We love the holidays here at Harney & Sons because they bring sparkling lights, time with family, crackling fires, and hot tea. And while we’re counting down the days until we’re surrounded by our loved ones at the dinner table, there’s a part of us that feels a tad… stressed (I’m sure some of you can relate). So, we decided to make a list of teas to ease holiday stress before it happens, pair with festive foods, aid in digestion after one too many servings of mashed potatoes, and help you recover once the tree comes down.
Teas To Ease Holiday Stress
The week before hosting can sometimes bring out the worst in us. Not because we aren’t looking forward to having our extended family over (right?) but because we just want everything to be perfect. Unfortunately, that desire can create an unnecessary amount of stress during the very weeks that are supposed to be the happiest of the year.
To help reduce stress, we recommend taking deep breaths, getting plenty of sleep (7-9 hours), and sipping on one of our many relaxing teas. These blends feature ingredients such as chamomile, lavender, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), bergamot, and hemp, all of which promote relaxation and help reduce stress.
- Chamomile – This herb promotes both peace and stillness. We source the finest Egyptian chamomile flowers directly from Egypt, giving this premium herbal tea a light body that’s perfect for taking a moment of rest with.
- New York Blend – This caffeine-free tisane has flavors of chamomile, soothing ginger root, and refreshing peppermint that was designed to ease the mind and delight the senses. It’s perfect for those who want to decompress from city life, like in New York.
- Yellow & Blue – This floral tisane brings together chamomile and lavender in a deeply comforting way. These naturally calming herbs will ease you into a peaceful state of mind after a long day of planning.
Teas That Pair With Festive Foods
We’ve taken the guesswork out of pairing teas, beverages, or sides with your holiday dishes. Our curated tea list lets you focus on the fun and skip the stress of one more decision this season.
- Earl Grey Supreme goes great with roasted turkey or savory cheese plates because the lemony flavors of the tea act like a refined palate cleanser that both elevates and balances rich, savory foods.
- Hot Cinnamon Spice brings out the cinnamon and clove notes of a glazed ham and the brown sugar glaze and caramelized edges of a sweet potato casserole. The black tea base balances the pairings of these dishes so they don't become overly sugary.
- Chocolate Cinnamint the balanced blend of black tea, rich chocolate and refreshing mint will wrap you in the pleasant warmth of winter days. Cinnamon, ginger and cardamom add a spicy note that perfectly complements the sweet decadence of the chocolate. Each sip of this aromatic blend is a little escape into a world of comfort and warm pleasure.
Teas That Aid In Digestion For Post-Meal Relief
Now that you’re sitting on the couch after enjoying a big, holiday feast, you may be second-guessing that third (or fourth) serving of sweet potato casserole. Since we’re sharing all the ways to de-stress during the holiday season, we made a post-meal relief list featuring several of our favorite teas with digestive properties like peppermint, ginger, lemon, and soba that are best to drink after a large meal and before bedtime. We hope you’ll find some relief in these blends.
- Organic Ginger Lemon – Lemon aids in digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes, while ginger helps speed up stomach emptying and can reduce bloating and gas, so this blend will set good things in motion for post-meal relief.
- Organic Peppermint – Peppermint tea is one of the best teas for digestion, thanks to menthol, a compound in peppermint that improves digestive issues. Even people with issues like IBS can find symptom relief.
Teas That Help Recovery After The Holidays
We’d be lying to ourselves if we didn’t mention the post-holiday blues. These teas are for those who feel hungover after celebrating (and not just from alcohol) and are looking for detox teas that are rich in antioxidants and promote immunity.
- Japanese Sencha – My grandfather, John Harney, drank this tea everyday for over 10 years because he valued the pleasant flavor and antioxidants (he was on the health-kick trend before it was even a thing). Since this is a mid-season Sencha, Japanese Sencha has good levels of amino acids and more body than most green teas, making it a great choice for supporting your immune system when it’s down.
- Organic Ginger Turmeric – This herbal infusion of two powerhouse roots is sure to rejuvenate you after a week or two of “cheat meals.”
