By Tiffany Picard

Around the world, tea is a symbol of hospitality, warmth and comfort. On these dreary winter days when the cold seems to seep into your bones, a steamy cup of tea can make all the difference.
One of the unique properties of tea is its ability to simultaneously relax and revive. Buddhist monks discovered this centuries ago and drank tea to sustain them through long sessions of meditation. Tea does contain caffeine, though most teas yield about half or less the caffeine of coffee. A number of factors influence the caffeine level in tea, but generally green teas tend to have less caffeine than black teas.
Tea also contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which promotes relaxation and mental clarity. Studies indicate that tea’s combination of caffeine and L-theanine provides a gentler lift and more prolonged mental focus than the quick jolt that other caffeinated drinks may induce.
If you’re in need of a cup of cheer this winter, here are a few teas to warm you from the inside out:

HOJICHA — JAPANESE GREEN TEA
Hojicha is a dark, roasted green tea from Japan. It is made with the twigs of the tea plant rather than the leaves, which makes the infusion especially low in caffeine. SA Hoji Cha Green Tea is made with both tea leaves and twigs for an extra sweet, nutty flavor and chocolatey aftertaste. SA teas are available at Uwajimaya and other shops around Seattle.

Masala Chai — Indian black tea with spices
A traditional tea of India, masala chai literally means “spiced tea.” The spices — such as cardamom, peppercorn, ginger and cinnamon  — all spread a warming glow throughout the body. Simmered with black tea, milk, and sugar, the creamy brew warms you up in seconds.
Most cafés sell a form of masala chai, or you can make your own at home, with or without milk. The Perennial Tea Room near Pike Place Market sells a chai blend as well as an herbal chai blend that uses caffeine-free rooibos in place of black tea.

Oriental Beauty — Taiwanese Oolong
Legend has it that when Queen Elizabeth II tried this tea for the first time, she declared it to be a “true oriental beauty.” With a dark honey-sweet flavor and notes of peaches and rose, this tea has many layers of complexity. And with a high oxidation level, Oriental Beauty may be more warming to the body than lightly oxidized teas, according to Chinese medicine.
Floating Leaves Tea  in Ballard specializes in Taiwanese teas and offers two grades of Oriental Beauty.

Citrus Tea Blends
Citrus peel and citrus oil promote warmth in the body. Brew your morning tea with some lemon zest or orange peel, or try a citrus tea blend such as Seattle’s Market Spice Cinnamon-Orange Tea, an eye-opening blend of black tea, cinnamon and orange. Earl Grey is another popular black tea blended with oil from the bergamot citrus fruit.

Whether enjoying sweet masala chai in a handmade clay vessel, sipping Earl Grey with lemon from a porcelain teacup or running out the door with green tea in your travel mug, tea never fails to give comfort and inspiration when you need it most!

About the writer
Tiffany Picard is a Seattle-based business consultant who specializes in the tea industry and online marketing. Visit her website at www.t-consultancy.com.