The winter chill is here and it’s a great time for people to enjoy the power of tea and to boost their immunity, health and overall wellbeing with a steaming cup of the world’s favorite hot drink. Botanical teas are well worth trying in winter, and many niche businesses are selling seasonal specials that encourage their customers to try something new.
Here are five of the best teas to offer for winter wellness:
1. Chai
Warm, spicy and like a hug in a mug, Indian chai tea is a delicious combination of Camellia sinensis var Assamica (Indian Tea) plant and spices such as cardamom. Assam tea is most commonly used, with peppercorn, cinnamon and cloves. Other blends may include additional spices and it’s worth noting that chai comes in an endless variety of flavours and preparations, with variations around the world. They include Masala tea, Assam Chai, Darjeeling Chair, Irani Chai and Cutting Chai. For businesses looking to create their own specialty ‘chai’, there are endless possibilities!
2. Green tea
Originating from China, the lightly processed leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant make a delicious, fresh drink that promotes health and wellbeing. Packed with antioxidants, phytonutrients and other beneficial compounds, green tea also works well with a huge range of flavours, from zesty lemon to fresh peppermint. Why not create a unique winter blend for your customers with jasmine, lemon or orange for a zesty, fresh drink that will help to counteract those heavy meals and sweet snacks?
3. Earl Grey
One of the classic teas, Earl Grey combines black tea with bergamot extract for a drink that is light, refreshing and filled with naturally beneficial compounds. High-end brands can differentiate their Earl Grey teas by choosing the finest tea leaves and natural top-quality bergamot extracts, or even dried purple flowers for a tea that looks as beautiful as it tastes.
4. Rooibos tea
Made from the flowering Aspalathus linearis shrub, rooibos tea can be fermented or unfermented. It is naturally sweet, gentle and caffeine-free and packed with polyphenols and antioxidants. It also works wonderfully well with other flavors, such as sweet winter berries and vanilla; making it ideal for a warming winter blend.
5. Black botanical teas
Forward-thinking niche tea brands can also create their own delicious winter blends by combining high-quality black teas of choice with warming ingredients such as vanilla, caramel, cinnamon and apple. By using natural and organic ingredients, high-end packaging and high quality tea bags, these unique blends are a great way of obtaining – and keeping – loyal customers and charging premium prices.
Blue Ocean Tea works with its business customers to help them to create the perfect blends of botanical teas for their target customers. Winter is the perfect season to launch special blend teas with the right packaging, design and tea bags in order to help build your high-end brand in a competitive market. We offer services for all aspects of tea development, from sourcing, blending and packaging through to design, product development and strategy consultancy. Whatever your aspirations and current market position, our experts can help you to get the most from your tea business and to take it forward successfully in 2022.