TEAS FOR RELAXATION AND MEALS; POPULAR BLENDS FOR FREE TIME AND DINING

Here is a compilation of some popular teas for different times of day:

FOR FREE TIME/RELAXATION:

Chamomile Tea

Has a mild, soothing flavor and floral notes. Chamomile is known for its calming properties. Great for winding down in the evenings.

Ingredients:

1 chamomile tea bag or 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers
1 cup of boiling water
Honey or lemon (optional, for flavor)
Milk or cream (optional, for creaminess)

Instructions:

Boil Water: Start by boiling a cup of water. You can use a kettle or microwave to heat the water.
Prepare Tea Bag or Loose Chamomile Flowers: If you're using a chamomile tea bag, place it in a cup. If you're using loose chamomile flowers, place them in a tea infuser or a small tea strainer. You can find chamomile tea bags and dried chamomile flowers in most grocery stores or online.
Pour Hot Water: Pour the boiling water over the chamomile tea bag or loose flowers in your cup.
Steep: Let the chamomile steep in the hot water for about 5-7 minutes. This allows the chamomile to release its flavor and aroma into the water.
Remove Tea Bag or Strainer: If you used a tea bag, simply remove it from the cup. If you used loose chamomile flowers, remove the infuser or strainer.
Add Optional Ingredients: If you like, you can sweeten your chamomile tea with honey, add a squeeze of lemon for some brightness, or add a splash of milk or cream for a creamier taste. Adjust these optional ingredients to your personal preference.
Enjoy: Your chamomile tea is now ready to drink! It's a soothing and caffeine-free herbal tea known for its calming properties. Sip and relax.

Chamomile tea is best enjoyed hot, and it's a perfect choice for winding down before bedtime or for relaxation at any time of the day.

Peppermint Tea

Refreshing minty flavor. Peppermint is thought to aid digestion after meals. A nice pick-me-up anytime.

Ingredients:

1-2 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves or 1 peppermint tea bag
1 cup of boiling water
Honey or lemon (optional, for flavor)

Instructions:

Boil Water: Start by boiling a cup of water. You can use a kettle or microwave to heat the water.
Prepare Peppermint Leaves or Tea Bag: If you're using dried peppermint leaves, place them in a tea infuser or a small tea strainer. If you have a peppermint tea bag, place it in a cup.
Pour Hot Water: Pour the boiling water over the dried peppermint leaves or tea bag in your cup.
Steep: Allow the peppermint to steep in the hot water for about 5-7 minutes. This gives the tea its refreshing flavor.
Remove Tea Bag or Strainer (if applicable): If you used a tea bag, simply remove it from the cup. If you used dried peppermint leaves in a strainer, remove the strainer.
Add Optional Ingredients: If desired, you can add honey or a squeeze of lemon to sweeten or enhance the flavor of your peppermint tea. Adjust the amount to your personal taste.
Enjoy: Your peppermint tea is ready to be enjoyed. It's a caffeine-free herbal tea known for its minty and refreshing taste. Sip and savor!

Peppermint tea is excellent for soothing digestion and can also be a great choice for relaxation or as a caffeine-free alternative to regular tea or coffee.

Earl Grey Tea

Classic black tea infused with bergamot orange. A little caffeine boost along with a lovely citrusy flavor.

Ingredients:

1 Earl Grey tea bag or 1-2 teaspoons of loose Earl Grey tea leaves
1 cup of boiling water
Optional: milk, honey, or a slice of lemon for flavor

Instructions:

Boil Water: Start by boiling a cup of water. You can use a kettle or microwave to heat the water.
Prepare Tea Bag or Loose Tea Leaves: If you're using an Earl Grey tea bag, place it in a cup. If you have loose Earl Grey tea leaves, place them in a tea infuser or a small tea strainer.
Pour Hot Water: Pour the boiling water over the Earl Grey tea bag or loose tea leaves in your cup.
Steep: Allow the tea to steep in the hot water for about 3-5 minutes. This time allows the black tea and bergamot flavors to infuse into the water.
Remove Tea Bag or Strainer (if applicable): If you used a tea bag, simply remove it from the cup. If you used loose tea leaves in a strainer, remove the strainer.
Add Optional Ingredients: If you like, you can customize your Earl Grey tea with a splash of milk for a creamy texture, a drizzle of honey for sweetness, or a slice of lemon for a citrusy twist. Adjust these optional ingredients to your taste preference.
Enjoy: Your classic Earl Grey tea is ready to be enjoyed! It has a distinctive flavor and aroma due to the addition of bergamot, which gives it a citrusy and slightly floral note. Sip and savor.

Earl Grey tea is a popular and aromatic black tea variety that's often enjoyed with or without milk and sugar. It's a great choice for tea lovers looking for a refined and flavorful experience.

FOR DINNER

Oolong Tea

Flavor ranges from green tea-like to more oxidized. Pairs well with Asian foods. Lower in caffeine than black tea.

