The monsoon often brings cooler, rainy days and a craving for warm, comforting beverages. If you are looking beyond your regular cup of chai, herbal teas can be an easy way to add variety to your daily routine.
Certain ingredients such as ginger, lemongrass, turmeric, mint and chamomile are commonly enjoyed for their distinctive flavours and traditional wellness associations.
Parimal Shah, founder of Cherise India and a third-generation Tea Sommelier, shares five herbal tea combinations that can make for interesting additions to your rainy-season routine.
1. Ginger Tea for a Warming Start
Ginger tea is a popular choice when the weather turns cool and rainy. Ginger has traditionally been used to support digestion and ease nausea, while its naturally warming flavour makes it particularly comforting on a monsoon morning.
For a more aromatic and spiced cup, try combining ginger with cinnamon and black pepper. The result is a bold tea that works particularly well as a morning beverage.
Why try it?
Warm and spicy flavour
Traditionally associated with digestion
A comforting choice for cool mornings
2. Lemongrass Tea for a Refreshing Afternoon
If you prefer a lighter, more refreshing cup, lemongrass tea can be a good option.
Known for its distinct citrusy and earthy aroma, lemongrass can give tea a fresh character. According to Shah, green tea blended with real lemon and lemongrass can work well as an afternoon beverage when you want something aromatic without a heavy flavour.
Why try it?
Light, citrusy flavour
Refreshing afternoon option
Pairs well with green tea and lemon
3. Turmeric and Ginger Tea for a Spiced Cup
Turmeric and ginger tea brings together two familiar kitchen ingredients in a warming blend.
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that has been studied for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Combining turmeric with sun-dried ginger and green tea creates a flavourful option for cold or cloudy monsoon days.
Why try it?
Warming combination
Distinctive earthy and spicy flavour
Pairs turmeric with ginger and green tea
4. Mint and Ginger Tea for a Fresh Finish
Had a particularly heavy or spicy meal? Mint and ginger tea can make for a refreshing beverage afterwards.
“After having a heavy or spicy meal, mint can be soothing,” says Shah.
A blend of green tea, mint, ginger and lemongrass brings together fresh, cooling and citrusy notes, making it an interesting alternative to regular tea.
Why try it?
Fresh, aromatic flavour
Combines mint, ginger and lemongrass
Suitable for those who prefer lighter-tasting tea
5. Chamomile Tea for a Calmer Evening
Monsoon evenings can be the perfect time to slow down with a warm cup of tea. Chamomile tea is commonly enjoyed in the evening for its delicate floral flavour and can become part of a relaxing bedtime routine.
A green tea, chamomile and honey blend offers a mild and fragrant option for winding down after a rainy day.
Why try it?
Delicate floral flavour
Suitable for an evening tea ritual
Can complement a relaxing bedtime routine
How to Include Herbal Tea in Your Monsoon Routine
Herbal tea can be a simple addition to your daily beverage choices, but it should not be viewed as a replacement for a balanced diet or healthy habits.
During the monsoon, focus on the basics too: stay adequately hydrated, eat a balanced diet, get sufficient sleep, maintain good hand hygiene and seek medical advice when required.
Whether you prefer the warmth of ginger, the freshness of lemongrass and mint, the spice of turmeric or the floral notes of chamomile, these five blends offer plenty of ways to make your monsoon tea routine more interesting.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Consult your doctor for questions regarding a medical condition, medication or individual dietary requirements.
