What I’ve Been Drinking Recently – Tea Update!

I love tea. I really, really love tea. I’ve written poems about tea, I’ve written posts about tea, I’ve mentioned tea in posts about writing. The icons for why Monday and Friday posts contain images of tea. My blog header includes a tea pot and tea cup. What can I say? I just Really. Love. Tea.

Now, I should note that I’m a bit particular when it comes to my tea. I only drink black tea with milk (though I will sip green tea at a restaurant). I’m not particular about which type of black tea I drink – Darjeeling, Orange Pekoe, Assam, Indian, Chinese, I don’t really mind, as long as it’s black, and preferably unflavoured (though there are a few lightly flavoured black teas that I do enjoy). What can I say, I’m a bit of a purist.

I’m not, however, a tea snob, as you’ll see by my preferred choices. I’m not much of a drinker of loose leaf teas, as I really can’t be bothered with all the measuring and straining and faffing about – just give me a sizeable mug, a tea bag, and a boiling kettle, and that’s good enough for me.

Recently I’ve had to shake up my tea drinking routine a bit because I’ve had to temporarily cut back on my caffeine intake. Does this mean I’ve dropped tea from my diet, or worse yet, resorted to drinking herbal tisane?

Absolutely not!

Thankfully for us tea addicts, there are several decaffeinated black teas on the market that are just as rich and satisfying as their caffeinated counterparts. Here are a few that I’ve been enjoying recently.

Ty.phoo Decaf – This is the perfect choice when you want a simple, strong cuppa. Nothing fancy, but ideal for every day drinking.

Harney & Sons Vanilla Comoro – Something a little different for when you’re feeling a bit fancy, this decaf black tea is lightly flavoured with vanilla for a cup that’s distinct without being sweet or cloying. This is also a great choice is you enjoy your tea sweetened but are trying to reduce your sugar intake, as it’s less bitter than some other black teas on this list.

Tetley Decaffeinate British Blend – Alas, this one is harder to find here in Canada, which is a real shame, because the original Tetley’s British Blend is one of my favourite black teas. This is another strong, rich tea that isn’t for the faint of heart, but that’s exactly why I love it so, and the decaf version retains the strength of the original, for a cuppa that’s sure to help you wake up, even without caffeine.

King Cole Decaf – I must apologise for filling this post with tea brands that can be hard to source outside of a certain area, but if you’re in the Maritimes, I highly recommend King Cole brand tea. Affordable, strong and so good, I don’t believe this brand is available outside of the Maritimes (I discovered it in Nova Scotia and haven’t seen it here in B.C.). I did manage to pack two boxes of it in my luggage after our last drip out East, which might have raised eyebrows had my significant other not been so used to me stuffing my bags full of interesting locals teas on our travels.

Barry’s Tea – Decaf Blend – Another favourite of mine in its original caffeinated format, I was thrilled to discover this decaf version. Perhaps it’s my small amount of Irish heritage (I’d hazard a guess that I’m 25% Irish, though like any person of European ancestry that’s a bit of a rough estimate since we’re all really pretty mixed through centuries of migration and border changes)  that draws me to this brand so, or maybe it’s just the brand’s strong, no-nonsense black tea blends that really appeal to my palate.

Twinings Decaffeinated Earl Grey – Another classic that I’ve been drinking at least since I was a teenager, in it’s original caffeinated form. This is much lighter tea than most of the previous varieties, which makes it an ideal black tea for drinkers who prefer their beverages less bitter. It pairs beautifully with milk, can be enjoyed clear, and makes you feel a bit like Captain Picard when you drink it, which is never a bad thing.

Are you a fellow tea lover? What are your favourite brands or blends? 

“When I say herbal, you say no thanks!”