Anyone that knows me probably knows that I love drinking tea. That may be an understatement. Sometimes I have so many cups of tea a day I loose count. I realize that tea isn’t everyone’s thing but what a lot of people often don’t realize is that tea is beneficial for many different things. So today I thought I’d share with you a few teas and some (although certainly not an exhaustive list) of the reasons they are good for you.
Peppermint tea: Okay so peppermint tea is my favorite tea without a doubt because I love the fresh taste but then I discovered peppermint tea is also really helpful for an upset tummy (or if you just ate too much food). Use hot and steaming water that hasn’t quite boiled and steep for 5-10 minutes.
Fresh squeezed lemon with honey tea: I love the sweet and sour taste of this and it’s really good if you have a cold or need to sooth a sore throat. Also fresh squeezed lemon in warm water in the morning is a good way to jump start your digestive system.
Echinacea tea: supports the immune system! Pour freshly boiled water over tea bag or tea leaves. Cover and let steep for 10-15 minutes
Rooibos tea: this tea is high in antioxidant properties. (I love drinking this with coconut milk and honey so add that if you wish after it’s been steeped!) Bring water to a boil and steep for 5-7 minutes.
Chamomile tea: this tea is great for helping you sleep better. Bring water to the point of boiling and then let it rest while you prepare your cup and tea. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
Lavender tea: Stressed out? This tea is very soothing and will help relax stressed nerves. You’ll want to steep this tea for a little longer (10 minutes) since it is so mild.
Ginger tea: this one is good for nausea so if you’re on a boat ride or you’re pregnant… Use fresh ginger slices if possible. Boil water and steep for 5-10 minutes. (A little honey would be nice with this since ginger is quite a strong flavor.)
Rosehip tea: is a great source of Vitamin C. It also has diuretic properties. This tea is also good for your skin but is best avoided by those who have diabetes.
I highly recommend using organic teas since you are pouring hot water over the ingredients to release the properties in them. You don’t want harmful chemicals being released into your water! Whenever possible I would also suggest using loose leaf teas since you don’t have to wonder what the tea bags themselves are made of. Quick tip: The best way to store loose leaf tea is in an air tight container. If you like the convenience of a tea bag Numi or Choice Organic teas are great (this isn’t a sponsored post I just like their tea and know they are better about their tea bags.)
Please note that since teas can have a medicinal effect not all of them are safe for pregnant or nursing women or if you have certain health issues.
Many of these teas are helpful for a lot more than things I listed and it’s quite fascinating to discover all the ways teas are beneficial for your health. Now go enjoy a cup of tea because it’s tea time!
What are your favorite teas? Do you have any tea time tips for us? Have you noticed any benefits from drinking tea? Please share in the comments below!
I’ve long been a fan of the traditional loose leaf teas from China, India, Ceylon, Formosa, and more letely of Japan. When one considers the hand labour to pluck, wither, dry, sort, etc, one pound of finished tea, it is truly one of the best bargains anywhere. Many of these have been produced the same way in the same villages or counties for a thousand years or more, and are of exquisite quality. No question, for me my favourite “category” is the traditional oolongs, hand-bruised and carefully oxidised in stages. The subtle and delightful variances in flavour are amazing, the cup is so “clean” and nuanced. My preference tends toward those less oxidised, perhaps 15 to 25%. The wide variety of flavours, all from the process, as nothing is added, is an adventure. I do have a couple that are naturally infused, one with magnolia blossom, the other with lotus flower. Both are a jade pouchong style oolong, lightly oxidised, and are quite delightful.
My other “favourite” category is the aged teas, quite rare but worth the trouble to seek them out. These are more hearty, the most common one being Pu Ehr, a sort of musky, rich, satisfying tea perfect for a cold winter’s evening. I think Dark Rose is my all time favourite in this category, it has the distinctive flavour of rose, but nothing but the tea has been used.
While both of these categories of tea can be rather dear, one thing that offests the high initial cost is that the quality ones deliver several steepings… that is, you can add more water and stteep again. I’ve had five, even six, separate steepings over several days, each one with a different taste, yet all good. I think it was the seventh steeping the “fall-off” in flavour was pronounced. But number six was still great!!! That makes a thirty dollar the pound oolong provide the same pleasure as a five dollar the pound tea!! And where can one find a drinkable tea at five dollars the pound?
Oolongs, particularly the less oxidised ones (toward green) are best steeped with cooler water than normal black tea. For a number, about 180F is best. which is an active but not vigourous simmer. Well below the boil, but significantly hotter than the touch can bear. Use about 3 grammes by weight (oolongs vary widely in “density”, some being loke small rocks, others wispy curly things when dry) for a 12 ounce (250-300 ml) cup. For the first two or three steepings, steep for about 4 minutes, for later ones add a half minute or so to each additional steep. If you can find a glass double wall cup, you can see the differences in colour of the liquour in the cup, and it will cool much more slowly. These two “categories” of tea are fascinating, and great fun to explore.
Two more things, for those concerned about them: oolongs have far less caffeine than typical green or black teas, because of the complex and extended processing. And, a quality hand made oolong will always come from a quality garden where things are still done the way they’ve been for centuries. No need to look for any organic certification. IIn reality, with the traditional teas, organic certification almost always means a less flavourful cup, and it doesn’t matter anyway, as chemicals are simply not used. They did not exist a thousand years ago, and still do not in that “world”.
I don’t really have any experience with oolong tea but my dad loves them! 🙂 Thanks for sharing about your knowledge on them, it’s fascinating!
My husband adores tea and makes it every night (from leaves in a diffuser to bagged teas). I have only really tried and liked chai latte tea which may be surprising (surprises me because I didn’t try my first caffeinated drink until four years ago, a sip of soda, coffee, and tea. . .hating them all). My pastor’s wife gave me the chai latte for my birthday not knowing and I was surprised!!! 🙂 I really should try more. . . .I know I’d prefer to have teas than coffees.
Oh I hope you try them again. Rooibos with coconut milk and honey is one of my favorite drinks! 🙂