Tea from A to Z!

It’s National Iced Tea Month!  Iced tea is the perfect beverage to cool you down on hot summer days.  If you are not a tea drinker you then are missing out on all it’s wonderful qualities.  If you ARE a tea drinker then I hope this blog helps you utilize tea to its full potential!  Without further ado, here is everything you want to know about tea from A to Z!

Antioxidants:  Tea is full of antioxidants called polyphenols, flavonoids and catechins.  They prevent “free radicals” from harming the body.

Black tea:  Black tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant.  It has a strong flavor and contains an abundant amount of antioxidants.  It is delicious served hot or cold!

Chamomile:  This fragrant tea has soothing and calming effects.  Adding a touch of honey will help enhance its fruity flavor.

Develop a taste:  Some teas like green tea are considered to have an acquired taste.  It may take a few tries before you start to enjoy their unique flavors.  Using tea blends, honey, lemon or orange zest can help.

Exfoliate:  Teas are used in many cosmetic products and often used in products that help exfoliate the skin.  Tea tree oil’s popularity has exploded in the cosmetic world because it is thought to have antiviral and antifungal qualities.

Frozen iced tea:  Frozen iced tea takes iced tea to a whole new level!  After your tea is brewed let it cool.  Add a couple of handfuls of ice and ½ to 1 cup of tea into a blender.  Blend until ice is completely smooth and enjoy.

Green Tea:  Green tea goes through very little processing and is full of antioxidants.  Health benefits of this tea include preventing cancer, atherosclerosis, hypertension and more.  Green tea is not meant to have milk in it.  Honey, lemon or orange zest can enhance its taste.

Herbal tea:  Herbal teas can be dated back to the Ancient Egyptians.  These infusions are prepared with fruits, grains, leaves or roots making them sweet and delicious.

Iced tea:  Happy National Iced Tea Month!  You can make your own by brewing your favorite tea and adding your choice of sweetness while it’s still hot.  Then, refrigerate tea until cold.  Enjoy!

Japanese Tea Ceremony:  This ceremony called the Chanoyu is about aesthetics and preparing green tea (AKA Matcha) from the heart.  The purpose of this ceremony is to enjoy the company of others in a pleasant and relaxed setting.

Kcals: Tea is naturally calorie free!  It’s the additives like cream, milk and sugar that add calories.

Lemon:  Add lemon to your iced tea.  Lemon is low in calories and is an excellent source of vitamin C.

Mate tea:  Mate teas come from wild shrubs of Argentina.  They are often caffeinated, which of course can boost your energy.

Nausea:  Herbal teas such as peppermint, lemon and ginger can help soothe an upset stomach.  Chamomile is known to help relieve stomach cramps and symptoms of IBS including nausea.

Oolong tea:  Oolong tea differs from black and green tea in that it is only semi-fermented.  The sweetness of the tea depends on how much it is oxidized.  The less oxidized the sweeter it is.  Overall, oolong tea has a sweet and earthy taste.

Peppermint:  If you love minty flavors then peppermint tea is the tea for you.  This tea is naturally caffeine free and very refreshing when served cold.

Quiet time:  Make tea time your time.  Relax with a nice cup of tea and enjoy the moment.

Rooibos tea:  This tea grown in South Africa is becoming more popular in Western countries due to its antioxidant content.  Rooibos tea is also called “Red Tea.”  Try this naturally caffeine free drink today.

Sunburns: Mint, peppermint and spearmint teas can soothe sunburns.  You can soak in a tea bath or use a cloth soaked in cooled tea as a compress.

Tea Blends:  Blending two types of teas together can create a deliciously unique flavor.  Tea blends are great for those who want to develop a taste for a new tea.

Under eye circles:  Teas like chamomile and green tea can be used topically to fight under eye circles.  Place two tea bags in warm water for five minutes.  Take the tea bags out and wait for them to cool to room temperature.  Once cool, place two tea bags onto your eyes and let them work their magic.

Vacuum:  Rumor has it that tea has cleaning powers!  Sprinkling dry green tea leaves on the carpet, letting them work their magic and vacuuming them up supposedly cleans dirty carpets.

White tea:  If you are new to teas start with white tea.  It has a subtle taste and made with the finest tea leaves and is minimally processed.

XL:  Enjoy an XL iced tea in honor of National Iced Tea Month today!

Yummy:  Need I say more?

ZZZ’s:  Teas can help you get ZZZ’s.  Caffeine free herbal teas with jasmine or lavender can relax you and help you fall asleep.  Just another way teas can help reduce under eye circles!

Hope you enjoy the rest of National Iced Tea Month.  Let me know how you enjoy your teas.

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