Not quite tea...

Don’t feel like caffeine? Or maybe you aren’t feeling 100%? This is when herbal teas can come into their own – many of which have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

If you are feeling fluey – a pot of thyme tea does wonders for a cough and congestion. It is very high in iron which can give you that extra lift when you are feeling run down. You could also try some lemongrass which is high in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties with fresh ginger to soothe and warm you. Ginger is said to be good for chills as it is spicy, also good for aching muscles and nausea. If you prefer the traditional throat-soother, try ginger, honey and lemon juice to boost the immune system. Lemon balm is also said to strengthen immunity.

Chamomile is excellent for expelling tension, an upset stomach or nausea and helps to calm and incite restful sleep. Peppermint is also good for digestive problems and nausea. It is calming and cooling so can help reduce fever, congestion and because of its menthol content helps us breathe easier. Rosehip is very high in Vitamin C which is another good tea to have in the cupboard during Winter and especially effective when brewed with a cinnamon quill (said to clear the mind), a clove or two and a wedge of orange. But it is equally effective as an iced tea in summer with peppermint leaves, lemon and ice!

Along with fresh thyme, elderberry is often used in cough syrups so is particularly good for treating coughs, upper respiratory tract infections and sinus infections. Rooibos tea is also a great choice as it is high in mineral content and has anti-spasmodic and anti-viral qualities. It can help reduce inflammation and allergies, stomach cramps, headaches and improve circulation. It also helps you relax and have a good night’s sleep and is safe for children.

These are just some of the teas you can try from nature’s pharmacy which will leave you feeling a whole lot better.

Hint: Next time you are feeling out of sorts or run down, reach for a cup of herbal tea!

NB: Herbs can have interactions with certain medications and other herbs, so check with your doctor before drinking herbal tea. Please also check with your doctor if you are pregnant which teas are safe for you to drink.

Words and image contributed by Tea Master, Suzi van Middelkoop from Tea by the Sea.

No Cup Like Home

 

If you are lucky enough to explore the world, why not explore the world of tea.  There are so many different types of teas you can try.  I don’t mean just black, green, puerh, oolongs or white teas (or even yellow, blue or red teas).  Try a first or second flush Darjeeling from India, a high grown tea from Ceylon, silver tips from China or an oolong from Taiwan. 

Try to avoid flavoured teas as they don’t allow you to taste the real essence of tea you are trying.  Each tea has it’s own natural flavour profile.   Next time you go for something new, close your eyes and inhale the smell of the dry leaf, and then the wet.  Drink in the aroma of the steaming cup of choice before you taste it.  What can you smell?  Do you notice any stone fruits or a nutty roasted flavour?  Is it sweet or savoury?  Now taste it.  Does it taste the same as it smells?

If you are feeling adventurous try a tea type you have never tried?  On a recent trip to Europe I discovered a white Darjeeling – the flavour was so delicate with hints of peach and the leaves were downy and soft.  It was so refreshing and light but full-bodied at the same time if that could be possible.  It was wonderful to try something new.  Discover your own new favourites.  Or if you’d prefer to stick to something similar to what you are used too, perhaps just go for another type of black tea. How about a Keemun, Assam, Nilgiri or Yunnan? 

Having discovered several new teas on my travels, it was even more delightful to come home to my usual daily cup. 

Hint: Next time when you are out and about I encourage you to try something different.  Ask for a loose leaf cuppa, and go for something you wouldn’t normally have.  It makes your favourite cuppa at home all the more special.

Words and image contributed by Tea Master, Suzi van Middelkoop from Tea by the Sea.

The Yin and Yang of Tea

 

The history of tea is steeped in oriental traditions in more ways than one. 

Sometimes when you reach for a cuppa, you are searching for a robust or bright tea or cuppa with substance.  This is what I describe as a man’s cup – something with body that enlivens the spirit and reawakens the senses.  You might enjoy this cup if you’ve been on your feet all day or had a particularly busy day and just need a moment or two to regroup and recharge.

You know what type of tea I mean by this once you’ve taken your first steaming sip.  You lean forward, drink from your trusty every day cup and then you relax back into your chair and go “aaah, that’s better”.  Sometimes you’ll even hold the cup to your body and allow your hands to encompass the full expanse of it as you enjoy its warmth and take in its strength and aroma.  This is what I call the invigorating cup – or a cup full of yang.

If, on the other hand you feel like you need a soothing or gentle cup of tea because you feel vulnerable, or weary of soul or in need of some TLC, then through instinct you will probably choose a tea which I describe as having female qualities.  Tie Guan Yin or Kuan Yin for instance is a wonderful example of a yin tea – it personifies the very essence of yin – it is sustaining but at the same time is receptive and giving.  Kuan Yin’s western name is the “Iron Goddess or the Goddess of Mercy” and is type of oolong grown on the highest mountain in the Anxi region, in the Fujian Province of China.  It is said to be one of the few teas created through divine inspiration.  It is shares similarities to green tea but offers a buttery floral finish which you can tell has been processed in a way that brings out all its femininity.  It particularly complements desserts and fruits.  Not only does it offer a beautifully well rounded, smooth but light cup full of delicate flowery notes, the leaves fully open again.  As the leaves unfurl they reveal themselves in their full glory - strong, intact, juicy, pliable and rich in colour.  We drink in its quiet strength.

Hint: Next time you reach for a cuppa – take note of the energy of tea.  Each tea offers you so much by way of how it has been processed, its delicate or robust flavour profile, its colour, its depth and even the cup you choose to drink from.  Enjoy and appreciate the very essence of the tea.  

Words and image contributed by Tea Master, Suzi van Middelkoop from Tea by the Sea.