Sure, tea can be enjoyed all year long. But, let's be real — there's nothing better than cozying up with a hot cup of tea once the weather starts to get chilly.
And, that moment is finally upon us.
While many of us drink tea all year long, during autumn, popular options tend to be apple tea, cinnamon tea, and — of course — pumpkin spice tea. But, what about other fall tea flavors?
From cinnamon tea and chocolate tea, and honeybush chai to horchata, you'll love these delicious teas for fall!
1. Matcha Genmaicha — For Take-Out Nights
This one may seem a bit unusual for this list, but matcha genmaicha is a unique Japanese green tea blend that combines sencha leaves with toasted brown rice and a touch of matcha powder. For green tea and matcha lovers, matcha genmaicha is a great choice for fall because it takes a toasty spin on the original beverage, adding a warm flavor profile with the combination of ingredients. And, though its moderate caffeine content makes it a safe choice any time of day, try enjoying it on a cold night with some take-out sushi or sashimi!
To brew matcha genmaicha:
Use one teaspoon of matcha genmaicha per 8 oz of water. Then, steep for 1-2 minutes for a mild flavor or up to 3 minutes for a stronger taste.
2. Persimmon Tea — For a Simple Tea Treat
For a taste of autumn's natural sweetness, look no further than persimmon tea. Made from dried persimmon fruit, this tea is a caffeine-free option that perfectly captures the flavors of this season with no frills. This tea is nice on it's own, but if you'd like, we recommend having a mug of persimmon tea with charcuterie (or, girl dinner); some cheese and crackers and dried nuts/fruit help create a nice contrast of flavor.
To brew persimmon tea:
Place a persimmon tea bag or 1-2 teaspoons of dried persimmon slices or a persimmon tea bag in a mug. Then, pour boiling water over the tea and let it steep for 5-7 minutes, adjusting the steeping time to your liking. You can also add some ginger and/or cinnamon and turmeric o give it an extra zing and immune boost.
You can also make persimmon leaf tea, which is a traditional Korean tea made from the dried leaves of the persimmon tree.
3. Chamomile Lavender Tea — For a Sunday Evening
Chamomile lavender tea is the ultimate de-stressor tea, the perfect choice for unwinding during cool fall evenings. This herbal blend combines the soothing qualities of chamomile and lavender, helping you relax after a long day or the day ahead. That's why we recommend it on a Sunday evening before starting the work week (or, a Friday to calm down at the end of one!) If you're in the mood for some light dessert, pair your cup of chamomile lavender tea with buttery shortbread cookies.
To brew chamomile lavender tea:
Place a chamomile lavender tea bag or 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile and lavender flowers in a cup. Pour hot water over the tea and steep for 4-5 minutes.
4. Cinnamon Roobios Tea — For a Rainy Day
If fall in your home comes with a lot of rain, then cinnamon rooibos tea is just what you need. This tasty caffeine-free blend offers a warm and spicy infusion that has a little "crisp" to it, combining the natural sweetness of rooibos with the warming notes of cinnamon. (Though, we love some cinnamon tea on its own, too!)
This is a great option for those wet fall days, when you come home, change into some dry clothes, and take a minute to sit down and warm up with a cup of tea. If you'd like, consider pairing your cinnamon rooibos with a slice of spiced pumpkin bread or banana bag for that extra layer of comfort.
To brew cinnamon rooibos:
Use one teaspoon of cinnamon rooibos for every 8 oz of boiling water. Steep the tea for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together. Alternatively, you can brew roobios tea and add 1-2 cinnamon sticks for a slightly different flavor that you can alter.
5. Maple Tea — For a Sweet Fall Taste
If you could put the essence of fall in a mug, it'd probably be in the form of maple tea. And, for those who have a sweet tooth, you'll find that this tea tastes like drinking warm honey. Add some milk to soften it, too. Maple tea makes for an alternative fall dessert but we won't say you can't have it with some cinnamon sugar donuts or buttermilk pancakes...!
To brew maple tea:
There are a few ways to make maple tea. Boil 8 oz of water and let it cool down a little bit. Brew black tea in the water, and add a tablespoon of maple syrup. You can also buy Canadian maple tea tea bags and brew that, or try Japanese maple tea, a special tea that comes from Japan known as Mojiji tea.
6. Chestnut Black Tea — For Reading Next to the Fireplace
We know what you're thinking...chestnuts should stay in their lane; it's not winter yet! But, hear us out. The nutty richness of this black tea blend is a harmonious match for autumn, offering a warm flavor that goes perfectly with a blanket, a book, and a warm fireplace (if you have one!). Complement your chestnut black tea with some toasty scones or even some dark chocolate.
