This article originally appeared in the Winter 2026 Edition of Nourish Magazine under the title “Tea Talks: winter warmers with Webster's Tea and Naturopath Rochelle Leppard” (pp. 20-21).
Words by Rachel Hart | Photography by Erin Cave
Did you know that tea is the most consumed drink in the world after water? Literally billions of cuppas are enjoyed each day, which got me thinking: do our tea-drinking habits change with the seasons? To find out, I sat down with Mark Webster from Webster's Tea and local naturopath and medical herbalist Rochelle Leppard.
“Taste is super seasonal,” Mark says, explaining that while Earl Grey and English Breakfast are year-round staples, the herbal teas follow a definite seasonal rhythm.
“Herbal teas are brilliant this time of year,” Rochelle adds. “Yes, they keep you warm, but they also keep you hydrated, which is just as important in winter but often overlooked.”
GINGER TURMERIC TEA: THE GOLDEN CHILD
If there’s one tea that defines winter at Webster’s, it’s their Ginger Turmeric blend. I asked Mark what goes into creating a tea that resonates so strongly at this time of year.
“Coming up with a blend starts with a single idea,” he says. “We knew we wanted a warm, spicy tea, so we started tinkering with ingredients and combinations for the perfect winter warmer.”
Mark wanted to use turmeric, which is famous for its golden hue and health-promoting properties, but it has quite a mild flavour, so he paired it with ginger, liquorice root, cinnamon, lemongrass, cardamom and nutmeg. The result is fragrant, sweet and punchy, with a surprising depth of flavour.
“It’s essentially chai without the caffeine. Add black tea to this and it would be a chai.”
Beyond the taste, Rochelle has a theory about why this tea is particularly popular in winter.
“Turmeric is a highly prized anti-inflammatory, and when inflammation in the body is low, your immune system functions better.”
And we can all use an immunity boost when the ills and chills take hold.
“Plus,” she says, “ginger and turmeric are both circulatory stimulants, which creates a lovely fire in the body that we crave in the colder months.”
PEPPERMINT TEA: REFRESHING, SOOTHING, AND POSSIBLE CREATIVE MASTERMIND
I love the turmeric tea but was eager to talk about peppermint after spotting a line on Webster’s website that describes it as “a super herb said to stimulate creativity”. As a writer always chasing a creative boost, I was intrigued.
When I asked Mark about this, he grinned. “I’m still trialling that one myself,” he says, laughing, “but peppermint is traditionally used for mental clarity, and I certainly find it helps when I need to focus.”
Sipping this tea while writing, I get it. The bright, clean flavour feels refreshing to both mind and palate, which helped pull me out of the mid-afternoon fog. And because we’re at Webster’s – a premium loose-leaf tea company that hangs its hat on flavour – this is no ordinary peppermint tea. Mark’s tinkering has led to a beautiful blend of peppermint, spearmint, lemongrass, hibiscus and lemon myrtle. It delivers a vibrant citrus-mint profile and, according to Rochelle, is the perfect after-dinner drink.
“Peppermint is a digestive settler,” Rochelle explains. “It can settle indigestion and soothe discomfort, which is extra helpful in winter when we tend to eat heavier foods like stews, casseroles and roasts. And when your digestion is working well, everything else tends to feel a bit clearer too.”
LIME GINGER TEA: THE ANSWER TO ANYONE WHO CALLS GREEN TEA BITTER
With its sencha green tea base, our final winter warmer isn’t herbal, but it is an excellent choice for the colder months, especially for anyone who has heard about the health benefits of green tea but is put off by the taste. Mark points out that green tea isn’t actually bitter, but it is more delicate than black tea. When not brewed correctly – heated too high or for too long – it doesn’t reach its full potential.
“We wanted to create an approachable green tea that debunks the myth of it being bitter. What better way to do that than by introducing a touch of spicy and citrusy flavours to balance it out?”
The blend includes citrus peel, ginger, cinnamon, lemon myrtle and liquorice, as well as dried carrot strips which bring a pop of colour to the bag.
Rochelle points out that green tea is well-known antioxidant. “It’s a term we hear often, but not everyone is clear on what it means. In simple terms, antioxidants support longevity and have anti-inflammatory properties. Combined with the other ingredients, the Lime Ginger tea is a great example of how you can have herbs in your life every day and they can taste excellent. It’s a fusion of flavour and function.”
WHAT’S YOUR WINTER WARMER?
These are just three of Webster’s many teas that bring a touch of comfort, warmth and joy to your day. What will you reach for the next time you hear the click of the kettle?
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For a deeper dive into the health benefits of herbs, Rochelle offers naturopathic consultations at rochelleleppard.com and shares insights on Instagram @rochelle_le_naturopathy.
