The Different Types of Spiced Tea

Tea and spices have a long history of use together. From the early days of tea as
a medicine when it was blended with medicinal herbs and boiled for its healing
properties, to the current use of spices as tea flavorings, it would seem that spices
and teas go well together. Learn all about spiced teas, including what they are,
where they are drunk, how to make them at home and more.

What Are Spiced Teas?

Broadly speaking, spiced teas are "true teas" (teas made from camellia Sinensis)
blended with spices, steeped with spices or boiled with spices. The term "spiced
tea" sometimes also refers to herbal teas made up primarily of spices (though
some use rooibos or other herbs as a "base" in the blend).

What Are the Different Types of Spiced Teas?

Spices have been used in tea almost as long as tea has been drunk, so there are
countless variations on spiced tea drinks. Some of the world's most famous spiced
teas include:

 Masala Chai: Also known as "chai tea", masala chai is India's famous
spiced tea. It can be made with single spices (such as ginger or cloves) or with a
blend of spices. For information, check out masala chai spices. Although it
originated in northern India, today countless variations on chai can be drunk in
many countries around the world.
 Ginger Tea: Many spiced tea blends and freshly prepared spiced teas
contain ginger. Ginger works well with green tea, black tea, puerh tea and
sometimes even oolong tea. It gives teas a warming, piquant, slightly sweet
flavor. Ginger has been used in tea since ancient times in China, and is used in
teas around the world today.
 Cinnamon Tea: Cinnamon is commonly used to flavor black teas, but it can
also be used with certain green, oolong or puerh teas, too. It has a sweet, warm
flavor that pairs well with fruit ingredients in tea drinks. It appears that the use of
cinnamon to make spiced teas originated in India.
 Mint Tea: More an herb-tea blend than a spice tea, mint tea can refer to an
infusion or decoction of mint leaves or a drink made from true tea and mint.
Morocco is famous for its mint tea, which is a boiled mixture of fresh mint and
Gunpowder green tea. Other versions of mint tea are enjoyed around the world.
 Ethiopian Spiced Tea: Ethiopia is mainly known for its coffee culture, but it
also boasts a few notable tea drinks, including spiced tea. Ethiopian spiced tea is
often made from black tea, cinnamon, cardamom, orange and honey.
 Russian Spiced Tea: This blend of tea, juices and spices is commonly a
black tea flavored with cloves, cinnamon, pineapple juice, orange juice and
sugar. Many variations exist. The drink is popular in America around Christmas.
 Ancient Spiced Teas: From the earliest history of tea in modern-day China,
Tibet and Laos, tea has been blended with herbs and spices. These include
ginger, orange peel and even onions. In some areas, the tea was also boiled with
salt and yak milk or yak butter, and in Nepal, Tibet and parts of India, this
tradition of adding salt and yak dairy to tea remains.
Ethiopian Spice Tea

Bengal Spice Herbal Tea

Cranberry Spice Tea 

Bohemian Spice - Spiced Black Tea

Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea