The winter drinks tea. Icy winters drink WinterTea

A trick of nature: Christmas tastes like cinnamon, vanilla and orange. The tea tastes the same.

As soon as we hear the word Christmas we see pictures of cookies, burning candles and a festively decorated table. In addition to the numerous images, there are automatically scented memories. Tastes we only know from the Christmas season: Cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, oranges, anise, cardamom ... these taste particularly good in the cold season. An ingenious trick because these gifts of nature spoil us twice in winter. On the one hand they are good for our health, on the other hand they warm up your heart. Some even say that a good tea takes body, mind and soul in its arms.

COSY

So that Christmas becomes like Christmas - everything you need for a cosy Christmas tea

1. Cinnamon
2. Vanilla
3. Orange
4. Anise
5. Star anise
6. Cardamom
7. Clove
8. Gingerbread

Cinnamon

In the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) cinnamon is used against cold, circulatory problems and tension. Since ancient times cinnamon has had a harmonizing and aphrodisiac effect. Even King Salomon in the properties of cinnamon. In addition, some artists say that this spice inspires them.

Vanilla

Vanilla is considered the queen of spices and is the second most expensive spice in the world after saffron. Aside from its unique and coveted aroma and taste, vanilla also impresses with its inner values. It is said to have mood-enhancing properties as well as soothing properties. Vanilla is also known for its aphrodisiac effect. The scents of vanilla are similar to human pheromones (sex pheromones). For this reason, vanilla is also popular for perfumes.

Orange

The orange originally comes from China. The older name orange (apple from China) indicates this. Orange are known to be rich in vitamins (C and B group), iron, folic, acid and phosphorus. The connection to Christmas is very simple. The harvest season used to start in November. Especially in winter, oranges are a source of important vitamins and minerals.

Anise

Some say anise is the king’s spice for Advent. Tea with anise alleviates cough irritation and helps against colds. The spice has also digestive properties. Extensive walks during the cold Christmas season and sumptuous feasts - anise seems to have been made for it. And because all good things come in three, this spice has also a relaxing effect.

Star anise

Although they have similar names, Anise and star anise are not related. Anise comes from the apiaceae family. And the Star anise gave its name to an entire plant genus. Although they come from different plant families, they have a similar taste. Star anise tastes slightly spicier, more intense and sometimes a little bit hot. Anise tends to be mild and slightly sweeter. The plants have also a similar effects - star anise is also said to be helpful for coughing and digestive problems.

Cardamom

Another spice with beneficial properties against digestive problems and coughing. From the ginger family, cardamom is also considered to be expectorant, antibacterial and metabolic. In the Arabian world, men chew cardamom to stimulate their libido. Cardamom gives the tea its typical intense, sweetish spiciness.

Clove

For many people cloves are the Christmas spice par excellence. Their typical taste gives a festive finishing touch to Christmas teas or mulled wines. Cloves are also considered a household remedy for pain, especially toothache or digestive problems. What not everyone knows is that cloves can have a strong invigorating effect and thus increase concentration and energy. 

Gingerbread

Like curry, gingerbread spice is not a clearly defined spice mixture. Cinnamon, star anise, cloves, cardamom, lemon or orange peel are usually found in gingerbread spices. In addition, the mixtures may also contain vanilla, nutmeg, aniseed, ginger, coriander or pimento.

These teas make Christmas come true. Tea is becoming more and more popular as a digestif.

1. Houjicha

1. Oolong

1. Assam Broken

1. Gingerbread

1. Baked apple cinnamon

1. Friendly Belly

Houjicha

It's a green tea from Japan. During the harvest two leaves and the flower are picked, as well as stems. In the beginning the tea is processed like a normal green tea. The leaves are steamed on the day of harvest. In this way its green colour is preserved. The tea is then roasted at high temperatures. This gives the Houjicha its unique nutty, tasty and digestible taste.

The roasting process causes the tea to lose most of its caffeine (teein), so that Houjicha is often drunk in the evening - and as a digestif. In Japan, even sensitive people such as the elderly and small children enjoy Houjicha.

Oolong

An Oolong tea is half a green tea and half a black tea. Depending on the type of Oolong, the richness of taste ranges from fresh and flowery to contemplatively chocolaty. This kind of taste is made possible by a precisely controlled oxidation process. The fullness of taste far surpasses the number of aromas of red and white wines. The Oolong is particularly sought after by discerning connoisseurs.

Assam Broken

For Assam Broken, the tea leaf is not treated as a whole, but deliberately broken during processing. Compared to whole tea leaves, the broken leaf has the advantage that the tea can be brewed more quickly, the taste becomes more intense and the colour richer. The infusion tastes full-bodied, strong, intensely spicy. The Assam Broken can be mildly rounded off with milk. What more could you want from a digestif?

Gingerbread

This is a tea from the alveus® WinterTea Collection. Harsh black Assam tea with sweet dates produce a full-bodied, very dense mouthfeel. Star anise, cardamom, nutmeg and bourbon vanilla - the spices create a Christmas atmosphere. Nuanced facets of flavours bring gourmets sip after sip into the indulgence.

