Most people with busy lives rely on their many cups of coffee a day just to function, while societies like Chinese, Japanese, and even the British, make tea much more of a staple in their day-to-day lives as a moment to calm and bond with others.

While making the movement from coffee to tea can be a difficult transition, thanks to the hundreds of varieties of tea now available, in both the hot and iced varieties, there is a type to please any palate. And besides being lower in caffeine as well as calories, tea is known for its countless health benefits and being rich in antioxidants. Herbal teas also provide aid in weight loss, indigestion, sleep, cholesterol, stress-– and some medical practioners even offer tea treatments to patients with cancer.

With the cold months encroaching, whether you’re looking for a moment to warm up or unwind with something other than a cup of joe, psychoPEDIA looked into some rare and alternative options sure to convince the coffee-addict or inspire tea enthusiasts:

Monkey-Picked Tea
Not only can highly-trained monkeys be launched into space as astronauts, now they can be sent into the high-altitude, mountainous regions of China, too dangerous for humans, to pick tea leaves. Distinctive due both to its light-flavored taste and rarity, it is also packed with antioxidants and said to be of the highest quality tea available– to which the term “monkey-picked” now applies. While tea connoisseurs are sure to appreciate this brew, for animal lovers who might be concerned about mistreatment, they need not worry, as the monkeys are considered respected and integral parts of the Chinese communities where they are raised.

Kuti/Coffeetea
Die-hard fans of coffee will be pleased to know that their favorite beverage has a brother–- coffeetea. This blend is not from coffee beans, but from the leaves of a coffee plant, making it caffeine-free, but packed with the same amount of antioxidants as green tea. While having only a recent introduction to the American tea market, this beverage made its first appearance in Ethiopia, who know it as kuti, long before coffee beans were used to make the world’s most popular drink. Coffeetea is now available at select health food stores nationwide and directly through its manufacturer, Astral Natural.

Kekik Chai/Oregano Tea
While oregano is typically reserved for seasoning pasta sauces and meats in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, the Turks have made it the main ingredient for their tea, kekik chai. As this herb is known for having anti-bacterial properties, being potent in antioxidants, and rich in fiber and other nutrients, this tea can be used for multiple purposes from relieving fevers and respiratory conditions caused by colds, flu, and asthma to a post-meal method to settle upset stomach and indigestion. To boot, superstition also holds that oregano tea can cure heartache by helping you to forget an old flame.

Peruvian Coca Tea
Coca tea is sure to be controversial for its association with the plants used to harvest cocaine. However, despite being made from the same leaves as the illegal drug, this tea has many beneficial health benefits and is non habit-forming– as it has even been used to help relieve cocaine users of their addictions. In fact, this beverage, which originated in the Andes Moutains, has been common amongst Peruvian communities, particularly to cure altitude-sickness. Because the tea contains alkaloids, an energy stimulant, it offers the same effects as a strong cup of coffee, with the added benefits of increasing metabolism, improving digestion, and elevating mood.

Golden Star White Jasmine Sparkling Tea
Making its debut to positive reviews at many of 2008’s Fancy Food Show, as well as receiving distinctions from the World Tea Championship this July, Golden Star’s White Jasmine Sparkling Tea is a beverage meant to provide a viable non-alcoholic alternative to drinks like champagne, ciders, and sparkling wine. Using a special fermentation process to create this light and slightly sour aromatic blend, this tea pairs well with seafood, fruits, and cheese, or to be enjoyed alone. Hitting shelves this September, this refreshing and healthier option to alcohol may inspire even hard-to-please wine connoisseurs to convert to tea.