The Benefits of Tea
The benefits of tea are amazing. Teas have been around for centuries and
have served as medicinal remedies for all kinds of ailments. Today you
can find tea remedies at the grocery store for sore throats to upset stomachs.
Tea is one of the most popular drinks consumed in the world and it is often included as part of a natural health lifestyle.
I absolutely adore a cup
of tea and I enjoy this wonderful beverage year round. My favorite teas right now are rooibos chai, jasmine or a decadent honeybush chocolate.
Learning about the different types of tea is a fun adventure as it involves your preferences of taste. The different varieties of teas range in taste from mild, strong, spicy or earthy. So find the ones that appeal to you by being open to sampling some of the different flavors.
All tea comes from the camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub. There are hundreds of varieties of tea with its own specific characteristics. Like a wine, depending in what region the plant grows to the type of soil, the weather conditions and how the tea is processed determines the flavors of the tea.
Some of the benefits of tea is it can be soothing for digestion, it can be calming to the mind, a tonic when feeling unwell, as well as rejuvenating. And tea includes antioxidants as well as many other properties so enjoy a cup or two.
Teas to consider:
- Chinese teas - green, white, black and Oolong
- Oolong teas - A traditional Chinese tea often served in restaurants
- Black teas - Such as English Breakfast, Darjeeling, Black Pekoe Earl Grey
- Herbal teas - Are from the leaves and flowers of herbal plants, grasses and other botanicals.
- Rooibos teas - a non caffeinated red tea. Mild and smooth flavor
- Chai teas - A sweet spiced tea with cinnamon, cardamon, vanilla, orange peel, cloves originated in India.
There is a large range of teas to choose from, basic teas to organic and medicinal teas. Finding the ones that appeal to you and enjoying the benefits of tea are truly a treat when you are in the mood for a cup.
The pleasure of drinking tea is not only for the medicinal properties such as the essential oils and the polyphenols which are found in the teas, but also for the soothing and delicate taste.
Natural Health Cafe Tip
Another benefit of tea is that it typically has less caffeine than coffee. Herbal and Rooibos teas do not contain any caffeine and many of your favorite teas can be found decaffeinated as well. Black teas typically have the most caffeine and some of the green teas will have a higher amount of caffeine as well.
My favorite way to make a pitcher of iced tea is to put 4 to 6 regular tea bags into a glass gallon container and put it in the refrigerator over night. The refrigerator method allows the tea to steep slowly over 12 - 15 hours and this is a great way to maintain the integrity of the tea benefits. Remove the tea bags the next day.
You may also boil the water and pour into a glass pitcher and steep the tea bags for 10 - 15 minutes and then allow to cool before putting the container into the refrigerator.
After steeping, you can add flavorings if you wish such as a few slices of oranges or lemons, mint leaves or a pinch or two of stevia or honey for sweetening.
Of course boiling fresh water and steeping the tea for 5 to 8 minutes is one of the easiest way to enjoy a delicious cup of tea anytime.
Once
you discover your favorite teas to enjoy, you will be kicking back and
sipping a beverage with the benefits of tea in your favorite cup. It tastes even better when you share a cup with a friend.
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