As you know, September is all about learning for us at Loose Leaf Tea Market. If you're looking for a way to feel alert and energized without caffeine or want to get smarter, here are five brain-boosting beverages! They use An Elephant Never Forgets, which is a wonderful and very effective caffeine-free herbal tea for boosting your brain and energy. You can also watch the video on YouTube.
1. Hot Tea
An Elephant Never Forgets is wonderful when hot, and when prepared like this, helps to warm up the brain and the body.
1-2 tbsp. An Elephant Never Forgets
1 quart hot Water
4 slices fresh Ginger
1/2 Tangerine
Steep the tea leaves in the water, along with the ginger slices and tangerine. For more fruit flavor, chop the tangerine slivers so that more juice is released, or crush the fruit into the water.
2. Hot Almond Milk Tea
If you like your tea creamier, try this almond milk version. With the dates and cinnamon, it has a bit of a North Indian flair.
1-2 tbsp. An Elephant Never Forgets
3 cups hot Water
1 cup Almond Milk (room temperature or hot)
2 Dates, broken up
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
Steep the tea leaves in the water, along with the dates (crushing them will yield more flavor. When it's done steeping, add in the almond milk and cinnamon, press, and serve.
3. Iced Tea
An Elephant Never Forgets is wonderfully refreshing when iced. If you're looking to cool off, or just want something that's soothing while also energizing, try this!
1-2 tbsp. An Elephant Never Forgets
1 quart cold Water
1 slice Apple
1 slice Lemon
1 sprig Mint
Steep the tea leaves in the water for 2 hours or more, preferably in the fridge. Then add the apple, lemon, and mint, and serve.

4. Smoothie
This smoothie is a great way to boost your brain power! You may choose to steep the tea for a shorter period of time (half an hour) if you want less of an herbal flavor.
2 cups iced An Elephant Never Forgets tea
1/2 cup Blueberries
1/2 cup Strawberries
1 cup Kale or Spinach (choose the latter if you prefer less bitterness)
1.5 Frozen Bananas
1 Apple, chopped and frozen
2 Dates (optional)
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender, top with blueberries (if desired), and serve.
5. Juice
This juice is a powerhouse beverage! You might think it's hard to top fresh vegetable juice when it comes to health benefits, but this recipe does that. It will leave you feeling wonderful!
2 cups iced An Elephant Never Forgets tea
1 bunch Celery
2 Lemons, peeled
1/8 small Green Cabbage
1" Ginger
1" Turmeric
1-2 Apples
1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
Add the tea to your pitcher. Run all remaining ingredients except black pepper through your juicer, then pour into the pitcher. Add in the black pepper, mix well, and serve!
We hope you enjoy these recipes! Let us know in the comments below which was your favorite.