I love tea! Current favourites =)

Today, I thought it would be interesting to talk about something a little different... Tea! Yes, tea is one of those topics that I could go on about for hours and hours. As mentioned in last week's Versatile Blogger Award tag, I'm a complete tea addict! I drink tea throughout the day not just because it's tasty - it's also a healthy way of keeping hydrated, and a great source of antioxidants. These help reinforce the body's natural defence system, and slow down the ageing process. Today's post will be all about my favourites; but I'm always on the lookout for new types of tea to try, so please let me know if you have any recommendations!

Pukka is one of my favourite British tea brands - accessible, varied and not too expensive. All of their blends are completely organic, fair trade and caffeine free. Their teas always taste very natural and 'herbal', and they offer an interesting range of flavours for any mood and occasion. My current favourites are:

Womankind - cranberry, rose and sweet vanilla. This a typical fruity tea - naturally sweet; very light and easy to drink. It smells absolutely divine, and I enjoy it especially in the summer because it is so refreshing.
Relax - chamomile, fennel and marshmallow root. Delicious, delicate and soothing - this tea always helps me unwind after a busy work day. 
Love - rose, chamomile and lavender. Admittedly, I bought this one mostly because of the cute packaging. It's quite similar to Womankind but less fruity, more herbal and delicate.
Detox - aniseed, fennel and cardamom. This is probably my least favourite Pukka tea in terms of flavour, but it really helps if you're on a detox diet. I drink this whenever I'm in a need of a little metabolism boost (it really works!). 

Lloyd is probably the best 'value for money' tea you will ever find. One box (20 teabags) costs only 75 pence, and the quality is better than a lot of more established brands. You can most definitely find these in your local 'Eastern European' groceries shop, or on Amazon (it's a little more pricey there, though). They offer some interesting and unusual flavours, such as pineapple, manuka honey and orange blossom. My favourites at the moment are: 

Green tea with prickly pear & marigold flower. Delicious green tea with a twist. The marigold flower tastes very unusual - it's sweet, flowery, and almost 'grassy'. I reach for this one whenever I'm in a mood for something a little different. 

Flavoured fruit tea with plum and cinnamon. This is one of the most intense fruity teas I've ever tried. It's rare that you get such good quality from a teabag, especially considering the low price. This is refreshing, sweet, and with a nice, spicy twist. 

Warming tea with orange, cinnamon & cloves. This is my perfect winter tea - fruity, sweet, gently spiced and with a hint of cinnamon. 

Whittard is one of the most established British tea brands, and their loose leaf tea infusions are some of the best I've ever tried. I'm currently loving their Blueberry Blaster and Amaretto Flavour blends. Both of these are caffeine free, and they taste really intense and delicious. The quality of the Whittard teas is always top shelf - their blends include real pieces of dried fruits, nuts and herbs. Blueberry Blaster is a must-try for anyone who enjoys fruity teas; whereas Amaretto is more nutty, fruity and less sweet. I find that some of the more intense fruity teas tend to taste a little sour and 'acidic', but Whittard always gets it right. These are a little more pricey than your standard supermarket teas, but you can usually find them on sale (I purchased mine for just three pounds per 125g of loose leaf tea). 

This little blend by Abbey Botanicals is my miracle tea. Chamomile works wonders for me, and I recommend it to anyone who suffers from anxiety or stress - it will really help you unwind and relax. Chamomile tea also helps to clear up skin irritations (such as acne) and promotes healthy sleep, so you really can't go wrong with it! On top of that, it tastes really delicious, sweet and soothing. I personally think that chamomile tastes lovely when mixed with other flavours, and I recommend trying it with a teaspoon of honey, or a splash of almond milk. Abbey Botanicals offer many other interesting teas, such as raspberry leaf, peppermint and hibiscus flower. You can purchase these on Amazon for two to five pounds. 

And last, but not least, here are a couple of my favourite mugs! I absolutely love adorable, animal-themed mugs - every tea tastes better when you drink it in a cute mug. =) The dolphin mug is a souvenir from the UK's biggest seaquarium in Plymouth, and the koala one was a wonderful gift from my boyfriend. <3 

Are you a tea drinker? What is your favourite tea? =)

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