With my roots entrenched in South Asia and having grown up in England both these cultures are responsible for turning me into a happy tea drinker, a cuppa is always welcome!
Now that the cool weather has kicked in I love to make hot teas to keep me warm, hydrated and healthy, here are my 5 pantry staples!
1. Jasmine tea
Jasmine tea is green tea scented with Jasmine flowers. The benefits of green tea are well known, from improved brain function, to better heart health, to weight management and of course the high antioxidant levels that clear up cells that have been damaged from toxin exposure found in food, household and personal products and environmental toxins. Some Jasmine teas are scented with jasmine oil, I personally like the ones that have the flowers in them. I have to say that the best Jasmine tea I have ever had was on a trip to Sri Lanka many years ago, it had big white jasmine flowers that bloomed in the hot water and was simply divine, I still have that aroma in my senses!
Jasmine tea is easily available at Chinese tea stores, specialty tea stores and online, so take your green tea up a notch with this luxurious uplifting taste.
2. Chamomile tea
Made from chamomile flowers chamomile tea is a relaxing caffeine free tea usually consumed at night as its calming effect is a natural sleep aide. It also helps reduce anxiety, calms the digestive system, is anti-inflammatory, good for the skin and a natural allergy fighter.
I would say that this is the tea that I recommend most frequently to my clients. With most people experiencing high stress levels this is a must have, and if you want to give the flavor a punch throw in a Lemongrass stick whilst steeping!
3. Peppermint tea
This is my absolute favourite herbal tea, in fact I will often carry it in my purse when I go to all day events. I love all things peppermint; peppermint chocolate, peppermint essential oil, peppermint body cream (I make this one myself), peppermint hot chocolate and more. A good Peppermint tea is made from ground mint leaves and there is no ‘tea’ in it. Peppermint is energizing, uplifting and yet calming at the same time. It is a great tea to consume if you are having a midafternoon slump at work and is excellent for the digestive system.
4. Matcha
Matcha has been all the rage lately but its not a new tea, the Japanese have been drinking it for centuries!
Matcha is a high-quality, green tea which is made from powdered tea leaves, it contains very high levels of catechins which are a form of antioxidants. Many studies have shown that Matcha encourages fat burning, destroys cancer cells and detoxifies the body. This one is worth consuming daily! But wait not all Matcha are equal. Organic, Japanese Matcha powder is what we should be looking for, with nothing else in the ingredients list except Matcha. This is a more expensive tea, but I find it lasts a long time and its health benefits outweigh the price point.
Best way to consume Matcha is to boil water to just under 100 degrees Celsius, pour a little bit in a mug, add 1tsp of Matcha powder, whisk it so it dissolves, top up with more hot water and whisk some more it should froth up. Matcha lattes are now very popular at many coffee/tea stores and can easily be made at home with your choice of milk.
5. Chai
In South Asia people love their Chai (tea) and will have numerous cups a day; the day starts with tea, it is a mid-morning must, enjoyed after meals, offered to guests, served all day in offices, basically anytime is tea time!
The best part about the traditional Chai is that it is steeped with some or all these spices; cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, clove, fennel, saffron all fantastic spices that are excellent for health.
Chai is traditionally made in a pot of boiling water on the stove, just add loose black tea leaves and spices and let it steep for a few minutes, once cooked add milk and serve. It is a fairly heavy tea and the milk can make it quite rich, but it is delicious. It also tastes great without the milk and is usually drank that way during colds and flu in our house.
The tannins in Black tea are good for the skin, they help with toning and cell regeneration and can halt premature ageing.
I hope you too enjoy teas and have found some new ones to try!
Note, Teas can have a lot of pesticides on them so when possible purchase Organic.
Remember, if you have any questions you are welcome to book your complimentary call with Wellness Redone at [email protected].
