Can tea lift your mood?

The answer is YES.

Most decidedly, yes!

Tea has many qualities that help the mood.   Without my tea, I am grumpy person and can go down a deep hole emotionally at times.  When I travel, I generally take my own tea with me (either my tea or another brand).   Years ago I did an elimination diet where I had to give up tea for a month.  It was THE worst month ever.  I was moody, tired and so unhappy.  I lost 12 pounds but paid the price!

Tea also lifts the spirit when shared with others.  Even just sharing a cup of tea with a friend is guaranteed to improve your mood.  One of the reasons that I enjoy my tea group is the conversation and sense of joy that I feel visiting with those wonderful ladies.

Here are my secrets for teas that lift the mood and fight depression/seasonal affective disorder.  They have worked for me over the years as well as my friends.

 

Earl Grey Tea

Probably my very favorite tea, Earl Grey’s main flavor is bergamot, which is a fruit from Calabria  Italy.  The aroma is bright, a bit citrus.  Perhaps a tad floral depending on the blender.  Different brands have different aromas. When developing my Earl Grey, I wanted a rich aroma.  Every Earl Grey is different.  If you haven’t found an Earl Grey you like, keep trying.  Earl Grey tea is the most popular blend throughout the world.

 

Bergamot lifts the mood, dispels depression and is thought to battle high cholesterol.  It is said to help manage stress and make it easier to sleep.  I love the aroma.

In my opinion, body chemistry changes over the years.  I say that because I used to hate the scent and flavor of Earl Grey tea.  I thought it too flowery. Now, I crave it.  If you have ever heard of a London Fog Latte, that is made with Earl Grey tea, vanilla and the milk of your choice.

When bored a few weeks ago and wanting to experience a new tea, I tried the Earl Grey Rose Latte recipe from Victoria Magazine.  It was delicious…heaven in a cup.

 

Green Teas

I have an all or nothing relationship with green tea. I used to drink Jasmine green tea constantly.  I loved it so much that I overdid it.  When I sipped green tea though, I had so much energy, my metabolism was through the roof, my blood sugar low and I felt great.  After a break, I have started enjoying green tea again.

The key to making delicious green tea is to watch your brewing time.  Before I knew better, I would over brew it for as much as 8 minutes.  It was strong, which I love.  I am someone who loves, as my Dad used to say, a stout (very strong) tea.  However over brewing green tea makes it bitter. Very much so.  Now, I set the timer and brew it for no longer than 3 minutes.  It makes the flavor more delicate and aroma light.

My favorite tea is the Rose’s Cherry Green Cloche.  I love the slight rose and cherry flavors.  It’s a bright tea and certainly brightens up a gray winter afternoon. Conversely, it is the perfect tea for a summer afternoon.

 

 

Rose’s Cherry Cloche was featured in Tea Time Magazine for their Summer tea.  I was so excited and honored!  I am an avid reader of Tea Time Magazine.  If you enjoy tea, tea cups, tea pots, tea recipes, tea rooms and more, it is a magazine that you will definitely love.

Other green teas that are nice have peppermint flavors, which helps the lift mood and metabolism too.  In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with green tea.

Our Patty’s Peppermint Pillbox has been a popular tea. It wakes me up in the afternoon with that bright peppermint taste.  I have been told that it tastes like a peppermint patty. Perhaps I am partial to that candy because it was a beloved family favorite for many years.

 

What teas do you like?  Write and let us know.  We base our selections on feedback from tea lovers.