; how to get it started.
An Assam with a rich, malty taste?
The nutty complexity of it’s lighter neighbor from the Darjeeling family?
Or the rich depth of a China Black tea from the Yunnan region?
There is the line of bold, breakfast blends; English, Irish, China, and our own Blacksmith Blend.
Then my eyes fall to the sole black tea from Sri Lanka, Ceylon Sun, with its dark, crisp taste. Ah, my first love. Here is comfort (and so much more) in one steaming, black cup.
Just around the corner on our wall of tea, I know I can find delight in a sweeter blend of black tea. Almond Biscotti, Coconut Chai, Ginger Peach, Boldly Blackberry, or Not-so-Plain Vanilla are just a few. Those, I’ll save until later in the day when I need another caffeine perk or just crave something sweet to follow lunch. Of course, they are all calorie free too, but I’m not thinking about that right now.
It’s all about character, and I would be happy to help you find a tea that fits yours.
Your Barista,
Katie
