Although I’ve lived in LA for nearly 10 years, I’m still very English when it comes to tea. I love my skinny lattes just as much as the next Angeleno, but I still have to start every morning with an Earl Grey and toast. The taste, smell, and the ritual of it are so nostalgic to me – it instantly puts me into a good mood. In fact, I think there’s no better self-care ritual than having a quiet moment to yourself with a cup of tea. I highly suggest starting or ending your day this way!
Slowly but surely, I’ve noticed more and more tea shops popping up here in the States. Whether it’s a change in tastes, more widely-known health benefits, or simply because the famous pink wall at Alfred Tea is making it trendier – tea seems to be finally catching on. And I’m totally excited about it! Whether or not you’re already an avid tea drinker or wanting to try more of it, you’ll love this simple DIY that doubles as an adorable present or party favor. It’s incredibly easy to mix your own teas, and is a great way to learn more about different types and flavors you may prefer. Read on to learn how!
Start With A Base Leaf
While there are endless types of teas, most are made with green, black, or white tea leaves as the base. Black tea leaves will have the most amount of caffeine and the most intense flavor, while green and white tend to be a little milder. There is no wrong or exact way to mix teas, but generally you can use your base leaf to account for about 80% of the jar.
Add Accent Flavors To Taste
Again, while there is no right or wrong way to mix tea, there are certain combinations that go together better than others. I bought black, green, and white leaves as my base flavors. For accents, I got jasmine, hibiscus, lavender, chamomile, rose, and calendula. I created a few different mixtures, but my favorites were black and rose, green and jasmine, white and chamomile, and hibiscus and rose. Simply layer your leaf selections in your jar, and lightly shake to mix! With a few tries, you’ll discover what your favorite combinations are.
Need a fun, delicious recipe to try? Try making your own Early Grey! You’d be surprised how easy it is. Start with a clean, empty mason jar. Add a few drops of Bergamot oil into the jar, and swirl it around so that it coats the inside evenly – the amount of oil is up to you, but keep in mind the size of the jar and the fact that it’s a very strong oil. Simply add black tea leaves to the jar, and mix! I even added some rose petals to my mixture, which were delicious. Top off all your tea jars with a cute burlap ribbon. Enjoy!
xx,
