There's nothing like a steaming cup of hot tea on a winter morning, particularly if the day ahead will be a busy one. The ritual of steeping the tea and pausing a moment to savor its warmth and flavor can be deeply calming and centering. But there's more you can do with tea than just drink it. Whether you're entertaining or enjoying a holiday meal with your family, herbal tea can enhance both sweet and savory recipes. Here are a few of our favorite ways to think outside the tea cup.
Hibiscus-Orange Punch
Serves 6
Everyone gathers around the punch bowl at parties, and it's no wonder. Punch adds a festive note to holiday gatherings. But this punch doesn't rely on alcohol or sugary soda for its base. (Although you could add some spirits if you so desire.) It's made from hibiscus tea, enhanced with a splash of orange juice and honey for sweetness and seltzer for fizz. It's also a gorgeous ruby-red color that will look amazing on any buffet table.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups water
- 6 Gaia Herbs Organic Hibiscus Tea bags
- 1 cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 ½ cups seltzer 1 orange, cut into slices
Directions
- Boil water and add teabags.
- Turn off heat and steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze out excess liquid.
- Add orange juice and honey. Stir until honey dissolves. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Shortly before serving, add seltzer.
- Serve in a punch bowl with ice cubes and orange slices.
Tulsi Tea-infused Deviled Eggs
Serves 6
Deviled eggs are another party favorite. If you'd like to take yours to the next level, try making them with Chinese marbled eggs. These boiled eggs are cracked but not peeled until they've soaked in a mixture of tea, tamari, and star anise overnight. The result is a striking white and brown marbled egg white with a subtle umami taste. The earthy flavor of tulsi tea adds the perfect savory note to these beautiful appetizers.
Ingredients
- 6 hard-boiled eggs in their shells
- 2 cups water
- 4 Gaia Herbs Essential Tulsi Tea bags
- ¾ cups tamari
- 2 cloves star anise
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
Directions
- Boil water, add tea bags, and steep for 10 minutes.
- Add tamari and star anise.
- Gently crack shells of hard-boiled eggs. Add cracked eggs to tea mixture and simmer for 40 minutes.
- Then soak them in the tea mixture overnight.
- Peel eggs, split in half, and remove yolks.
- Mash yolks and mix with mayonnaise and mustard.
- Refill whites and top with chives.
Licorice and Rooibos-Scented Quinoa Pilaf
Serves 4
In this recipe, the quinoa steeps in tea instead of broth. The licorice root and rooibos leaf in Gaia Herbs Cleanse and Detox Tea lend it a delicately spicy flavor. This would make a nice stuffing or side dish at a holiday meal. Your guests will never guess it has the added bonus of supporting liver detoxification.*
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 8 Gaia Herbs Cleanse and Detox Tea bags
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- Fresh parsley, to taste
Directions
- Boil water, add teabags, and steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags, squeezing out excess liquid.
- Add 1 tablespoon oil and salt and stir in quinoa. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Saute onions, garlic, and celery in 1 tablespoon oil for 8 to 10 minutes. Fluff quinoa and add vegetable mixture.
- Mix in lemon zest, cranberries and parsley.
Chocolate-Peppermint Tea Latte
Serves 4
Chocolate and peppermint is a classic winter taste combination. This warming drink is less sugary than hot chocolate but still perfect to enjoy after ice-skating, sledding, or picking out a Christmas tree. The peppermint flavor comes from the peppermint leaf and essential oils in Gaia Herbs Liver Cleanse Tea. Bonus: this tasty treat will also support your liver's role in digestion especially important during the holiday season, when many of us tend to overeat.*
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk or non-dairy alternative
- 4 Gaia Herbs Liver Cleanse Tea bags
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- Whipped cream (optional)
Directions
- Bring milk to a boil. Add tea bags, turn down heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Whisk in cocoa powder and maple syrup.
- Top with whipped cream, if desired.
Inspired by the following recipes (with a few of our own touches):
https://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/hibiscus-blood-orange-punch
https://www.teatulia.com/pages/tea-entrees-recipes/tea-deviled-eggs.html
https://www.forkandbeans.com/2016/12/09/chocolate-peppermint-tea-latte/
https://recipes.oregonlive.com/recipes/rooibos-scented-couscous
Tea provides a delicious & convenient way to consume herbs
Tea comes in a variety of delicious flavors and is more than just a soothing beverage. Adding tea to your daily routine is an easy way to consume herbs and may also provide big benefits in supporting your emotional and physical well-being*.
The good news is that Gaia Herbs has a full line of teas to choose from. Try a few different tea flavors and find the one you'll love most and will enjoy making part of your wellness routine.
What are your favorite ways to incorporate teas in your recipes? Share your tips and recipe ideas with us on Facebook and Instagram.