There was a time when tea was just “morning chai” or “evening chai”. Today, for many of us, tea has quietly become a lifestyle ritual, the small pause between meetings, the companion to a good book, the warm comfort after a long day, the drink you offer when friends walk through the door. The beauty of tea is that you don’t have to choose it only by type or origin. You can choose it by mood, by asking a simple question: “How do I feel right now, and how do I want to feel?” Also, not every tea may suit everyone. People with different kinds of lifestyle should opt for the teas that suit them and not just go for tailor made choices. Dr Rupali Ambegaonkar a tea expert who is also the business head for Tea Culture of the World, in an exclusive interaction with Times of India, shares some deep insights on how to choose the right tea. When you’re stressed, angry or agitated, reach for calmOn the days that feel frayed at the edges, overflowing inboxes, difficult conversations, emotional fatigue – a calming herbal teas should be your go to tea. Teas with chamomile, lavender or other soothing botanicals are wonderful for evenings and post-work decompression. They don’t sedate you; they simply soften the internal noise, helping the body and mind move towards balance. Make a cup of herbal tea post dinner, dim the lights, and let it be a bridge to a slower pace and better sleep. When you’re celebrating or connecting, choose fruity and spiced. Tea isn’t only for solitude; it can be beautifully social and festive. For brunches, casual catch-ups, or house parties, select a fruity blends , they’re bright, conversational and easy to serve hot or iced. In winter, a pot of spiced kahwa feels almost like a gathering in itself: warm, aromatic, gently sweet, and perfect for long conversations under a shawl. These cups are less about introspection and more about togetherness. They say, “Sit, stay, there’s time.”
When you need energy and lightness, think oolong and greenThere are also those mid-morning or late-afternoon moments when you want to feel alert but not wired. That’s when one should lean on oolong and green teas. A lightly oxidised oolong or a Tie Guan Yin-style tea offers a gentle lift, a sense of clarity without the intensity of very strong coffee. These teas are ideal when you still have work to finish, a workout to get to, or simply want to reset your mood without overwhelming your senses.
When you’re in a quiet, reflective mood, floral and DarjeelingSome teas are made for silence. On slower days when you are reading, journaling, or just sitting by a window gravitate towards floral bouquet teas or a classic Darjeeling. Their softer aromas and nuanced flavours encourage you to sip more slowly, to notice what’s in the cup and what’s in your own thoughts. These are the teas that turn a simple break into a moment with yourself.
When you need comfort after indulgence go for ginger, lemon and herbalAfter a heavy meal, late-night socializing, or travel, the body often craves something lighter. Here, ginger, lemon, and gentle herbal blends are incredibly helpful. They help with cleansing and balancing ideal for reset days, slow winter mornings, or calm evenings after festive excess. A warm cup with ginger and citrus can be both reassuring and refreshing, like a quiet promise to start again tomorrow.Let tea mirror the way you liveModern tea drinking isn’t about rigid rules. It’s about matching flavour to feeling, calming when you’re on edge, bright when you’re celebrating, focused when you’re working, soft when you’re alone. When you start choosing your tea with curiosity – “What do I need right now?” – it stops being just a beverage and becomes an extension of how you care for yourself each day. One kettle, many moods. And, if you listen closely, there’s always a tea that fits the moment.