Good-bye to January, welcome February. To me, the end of January means a month closer to spring (and Spring Break!), Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and it’s time to celebrate drinking hot tea.
Yes, it seems that January was National Hot Tea month. When I asked around, not many people seemed to know what I talking about or even care for that matter.
So, I decided we might need a little extra promotion for tea drinking around here. Now, I know some of you are thinking, why should I drink hot tea? We already drink buckets of iced tea (sweet, of course) because we’re in the South, and well, it’s what we do.
But I’m talking about drinking hot tea, an English tradition dating back thousands of years. The rumor goes something like this-a lord and his buddies of an English manor left their ladies to go hunting one early morning. They said, “We’ll be back in time for dinner!” and off they galloped into the fog. After hours and hours, (imagine that-hunters gone for hours?), the ladies grew weary of waiting and hunger. So, to tie themselves over until dinner the ladies sipped hot tea and munched on delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, fruit-filled tarts and mini cakes. Thus, the English Tea was born.
The traditional teatime is 4 o’clock. However, tea is great to drink at any time. I like to wake up with a cup of green tea (a burst of energy!), sip on peach tea in the afternoon, and end my evenings with a cup of decaffeinated herbal tea with honey in the evenings.
So, you might ask, that’s great for you, but why should I want to drink it? When it comes to hot beverages, there is an endless array of coffee drinks and hot chocolates to choose from. Why hot tea?
First, tea is better for the cardiovascular system than coffee. It’s full of antioxidants, promoting healthy cells and tissue. Second, tea comes in a variety of flavors, just like coffee, so if you don’t like one flavor you can try another. You can add fun ingredients to find that perfect mix.
There are many ways to “take” tea; it’s just about your personal preference. These additions include milk (cream), lemon (though lemon and cream don’t mix), sugar cubes (brown or white), cinnamon, and/or honey. Tempting yet?
Third and lastly, hot tea is warm and soothing to the throat and body on these cold, wintry days. Herbal teas actually ward off colds and other illnesses, unlike coffee.
So go ahead. What are you waiting for? Head to your nearest coffee shop and order tea for a change (I’ve never been to one that doesn’t offer tea). If you really like it, you can pick up a box of your favorite flavor at the nearest grocery or convenience store. So sip away to your health. Tea is for everyone. One additional perk-drinking tea is an excuse to get together and share with friends.
My favorite way to drink tea? Out of china teacups at a table with close friends. All wearing hats, of course.
Jeannie Waller is a senior English major.