The world of tea offers something different for everyone depending on an individuals’s taste, mood and overall health goals. In honor of the upcoming Royal Wedding this spring, we’re sharing some top teas (both traditional and trendy) and some delicious recipe pairings for each.

English Breakfast

If you are looking for a traditional tea to celebrate the Royal Wedding, then English Breakfast is your cup of tea - literally. To everyone in the United Kingdom, English tea is the only tea that exists. High in caffeine with a small amount of antioxidants, some people prefer to enjoy a cup of English tea instead of a cup of coffee. Looking for a bigger burst of flavor? Mix a cup of black tea and green tea to enjoy with your breakfast just like Dr. Valter Longo, fasting and longevity expert.

Pairs well with sweet desserts such as cheesecakes, creamy desserts like eclairs or pastries like sweet chocolate cake.

Matcha

Matcha is a green powder made from a specific kind of green tea leaf. Unlike other green teas, the plants used to make matcha are grown in the shade for weeks, which essentially increases chlorophyll levels. This added boost of chlorophyll gives matcha its distinguishing bright green color. The tea leaves are then harvested, dried and ground up into a powder, which is then used to make matcha. Matcha tea has three times the amount of EGCG, an epic antioxidant that can contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Ancient cultures even believed matcha to could improve skin quality and slow the aging process. Fountain of youth anyone?

Pairs well with mild flavors such as chicken or fish as well as sweet fruit salads or tarts.

 

Chaga

Known as the “King of Mushrooms,” Chaga is earthy and bitter, but tastes nothing like mushrooms. The most popular way to enjoy chaga is brewed into a cup of tea or added to a cup of coffee. Here is an easy at-home recipe to make your own chaga tea:

- Bring one liter of water to a boil and then add in a handful of chaga mushrooms.

- Let the chaga simmer until the boiling water turns brown or red in color. This should take roughly one hour.

- Strain the chaga tea into a mug and enjoy!

- If the taste of chaga tea is too bitter for your tastebuds, try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or a drop or two of a natural sweetener like raw honey or maple syrup.

Pairs well with donuts, morning muffins.

Reishi

Similar to chaga, reishi mushrooms have been used for centuries in teas. A tradition in Chinese medicine, reishi mushrooms are an adaptogen. Adaptogens are a group of herbs and other plants that help normalize the body’s stress response, which support our bodies in the face of stressors. Reishi tea is distinctly bitter in taste so it best pairs well with sweeter desserts.

Pairs well with sweet treats like chocolate pizzelles, crunchy cookies or soft baked cookies. 

Rooibos

Sometimes referred to as “red tea” or “honeybush tea,” rooibos tea originated in South Africa. Naturally sweet in taste with floral notes and a subtle hint of nutty flavors, rooibos tea has a gorgeous red hue and is naturally caffeine-free. Like most teas, rooibos is full of antioxidants. Rooibos pairs well with warming spices like ginger, cardamom, black pepper and chai, giving you the ability to create one of a kind tea blends as unique as your tastebuds!

Surprisingly, rooibos tea is usually not served with food, but if you want to pair it within something, pair it with a savory dish that contains either chicken or blue cheese like this fig, balsamic and blue cheese tart.

Whether you celebrate the Royal Wedding with a traditional cup of English Breakfast tea, a trendy tea like matcha or throw a tea party fit for a king and queen, any celebration where Simple Mills is served will be a royal success. Oh and remember, pinkies up!