A cozy cup of tea hits the spot in the fall. The autumn temperatures in Phoenix might not drop all that low, but warm tea is still comforting. Plus, some of the classic fall flavors can offer wellness benefits. While fall tea flavors vary by brand, common options offer warm, spicy flavors with ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom. If you're looking for a new flavor this fall, sample these autumn tea flavors.
The ingredients list for fall teas varies widely, which means the wellness benefits you get in each cup depend on which one you choose. Tea offers several general health benefits older adults can enjoy.
Pumpkin spice and autumn go hand in hand. While pumpkin spice lattes get a lot of attention in the fall months, you can also enjoy this classic flavor if you prefer tea. These varieties usually include the typical spices you find in pumpkin desserts, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger. Pumpkin spice tea comes in different types, including herbal and black teas, so consider what type of base you prefer and whether you want caffeine in your cup.
When you can't make it to the apple orchard, bring the apple orchard to your kitchen with a cup of apple tea. It's another classic fall flavor that embraces the season. You can find a variety of apple teas, both spiced and non-spiced. Apple cinnamon tea is a popular option with a proven flavor combination.
With or without apple flavors, cinnamon warms you with its rich flavor. Cinnamon-flavored teas often have a slightly sweet flavor along with the spiciness, and you'll often find cinnamon mixed with other fruity flavors to round out the flavor profile.
Cinnamon tea also comes with some potential health benefits for seniors. Cinnamon has antioxidant power to fight off free radicals. It may help reduce inflammation in your body, which can help ease pain and support heart health. Cinnamon is also known to help control blood sugar levels, which could be beneficial for seniors with diabetes, and lower blood pressure.
Chai typically starts with black tea loaded with warm spices, which might include cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and star anise. The specific spice ingredients might vary based on the tea you buy, but it comes together to create a spicy flavor that's a perfect heavier tea for the fall months. Chai also typically contains milk and might include a sweetener.
Along with its rich, spicy flavor, chai offers some wellness benefits you can enjoy. Chai typically includes cinnamon, which gives you the same benefits as drinking cinnamon tea, including lower blood pressure, less inflammation and antioxidant effects. The combination of black tea and spices could help support your cognitive function, which is especially important as you age. To keep your chai as healthy as possible, check the sugar content and limit the amount of extra sweetener you add. You can also swap the milk type for an alternative milk product or one that's lower in fat.
Borrow from the traditional Thanksgiving meal when looking for fall tea flavors of the cranberry variety. This type of tea often highlights cranberries' tartness. You can find cranberry alone or paired with other fall flavors like cranberry apple or cranberry orange. The combination of flavors might be more appealing if you're not a huge fan of cranberry on its own.
Rich and sweet, caramel works well with other fall flavors like apple. In tea form, you get the hint of sweetness from caramel without a sugar overload. Some caramel tea varieties might pull in other flavor profiles like cinnamon. You can make your own caramel tea by adding a splash of caramel flavoring syrup to your usual cup of tea.
Yet another spicy option in the typical fall tea lineup is ginger tea. Ginger is often used to ease nausea caused by motion sickness, chemotherapy and other sources. Ginger tea may help you get that digestive relief in a drink format. Ginger might also help with blood sugar levels, weight management, inflammation and oxidative stress, which can affect brain health.
