Oooh a cup of tea! No wonder we love it so; synonymous with friendship, compassion, hospitality, or just stopping for a minute.
So passionate are we that tea references have spilled into our language - at times we could murder it, and when we get unnecessarily upset we could distil a whole storm’s emotion into a single teacup. Tea has a personality; do we want to be accompanied by one who is strong, weak or sweet?
Yes indeed, all good things are associated with a cup of tea and who would say a word against it…. except that….. just a thought….. have you become so entrenched in your tea drinking habits that you are missing out on some wonderful infusions that could really benefit your health?
So passionate are we that tea references have spilled into our language - at times we could murder it, and when we get unnecessarily upset we could distil a whole storm’s emotion into a single teacup. Tea has a personality; do we want to be accompanied by one who is strong, weak or sweet?
Yes indeed, all good things are associated with a cup of tea and who would say a word against it…. except that….. just a thought….. have you become so entrenched in your tea drinking habits that you are missing out on some wonderful infusions that could really benefit your health?
Herbal teas come in endless varieties and blends. Technically, an infusion not combined with leaves from the tea bush but made from flowers, herbs, stems, roots and leaves is called a tisane. Boxed herbal tea labels will detail the exact combination and also whether there is any caution with taking them – such as in pregnancy.
Perhaps the easiest substitution is Redbush, or Rooibos tea - a caffeine-free, low tannin leaf that could easily replace a regular cup of tea – with or without milk and available loose or in teabags. If you want to try something that still looks like a regular cuppa this is the one to go for.
If you want to focus on a particular health benefit, there are some lovely combinations designed to help particular symptoms. Blends like fennel and meadowsweet to help digestion, lavender and chamomile to aid relaxation, hops and valerian for a peaceful night’s sleep; the list seems endless so why not create a warming tonic in a teacup as a change from a regular cup of tea. If you like a more robust drink, you could try something with added spices or liquorice.
When making your tisane, a cup or mug with a lid is useful so you can trap all the goodness that would otherwise waft away. Buy a good quality preparation and steep for the time stated to get the greatest benefit. Herbal drinks can also be taken cold or over ice.
Apart from the boxed infusions, loose herbal combinations are available from herbal suppliers; you will need a strainer or insert for your cup to make sure it’s just the infused water you are drinking. Alternatively, take a DIY approach - it’s easy to make a really refreshing drink by seeping some lemon or ginger with hot water. Or try a few mint leaves after a meal to aid digestion. A few infused sage leaves can do wonders for a sore throat.
Perhaps the easiest substitution is Redbush, or Rooibos tea - a caffeine-free, low tannin leaf that could easily replace a regular cup of tea – with or without milk and available loose or in teabags. If you want to try something that still looks like a regular cuppa this is the one to go for.
If you want to focus on a particular health benefit, there are some lovely combinations designed to help particular symptoms. Blends like fennel and meadowsweet to help digestion, lavender and chamomile to aid relaxation, hops and valerian for a peaceful night’s sleep; the list seems endless so why not create a warming tonic in a teacup as a change from a regular cup of tea. If you like a more robust drink, you could try something with added spices or liquorice.
When making your tisane, a cup or mug with a lid is useful so you can trap all the goodness that would otherwise waft away. Buy a good quality preparation and steep for the time stated to get the greatest benefit. Herbal drinks can also be taken cold or over ice.
Apart from the boxed infusions, loose herbal combinations are available from herbal suppliers; you will need a strainer or insert for your cup to make sure it’s just the infused water you are drinking. Alternatively, take a DIY approach - it’s easy to make a really refreshing drink by seeping some lemon or ginger with hot water. Or try a few mint leaves after a meal to aid digestion. A few infused sage leaves can do wonders for a sore throat.
If you feel a bit more adventurous, try creating a chai (tea, milk, spices and some sweetness). Here is a recipe from Sarah Wilson (I Quit Sugar) using redbush tea as the base:
3 cardamom pods
3 cloves
3 peppercorns
3 star anise or 1 tsp fennel seeds
3cm fresh ginger finely chopped or 1 tbsp dried ginger root
1 tsp ground liquorice root (optional)
250ml milk (or almond milk)
4tbsp loose organic rooibos tea
Method:
Using a mortar and pestle, lightly crush the cardamom, cloves, peppercorns and star anise (alternatively leave them whole). Tip the crushed spices into a saucepan and add the ginger, liquorice root (if using) and 750ml of water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 4 minutes. Take the saucepan off the heat and let steep for 4-5 minutes. Add the milk and rooibos tea and bring back to the boil. Remove from the heat, cover and steep for another 5 minutes. Strain and serve.
If you find herbal drinks need some sweetness, use a little xylitol or honey.
3 cardamom pods
3 cloves
3 peppercorns
3 star anise or 1 tsp fennel seeds
3cm fresh ginger finely chopped or 1 tbsp dried ginger root
1 tsp ground liquorice root (optional)
250ml milk (or almond milk)
4tbsp loose organic rooibos tea
Method:
Using a mortar and pestle, lightly crush the cardamom, cloves, peppercorns and star anise (alternatively leave them whole). Tip the crushed spices into a saucepan and add the ginger, liquorice root (if using) and 750ml of water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 4 minutes. Take the saucepan off the heat and let steep for 4-5 minutes. Add the milk and rooibos tea and bring back to the boil. Remove from the heat, cover and steep for another 5 minutes. Strain and serve.
If you find herbal drinks need some sweetness, use a little xylitol or honey.
If herbal infusions are not for you, how about taking your tea in a different form? Leaves from the tea bush are available in different varieties and they all contain antioxidants but the treatment of the plant and the preparation of the leaf leads to different varieties of tea. Higher levels of health-promoting antioxidants are found in green tea (where the leaf has been subjected to less oxidation than black tea). The highest levels are found in matcha teas (a concentrated powder of the green tea leaf). Matcha tea is available in green or white varieties. Prepare matcha by whisking it into water for a potent health tonic. It has a strong taste but, being a powder it’s easy to start with just a little. Whisking ensures the powder is fully dissolved; and preparing it in a small bowl is easier than a cup.
Matcha is the tea of Japanese tea ceremonies and traditionally used by Zen Budhists to aid focus when meditating. More recent studies have investigated the potential benefiit of matcha tea on brain health, weight loss and blood pressure. Because it is a powder matcha is easy to add into food or other drinks too. In Japan the tea is a component of ice cream, desserts and confectionery.
There are just so many choices; will you dip a tentative toe into a cup of redbush, infuse a healthful tonic or hurl yourself into whipping up a white matcha? Whatever you decide you’re sure to find just your cup…
Bon appetea!
Matcha is the tea of Japanese tea ceremonies and traditionally used by Zen Budhists to aid focus when meditating. More recent studies have investigated the potential benefiit of matcha tea on brain health, weight loss and blood pressure. Because it is a powder matcha is easy to add into food or other drinks too. In Japan the tea is a component of ice cream, desserts and confectionery.
There are just so many choices; will you dip a tentative toe into a cup of redbush, infuse a healthful tonic or hurl yourself into whipping up a white matcha? Whatever you decide you’re sure to find just your cup…
Bon appetea!
