Up your tea game. If there’s one thing you can do to make your Thanksgiving 2022 the best ever, taking your tea experience a notch higher could be the best decision you can do. No doubt a bountiful meal at home capped by a roasted turkey at the head of the table should commemorate the joyful union of Plymouth settlers and Wampanoag natives in 1621.
Indeed, there may not be a better gift you can give to the people you love than huddling up and having quality time talking with one another over a cup of tea. Just connecting like old times as you let the conversation flow. Think about it. While gifting shareable thank you e-cards as many as you can is certainly a viable option for you, nothing beats “getting together in person” performance coach Dr. Kerry Petsinger details.
The good news is tea denotes a long game. Plus, pure tea from the Camella Sinensis shrub is a natural conversation booster. The longer you drink a cuppa, the better the conversation keeps flowing. Not to mention, spreading health and peace of mind to everyone.
What’s more, we are showing you 8 quick ways you can move your tea experience a notch higher. So you can keep the vibrant conversation flowing for as long as you like. And bond best on Thanksgiving Day 2022 with the people you love. Read on.
What Are You to Thank for on Thanksgiving?
For sure, things will not fully go your way this Thanksgiving. For one, you’ll find that dinner outside in your fave restaurant on the 24th of November will highly likely cost you 20% more compared to last year, CNN reports. Inflation is surely rearing its ugly head.
However, even when prices are soaring like crazy, fret not. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. And you can definitely say these are good reasons to be happy and jump about this Turkey Day. Some things to talk about that should catch your attention:
- The world just hit 8 billion in terms of population. Yup, it’s official.
- The Yuletide Season is upon us. Meaning: Black Friday and super sales with super low prices for your safety at home such as this one.
- International Travel is more possible than ever.
- The U.S. men’s national soccer team is playing in the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Its first game is a high-profile one against England on the day after Thanksgiving.
- WHO (World Health Organization) says the end of the pandemic is in sight.
So, you see, there are tons of reasons to be happy about and thankful. With a cuppa tea, you have a bit of a stimulant ready to perk you up and get everyone excited to talk.
Small wonder that Buddhist monks survived their long hours of meditation by incorporating the drink from Camella Sinensis leaves into their ritual. It allowed them to stay alert and calm all the way.
Of course, the stimulating ability of the leaves must have cultivated the legendary tale of tea plants originating from Bodhidharma’s eyelids. Just to note, Bodhidharma is a 6th-century Indian priest who brought Buddhism to China.
In this regard, you should spread happiness all around you on Turkey Day if you whip a cuppa of bubble tea for everyone you love. No worries. Here’s a must-try recipe to get it done.
Now, if you’re lost on time, you may ask yourself if there are ways you can deal with the bitterness of tea and make it a tealicious drink in an instant. Lucky you, there are 8 ways to get it done. And let more exciting conversation flow naturally.
8 Quick Ways to Better Tasting Camella Sinensis Tea
Chances are, you could be in a situation where a neighbor comes knocking on Turkey Day and just want to have a chitchat. As you go along with the talking, you may feel you want to keep the conversation going.
Now, imagine if it’s a slew of your closest relatives barging in without any sort of announcement. You simply can’t turn them away.
Whipping a boba tea may be wise. The drink is going to be a stunner for sure. However, that may take you some time. And time may not be one thing working in your favor.
Here are 8 quick fixes that can help you tone down the tannins in tea and get those wonderful conversations going forever.
1.Lemon
Never underestimate the lemon you see on the countertop every day. While you may think of the fruit as best for lemonade, it’s also a great sweetener to any tea, black or green. In fact, it’s a natural sweetener you can quickly use.
To use lemon, you can directly squeeze one into your cuppa. That should be quick. Alternatively, you can cut up slices. The trick to not having all that pulp (if you don’t want them), is to make the most of a strainer.
If you don’t have lemon available, don’t fret. You can also use other citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, or lime. Taste-wise, know that grapefruit and lemon may impose their will on the drink more than any of these fruits. While not as strong as both, an orange can leave a strong smell to all that.
On the other end of the spectrum, you could be thinking of calamansi, a product from the Philipines and other South Asian countries. Calamansi will introduce a more sour taste to your tea.
Now, while these fruits are heaven-sent and are perfect for green or black tea, they have an added advantage you shouldn’t forget.
