Teas to Enjoy While Curled Up With A Book

Drinking tea is more than just a nice little treat - it is an artform. Just visit any chashitsu ('tea house') in Japan, and you will see just how ingrained the art of drinking tea is into their culture. Or, if you are in the United Kingdom, you can find tea shops in virtually any town you visit - and they can certainly tell you all about the art of tea.

While many of us avid readers like to curl up with coffee and a good book, swapping coffee out for tea is even more relaxing. You can even sip some tea as you read the Art of Tea book to really get yourself into that mindset and mood.

Let's go over the types of tea you can pair with a good book and which books pair well with a warm cup of tea.

Types of Tea

Before you pick out a book to read, consider which type of tea appeals to you. There are a few different types of tea out there, many of which derive from the Camellia sinensis plant. This plant is native to Southeast Asia, although other tea-friendly climates throughout the world now grow the plant to be used for tea.

Herbal Tea

Herbal teas actually do not come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Herbal teas like peppermint, rooibos, and chamomile aren't technically tea but have the benefit of being caffeine-free for those who do not wish to drink caffeine.

Green Teas

Green teas predominantly come from China and Japan. Matcha is a particular type of green tea that is popular in Japan. The process of making it into tea is different from other green teas, and it is often served during Japanese tea ceremonies ('chadou' or 'the way of the tea').

Giving a Tea Gift

Giving a tea gift means giving the gift of health and wellness. Not only is tea relaxing to the mind, it helps flush toxins out of the body. It is a great way to show appreciation for someone you care about.

Books to Read While Drinking Tea

Let's talk books and tea. What you pair together matters. If you are feeling like drinking Earl Grey tea, pair it with Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (or any of her novels, honestly). Set in the English countryside during the Regency era, this novel is romantic but also full of Austen's quick wit.

Feeling like reading a thriller novel? Grab some Jasmine tea and check out Poison Orchids by Sarah A. Denzil and Anni Taylor. This riveting thriller centers around two young women who were members of a cult centered around mind control. Jasmine is slightly sweet but was once popular among apothecaries, who also used poisons.

A chai latte using our Pumpkin Spice Chai is perfect for the Halloween season and also pairs well with a spooky horror novel. Grab a copy of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House and pour it in your own cup of stars.

Want something more uplifting? Our Bright Eyed (Tumeric Ginger Tea) has energizing properties without caffeine. This is why it pairs so well with Jennette McCurdy's I'm Glad My Mom Died. Despite some heart-wrenching moments, this book will uplift you with McCurdy's sense of humor and relentless determination to gain control over her life.

Conclusion

Whether you get or give a tea gift, you can pair it up with a book to suit your mood. Tea has a lot of health benefits, but it also has a lot of psychological benefits, too. It has long been an important part of cultures across the world and will continue to be so for a long time to come.