Oct
Peace, family. Herbalist Kareem here. People ask me all the time, “Kareem, what teas do YOU drink?” The honest answer is that I rotate about seven to ten different teas, and some of my favorites aren’t fancy at all. They’re sitting in your spice cabinet right now.
On a recent livestream I walked through five of the teas I keep in my rotation, reacting to clips from other folks who showed how they make them. This article is the written version, with the how-to front and center. You’ll learn what each tea is, how to brew it, how I spread them out over a day, and what to watch out for.
Watch the video here: Top 5 Teas I Rotate
Quick note before we start: we already have detailed guides on our own blended teas, like Heart & Hibiscus, Ruby Sunrise and After Meal Comfort. This article is different. It’s about simple single-spice teas you can make at home tonight.
Why should I rotate teas instead of drinking one every day?
You don’t need a whole cabinet of different teas. Honestly, you don’t. Pick what you like. But I rotate for a few reasons:
- Variety. Every plant brings its own flavor and its own natural compounds. Rotating gives your body a little of everything instead of a lot of one thing.
- You won’t get bored. If you get tired of the taste, you’ll quit. Rotating keeps tea time something you look forward to.
- Timing. Some teas, like green tea, have caffeine, and others don’t. Rotating lets you match the tea to the time of day.
Now let’s get into the five.
Tea 1: How do I make cumin seed tea?
The first clip was from a gentleman who teaches Ayurveda, the traditional wellness system of India. He explained that in Ayurveda, cumin is honored as a friend to digestion, and that in some parts of India, folks sip cumin water all year long.
How he made it:
- Put about 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds into a teapot.
- Add about 2 cups of hot water.
- Let it steep about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Strain and sip.
He sips it during a meal. He said it tasted mild and flavorful, and I agree. It’s a gentle, earthy cup.
Sweetening it: If you want it sweet, I’d add a little honey. You can also use allulose or monk fruit if you’re watching sugar. Or try it plain first to really taste the cumin.
Another way people do it: Some folks soak cumin seeds in water overnight, strain it in the morning, and drink that water. Same seed, different method.
Tea 2: How do I get Ceylon cinnamon to dissolve in tea?
I’ve talked about Ceylon cinnamon a lot over the years. It’s a beast and one of my go-tos. The clip I played came from a man who had a real practical problem: his Ceylon cinnamon powder wouldn’t mix into his tea. It just clumped and floated.
His fix for hot tea:
- Get yourself a tea steeper, the little mesh basket.
- Put about 1 teaspoon of Ceylon cinnamon in the steeper.
- Drop it into your hot tea.
- Let it sit about 5 minutes.
The steeper lets the hot water pull out the flavor and the natural oils without leaving you a gritty cup.
For cold or iced tea: Brew your tea ahead of time, add the Ceylon cinnamon to the bottle or container, and let it sit for a couple of hours. The granules soak up the moisture and blend right in. If you dump cinnamon powder into cold tea and drink it right away, it won’t mix. The trick is time.
Why Ceylon? Ceylon is often called “true cinnamon,” and it’s the kind I reach for. When you shop, read the label so you know which kind of cinnamon you’re getting.
Tea 3: When should I drink green tea?
Next up was green tea. A couple of the clips I played made some big promises about green tea that I’m not going to repeat here. Let’s keep it real and practical.
Here’s what I like about green tea:
- It’s rich in antioxidants.
- It has some caffeine, so it gives you a gentle morning lift. A lot of people swap their coffee for it.
- Some people find it helps them feel satisfied in the morning. One young lady in the video said that when she drinks green tea instead of coffee, she isn’t hungry until early afternoon. Everybody’s different, but that’s her experience.
When I drink it: Morning. Because of the caffeine, I don’t make green tea a bedtime cup.
The blend one lady showed: She made a morning cup with green tea, a turmeric-ginger tea bag, hot water, a little honey, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. If you try apple cider vinegar, always dilute it. Never take it straight. It’s acidic and can be rough on your throat and stomach. If you like the idea of ACV with warming spices already put together, check out our Apple Cider Living Tonic and its guide, and follow the label.