HEALTH ADVANTAGE: When you put lemon and other citrus fruits into your cuppa tea, you not only give your conversation skills a boost but also you have become an angel of health. Why? Citrus fruits are super-rich in multiple nutrients that should be a perfect match for tea.
We’re talking about vitamin C, fiber, and a whole host of flavonoids. Meaning, you confer to everyone around you on Thanksgiving Day the gift of health. That includes conferring vascular protection that helps fight the #1 killer disease in America, heart disease.
Added to that, you help people in your circle reduce inflammation and improve gastrointestinal function. In short, you boost everyone’s health by helping them fight diseases. Among them:
- Diabetes
- Neurological disease
You certainly can’t go wrong with citrus. Just make sure you taste things out to know which suits your tastes best.
2.Berries
Who doesn’t want berries? They’re a sight for the eyes and succulent to taste. Best of all, they’re perfect for your tea. A quick add-on you should try.
You might think berries are an odd bunch. You might hesitate to use them on your cuppa. But truth to tell, they bring to the table natural sweetness that you should not forego.
The trick here is to throw in a mix for the best results. Put strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries right into your cuppa.
What you’ll notice is the mix can bring about a certain fullness that leaves you several notches down less hungry.
In fact, they’re perfect for your green tea — iced green tea even more. Just mash the berries, put them in and stir it all up in your cuppa.
HEALTH ADVANTAGE: There’s a difference between having natural sweetness to your drink that just the usual sugar you have on a daily basis. You can’t hide it. You really get a fruit-flavored drink.
What’s more, berries are top of the list of the most nutritious fruits anyone can have. We’re talking about a long list of vitamins and minerals you can partake with the succulent fruits. Some of these are:
- Prebiotics
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Potassium
- Magnesium
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what a notable expert says:
“On average, people who eat more berries seem to live a little bit longer,”
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health professor of epidemiology and nutrition on August 2, 202
3. Cinnamon
Don’t just think of cinnamon as an aromatic condiment. Aside from the inner bark’s magical smell, it’s also a great flavoring you can add to your tea.
Try it. It’s a quick add-on that can put a unique spice to the drink. Plus, you can factor in a dollop of your fave chocolate to be treated as a side dish or something you can put in as part of your drink.
Don’t worry. Cinnamon blends well with tea. So if you stir the cuppa a bit, the cinnamon should dissolve perfectly. And mask the not-so-good taste of tea.
HEALTH ADVANTAGE: Don’t be surprised. But cinnamon has been notable for its healing powers. In fact, the evergreen tree bark is a go-to remedy for a host of illnesses in traditional medicine. For centuries now. It’s herbal medicine.
We’re looking at tremendous benefits here. With its prebiotic property, cinnamon supports gut health, restoring the balance in your digestive system. Plus, it helps maintain heart health as studies show it helps reduce blood pressure. If that weren’t enough, cinnamon has been noted for its:
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-viral
- Anti-fungal benefits.
Indeed, the next time you see cinnamon in powder or bark form, never underestimate it. Not only can it help you boost tea, but also it’s a powerful health ally.
4.Honey
It’s no question. Honey is sweet. Added to that, it’s also perfect for tea.
Many may have tried honey as an add-on for their tea. That surely will give you a quick lift as a classic ingredient.
But you can add a twist to really nail a better taste. Mix your honey tea mixture with a splash of lemon. Or you can also add one or two flowers of Honeysuckle. Stir.
You should have before you a magnificent drink of tea that’s silky smooth. Remember honey adds viscosity to all that so the more you pour honey in, the stickier your drink. Lemon counters the thickness.
For wider choices, you can also use chamomile, lemongrass, or lemon. Honey, lemon and hot water can be perfect for your tastes.
HEALTH ADVANTAGE: Honey is a natural sweetener, no doubt about that. What you may not know is the sweet concoction also carries with it antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
So, once again, honey in your cuppa gives you a glorious opportunity to spread good health to everyone you love.
5. Mint
Wo! What’s mint got to do with tea? Well, you know mint is a top ingredient in keeping your mouth cool and fresh. Right? That cool sensation in your mouth that the mint leaves introduce has become synonymous with fresh breath.
