Let the sunshine steep: A summer of teas from morning bold to twilight calm
We might complain in late July, when the daily high temperature parks itself at 98 for a week. February? Enough with temps dipping below zero at night, over and over again. Early spring’s tempests can annoy—teasing with 60 degrees and sun one day, and kneecapping us with 37 and raining the next.
So we embrace the patches of climatic perfection when they land. And both May and June offer a bounty of the good stuff. In addition, thanks to our place in the celestial fabric these late-spring, early-summer days bathe in sunshine, with rising sun lighting up landscapes before the clock hits 6 a.m., and persisting until after 8 p.m.
Let’s get out there and savor the loveliness—from dawn to dusk. And let’s decorate the long days with tea, of course.
The day’s lineup of tea
We’ll kickstart the day with something bracing and bold. When the morning cedes its gentle hold to afternoon’s warm clutch, we meet noon’s grasp with something zippy and rich. And as sun relents—as we start thinking about dinner, or the book we can’t wait to revisit in bed—teas crafted for serenity commandeer our desires.
With summer’s unofficial kick-off beginning tomorrow with the 2025 launch of Memorial Day Weekend, it’s time to milk the next six weeks or so for every drop of sunshine, each expanse of deep blue sky and for high temperatures dancing in the 60s and 70s rather than those dreaded 90s or challenging single digits.
And let’s complement our gratitude for such atmospheric glory with a parade of teas—Camellia sinensis, herbal, blends of the two. Hot enough for steam to curl up from the mug and perfume to broadcast. So cold that ice remains in cubes for as long as you’re sipping. Doesn’t matter. Tea time is here—and so is your summer!
Teas for All Day: Assam Black Tea (Organic)
Ah, Assam. Named after the region of India where it’s grown, Assam, Camellia sinensis var. assamica stands apart from most other proper teas that hit the market, which are Camellia sinensis var. sinensis. The most common variety never grew especially well in hyper-tropical Assam, but the native variant thrived. Today, most “breakfast” teas—English, Scottish and Irish Breakfast—are Assam.
Brewed Assam yields distinct malty flavors, bright color and a chocolaty aroma. It’s no mystery why it became the base of the “breakfast” teas—it’s a wake-me-up kind of brew!
Begin your spectacular May-June morning with a pot of this gem. Lace it with cream spike it with honey? This is never a poor idea with Assam. While it’s lovely on its own, the tea also enjoys an affinity with the addendums so common among breakfast tea sippers from the United Kingdom and across the globe.
Teas for All Day: Blue Spring Oolong
Afternoons don’t always call for the slap of bracing Assam (although sometimes, especially when the yawns proliferate, absolutely). Instead, they suggest teas with subtler powers, for Camellia sinensis styles that lure us across a day rather than ones that light sparks to fire up the day and push us out the door. Enter, Blue Spring Oolong. The oolong, from China’s southern Fujian Province, enchants us; it’s such a pleasing iteration of one of our favorite Camellia sinensis styles. But this brew’s got more than Fujian gold. Tea artisans incorporate licorice root powder into the tea leaves, a grand move that gives the liquor a rich, sweet aftertaste. It soothes sore throats. It beguiles us with its anise notes. And this blend gifts its sippers a prolonged mental energy—perfect for afternoons that seem to extend on—and on, and on, and on.
Teas for All Day: Rooibos Provence (Organic)
You invited burly Assam to shake the cobwebs from your morning brain. Then you welcomed Blue Spring Oolong to fuel the long afternoon of work, errands and the rest of it—the daily spectacle of busyness. But now it’s time to unwind. Time to brew a batch of our organic Rooibos Provence.
We can’t drink enough rooibos. With deep, earthy flavor notes it always appeal to our senses. It’s awfully healthy too: packed with electrolytes and antioxidants. To this fantastic base we add elderberry, rosehips, blueberry, rose petals and lavender. Flavor? Pure enchantment. Good-for-me vibes? Out the wazoo. And it’s caffeine-free, too. Not only won’t this tea keep you awake—with rosehip, rose petals and lavender it also will help carry you into slumber.