Tea 4: How do I make clove tea?
Clove tea is one I really like. Two different people showed how they make it, and both are simple.
Method 1 (gentle steep):
- Take a cup or jug of lukewarm water.
- Add about 8 to 12 whole cloves. He said he just eyeballs it.
- Let it steep until the water turns a golden color.
- Sip it throughout the day.
Method 2 (hot steep):
- Put about a teaspoon of whole cloves in your cup.
- Pour hot water over them.
- Let it sit 5 to 10 minutes.
- Strain and drink. He likes his before bed.
Clove has a warm, strong flavor, so start with fewer cloves if you’re new to it. People have used clove for generations, and a lot of grandmothers kept it around for mouth and tooth comfort. In the tea world, folks enjoy it as a warming cup for digestion.
One more thing. The man in the clip said to pair clove tea with a good diet, and he’s right. No tea replaces your plate.
Tea 5: What does hibiscus tea taste like?
The last tea was hibiscus, that beautiful deep red flower tea. The clips I played came with a long list of claims, and honestly, I stopped the video. A lot of that list went too far, so I’m not going to share it.
Here’s what I’m comfortable telling you about hibiscus:
- It’s caffeine-free, so it works any time, including evenings.
- It has a tart, cranberry-like flavor and a gorgeous ruby color.
- It’s naturally rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, flavonoids and polyphenols.
- It’s great hot or iced.
If you want hibiscus already blended, we have two teas built around it. Heart & Hibiscus Herbal Tea Blend pairs it with hawthorn and rose hips, and Ruby Sunrise Herbal Tea Blend pairs it with rooibos. Both guides go deeper on brewing.
A heads up: Hibiscus is a strong plant. If you take medication, especially for blood pressure or blood sugar, or if you’re pregnant, talk with your provider before making hibiscus a daily habit.
How do I rotate these teas through the day?
Here’s a simple way I laid it out in the video. It’s not a rule, just an idea:
| Time of day | Tea | Why this slot |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Green tea | Gentle caffeine lift, antioxidants |
| Afternoon | Ceylon cinnamon tea | Warm, naturally sweet-tasting, no sugar needed |
| With a meal | Cumin tea | The traditional mealtime digestion cup |
| Evening | Clove tea or cumin tea | Warm, caffeine-free wind-down |
| Anytime | Hibiscus | Caffeine-free, great iced |
Pick two or three that you actually like and start there. You can always add more later.
What safety tips should I know about spice teas?
Even kitchen spices deserve respect:
- Start small. Use the lower end of the amounts above until you know how your body responds.
- Watch the caffeine. Green tea has it. Keep it earlier in the day if caffeine keeps you up.
- Dilute vinegar. Never take apple cider vinegar straight.
- Talk to your provider if you’re pregnant or nursing, take prescription medicine, or manage a health condition. Strong teas like hibiscus and cinnamon can matter here.
- Quality counts. Buy clean, food-grade spices from a source you trust.
Do I need fancy equipment?
No. A pot or kettle, a mug, a strainer, and a tea steeper for powders are all you need. A glass jar with a lid is great for overnight soaks and iced versions.
The bottom line
It ain’t rocket science, family. Some of the best teas you can make are already in your kitchen: cumin, Ceylon cinnamon, green tea, clove and hibiscus. Brew them right, rotate what you like, keep the caffeine in the morning, and pair your tea with a good plate and plenty of water.
And if you’d rather have someone else do the blending, come see us at the shop in Peoria or browse our premium teas online. Mother Nature has always been your gift to healthy living.
Peace,
Herbalist Kareem
Shop: Heart & Hibiscus Herbal Tea · Ruby Sunrise Herbal Tea · After Meal Comfort Herbal Tea · Golden Glow Herbal Tea
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article and any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This content is for education only and is not medical advice. Please talk with your healthcare provider before starting anything new, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.
