As a beverage with an expansive amount of options, tea can be served in a number of ways. While in Tibet, for instance, tea can be served with yak butter and salt, most western beverages combine milk and sugar. Not everyone prefers to start their day off with such a beverage, however, but if you are considering a switch over to tea or are looking for different ways to prepare the drink, here are some of the options.

Cream and sugar is standard for most cups of tea, and application depends on a person's preferences. In some cases, more cream may be added, or others may prefer the beverage sweet with only a hint of dairy. However, tea, like coffee, packs in the calories once some cream and sugar are added. Those looking to drink as few calories as possible during the day may want to consider different preparation.

The taste of cream and sugar can be emulated as close as possible through skim milk and sweetener, such as sucralose, maltodextrin, aspartame, or stevia. While the consistency of the beverage may be thinner, the calories are significantly reduced. In fact, a cup of tea with skim milk and sugar often amounts to 50 or fewer calories.

Sugar or a sweetener isn't the only way to add sweetness or flavor to a beverage. In fact, fruit often gives tea a tart taste with few to no calories. Traditionally, the fruit added is lemon, but as you can see from a store's selection of bottled beverages, many more combinations are possible. But you don't need to purchase bottled tea to add some flavor to your morning drink. Instead, flavor infusions are possible at home, especially with loose teas. Some dried fruit, vanilla bean, herbs, or spices can be added to the tea ball or flavor infuser and brewed with the beverage. In fact, some makers of loose leaf teas add their own flavor infusions.

Aside from sweeteners or flavor infusions, tea is often sweet on its own. No matter if you prefer your beverage hot or iced, tea by itself often has a pleasant and flavorful taste.