I wear a lot of different hats at work, so I get asked a lot of different questions. How do I get a book published? How do I submit a story to a news website? How do I avoid being nervous when faced with my favorite celebrity? (I still don’t know the answer to that last one, sorry.) But the question I get asked most of all is: How do I get started drinking tea?
The geeky community seems to love tea, and I can’t blame them. Just like geekdom, there are dozens and dozens of different types of tea, to the point that there’s definitely something for everyone. There’s also a trend of theming teas to our favorite shows and movies. Plus, there’s just something cozy and comforting about tea and a book. It’s no wonder we lean toward it.
The basic answer to the question is: buy tea you like and drink it. But if you’re looking to make it a special part of your day, or explore all the different kinds out there . . . well, it’s about time to write my official answer to this most FA of Q’s.
The Basics
First things first: if you just want to switch to tea because you want caffeine that isn’t coffee or soda? Then grab something you like at the grocery store, and you’re done.
Yes, it’s really that easy.
There’s no “tea gatekeeping” to be had. You should drink what you like, and if you like store brand bags, use store brand bags.
If you’re looking to go more in-depth, start with finding out what you like. Black, green, oolong, and white teas all come from the same plant; the difference comes in how they’re treated after picking. Black teas are your friend if you want something strong and caffeinated; green, or oolong if you want something grassy or earthy. White teas are light and delicate.
Herbal teas (or “tisanes” as none of it comes from a tea plant) are a good caffeine-free option and can have medicinal effects. And rooibos is a good caffeine-free option if you still want something strong. As for flavors? You can find anything from chocolate to smoky lapsang to figgy pu’erh. The sky is really the limit.
What Do I Need?
If you’re looking to make loose tea, you’ll need something to hold it in while it steeps. Tea balls are a common solution—but not necessarily the best.
The leaves need room to expand, so you can get as much flavor our of them as possible. Basket infusers, French presses, or single-use bags are better ways to go, since thy give the leaves the room they need.
You’ll also need steeping times—fortunately, most teas come with the time somewhere on the label. As a rule you should steep white teas for 1-2 minutes, green and oolong for 3-4, and black for 5. Steeping longer can bring out too much tannin and ruin the flavor.
But if you’re like me and like really strong tea, that may be a plus. Herbal teas should steep for at least 7 minutes and, unlike regular tea, don’t run the risk of being oversteeped.
If anything, going longer brings out more of the medicinal benefit of things like chamomile. (So, you know, be careful if you’re making valerian tea.)
What About the Health Benefits?
You may be thinking of switching to tea because you’ve heard about the medical benefits. How green tea helps you lose weight, detox, protect yourself against cancer, etc. If you’re looking into switching to tea for those benefits, then . . . honestly, don’t.
Because like many other things, tea (especially green) has been given a lot of credit beyond the realm of science fact.
Tea does, however, contain the amino acid L-theanine.
Some studies have shown that L-theanine is helpful in combating anxiety, which could be why so many of us find ourselves gravitating toward tea after a stressful day. Plus, L-theanine slows your body’s absorption of caffeine.
That means your morning Earl Grey not only has less caffeine than your average cup of coffee, but your body won’t burn through it all at once and crash right after.
Where Do I Get It?
So you’re ready to buy. Where to go? Obviously most stores will stock at least some tea. But if you’re looking for variety, here are a few places to check out:
Discover Teas: This Virginia-based small business will ship all sorts of tea directly to your home, from fancy house blends to traditional blends. Their herbal WellTEAing line includes blends for health issues, and they even have special formulas for pets.
Nerdfelt Teas: Geeky blends inspired by Star Trek, Doctor Who, Hamilton, MST3K, and more. Plus, there’s a Tea of the Month club and holiday sampler!
Adagio Teas: Mail-order tea company with the option to make your own blends. Plus, there’s a whole catalog of fan-made fandom blends, some of which are “shipped” with each other for a discount!
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