It’s that time of year to start getting warm and cozy indoors with fall right around the corner. And what better way to get toasty than with a cup of your favorite fall tea! These tasty delights will certainly hit the spot when temperatures begin to cool. To get your taste buds tingling, StudyFinds decided to look for the best fall tea flavors to fill your cup this season.
Not only can a spot of tea hit the spot, but it’s what dreams are made of for people trying to lose weight — literally! A recent study revealed that drinking two cups of oolong tea a day can help you burn fat when you sleep. This specific type of tea stimulates fat burning processes within the human body. Not only does oolong tea help with your weight, but it could also have benefits for heart, brain, bone, and dental health.
If that doesn’t get you to put on a hot kettle, maybe this will. Another study shows that green tea could help fight cancer. Researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute say green tea may switch on a gene called p53, which blocks the development of tumors. The plant chemical is abundant in green tea and also sold as an herbal supplement. The study is raising hopes of a new generation of anti-cancer drugs that work by boosting p53 activity.
With all that in mind, StudyFinds has found the top five best fall tea flavors to get brewing. Was there a favorite of yours that we missed? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
The List: Best Fall Tea Flavors, According to Experts
1. Apple
It shouldn’t be a surprise that apple-flavored tea tops the list. Apple picking is as synonymous with the season as touring fall foliage. “Apple picking, mulled apple cider, apple pies… apples and apple-flavored treats are quintessentially fall,” writes Artful Tea. “But even if you don’t hit the apple orchards this year, apple teas are a great way to celebrate fall from the comfort of your kitchen.”
“Nothing says fall quite like apple pie and apple cider. Apples are a staple of the season and can be found in everything from baked goods to caramel-covered creations. From heading to a farm to pick fresh apples to incorporating the fall flavor into your drink, this ingredient is just what you need for a tasty fall tea,” notes Sencha Tea Bar. “Apple teas offer a slightly sweet and tart note that pairs perfectly with a dash of cinnamon sugar. Look for an apple-based tea or add a dollop of apple puree to your next latte for a sweet and bold flavor this fall.”
If you’re looking for an apple-flavored tea without that cinnamon kick, try the non-spiced apple tea. “There’s no denying that apple screams fall. The only problem is, with apple tends to come cinnamon,” says Afternoon Tea Reads. “Lucky for you, I’ve found apple teas that aren’t spiced for fall at all! They’re hard to come by, but they do exist if you know where to look! Let’s be real, fall just wouldn’t be the same without an apple inspired tea.”
2. Pumpkin Spice
What’s fall without a some pumpkin spice? From beer, to candles and tea, pumpkin flavor is all the rage during the autumn season. “Maybe you can imagine autumn without apples, but hardly without pumpkins. Pumpkins are the ultimate autumn fruits,” explains Simple Loose Leaf. “Yes, pumpkins are fruits, and they make the tastiest fall drinks ever. A cup of black or herbal rooibos tea mixed with pumpkin pie spice is a drink to cheer you up even on the gloomiest fall days. Opt for herbal caffeine free pumpkin spice teas before sleep and black tea blend for a morning caffeine boost.”
“Pumpkin is a quintessential element of fall, so anything with the word pumpkin on it, I will most definitely try. This is one of my favorite pumpkin teas,” writes Chemistry Cachet about Yogi Pumpkin Spice Tea. “The taste of pumpkin is subtle, but just enough to taste it. It also has a great pumpkin spice flavor and scent. It is fairly sweet on its own, so you don’t even need to add anything to it. I usually add a little stevia to it for extra sweetness. This is an herbal tea, so you can enjoy it anytime of day.”
And if you want to stay on the healthier side, give a pumpkin spice chai latte a try. “While chai and pumpkin spice are very trendy these days, this popular tea version contains actual pumpkin puree for a healthier twist on all that flavor,” notes Homespun Seasonal Living.
3. Chai
Chai is the “ultimate spice tea” that comes in different types and flavors. “In Kashmiri Chai warming spices and green tea blend perfectly well with frothy milk into a delicious pink autumn tea dessert. To get the pink color, boil the leaves in water for at least 10-15 minutes with a pinch of baking soda then add a cup of cold water and boil for a few more minutes,” writes Simple Loose Leaf. “Interestingly, the pink color comes from chlorophyll reacting with baking soda, and to extract enough chlorophyll you need to boil the leaves longer than usual. However, this way you will not only be extracting chlorophyll, but EGCg too!”
“Chai is similar to pumpkin spice, but it contains five main staple ingredients: cloves, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and black pepper,” notes Sencha Tea Bar. “Other spices you can use are allspice and star anise. Chai itself is the word for tea in India, where this tea was first created. The spices are blended with black tea leaves and a touch of milk for a creamy and spicy beverage that is perfect for cool mornings.”
And for those with a sweet tooth, give your chai tea a little pumpkin spice. “Pumpkin spice is almost synonymous with the fall season, thanks to many people’s love of pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin pie as a favorite Thanksgiving dessert,” states Nature’s Cup. “However, you don’t have to limit yourself to coffee and pastry if you want to relax with a warm spiced drink. Consider sampling the Honeybush Pumpkin Chai tea with honeybush tea, ginger, safflower, cardamom, cocoa nibs, and plenty of natural pumpkin spice flavor.”
4. Cinnamon
Fall wouldn’t be complete without some cinnamon-inspired tea in your life. “Sipping sweet cinnamon sticks plus zesty orange peels and spicy star anise in a cup of hot water equal our ideal evening plans,” writes Refinery29.
“Cool rainy days and nights were made to enjoy cinnamon,” says Simple Loose Leaf. “For a truly classical seasonal flavor, Apple Cinnamon herbal tea is all cinnamon lovers could wish for; double apples, double cinnamon, a tiny bit of rooibos and a sprinkle of marigold flowers.”
If you want to try something different but still have that cinnamon zest, give a cinnamon plum tea a try. Your taste buds won’t be disappointed. “Though Spiced Plum is more of a Christmas tea, it’s great on cool fall days. This tea will keep you nice and warm with its spicy, holiday aroma,” writes The Domestic Life Stylist.
5. Caramel
If you have a craving for sweet-tasting teas, look no further than caramel blends. This will give your body the jolt you were looking for. “Whether it is a latte or a cup of regular steaming hot tea, caramel blends are a sweet delight for autumn days and bring holiday season closer,” writes Simple Loose Leaf. “The best of all, you can enjoy them without feeling any guilt. Crème Brulee with almonds and cinnamon is taking flavors even a bit further—where rarely any oolong tea has gone. Earthly oolong and unprocessed caramel make a great latte too, quite uncommon for an oolong tea.”
If you want to feel like you’re at a fair with hayrides, brew a cup of caramel apple tea. “It has a good apple flavor with a little spice added in. It’s smells like you are in the middle of an apple orchard! This is a black tea, so it is perfect for fall mornings,” says Chemistry Cachet.
For those not about that spicy life, there are non-spiced caramel teas that are available. “Another predominant fall flavor is caramel,” notes Afternoon Tea Reads. “It also goes hand in hand with apples (candied apples anyone?). Plus, is there anything more comforting than caramel? Especially warm caramel!? It’s warm, it’s smooth, it’s sweet, and absolutely delicious. You can make this tea as simple or as complicated as you like.”
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Sources:
- Artful Tea
- Afternoon Tea Reads
- Simple Loose Leaf
- Sencha Tea Bar
- Harney & Sons
- Homespun Seasonal Living
- Refinery29
- The Domestic Life Stylist
- Chemistry Cachet
- Nature’s Cup
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.