Baked apple cinnamon

A fine, natural Rooibos tea that tastes like baked apple and cinnamon. Cinnamon combined with fennel, cloves and liquorice root completes the Christmassy harmony. This special combination of spices is also intended to stimulate digestion. A composition that sounds very seductive after a sumptuous Christmas feast.

Friendly Belly

And another special tip from our Herbal Collection. The herbal tea Friendly Belly can help the stomach with its work. Aniseed, caraway, fennel and peppermint are known for their good digestive properties. Hop blossoms, chamomile and lemon balm soothe the upset stomach.

Healthy

Winter tea - the best tea for the winter is the healthiest

Tea and winter belong together. If it gets a little colder, no coffee can keep up. Tea is the first choice. And tea offers an incredible variety: black tea, spice tea blends, herbal tea blends, winter chais (cooked with milk), fruit tea, punch, mulled
wine ... here is a small overview of healthy ingredients and tea varieties that are generally recommended for colds:

Ginger

Peppermint

Eucalyptus

Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis)

Winter elixir

Fennel

Fresh Breeze

Stay Strong

Ginger

Ginger is known to strengthen the body's defences. Its pungent ingredients (gingerol) are said to boost the immune defence against flu infections, have an expectorant effect and promote blood circulation. In addition, ginger is said to have a GreenTox®ifying effect. In combination with a sweat-promoting tea ingredient such as lime blossom or mallow, the chances of a faster recovery increase.

Peppermint

Almost everyone in the house has peppermint. Mint is appreciated for its effect against sore throats and flu-like effects. It is also said to have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Peppermint is also used with pleasure for stomach and intestinal complaints. Many people underestimate peppermint, but those who have experienced its beneficial effect will always appreciate it.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus has a special ingredient: cineol. Cineol is said to have an antibacterial, antiviral, expectorant and ejaculatory effect. This enables it to dissolve mucus in the bronchi and paranasal sinuses and facilitate coughing up and cleaning the nose.

Sideritis Species

Since ancient Greece, Sideritis Species - Greek Mountain Tea - has been appreciated as a special tea. Sideritis Species is said to have mucolytic and anti-inflammatory effects due to its high content of essential oils and bitter substances. Properties that are welcome to anyone with a cough or a cold.

Winter elixir

A herbal tea blend with Sideritis Species (Greek Mountain Tea), anise, lime and elderflowers and thyme. All ingredients are said to have mucolytic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Some also say that it has cleansing and strengthening powers.

Fennel

Fennel is known for its ingredients Fenchon and Trans-Anethol. These are said to alleviate colds such as coughs and sniffles. They can also help to dissolve and remove stuck mucus in the bronchi. Fennel tea is also said to have another positive property: Fennel tea is said to be good for stomach complaints.

Fresh Breeze

This tea combines the good powers of nature. Peppermint, eucalyptus and thyme make breathing easier and clear your head. The general well-being should be strengthened by rose hips and lime blossoms. And the liquorice root ensures good taste. 

Stay Strong

The weather is going crazy. When it' s wet, cold, stormy and knows no pardon, Stay Strong herbal tea is a reliable protector. Apple, elderberry and rose hip are known to give new strength. Aniseed, fennel, ribwort and peppermint ensure that you have the longer breath. Good to know that there is such an herbal tea.

Tip for all types of teas and tea blends:

Add two to three squirts of lemon juice directly from the lemon to the drinkable tea. Vitamin C is known not to be enough for colds. (Of course, this does not apply to spiced teas and chais that are boiled with milk.)

The fine way to enjoy black tea

This ceremony has been developed since the early 17th century in a country that is the world leader in per capita consumption of black tea: East Frisia. There the black tea is drunk with cream and candy sugar (East Frisian: Kluntje). An experience for all the senses. 

First you put the candied sugar on the bottom of the cup. Then pour the tea slowly. The candy cracks softly and crackles. For the ears of the connoisseur this means, watch out: Now the time has come! The black tea mixture is poured under the rim of the cup about one thumb wide.

Now pour the cream very slowly and only in a thin thread along this free cup rim. (White cream to dark black tea - the eye drinks too.) The cream sinks first on the bottom of the cup. If the cream gets warmer from the tea, it rises in the middle of the cup as a cloud (East Frisian: n Wulkje). 

Many East Frisians swear that the tea prepared in this way must never be stirred. The pleasure is a journey from bitter-herb, strong, full-bodied black tea to creamy, opulent cream and sweet candy, the happy end.

And another unwritten rule that should exist: The right leisure and the right pleasure unfolds only with three cups of tea. If you only drink two or even one cup of tea in East Friesland, you are rude, a philistine or both.

Tea with that extra something

In the cold season and on the Advent markets, teas with a certain extra are particularly popular: black tea with rum, for example, or spice mixtures (chai) with wine (mulled wine). Basically, almost any tea can be mixed with wine or roasted. The taste knows no limits here. And as long as the consumption is in the normal range, what tastes is allowed.