Recently, I read an article on the Lake Missoula Tea Company (LMTC) blog called “Warming & Cooling Teas: Moving through the Seasons.” The post got me thinking about Pétale’s Fall Tea Menu. Sign up below for Pétale's monthly newsletter to get early access to our season menu!
In the Fall, we crave flavors like pumpkin, cinnamon, apple, and spice. The taste and smell of each is warming, comforting, and perfect for combating the damper, cooler weather we see in the autumn months.
But did you know that tea on its own is categorized as either “warming” or “cooling”? Keep reading to learn more and get a sneak peak at the three warming blends we’ve chosen for our Fall Tea Menu.
Warming Teas - When considering whether a tea is “warming” consider its preparation. Black teas, for example, are “warming.” Oxidation is what gives black tea its distinctive color and what categorizes it as “warm” rather than “cool.” In terms of blends, black teas can also stand up to stronger flavors like those found in foods traditionally served in Autumn such as pumpkin bread, cinnamon shortbread, and apple pie.
This Fall, Pétale has chosen to pair LMTC’s Honey Ponderosa black tea with both sweet and spiced desserts. Pro tip: It also plays very nicely with the bright pop of lemon curd! Named after the State Tree of Montana, Honey Ponderosa mimics the sweet vanilla scent of Ponderosa Pine sap when it has been… get this… warmed by the sun. Some descriptions of the sap also include marshmallow and butterscotch alongside vanilla. Whatever it smells like, it is a magical thing to behold! The Honey Ponderosa blend honors its namesake with a smooth sweet finish, beautiful flavor and rich color.
Botanical blends, although they do not contain true tea from Camellia Sinensis, can also be labeled as warming or cooling. Ginger, the base of the LMTC’s Spicy Ginger Snap blend, stimulates circulation just like a warm bath or a hot water bottle. This herbal blend was a sell-out at our September POP-UP event for good reason. The combination of ginger, lemon myrtle, and cayenne is the perfect foil of Fall. Plus, ginger can aid in digestion. This is good news considering the richer fare we crave as the weather cools down.
Rooibos, or Aspalathus linearis, can have both warming and cooling properties. For Fall, Pétale has selected LMTC’s Cup of Good Hope to balance out our menu. This blend uses rooibos as a base alongside a number of cooling botanicals like mint and chamomile known for their soothing properties. Sarsaparilla, another key flavor in Cup of Good Hope, pairs beautifully with warming seasonal spices. In addition to its amazing flavor and sweet overtones, Cup of Good Hope is full-bodied and can stand up to a bit of heavy cream. Whether you are drinking it on its own or after dinner with dessert, this rooibos blend is perfect for Fall.
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