A tea enthusiast asked about seasonal tea-drinking habits, so today we’ll discuss how to drink tea according to spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Spring is a season of growth, and the body follows suit. Drinking tea that supports this growth is ideal. Avoid teas that cool the body excessively, as they may hinder vitality. Instead, opt for teas with life-enhancing properties.

For example, oolong teas like Iron Goddess or Big Red Robe are excellent choices—neither too cooling nor too heating, making them perfect for spring. Flower teas are also a great option for those who enjoy them.

Summer’s heat calls for cooling teas. Green tea, yellow tea, white tea buds, or aged raw pu-erh are recommended, as they help dispel heat. Examples include Longjing, Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng, Xinyang Maojian, and Duyun Maojian.

Autumn retains residual heat but begins cooling, with warm days and cool nights. During the day, green, white, or yellow teas are suitable, but in the evening, switch to lighter Iron Goddess or aged white tea. Autumn is the season for Iron Goddess, but those with sensitive stomachs should opt for traditionally processed varieties.

Winter demands warmth, so choose heating or warming teas. Options include black tea, dark tea, aged pu-erh (raw or ripe), aged white tea, or roasted oolongs like rock tea or traditional Iron Goddess.

To truly benefit from tea, align its properties with the seasonal needs of the body. Only then can tea-drinking contribute to genuine health.