Tea by the clock
Most tea questions are really timing questions. Here's the day mapped out — plus what to pour when the first coffee wasn't the problem, and a simple winter rotation.
The daily clock
| Hour | The cup | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | nettle | minerals to start on |
| Mid-morning | tulsi | steadiness for the day's work |
| Afternoon | lemon balm | the slump, softened |
| After dinner | peppermint | the meal, settled |
| Evening | chamomile | the day, closed |
| Bedtime | valerian | when sleep needs an escort |
Instead of a second coffee
| Name | When | Traditionally kept for |
|---|---|---|
| Nettle | first thing | minerals before caffeine |
| Peppermint | mid-morning | sharpness without the jitters |
| Tulsi | the 10am wall | steadier than a refill |
| Ginger | slow starts | heat that wakes you honestly |
| Rooibos | afternoons | the coffee-shaped cup, decaffeinated |
Seven days, seven cups — a winter rotation
| Day | The cup | The mood |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | ginger | start the week warm |
| Tuesday | peppermint | clear-headed middles |
| Wednesday | rooibos | the long middle, softened |
| Thursday | tulsi | holding steady |
| Friday | lemon balm | letting the week go |
| Saturday | cinnamon | slow mornings |
| Sunday | chamomile | closing it gently |
Keep this one — and get early access.
Steepie is a cozy little web app for your home apothecary: recipes, ratios, and a place to keep the ones you love. Join the beta waitlist and we’ll email you the three-sheet Home Apothecary Set — the cold-season shelf, five make-ahead recipes, and the starter shelf. Printable, and yours to keep.
Steepie shares traditional and educational information about herbs and home rituals. It isn’t medical advice, and it’s no substitute for a professional when one is needed.