A cup of tea is a cup of peace.
- Soshitsu Sen XV
I wrote this list for my sister who is currently hunkered down during Covid-19 with gazillion flavors of teas. Yes, instead of toilet paper. I guess, we all have our priorities. Thinking that she might have them in various colors enough to compete with the rainbow’s shades ROYGBIV. To those who love tea and colors, these are 7 shades of tea from my travels.
1. Shades of Red
Apple Tea is an utter Turkish delight. This warmed me up in the middle of winter when we visited Istanbul in January. Exactly like apple juice but piping hot. It is addictive and made uber sweet. These are made from dehydrated apples and can be bought as tiny dried apple pieces that need to be brewed. Or the lazier way, which I went for, was the crystallized option wherein you just have to pour hot water. Either way, this was one of my favorite memories of the city.
Am going to sneakily add in here a couple of teas that have a lighter shade of red.
Rose tea, which boosts digestion. This recipe looks simple enough. Rose extract and petals. Adding honey is advised. My sister prepared it for me once. It’s like tasting Valentines.
And Kashmiri tea is a light pink milky tea that is also called Noon Chai. It is made out of gunpowder tea (green tea leaves rolled into small balls), milk, and baking soda. I tried this one in a small town in Oman and because it is pink – I imagined tasting roses in it. That’s why presentation is quite important. Visuals can play with your mind.
2. Shades of Orange
The only time I tried this was during the Covid-19 lockdown in France. I ended up buying two kilos of oranges, mainly because I wanted to overstuff myself with Vitamin C. And also, the gentleman from the market had difficulty understanding my non-existent French.
With extra oranges in my hand and wanting something hot since it was still the end of winter, I used this recipe from Martha Stewart. Without the cinnamon as I am not quite fond of it. It tasted good. So it was quite a surprise and expanded my appreciation for oranges.
3. Shades of Yellow
Chamomile Tea, I guess is one of the most commercialized on this list. Twinings and even Lipton feature a dedicated product line for this.
It exudes this calming aroma that lulls you down. It promotes better sleep. Although for me, during my corporate days in Dubai, this settles my anxiety and makes me quite focused. Plus, it’s good to drink after stuffing myself at lunch with greasy goodness.
4. Shades of Green
Green tea, you say? Well, in a way. Since green tea rarely looked green in my cup and mainly yellow, I am featuring a developed green tea variety in this shades of tea list.
Matcha has gripped the market lately. Not only it is flavorful but very instagrammable. This Japanese powder has a complex and alluring taste. Great flavor for cakes, lattes, smoothies, ice cream, you name it. I never leave Wagamama without having their matcha-flavoured ice cream. It’s to die for. Kitkat even had matcha flavor chocolate – it tastes so good.
I’ve never tried this hot though.
5. Shades of Blue
Out of all the shades of tea in this list, this is the one that is straight from a fairy tale. It is just so pretty like drinking twilight. Writing Butterfly Pea Flower Tea makes me think of the Thumbelina.
Well, tiny princesses aside, this is also known as Blue tea. It is made from the flower petals of Asian pigeonwings. Benefits include anti-aging, regulating blood sugar, and more.
Its taste is somehow similar to unsweetened green tea.
6. Shades of Indigo
According to Chinese legend, an emperor discovered a plant called “Camelia Sinensis” when some leaves of this wild tree were blown into his pot of boiling water.
Now, I don’t know why an emperor was boiling water – but this plant is where Purple Tea comes from. Since it is the same plant from which oolong, black, and green tea come, it has a similar taste but is woodsy.
Since I am an artist and I breathe colors. Purple is a darker shade of indigo. So technically, a strong Purple tea would make this indigo.
It is grown in Kenya, and yet never got the chance to try it during a trip. Although, it is known to be the most exotic and pricey out of all these shades of tea list.
Since I want to play it safe with the colors - the Butterfly Pea Flower Tea becomes indigo when you add lemon juice to the tea mixture.
7. Shades of Violet
My favourite color when I was growing up. And I think to this day, my love for the color evolved into loving lavender.
Lavender tea is made by steeping dried lavender buds in water. This is quite famous in France and England. Lavender has such a distinct taste that is quite floral but with a hint of mint. I always feel transported into a medieval French village every time I take a sip. Yes, I am being fanciful of course. Away from tea, I had Lavender Champagned in New Orleans, and I had to stop myself from slurping an entire bottle.
While writing this, I am anticipating July, when the country opens. Get out, head to Provence, and run in the midst of those lavender fields while having that tea. Yes, even in the middle of summer.
Although it did not make my shades of tea list, personally, I like green tea. Especially with mint. It may not be raving with color but it has been my go-to hot beverage for years. When I find myself dining out and wanted to remember that moment, I order it with jasmine-infused. Now, any time I smell a hint of jasmine in the air – I smile.
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