To brew chestnut black tea:
Steep one teaspoon of this tea blend in boiling water for 3-4 minutes.
7. Chocolate Tea — For a Day With the Kids
If you're not quite in the mood for hot chocolate but you're itching for some, chocolate tea is a nice fall tea with subtle sweetness. It combines the flavors of cocoa with traditional tea, offering a yummy sip that's perfect for anyone who loves a little chocolate in their day.
Simply put, it's like enjoying a cup of tea with the added indulgence of cocoa. It's a great fall tea for a day at home with the kids, if you want to offer something a little healthier than pure hot chocolate. It can be enjoyed on its own, with chocolate desserts, or with a savory snack if you like sweet and salty together!
How to brew chocolate tea:
There are many different types of chocolate teas, from chocolate mint tea to cocoa tea, to black tea or herbal teas made with chocolate infusions, etc. Brew according to the recipe's specific instructions.
8. Honeybush Chai — For When the Weather Gets Dry
Honeybush is a plant indigenous to South Africa, and its leaves and stems are used to make a tea that's believed to have loads of health benefits, including helping with coughs and a sore throat. One version of this tea is honeybush chai, which offers a mild and spiced alternative to the basic honeybush tea, generally made with a blend of cardamom, ginger, cardamom, clove, cinnamon, and a little black pepper.
This caffeine-free tea is great for fall and goes well with a slice of pumpkin pie. Try it when the cold weather is starting to make the house feel a little dry, but you're not quite ready to turn on the dehumidifier yet!
To brew honeybush chai:
Like some other teas on this list, there are a few different ways to make it. The easiest wayadd a teaspoon is to of looseleaf honeybush chai for every 8 oz of boiling water and steep for up to 5 minutes if you want a stronger flavor. If you want to make it from scratch, take 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of water, and boil it in a pot. Then, add a combination of above spices and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
9. Ginger Turmeric Tea — For Warding Off Illnesses
As autumn sets in, stay warm and well with ginger turmeric tea. This immune-boosting blend has a little zing to it, but it's just what you need to help ward off the ailments that come with the rapidly approaching flu season. Perfect for days you just need to stay in bed, or if you spend a lot of your day around runny noses!
To brew ginger turmeric tea:
Use one ginger turmeric tea bag or one teaspoon of ginger and turmeric blend for every 8 oz of hot water. Steep the tea for 3-4 minutes.
10. Caramel Tea — To Pair With the Best of Fall Goodies
Caramel tea might not be for everyone, but it's a unique tea that's fun to try. Simple but sweet, caramel tea is just a flavored black tea, with a malty texture (though, there are different kinds). If caramel apples are a little too sweet, pair caramel tea with some apples after a day of apple-picking, or even with apple cinnamon oatmeal to start off your morning.
How to brew caramel apple tea:
Steep 1-2 teaspoons of caramel tea in boiling water for 4-5 minutes.
11. Pomegranate Tea — For a Seasonal Boost
Pomegranates are in season in the fall, and are packed full of health benefits. But, picking the seeds out of a pomegranate is no easy feat, so a tea is an easy way to get all the taste and all the benefits in way less time. Pomegranate tea is a great daytime tea for autumn, and will go will with toast, a fresh salad, or on its own!
How to brew pomegranate tea:
Use one teaspoon of pomegranate tea per 8 oz of hot water. Steep for 2-3 minutes.
12. 'Hot' Cranberry Tea — For Family Tea Time
Cranberries are another fall fruit and are popular during the holidays, but it's actually great as a tea as well. Some people like to drink it plain, but if cranberry is too tart for you, you can also tone by making a "hot" cranberry tea recipe that gives it a little more of a citrus flavor with some sweetness and yet still packs a little punch!
How to brew cranberry tea:
To make "hot" cranberry tea, brew a 12 oz bag of cranberries in a pot of water, and add some orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and some sugar or honey for sweetness. This tea could work well for an afternoon tea with scones and pastries, or with some cheese and crackers. And, since cranberries also have a lot of health benefits, you can drink it as a little health boost, too!
Add These Best Teas for Fall to Your Cupboard
Fall is the best excuse to sit down with a warm cup of tea. And, if you love trying new teas as much as us, then here's an opportunity to try some new teas and blends that may be out of the norm. Enjoy!
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