The $2 Aldi Grocery I’m Stocking in My Pantry All Winter Long

There is no shortage of cozy dinners coming out of my kitchen this time of year. There’s romance in the thought of curling up on the couch with a cup of soup, but the logistics of serving soup on a spoon while being nestled under a blanket never quite make sense. Once the kitchen is closed and the lights are turned low, though — now that’s the time to settle into a steaming mug of hot tea. 

Aldi has become my go-to for buying beverages of all kinds — I add almond milk to my coffee every morning and keep a stash of this sparkling water on hand at all times (Iit’s way cheaper than the name brand). Last fall I started adding Aldi’s Benner Tea Co. Premium Assorted Tea to my cart, and I can’t believe I waited so long to try it. 

Benner Tea Co. is another one of Aldi’s private-label brands (like Never Any! and Specially Selected). At my store, I spotted several varieties of tea bags that go beyond your basic black tea. For less than $2, you can buy a box of 20 individually wrapped bags, choosing between Earl Grey, peppermint, chai, chamomile, ginger turmeric, and English breakfast teas. 

While I am no tea aficionado, I do appreciate the ritual and aromas of afternoon or evening tea. Plus, at this time of year, a warm mug of peppermint or ginger turmeric tea is just the thing to keep me moving — even if the sun set hours ago.

Once you’ve chosen your preferred variety of tea, maybe English breakfast in the morning or chamomile just before bed, brew it according to package directions, tasting often until you find your preferred steeping time. 

The boxes of tea are relatively inexpensive, so why not pick up more than one (plus one of these tea bag organizers) and brew the teas in combination, try a new sweetener, or stir some juice in at the end? Maybe you’ll come up with your own personal take on the Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea. And steeping isn’t the only way you can serve a stronger tea: Combine the ginger turmeric or chamomile tea with lemon and bourbon for a tea hot toddy. 

Don’t toss the tea bag once you’ve drained the mug. Extract every last drop of flavor by making a tea-flavored simple syrup. It’s a simple way to add sweetness and extra flavor to sparkling water, fruit salads, or a new cup of tea.

Find it in stores: Benner Tea Co. Premium Assorted Tea, $1.69 for 20 tea bags

What Aldi staples are you stocking up on this winter? Share your finds in the comments below.