The holiday season has arrived once more, and people are celebrating with traditional Christmas Eve dinners, family gatherings, office parties, or simply a quiet night at home. Whatever way you celebrate the holidays, one thing is certain: tea will be served! Whether it’s hot tea to chase away the winter chill or iced tea to drink by an open fire, chances are you’ll have a cup of tea in your hand this December.
You may have heard that green tea is good for your heart, so perhaps your dinner guests are drinking it. Perhaps black tea is more their speed? Or are you looking for ways to showcase different types of teas so that your guests can try something new and interesting? Whatever your reason, we’ve compiled a list of ten different types of Christmas tea menu to serve. Most of these teas can be served hot or iced.
1. Black Tea: Best known as the classic English breakfast tea, black tea contains caffeine and has a strong, bold flavor that is ideal for early morning cuppas or late nights by the fire. This is an all-around crowd pleaser and a year-round staple in most American homes because it is well suited to sweeteners and milk.
2. Green Tea: Light and delicate, green tea is a popular choice for health-conscious drinkers and those looking for a refreshing drink on a hot day. It has no caffeine and is suitable for drinking at any time of day and goes well with both sweet and savory foods.
3. Oolong Tea: With a flavor that falls somewhere between black and green teas, oolong is a good choice for those who want the taste of black tea but not the caffeine. Because of its metabolic properties, this tea is also thought to aid in weight loss.
4. White Tea: The lightest of all teas, white tea has a delicate flavor that can be quickly overpowered by milk or sweeteners. This tea is reserved for the most discerning tea drinkers, but it still contains all of the beneficial antioxidants found in green tea without the tannic acid.
5. Pu-erh Tea: A true ‘hearty’ tea, pu-erh is meant to be brewed in a yixing teapot with boiling water and drunk without any additives. Pu-erh, which is only grown in China’s southern provinces, is produced through an aging process involving microbial fermentation, similar to wine, which gives it its earthy flavor profile. Pu-erh Tea should never be served iced because it dilutes the depth of flavor.
6. Peppermint Tea: The classic way to enjoy peppermint tea is hot on a cold winter day, but the properties of peppermint lend this tea well to iced tea. Peppermint tea can be served sweetened or unsweetened and works well as an after-dinner digestive.
7. Orange Pekoe Tea: Also known as English Breakfast, orange pekoe (pronounced “puh-koh,” not “pee-co”) is black tea blended with pieces of orange peel. This gives traditional English breakfast its distinct orange flavor and explains why it tastes so good with milk and sugar!
8.Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea, a relaxant and sleep aid, is made from the dried flowers of the chamomile plant. This tea is naturally sweet and can be served hot or cold.
9. Lemon Ginger Tea: A soothing combination of ginger root and lemon balm, lemon ginger tea is ideal for anyone suffering from a cold or the flu. The ginger soothes the throat, while the lemon balm fights infection. To help relieve a cough, brew this tea hot and serve with honey.
Honeybush Tea: Honeybush tea is a caffeine-free South African herbal tea made from the leaves and twigs of the honeybush shrub. It has a sweet, nutty flavor. This tea is ideal for an after-dinner drink or as a bedtime tea.
So there you have it! Ten different types of tea to serve at your Christmas party. Whether you’re looking for a caffeine fix, a refreshing cold drink, or something to help you relax and sleep, there’s bound to be a tea on this list that fits the bill. Merry Christmas!