The Tea Council of the USA founded in 1950 recognizes National Hot Tea Month in January every year. Tea is one of the most consumed drinks in the world. Many cultures have ceremonies that involve drinking it. It can bring comfort in many circumstances and a variety of teas have health benefits.
1. Create a DIY tea-blending station
Celebrate National Hot Tea Month by blending your own tea. Use base teas like black or green tea. You will make the base and then mix in flowers, herbs, or fruits. Some common herbs used in teas include chamomile, rooibos, ginger, cinnamon, and peppermint. Fruits like peaches or apples also make great teas. Keep your teas in cute jars. Taste them all to see which flavor you enjoy most. You can sip a delicious cup of your favorite tea while playing online casino games from home in front of a cozy fire. It can help you to stay calm and in control of your emotions.
2. Make a frothy tea latte
A tea latte is an indulgent treat, and many people love a Chai or a Matcha latte. You may feel intimidated by having to make one at home but it isn’t difficult. You will need a tea of your choice, milk, and a sweetener like sugar or honey.
You will first brew up your tea base. The next step is to sweeten your tea. If you don’t have a specialized milk frother, you can heat your milk on the stove or in the microwave. The milk must be hot but not boiling.
For a normal size latte, you will use about a third of a cup of milk. You can use any type of milk you want but whole milk gives a good froth. To froth the milk you can use a frothing wand or a hand or electric whisk. Pour the frothed milk over the tea and spoon the foam on top. Add a little cinnamon on top.
3. Host a tea-tasting party
A tea-tasting party works best with about four to eight people. You can curate a selection of teas such as Earl Grey, Matcha, Masala Chai, and various herbal blends. You will need to set up a tea station with different teapots. Your elegant teacups can help to create the right atmosphere. Provide each guest a pen and tea-tasting note template you can find online and print out.
Encourage guests to slurp the tea, passing the oxygen over their taste buds. They should get as close as they can to the tea and take in a long, slow breath to smell it. Tell them to pay attention to whether the aroma is sweet, floral, or spicy. They can also touch and smell the dry and wet tea leaves to have a multisensory experience.
Bite-sized snacks like biscuits, scones, and sandwiches go well with tea. If you want to bake a cake, you can make one using tea as an ingredient. An Earl Gray Tea Cake has the subtle, fragrant flavor of the tea.
4. Take a virtual workshop about tea
When you take a virtual workshop, you can learn about tea culture, history, and brewing techniques. It is a way to learn about some of the best tea varieties in the world. You can learn about tea in different cultures, from the British cuppa to Japan’s matcha tea ceremony.
Sessions are interactive, and participants receive tasting kits containing tea types. Many of the sessions are led by certified tea sommeliers. There are workshops where you can learn all about blending herbal teas for flavor and function.
5. Learn the art of tea meditation
Meditation starts with your tea-making ritual. Brew your tea intentionally and pay attention to the water boiling and the color changing as the tea steeps. It helps to find a quiet space to drink tea and focus on your senses.
Sip it appreciating the aroma, warmth, and taste. This calming experience helps promote peace and relaxation. It slows you down and helps you to be present in the moment. Tea contains theanine, which helps you relax, and caffeine, which allows you to focus.
