Winter time brings thoughts of hot cocoa to make us warm -- and it helps! Most of the time, however, my choice is hot tea.

Growing up, we drank iced instant tea. With eight people in the house, it was the quickest way to fix enough for everyone. It was only after marriage that brewed tea came into my life. My in-laws made really nice iced tea with homegrown mint. Delicious still today when we visit! 

Hot tea came into my life about 10 years ago when visiting the United Kingdom. Our oldest daughter attended Sixth Form in the Stoke-on-Trent area for a semester of her junior year in high school. She took us first to a village eatery where we enjoyed a pot of hot tea. It was the best ever, and I've been hooked since.

English breakfast tea is my first choice for a good, all-around tea. Add just a little milk, and it's perfect. (Sugar is only added if the tea being served is not a brand name, or if the water is unfilitered.) Next is something a little more sweet - chai tea. Coffee shops make it too sweet, and if able, the drink is brought home to cut into half or thirds with water.  Also at the top of my list is Irish breakfast tea, a strong tea with plenty of caffeine to start the day, no additives necessary.

Now, if you don't mind, it's off the kitchen to heat water for a nice, decaffeinated evening cup of tea. Care for a cup?