We all know that college students corner the market on the whole "coffee" thing. They instagram their Starbucks orders and pack their campus cafes to the breaking point at all hours, and they say things like "Don't talk to me before I've had my coffee." Here's what I say: Why not take a more original path? Whether you live for coffee or simply dabble in the lifestyle during finals week, I want you to consider coffee's quieter but quality, counterpart.
I live for tea. I drink three cups a day, religiously; I spend an alarming amount of time researching different flavors, gadgets, and the history online and in books; and my Christmas and birthday lists generally consist of two words: "fancy tea." I love tea so much that I can't even mind my own business concerning it; I'm constantly trying to convert friends and family to my way of life. And now I'm trying to convert you. From classiness to health benefits to simplicity, here are 15 reasons why you should become a tea drinker now.
1. There’s a tea for every situation.
Need a caffeine boost? Trying to calm down before bed? Looking to add more antioxidants to your diet? Want to relieve nausea? There’s a tea for that.
2. Making tea can be a quick and simple process.
Running late? Just microwave some water and stick a tea bag in it… doesn’t get much easier than that.
3. But there’s also so much more than boring old tea bags.
You can really fancy-up your tea-drinking experience (and add a depth of flavor) with pretty tea sachets or loose-leaf tea.
4. Tea has antioxidants.
They’re called polyphenols, and they have cancer-fighting effects!
5. It has zero calories.
You can definitely sweeten your tea with honey or sugar, or even add milk, but tea connoisseurs say that the beverage is best enjoyed in its pure, unaltered (calorie-free) form. I agree!
6. There are all sorts of cool accessories to heighten your tea-drinking experience.
Exhibit A: these cool glass thermoses, which have a magnetic filter for loose-leaf teas!
7. Herbal teas can naturally alleviate a variety of unpleasant symptoms.
Try ginger tea to get rid of nausea, peppermint to soothe a sore throat, chamomile to help kick insomnia, or rooibos to relieve a headache.
8. It has a rich history.
Legend says tea was first discovered in 2737 B.C. by the Emperor of China. For hundreds of years, the Chinese drank it for medicinal purposes, used it as a religious offering, and enjoyed it for its taste first by royalty and later by commoners. It didn’t make it to Europe until the 17 century and you thought the Boston Tea Party was a long time ago!
9. The tins are so pretty you can reuse them for decorative purposes!
This one is now a pencil holder in my dorm room.
10. It’s the perfect rainy day companion.
Cuddle up with a blanket, a book, and a soothing cup of tea on a cold rainy day for a scene so perfect you’d Instagram it if you weren’t too comfortable to reach for your phone.
11. There are so many different types of tea, you will never get bored.
English breakfast, gunpowder green, oolong, assam, jasmine, earl grey, darjeeling – I could go on, but it would take you 15 minutes to read the list.
12. It will make you feel classy as heck.
The British love it and you serve it in dainty little cups. Tea party anyone?
13. Tea has fluoride.
As long as you don’t overdo it, drinking tea can contribute to strong teeth and bones.
14. We can’t forget about iced tea, which is perfect for summer.
Its light, refreshing, fruity flavors – from good old black to refreshing green to pretty pink hibiscus – are the ultimate beach beverage.
15. It’s the most widely consumed beverage in the world, after water.
Better go see what all the fuss is about!