Oolong-Infused Asian Noodle Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

8 oz (about 225g) of your favorite Asian noodles (e.g., udon, ramen, rice noodles)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small carrot, julienned
1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup snap peas or snow peas
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon honey or brown sugar
A pinch of red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Brew Oolong Tea: Start by brewing a pot or a cup of your favorite Oolong tea. Let it steep according to the tea's instructions. Oolong tea has a wide range of flavors, so choose one that you enjoy.
Cook the Noodles: Cook the Asian noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set them aside.
Stir-Fry Vegetables: In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic and stir-fry for a minute until fragrant.
Add the carrot, red bell pepper, zucchini, broccoli, and snap peas. Stir-fry for about 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), sesame oil, honey or brown sugar, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Adjust the sauce to your taste.
Combine Noodles and Vegetables: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet with the stir-fried vegetables. Pour the sauce over the noodles and veggies. Toss everything together to coat the noodles and vegetables evenly.
Season to Taste: Season with salt and black pepper as needed. Adjust the flavors to your liking.
Serve and Garnish: Divide the Oolong-infused Asian noodle stir-fry among serving plates. Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions, if desired.
Enjoy with Oolong Tea: Serve your delicious stir-fry dinner with a hot cup of Oolong tea. The tea's aromatic and complex flavors will complement the dish nicely.

This dinner pairs well with Oolong tea and offers a balance of flavors and textures. Feel free to customize the stir-fry with your favorite vegetables or protein, such as tofu, chicken, or shrimp, to make it your own.

Darjeeling Tea

Darjeeling tea is a delightful black tea known for its delicate and floral flavors. While it's traditionally enjoyed as a beverage, you can certainly pair it with a dinner that complements its taste. Here's a simple recipe for a dinner that goes well with Darjeeling tea:

Darjeeling Tea-Infused Poached Salmon with Citrus Salad

Ingredients:

For Poached Salmon:

2 salmon fillets (6-8 oz each)
2 Darjeeling tea bags
2 cups hot water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, thinly sliced
Salt and black pepper to taste

For Citrus Salad:

2 oranges, peeled and segmented
1 grapefruit, peeled and segmented
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Prepare Darjeeling Tea: Start by steeping the Darjeeling tea bags in 2 cups of hot water. Let it steep for about 3-5 minutes, then remove the tea bags. This will be used for poaching the salmon.
Poach Salmon: In a large skillet or shallow pan, place the salmon fillets. Pour the freshly brewed Darjeeling tea over the salmon, ensuring it's fully covered. Add the minced garlic, lemon slices, and season with salt and black pepper.
Poach Salmon: Heat the skillet over medium heat and bring the tea to a gentle simmer. Poach the salmon for about 8-10 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Carefully remove the salmon from the skillet.
Make Citrus Salad: While the salmon is poaching, prepare the citrus salad. In a bowl, combine the orange segments, grapefruit segments, red onion slices, and chopped fresh mint leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Gently toss to combine.
Serve: Place the poached Darjeeling tea-infused salmon fillets on serving plates. Serve them with the citrus salad on the side.
Enjoy with Darjeeling Tea: Serve this delightful dinner with a hot cup of Darjeeling tea. The tea's floral and fruity notes will complement the poached salmon and citrus salad perfectly.

This dinner offers a light and refreshing combination of flavors, making it an ideal pairing for the delicate and nuanced taste of Darjeeling tea. It's a great choice for a healthy and elegant meal.

Masala chai

Spiced black tea with flavors like cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and ginger. Excellent after Indian meals.

Masala Chai is a spiced Indian tea that's perfect for sipping, but it can also be paired with various dinner dishes. Here's a recipe for a hearty and flavorful dinner that goes well with Masala Chai:

Masala Chai-Spiced Chicken Curry with Rice

Ingredients:

For Masala Chai-Spiced Chicken Curry:

1 lb (450g) boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece of ginger, minced
1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 Masala Chai tea bags or 2 tablespoons of loose leaf Masala Chai tea
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

For Rice:

1 cup basmati rice
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

For Masala Chai-Spiced Chicken Curry:

Brew Masala Chai Tea: In a cup, steep the Masala Chai tea bags or loose tea in 1 cup of hot water for 5-7 minutes. Remove the tea bags or strain the loose tea and set the infused tea aside.
Prepare Chicken: In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and ginger. Sauté until the onions become soft and translucent.
Cook Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook until they turn golden brown.
Add Spices: Add the garam masala, ground turmeric, ground cumin, and ground coriander to the chicken. Stir well to coat the chicken with the spices.
Add Tomatoes and Tea: Pour in the diced tomatoes and the brewed Masala Chai tea. Mix everything together.
Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the chicken simmer in the flavorful sauce for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Stir in Coconut Milk: Just before serving, stir in the coconut milk to add creaminess to the curry. Heat for a few more minutes.
For Rice: While the chicken curry is simmering, cook the basmati rice in a separate pot. Rinse the rice, add it to a pot with 2 cups of water and salt, and cook according to the package instructions.

To Serve:

Serve the Masala Chai-Spiced Chicken Curry over a bed of cooked basmati rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for added flavor and freshness.

Enjoy with Masala Chai: Pair this delicious chicken curry with a hot cup of Masala Chai tea. The tea's warm and aromatic spices complement the curry perfectly, making it a delightful dinner choice.

FOR MEALS:

English Breakfast Tea

Robust, full-bodied black tea. The caffeine helps jumpstart the morning. Stands up to milk, sugar or lemon.

Green Tea

Grassy, vegetal flavor. Lower in caffeine than black tea. Drink plain or with a spritz of citrus.

Rooibos Tea

Naturally caffeine-free, antioxidant-rich. Malty, slightly sweet flavor. Good morning or night.

Genmaicha

Japanese green tea with toasted rice. Nutty flavor perfect with rice dishes, vegetables, fish.

Healthy is Magical!!!