Chamomile is a flowering herb with a long history of use for ingestion, topical application, and use in soaps, shampoos and other body products. It is noted for its sweet, floral, apple-like aroma and flavor, as well as its soothing effects. Learn more about chamomile, including its benefits and usage precautions, as well as recipes for chamomile "teas", foods and body products, with this guide to chamomile.

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin

"Black coffee" is one of the most popular coffee orders in the world. It's also the name of a play, a few books, a documentary about coffee and multiple songs. And it's a drink with many variations, depending on where you order it. (For example, ordering it in New Orleans might just get you a cup of coffee made with chicory and salt!)

For more on the meaning of this ever-popular coffee term, check out the complete definition of black coffee. Enjoy!

Photo (c) Lindsey Goodwin

There are many factors which influence the taste of coffee in your cup. From additives like milk and sugar to the bean varietal to the origin, these all make their own differences. But one of the major variations for home coffee drinkers to consider is coffee roasts.

The term "coffee roasts" refers to how lightly or heavily the coffee beans are roasted prior to grinding and brewing. There are many names for different roasts, such as French roast coffee (which is a dark roast coffee) and New England roast coffee (which is a light roast coffee).

You can learn more about the different types of coffee roasts and what differentiates their flavors, aromas and appearances with this new article on coffee roasts.

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin

Sometimes, I meet people who say they don't like tea. Occasionally, this is true--they actually don't like tea! But most of the time, it's that they simply haven't found a tea they like yet. You see, there are many different types of tea in the world, and their flavors range from light and subtle (think: fresh flowers, honey, dry hay) to bold and rich (think: heavily grilled foods, old-growth forests). With that kind of scope, there's something for almost everyone.

To find a type of tea that you'll love, check out this list of basic tea flavor profiles. It may also help to read these guides to how to taste tea, tea brewing temperatures and tea brewing times. However, with some basic tea brewing experience, you can go far without using timers or thermometers--simply trust your instincts and use a little investigative spirit to figure out what's best for each tea. Above all, enjoy your tea!

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin