Many tea drinkers are familiar with certain varieties ofspiced tea, such aspumpkin spice teaandchai. But the world of spiced tea extends far beyond thesepopular varieties, offering adventurous tea drinkers the opportunity to explore an array of exotic aromas andpalate-pleasing flavors. Below, learn about the basics of spiced tea and discover several of the rich and flavorfulspices our Citizens enjoy the most.
History of Spices
Spices have a long and storied history, stretching back to the dawn of civilization. Millions of years ago, earlyhunter-gatherers wrapped game meat in the leaves of certain plants, and discovered that this process enhanced thetaste. They began intentionally adding other parts of the plant — including the bark, roots, seeds and fruit — totheir food for flavor..
Over the span of tens of thousands of years, spices became deeply important in various healing methods, religiousrituals, burial rites and other cultural traditions. The earliest written records of spices come from ancient India,China and Egypt, and these regions were among the first to develop the spice trade route.
Spices like cinnamon, black pepper, cloves, cardamom and nutmeg spread through the Middle East and into Europe. Bythe Middle Ages, spices were among the most sought after and expensive products on the European continent. When earlyexplorers sailed across the Atlantic, they began trading spices with the people of North and South America.
What Is Spiced Tea?
In many ancient cultures, spices were blended with water to create healing infusions and medicinal treatments. Forinstance, thehistory ofchaistretches back thousands of years, when it was first concocted as an invigorating Ayurvedic beverage. Atthe time, chai contained a blend of many different spices that were believed to support vitality. It was not until the1800s that black tea leaves, milk and sweetener were added to this ancient spiced tea blend.
Today, a wide variety of spices sourced from around the globe are used to prepare spiced tea. They can be added toblack or green tea, or simply blended with other herbs and botanicals to create healthful caffeine-free infusions.
On a crisp autumn morning or chilly winter night, there is nothing that warms the body and spirit quite like a hotcup of spiced tea. Yet many spiced teas also taste quite refreshing when served on ice and can be enjoyed year-round.
5 Popular Spiced Teas
1. Turmeric Tea
Also known as “Indian Saffron,” turmeric has a long record of culinary, medicinal, spiritual and cultural use inIndia.Turmeric teahas a distinctive goldencoloring and a robust, earthy, pungent flavor. It is a rich source of curcumin, which is highly regarded for itsantioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.* Turmeric is the primary ingredient used in golden milk, a healthfulbeverage that also traditionally contains coconut oil, black pepper and milk. Golden milk is believed to boostimmunity and reduce inflammation and joint pain.*
Try It:
- Organic Turmeric GingerGreen Tea
- Organic Turmeric Single Sips®
- OrganicHoneybush Vanilla Turmeric SuperDigest Tea®
2. Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon teais among the most popularvarieties of spiced tea. Many tea drinkers enjoy the warm, rich, spicy-sweet flavor of cinnamon. This fragrant spicehas long been associated with luxury, and for centuries spice traders kept the exact origins of cinnamon a secret fromEuropean buyers. Cinnamon is thought to have antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal properties.*
Try It:
- Organic Lean GreenSuperGreen Tea
- Organic VietnameseCinnamon SuperHerb®Tea
- Cinnamon Vanilla Red Tea
3. Ginger Tea
Ginger teais known for its zesty, spicy flavorand stomach-soothing benefits.* It is among the oldest and most widely used spices in the world, having been used byChinese healers for thousands of years. Ginger contains a high level of antioxidants called gingerols and shogaols,which are thought to improve circulation and reduce inflammation.* It has also been shown that it could be effectivein reducing nausea and morning sickness.*
Try It:
- Biodynamic®Ginger Tea
- Ginger Peach Black Tea
- Ginger Peach Green Tea
4. Cardamom Tea
Known as the “queen of spices,” cardamom is among the most expensive spices in the world, trailing closely behindsaffron and vanilla. It has a warm, rich aroma and an intense flavor that can range from spicy-sweet and citrusy tosmoky and faintly minty. It is commonly used in culinary applications, especially in preparing hearty stews and spiceddesserts. Cardamom may have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.*
Try It:
- Cardamon Cinnamon Herbal Tea
- Republic Chai®Black Tea
- Apple Pie Chai
5. Clove Tea
Cloves have a potent aroma and warm, subtly sweet flavor. They have long been used in baking, and are one of thetraditionalmullingspicesused to prepare mulled cider and wine. Cloves are native to Indonesia, where the Dutch held a monopoly onthem until the 1700s. According to Ayurvedic healing methods, cloves may help reduce inflammation and supportimmunity.*
Try It:
- get protected®– No. 24 Herb Tea forDefense
- Comfort and Joy Black Tea
- Republic Chai Red Tea
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended todiagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
