Do you find that you need a kick-start in the A.M.? My early morning is just not allowed to start until I get my first cup of tea. I love tea. Black, green, yerba maté, and masala chai alike; as long as it has caffeine, I'm down.

I also enjoy a nice tisane. A tisane is an herbal tea that has no caffeine and is not derived from the actual tea plant. Tea is a nice addition to any occasion, and it can be beneficial to your health as well!

Here are some of my favourite teas and why/when I suggest drinking them.

Irish Breakfast
This is a variety of black tea that is predominantly made of tea from the Assam region of India. It is very bold and full-bodied, which is why it is a perfect tea for an early riser. Its cousin, English Breakfast, is a blend of Assam, Kenyan and Ceylon teas.

I drink my Irish breakfast with a dash of milk or soy milk and honey, but it is also great with lemon too. It's said that milk may inhibit the antioxidant benefits found in black and green teas while citrus actually increases the effect.

Masala Chai
Masala Chai meaning spiced tea is a mix of black tea and spices. The spices may include cloves, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and black pepper.

Traditional Masala Chai is brewed directly in boiling milk, making it a deliciously milky and spicy drink. I usually steep the tea in hot water, and then add my milk to it. It makes the tea a little lighter, although still perfectly spiced. I find I drink this tea more often in the fall and winter months, as the flavour compliments the season brilliantly.

Many people in North America call this tea Chai Tea which I find a bit silly considering the word chai means tea in Hindi.

Yerba Maté
The yerba maté shrub grows in South America and is a part of the holly family. The tea is made by steeping dried yerba leaves in hot (not boiling) water. Traditionally you drink this out of a hollowed out gourd.

I enjoy yerba maté because of its fresh grassy taste and its versatility when infused with other flavours. An added bonus is that Yerba maté has a caffeine-like effect because it contains xanthines which stimulate the nervous system. However, unlike caffeine, the xanthines found in yerba maté relax muscle tissue, creating a calm/aware feeling. This tea is great to drink right before an exam or presentation.

Chamomile
Petals from this daisy-like flower are dried and infused in boiling water to make a golden coloured tisane. Chamomile tea is great for relaxing you or calming an upset stomach. It has no caffeine, so it's a perfect tea to drink before bed. Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, Chamomile is related to the ragweed family and can cause reactions. My suggested alternatives include peppermint tea and lavender tea, both of which create the same calming and stomach easing effect.