Only Tea for Me
About two years ago, I "quit" coffee. To get me through all-nighter term papers, I would drink cup after cup of the drip stuff. For no particular reason, I switched to tea. I became a girl obsessed, a tea aficionada. What kind of leaves, where they're grown, what wonderful flowers blend with which teas, what time of day, when to add milk, honey, or lemon. I noticed that the switch made me feel better. I couldn't have explained it at the time, but coffee had a dull and dirty affect on my body. Not really, but the tea--especially the loose leaf, high quality teas steeped properly--made my veins, arteries, and nerve endings feel fresh. It was as if all that coffee was Friday night's make up that I hadn't washed off before bed and tea was the apricot exfoliation by noon on Saturday. Also, at my local coffee shop/home-away-from-home office (http://www.1369coffeehouse.com/), a single cup of exquisite coffee costs $1.40, white a pot of tea (which you can squeeze four cups out of) was only $2.00.
Green tea, though, never quite made the cut (or cup). I couldn't get past the medicinal bite. Then, a few months ago, I had an epiphany at the Porto Rico Importing Co., The Finest Coffee & Tea on Bleaker Street. Canister upon canister of the most amazing green and white teas (I found the black tea section a bit lackluster, only because I've had each they carried--which speaks more to my tea obsession than their merchandise). I walked out with Magnolia Oolong, Summer Rose, Butterfly Sencha, and...India Monsoon Malabar coffee.
These teas are super smooth, in no way bitter, light but flavorful, and incredibly beautiful. All are infused with a variety of flowers that bring color and loveliness. The biggest green tea crimes are over-steeping, scorching (using too-hot water), and cheap leaves. Whole leaf green tea is a revelation compared to its bagged brother. The butterfly sencha is so fragrant with citrus, I'm sure it'll make the most refreshing summer iced tea.
But, like I said, I couldn't resist the Monsoon Malabar. (I'm finding that I have a weakness for Indian beans.) A few weeks later, after drinking a cup (or two...or three) every morning, I'm feeling that sluggish, yesterday's makeup grime again. Waking up is more difficult, and I sleep like a pile of grumbling rocks. I need coffee to even make the coffee.
But enough! Today, I made a pot of magnolia oolong and I'm going to get back on the wagon.
Green tea, though, never quite made the cut (or cup). I couldn't get past the medicinal bite. Then, a few months ago, I had an epiphany at the Porto Rico Importing Co., The Finest Coffee & Tea on Bleaker Street. Canister upon canister of the most amazing green and white teas (I found the black tea section a bit lackluster, only because I've had each they carried--which speaks more to my tea obsession than their merchandise). I walked out with Magnolia Oolong, Summer Rose, Butterfly Sencha, and...India Monsoon Malabar coffee.
These teas are super smooth, in no way bitter, light but flavorful, and incredibly beautiful. All are infused with a variety of flowers that bring color and loveliness. The biggest green tea crimes are over-steeping, scorching (using too-hot water), and cheap leaves. Whole leaf green tea is a revelation compared to its bagged brother. The butterfly sencha is so fragrant with citrus, I'm sure it'll make the most refreshing summer iced tea.
But, like I said, I couldn't resist the Monsoon Malabar. (I'm finding that I have a weakness for Indian beans.) A few weeks later, after drinking a cup (or two...or three) every morning, I'm feeling that sluggish, yesterday's makeup grime again. Waking up is more difficult, and I sleep like a pile of grumbling rocks. I need coffee to even make the coffee.
But enough! Today, I made a pot of magnolia oolong and I'm going to get back on the wagon.
Comment
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Comment by Amanda O'Connor on May 31, 2010 at 1:00am -
This is proving so much more difficult than I initially thought! I've been reflecting on the last time I made the tea switch in search of why I pour a cup of coffee before I even think to boil water. About two years ago, I wasn't living with anyone else who drank coffee in the morning, or at least no one who put a pot on at home (except for weekends). It was quicker to throw a tea bag into a to-go mug and run like a crazy person to the subway. Now, I'm living with coffee bugs! By the time I'm ready for my morning brew, the pot had a cup or so left. So I drink that, not thinking of the consequences. Maybe I should use tea bags in the morning. I don't particularly like them, but it could make the transition simpler.
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Comment by Julie Randolph on May 30, 2010 at 9:58am -
I have to chime in with agreement here. I borrowed a book from someone a few years back called Caffeine Blues and I was shocked at learning all the detriments to one's health that can be caused by caffeine, particularly coffee. I was a four-grande-a-day girl at the time, at least. I decided to give quitting a shot. Halfway through I couldn't believe how much better I felt. I was very tired for about 10 days during the transition, but it passed and was helped by green tea. I'm a big fan now of green teas and oolongs, loose leaf. My favorite places to buy them are Teavana and Generation Tea.
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Comment by Anne-Margaret Olsson on May 30, 2010 at 8:30am
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I am in the process of cutting out coffee - just about there. It is amazing how much better I feel drinking tea over coffee. Tea clears my head and makes me feel great - where coffee keeps me in this fog feeling as if I need more caffeine. Thanks Whole Living for encouraging me to make this switch!
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