As a Brit I, of course, love tea. Like many, my favourite is the simple breakfast tea but there are so many different types out there it is astonishing. All have amazing health benefits and are delicious. So, in order to open you up to the diverse world of tea here are different types of teas you absolutely have to try.
While this is a tea you’ve probably heard of and is quite a classic its benefits cannot be overlooked. Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages on the planet, if not the healthiest. It is full of antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. Green tea is rich in polyphenols that have effects like reducing inflammation and helping to fight cancer. Not only is it good for you physically but mentally too and is proven to improve brain function and therefore make you smarter. It has the amino acid L-theanine, which has anti-anxiety advantages.
Not only is this tea super fun to pronounce but is also mesmerising to look at. Hibiscus is crimson or deep magenta-colored calyces of the roselle flower and the same as a liquid. It can be consumed both hot or cold and has a tart, cranberry-like flavor. The health benefits of hibiscus tea include its ability to reduce high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inflammatory problems, plus aid in relieving the digestive and immune system.
Many people do drink tea for its caffeine quantity to give you energy and keep you awake and alert but for some that is a downside to the beverage. If you are one of those people then rooibos tea might be for you. Rooibos, meaning ‘red bush’; is a broom-like member of the Fabaceae family of plants that grow in South Africa. It is naturally caffeine-free and contains high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals as well as anti-aging properties. You can buy flavoured versions, blueberry is a popular choice, but naturally, it has a smooth and sweet slightly nutty taste.
The name “chai” is actually the Hindi word for “tea”. Interesting! Originating in the Indian subcontinent, the beverage has gained worldwide popularity and is a flavoured tea made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic spices and herbs, for example, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and black peppercorns. It is often sweetened with sugar or honey.
I personally love a recipe by BBC Good Food that is really easy to make at home and nicer than shop-bought packets. Heat milk in a saucepan over very low heat and do keep an eye on it. Empty the contents of a normal tea bag into the pan and add cracked cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, and cloves. Sweeten to your desire then leave to infuse, but not boil, for 10 minutes.
As it is summer it is imperative to give a shoutout to iced tea. The ultimate cooling and refreshing beverage. Iced tea in itself is so diverse and can be made using a variety of different flavours but I’ve decided to show you a recipe that uses mango because I love it and think it’s great for summer.
Peel and dice two mangos. Place mango, sugar, and water into a saucepan and heat on low until the sugar dissolves. Gently bring it to a high simmer for about 10 minutes, often mashing the mango so that it dissolves. Remove the heat and allow to cool. So yummy. If you bottle it tightly and refrigerate it will last to up to one week.
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