5 Teas to Put a Spring in Your Step
Does anyone remember the old (err, old by post-Millennial standards) Batman movie, “The Dark Knight”?
That’s okay if you don’t! Here’s a tiny sip of nerd culture: “The Dark Knight” can be considered a landmark film in the history of Batman and his— and sometimes hers, in the case of Batgirl and Batwoman respectively*— , because this is the film where Heath Ledger’s Joker gives us a recurring phrase that has since become the callback for Jokers and Jokers-to-be everywhere.
“Why… so… serious?”
Now that spring is springing upon us, this is a great time to ask ourselves that same question— just please, in a healthy manner with genuine joy-seeking intentions!
Asking yourself “Why so serious?” lets you pause when things feel stressful, step back, and give yourself space and time to reevaluate the situation and your feelings around it. You might find that it’s okay to take a few seconds to breathe, smile, and relax during an otherwise stressful moment.
To help you find this balance, Adagio has some wonderful floral teas that are perfect for lightening the mood as the season just keeps springing, just keeps springing, just keeps springing, springing, springing…
Springtime Not-So-Serious Teas...
1. Ti Kuan Yin
If you're familiar with tea or the lovely partially-oxidized spectrum of oolongs, you may have also seen this tea referred to as Tieguanyin, Ti Guan Yin, Ti Guanyin, Tie Kuan Yin, or Tie Kuanyin. Kuan Yin is known throughout the world as the Goddess of Mercy, which is why the agreed-upon spellings tend to differ depending on where you’re hearing or reading it. But regardless of where it’s coming from, this tea is nonetheless delicious!
It’s characterized by a very specific fragrance that brings to mind chrysanthemums and jasmine, orchids and freshwater-garden flowers underneath a tranquil shrine to compassionate forces. Be sure to steep it gently for 3 to 5 minutes at under-boiling temperatures (below 212 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably in the 195-degree range if you have the snazzy varieTEA kettle!)
2. White Strawberry Basil
This one offers a little more punch, in a little more colorful package! Don’t let the soft pastels fool you, this tea is springing with flavor and fruity accents that will tickle even the most hardcore of palates.
You’ll want to treat this one even more delicately than the previous oolong, since white teas are barely oxidized and need lots of loving care when you ask them to bloom in the cup! This is one where I’d highly recommend a kettle with very specific temperature and tea-making capabilities if you’re unsure of mastering the process on your own. (Which there’s nothing wrong with! A good white tea can take some time and finagling for maximum success, because you want it at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, or waaaayyyy below boiling point and for less than 5 minutes a steep. That’s why the VelociTEA is such a dream for taking the guesswork out of the equation— you can just enjoy the cup without fearing that the leaves will go bitter if you steeped it too high or left it too long in the water.)
3. Lavender Lemon
We’re not done yet with herbal-blended sensations! Lavender and lemongrass are a surprisingly snappy couple, as the softness of the lemongrass is very adequately balanced out by the lavender’s faint savory after note. (If you’ve never picked up on this in lavender before, definitely listen for it the next time you take a sip! It’s one of the secrets to the famous French spice blend, Herbes de Provence. Selefina has a great standalone lavender for tasting!)
The other wonderful thing about this tea is how easy it is to prepare. Just steep at boiling— yep, that 212 degrees! — and enjoy after five minutes. If you happen to forget your cup after five minutes has passed, that’s okay too! It’s super forgiving and lasts as long as you need it to without getting too bitter.
4. Genmai Cha
Spring ain’t springing without this one! Genmaicha has all the nutty-good flavors of the earth when it’s just waking up from a long winter’s sleep. It’s perfect for blustery days when things are still too chilly to be savored without a thicker coat, but you can at least keep the woolen socks in your drawer. (You don’t have woolen socks?! Please, how do you keep your feet warm?)
This one is easier to steep than the white, and similarly forgiving if you forget the cup while springtime frolicking. The brown rice notes help buffer any bitterness, and just be sure to under-boil the water if you want it extra sweet! 185 degrees Fahrenheit should do the trick.
5. Green Rooibos Citron
If you want a taste of springtime in a warmer climate, sip no further than this blend. The delicacy of the green rooibos is excellently played up by the orange peel and citrus notes, while also makes it great as an entryway for exploring more flavored or blended teas if you’re new to that realm as well.
And the prep is just as welcoming as the flavor! Simply steep for 5 minutes with regular ol’ 212-degree boiling water. Done and done, giving you more time to play outside as the sunlight starts coming back after a long winter’s break.
What are your favorite light-hearted teas for the springtime? Let us know in the comments!
Cheers!
Natasha Nesic
NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, Founder of Work Life Fitness
*Tiny extra sip of fandom: although they sound like the same character, Batgirl and Batwoman are in fact two very different superheroines, each with their own unique backstory. Definitely check them out next time you’re in the comics section of your local bookstore!