True 'tea' comes from one family of plants, the Camillia sinensis which grows over most of the world. It is classified as oolong, white, green, or black. However, many of us use the term for the herbal blends loose leaf tea we drink. The infusion of plant material - leaves, roots, berries, flowers, bark - in hot water has infinite flavors, aromas, and health benefits. You can buy these beverage starters in the grocery store or make your own from the healthy plants in your garden.
Many drink an herbal blend to avoid the caffeine in regular teas. Only the fermented black varieties have much of the stimulant that people also find in their coffee. If you need to avoid caffeine (which has health benefits of its own) or choose not to drink it at night, you might love chamomile, passionflower, or one of the other calming herbs.
Herbal 'teas' are also called 'tisanes'. As with the Camillia teas, the leaves of herbs are steeped in hot water to extract their valuable properties. In addition, roots and blossoms of beneficial, flavorful, and aromatic plants are used in various combinations. For example, ginger or licorice root may be combined with spices, mint, or fruit to create unique brews.
'True' teas can be combined with herbs, spices, or fruit, if you want the stimulating effect of black or the slimming and cancer-fighting benefits of green. In the morning, black tea with cinnamon and orange is a favorite. Gotu kola is a stimulating herb, rich in caffeine, which can be used for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Nighttime is perfect for herbals. Chamomile is one of the best known sleep enhancers. Passion flower and hops are other herbs known to help you relax and drift off to slumber. The islanders of the tropics use kava kava to relax. Add ginger to help digestion or to warm you before bed on a chilly winter night.
Are you accustomed to buying your herbs in tea bags? Many tea lovers prefer the loose leaves. They say that loose leaf blends are fresher, are made of larger pieces of leaf, root, and blossom to retain more of the valuable nutrients, and are more aromatic and full of taste. More of the essential oils are retained, while the antioxidants and polyphenols that boost our health retain their potency.
There are cost savings, too. Compare the weight on a box of teabags with the amount listed on a container of loose-leaf and you will see that the latter is a much better value. Online posts also say that if you make a cup of loose-leaf tea and drain the dregs thoroughly, you can re-use them, maybe more than once, for more enjoyment. Teabags, which experts say confine the leaves too much and impede the flow of hot water to the contents, will not be as reusable.
You may not have known about the mystique of fine teas. There are teamasters who are as revered as the artisans who craft fine wines. Enter into the healthy and life-enhancing world of herbal blends handcrafted for your well-being and find out how much fun this can be.
Many drink an herbal blend to avoid the caffeine in regular teas. Only the fermented black varieties have much of the stimulant that people also find in their coffee. If you need to avoid caffeine (which has health benefits of its own) or choose not to drink it at night, you might love chamomile, passionflower, or one of the other calming herbs.
Herbal 'teas' are also called 'tisanes'. As with the Camillia teas, the leaves of herbs are steeped in hot water to extract their valuable properties. In addition, roots and blossoms of beneficial, flavorful, and aromatic plants are used in various combinations. For example, ginger or licorice root may be combined with spices, mint, or fruit to create unique brews.
'True' teas can be combined with herbs, spices, or fruit, if you want the stimulating effect of black or the slimming and cancer-fighting benefits of green. In the morning, black tea with cinnamon and orange is a favorite. Gotu kola is a stimulating herb, rich in caffeine, which can be used for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Nighttime is perfect for herbals. Chamomile is one of the best known sleep enhancers. Passion flower and hops are other herbs known to help you relax and drift off to slumber. The islanders of the tropics use kava kava to relax. Add ginger to help digestion or to warm you before bed on a chilly winter night.
Are you accustomed to buying your herbs in tea bags? Many tea lovers prefer the loose leaves. They say that loose leaf blends are fresher, are made of larger pieces of leaf, root, and blossom to retain more of the valuable nutrients, and are more aromatic and full of taste. More of the essential oils are retained, while the antioxidants and polyphenols that boost our health retain their potency.
There are cost savings, too. Compare the weight on a box of teabags with the amount listed on a container of loose-leaf and you will see that the latter is a much better value. Online posts also say that if you make a cup of loose-leaf tea and drain the dregs thoroughly, you can re-use them, maybe more than once, for more enjoyment. Teabags, which experts say confine the leaves too much and impede the flow of hot water to the contents, will not be as reusable.
You may not have known about the mystique of fine teas. There are teamasters who are as revered as the artisans who craft fine wines. Enter into the healthy and life-enhancing world of herbal blends handcrafted for your well-being and find out how much fun this can be.
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