Small wonder chewing gum (e.g., Juicy Fruit) is using it to the hilt. But mind you, mint is also an excellent flavoring. Chocolate chip ice creams and mojito cocktails are just some of the examples of top gourmet that have been blessed with mint. And quickly at that.
Thus, it’s perfect for helping you make tea as pleasing as can be. Just adjust the amount to your liking. In fact, you’d be surprised how best it goes with green tea.
HEALTH ADVANTAGE: Mint is definitely no pushover when it comes to great taste. Note, the leaves have been part of herbal medicine for centuries now. For one, it has been strongly associated with the healing of stomach problems, from loose bowel movement to irritable bowel syndrome.
Some of the health benefits linked to mint are:
- Brain health
- Digestive health
- Help treat Alzheimer's
Again, it brings to the table not only a great conversation experience but health for everyone.
6.Ginger
Well, if there’s one familiar condiment in the kitchen, ginger will most likely take the top spot. Everyone knows what the weird-looking spice is. What you don’t know is it’s perfect for your tea, no matter if it’s oolong or not.
Just be careful though. Ginger can certainly spice up your tea but too much of it could mean you’re looking at one sour drink.
Take note, green tea and ginger combination can be the perfect soothing drink anyone can find. You can try it after a heavy meal or anytime you want to relax after work or a stressful day. Plus, it’s a healthy detox too.
To use, start with 1 tablespoon of chopped ginger for every cup of tea. You can also make the most of powdered ginger that’s common in supermarkets.
HEALTH ADVANTAGE: If we’re to count the health benefits of ginger since man found out about it, we might end up with such a long, long list that we can’t finish. Traditionally, the rhizome has been associated with easing nausea.
So anyone who’s about to faint surely can certainly be helped with ginger. Studies with pregnant women with symptoms of nausea have given positive results.
Other health benefits of ginger include:
- Help fight weight loss
- Help with osteoarthritis
- Lower blood sugar
- Boost heart health
Then again, these are just a few. If we list them all, it may take longer than a day. Still, that tells you how great ginger with your fave tea should be.
7. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup's amazing reputation when it comes to excellent taste is legendary. Hands down, it has been reputed to put delicious in any drink, or for that matter, food.
And you certainly won’t go wrong with putting the sweet concoction into your green tea. Just use one to two shots. Remember: Too much sweetness is never OK.
It can be added quickly so you won’t have to worry about anything. Just pour it into those cuppas when surprise visitors come. And let the conversation flow.
HEALTH ADVANTAGE: Well, don’t look now but pure maple syrup feasts with a host of health benefits. That’s because it’s teeming with antioxidants. Plus, you’ve got a whole army of nutrients there: riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
So here’s quite a list of what you get with a good amount of maple syrup in your tea:
- Lower glycemic index
- Fight inflammatory disease
- Protect your skin
- Better alternative to sugar and artificial sweeter,
All in all, maple syrup should bring about a ton of health benefits. Just make sure you don’t overconsume the sweetener.
8. Coconut Milk
Last but certainly not least, you have coconut milk. When you put it in your tea, the liquid introduces an added flavor that makes the drink much more palatable.
Best of all, it matches greatly with green tea in a jiffy. You won’t have to prep long. Just pour it in.
HEALTH BENEFITS: Don’t be surprised. The milk of the one-seeded drupe displays a wide range of health benefits. Top of the list is it’s an energy booster. Thanks to medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs, coconut milk decreases the appetite while increasing energy. It’s no surprise it’s recommended for people who want to lose weight.
But that’s not all. There’s also a long list of health benefits associated with coconut milk. Some of these are:
- Lactose-free (milk substitute for lactose intolerant people)
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-microbial
- Anti-fungal properties
- Fights pathogens (disease-causing organisms)
- Help promote cardiovascular health
- Reduce stomach ulcer
It’s definitely a bonus to have coconut milk in the kitchen. You not only are ready to brighten your tea but also take your well-being to a higher level.
Wrapping Things Up
Indeed, Thanksgiving 2022 is upon us. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bond with your loved ones. This is where making your cuppa of tea stand out is best. It is one excellent way to make the talking all the more interesting. And let dazzling conversations flow naturally.
The more tealicious your cuppa, the better your chitchat. The better you bond, not to mention the healthier everyone gets. That’s the magic of the add-ons above added to pure quality tea.