Technically, 'tea' comes from the Camillia sinensis plant and is either white, green, oolong, or black. However, the popular name has come to mean any infusion of plant leaves chosen for flavor, aroma, and health benefits. Many herbal blends loose leaf tea products are commercially available today, and, of course, you can make your own right out of the garden.
Herbs are often chosen for a brewed beverage to get away from the caffeine in true teas. Only fermented black teas contains the stimulating component prized by so many in their morning coffee. At night, instead of decaffeinated coffee, you could have a warm cup of chamomile or the stronger-smelling valerian. Many familiar bedtime products contain several calming, sedating herbs.
Leaves, roots, and flowers are all used to make tisanes. Master tea crafters create blends just as vintners combine the juice of grapes. Teas have beneficial properties as well as flavor and aroma, and a lot of care goes into making unique combinations that give desired results. For example, ginger or licorice combined with mint make a healthy and delicious brew.
'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.
Boxes or tins of loose leaf teas are often a better bargain than teabags, too. Compare the weights of a box of bags and a container of leaves and you will see. Some also say that if you brew a cup of leaves (or a blend of various plant parts) and drain off the water, you can re-infuse the dregs with boiling water later for another delicious cup. Since a conventional teabag may inhibit the flow of water to its contents, trying to re-use a teabag will not be as successful.
There is a whole science of teas. Go online to learn the mystique which has developed over centuries. Virtually every culture and society has brewed teas for pleasure and for health. There are many companies with teamasters working hard to create blends that you will love. You will also find a wealth of information on the health benefits of herbs.
Herbs are often chosen for a brewed beverage to get away from the caffeine in true teas. Only fermented black teas contains the stimulating component prized by so many in their morning coffee. At night, instead of decaffeinated coffee, you could have a warm cup of chamomile or the stronger-smelling valerian. Many familiar bedtime products contain several calming, sedating herbs.
Leaves, roots, and flowers are all used to make tisanes. Master tea crafters create blends just as vintners combine the juice of grapes. Teas have beneficial properties as well as flavor and aroma, and a lot of care goes into making unique combinations that give desired results. For example, ginger or licorice combined with mint make a healthy and delicious brew.
'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.
Boxes or tins of loose leaf teas are often a better bargain than teabags, too. Compare the weights of a box of bags and a container of leaves and you will see. Some also say that if you brew a cup of leaves (or a blend of various plant parts) and drain off the water, you can re-infuse the dregs with boiling water later for another delicious cup. Since a conventional teabag may inhibit the flow of water to its contents, trying to re-use a teabag will not be as successful.
There is a whole science of teas. Go online to learn the mystique which has developed over centuries. Virtually every culture and society has brewed teas for pleasure and for health. There are many companies with teamasters working hard to create blends that you will love. You will also find a wealth of information on the health benefits of herbs.
About the Author:
Purchase high-quality herbal blends loose leaf tea online right now! Visit our virtual store to view our selection of teas at http://asheholisticliving.com today.
No comments:
Post a Comment