Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The Tea

I'm a tea guy. Not because it's got less caffeine in it than coffee. Not because studies show that it might help prevent cancer and diabetes and Alzheimer's, that it boosts your immune system, or that it can lower your stress level. Sure, that's all good stuff. But the real reason I'm a tea guy is simple: I love the way it tastes, and I love the way it makes me feel.

And if it's going in my body, I try as best I can to make sure that it's organically grown, and comes from a place that treats their workers with respect. So if your local grocery store, food market, or coffee shop doesn't have good selection of organic and fair trade tea, fear not - Rishi Tea to the rescue!

Loose leaf tea is is usually fresher, healthier, and yummier, than the bagged variety (although, many great brands do make quality tea in bags now). All you need is a tea infuser (like this brewing basket that's made in Germany, and allows the tea leaves to fully expand and release all their goodness), a tea kettle, and tea. Oh, and water. And a cup.

Rishi Tea is a Milwaukee-based company founded in 1997, has an awesome philosophy, super customer service, and most importantly, a huge selection of some seriously stellar tea. They recently won SEVEN awards at the World Tea Championship.



I could go on and on about which are my favorite teas, but everyone's tastes are different, so it's up to YOU to decide which tea(s!) you like the most.

While I normally order 1/4 pound bags from their website, I just picked up their Jamaica Red Rooibos blend - and WOW, what a great change of pace from my normal tea drinking. It's got a a light and full taste, with a refreshing minty aftertaste. And it's caffeine free, as all Red teas are, and full of those lovely antioxidants.

A cup of tea is warm, relaxing, tasty, and... yeah, I guess it's healthy too. But don't let all that boring healthy stuff deter you - get out there and drink some tea already!

2 comments:

Amy Herbst-Cox said...

Thanks for getting me hooked! While I don't like the sweetness of the Jamaican Rooibis tea, I love chai tea with soy. Green tea is a good way to start my day, and sweet mint tea from Rishi is a relaxing way to finish it! I didn't think about buying in bulk before- it would probably be a good idea since Sam is drinking it now too!

Unknown said...

Dood, Rishi is the goods. Glad they're getting the props they deserve for such fine leaves!