“Love needs a vacuum.” That’s what my friend Christin said when we were talking about relationships. If you let go of someone who’s not good for you– even if it means being lonely and depressed for a while — soon a new love interest will appear. It’s about creating space in your life to discover new things. I wondered, would “the vacuum theory” apply to food and beverages too? You see, I’d recently decided to give up my two morning cups of coffee. It felt like the right time. My relationship with coffee had recently become troubled and confused, mostly because I could never make any sense of the conflicting health information. Was it good for me or bad? The uncertainty was stressing me out . Like a love affair gone sour, I had to end it once and for all.

 

The first few days without caffeine were fuzzy at best. I just wanted to lie down and nap at the first plotting problem that crossed my path. But lo and behold, after a few days a new love interest entered my life: Herbal Tea. Sure, it’s always been there, lurking in the sidelines, there for me when I had an upset stomach or didn’t want a coffee too late in the day. Herbal tea was that nice guy “friend” you call when you’re feeling blue or have nothing else to do, supportive and sweet, but not the thrill you’re chasing. But now, with dark and brooding coffee banished from my life, herbal tea has a chance to shine and I find myself falling for its delicate and surprising charms.

 

Each day, I look forward to steeping up one of the new teas I picked up recently in Toronto at Tealish. I like to dress them up with frothed milk and/or grated chocolate. The other morning I made a Mint Tea Latte while my visiting houseguest Eilidh had coffee and I swear I could see her eying my cup lustily. Suddenly, my nice guy “friend” was hot.

 

Though I still crave an afternoon tryst with a sexy shot of espresso, and I may stray once in a while, right now, herbal tea’s my new morning love.

 

Here’s my new favourite morning pick me ups.

 

Morning Mint Latte

 

Fresh and lively, sipping on this perky elixir wakes up your taste buds. You just feel so clean and fresh and ready for anything, including kissing your sweetie good-bye as he heads out to work. No more icky coffee breath.

 

Directions: Steep 1 teaspoon of mint tea in 3/4 cup of water for four minutes. Heat and froth 1/3 cup of 1% milk (I use my Ikea frother.) Garnish with grated or powdered chocolate.

 

Almond Rooiboccino

 

This beverage has a natural sweetness that makes it seem like dessert.

 

Directions: Steep 1 teaspoon of Sweetie Pie Tea (or any almond rooibos) with 3/4 cup of hot water in a short glass. Add 1/3 cup of hot frothy 1% milk (I use my Ikea frother.)

 

One teaspoon of tea steeped for four minutes makes the perfect cup. Don't overbrew. The mint tends to get sour. Keep it light and fresh.

 

Froth your milk with a handy Ikea frother. Just be sure to tilt your pan sideways as you froth, with the head immersed before you turn on the frother. The milk tends to spray, especially when you're frothing small quantities.

2 Responses to “Love Needs A Vacuum — Herbal Tea Lattes”

  1. Shannon Says:

    I dumped coffee too! Have never felt better…I don’t have to rely on caffiene any longer to make me feel energized. I have never liked water and herbal teas so much as I do now!

  2. laura Says:

    That’s great Shannon! Mornings are a breeze now, but in mid-afternoon I tend to get dopey. Sometimes I take a hit of green tea for a boost. That or a siesta.

Leave a comment !