Disclosure: collaborative post
When we think of Britain, and things that are quintessentially ‘British’ we often think of tea. A great pot of brewed tea, possibly even in a traditional English silver teapot. The humble cup of tea is a staple part of the fabric of the UK. Having said that, the word on the street recently is that the Brits are drinking less tea! Pretty shocking stuff, I know.
It actually turns out that the cause of people drinking less English breakfast tea is because there is such a variety out there. It seems that there are more and more teas emerging; given that there are more choices out there, naturally the builder’s tea is diminishing – but only ever so slightly!
In a recent study, around 50% of tea brands identified people age 24-35 year olds as the biggest growing demographic of tea drinks. Perhaps it is because of this that the general view and branding of tea has changed. The perspective of it has changed from a warm, milky, comforting beverage to a drink that can hold many wellness benefits. Although arguably, it is still definitely firmly in the ‘comforting camp’ as well. It makes sense then that 80% of tea brands are trying to tap into the wellness trends, and creating products that reflect that.
Perhaps it is worth exploring the different types of teas that are available; also their health and wellness benefits.
Green Tea
This tea just had to be top of the list, as it is packed with many wellness benefits. It is packed full of antioxidants and catechins, the latter is said to slow down bacterial growth. Green tea allegedly also boosts metabolic rate, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Peppermint Tea
This is a great tea to help soothe indigestion or an upset stomach. It can serve as a cure for irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and even motion sickness. If you ever have a migraine or a stress/tension headache then try taking a sip of peppermint tea – it will be sure to help.
White Tea
White tea has quite a delicate flavour, perhaps because it is the least processed variety of tea. This type of tea is said to be quite good for your teeth as it contains a high amount of fluoride, tannins and catechins which can fight plaque, is more resistant to sugar and acid, and thus can strengthen teeth. But if you want more immediate help with your teeth, be sure to call the dentist in concord. Research also shows that it might be the most effective tea in fighting different forms of cancer, due to its high level of antioxidants.
Lemon and Honey Tea
This is the go-to tea for anyone suffering from a cold or from flu. It is a uniquely soothing and comforting drink. The lemon brings with it a vitamin C boost, paired with honey which is known for helping to suppress coughs, it is the ultimate cold-fixing brew.
People have suggested that lemon and honey tea also helps with acne and weight-loss, although this hasn’t been confirmed by any concrete research.
Hibiscus Tea
This tea has a bold, bright red colour to it, which definitely appeals to those of us who would also describe themselves as on the bolder side. It is also caffeine and calorie free, so that might appeal to a wider audience.
It has quite a distinct sweet and slightly bitter taste to it. It is particularly popular in North Africa and Southeast Asia. The health benefits of drinking hibiscus tea are that it can help lower high blood pressure, and can sooth a sore throat.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea of course had to be on the quintessential tea list. It is known for helping to send people off to sleep, due to its calming, relaxing, and soothing qualities. It is also said to help reduce muscle spasms and menstrual pain.
Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
If ever there was a tea that was made from a quick Insta – it is the butterfly pea flower tea. This tea has a blue hue but also changes colour depending on the pH level of the ingredients that are added to it. As an example, adding a nice slice of lemon to it will turn it into a nice purple colour. The question is, does it have any health benefits to it?
It has been drunk in Asia for centuries, but it has only just recently come across to the Western world. It has similar benefits to green tea, in that it carries a lot of antioxidants. There have also been studies to show that the butterfly pea flower tea helps reduce internal inflammation.
Ginger Tea
This is another great go-to tea for its wellness and health benefits. It is known for helping pregnant women fight morning sickness. It is said that it can also relieve bad indigestion, and joint pain.
Blackcurrant Tea
I’m not going to lie to you; I thought this referred to drinking blackcurrant squash with hot water in it – the ‘tea’ we drank when we were little. But actual blackcurrant tea is apparently quite different! Herbal blackcurrant tea has a bit of a purple hue to it; and brings with it high Vitamin C, antibacterial properties, and is also said to reduce inflammation.
Barley Tea
Barley Tea is particularly popular in Japan, China, and Korea. It is made from whole grain roaster barley and has a slightly nutty taste to it; it can be served cold or hot. Similar to hibiscus tea, barley tea is also free of caffeine.
This particular type of tea has a lot of health and wellness claims to its name: such as aiding with indigestions, skin benefits, weight less, and helping reduce cold symptoms. However, it is difficult to find studies that prove all of these benefits. Worst-case scenario – it is a great caffeine-free alternative to coffee and breakfast tea.
So, as you’ve probably gathered by now many different types of tea have a variety of health benefits. I suppose one of the main benefits of tea is that it counts towards your daily water needs, and thus can help fight dehydration. So, go on then, pop the kettle on and top up your mug. It’s healthy, and *bonus* it’s trendy!
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1 Comment
I love tea!
July 13, 2020 at 8:06 pm