THE PRICELESS BENEFITS OF A CUP OF TEA
Though few years ago I couldn’t care less about detox waters, low-fat diets and all the health-related stuff that comes along –choosing a fruit salad instead of butter cookies for my 3 PM snack, was probably the biggest sacrifice I could ever think of in terms of nutrition – nowadays, caught in this “healthy eating” frenzy that only seems to gain more and more power over our lives every day, I replaced most of my nutrition habits with new ones, according to the trend – so long mayo burgers and cheese fries, welcome quinoa and red carrot salad; so long Oreo layered cake, welcome coconut and avocado organic bars; so long cafe con panna, welcome pu-erth tea…So long café con panna? I barely drink coffee anyway so I was more than delighted to hear that having a cup of tea in the morning was one of the things I didn’t have to change in my nutrition rut. Well, almost didn’t have to…unaware of the new types of tea and their properties, it took me quite some time to change the tropical fruits flavor I was used to, with more uncommon types, like the rooibos or pu-erth, said to feature priceless benefits for the health. Caught in this addictive tea trend, I made a list of worth-trying new tea types, along with their most important properties that have the power to boost our health faster than any medicine.
OOLONG TEA
About it: semi-green, fermented tea with its leaves only partially oxidized (falls somewhere between green and black teas), said to be one of the most beneficial types. It contains caffeine and theophylline and theobromine, which on consumption may stimulate nervous system.
Benefits: provides vital antioxidants, prevents the development of cancer cells, reduces stress and increases metabolism, promotes superior bone structure, robust skin and good dental health.
Flavor: depending on the season, it can be flowery fragrance and sweet taste (if picked in spring) or, light fragrance and complex flowery taste (when picked in autumn)
Best Seasons To Purchase: Spring and Autumn
PU-ERTH TEA
About it: Originary from the Yunnan district in the southwestern part of China, Pu-erh tea is made from the leaves and stems of the Camellia sinensis plant, the same plant that is used for making green, oolong, and black teas. Though the same source plant is used, the different teas are made by using different processes: green tea is not fermented, oolong tea is partially fermented, black tea is fully fermented, and Pu-erh tea is post-fermented. This means Pu-erh tea’s processing includes both fermentation and then prolonged storage, or “aging,” under high humidity.
Benefits: Containing caffeine and antioxidants, Pu-erh tea is used for improving mental alertness and sharp thinking. It is also used for reducing high cholesterol, protecting the heart and controling the blood sugar levels
Flavor: Has rich, smooth and earthy tastes with complex overtones ranging from plums to dates to chocolate
Types: Depending on how the leaves are processed, there are two varieties – Green or “Sheng”: (also called raw, un-cooked, green health tea) or Black -“Shou”: (also called ripe, cooked tea)
Best Seasons To Purchase: Spring, Summer, Autumn
YERBA MATE TEA
About it: Said to have the “strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the euphoria of chocolate”, Yerba mate tea is a South American beverage made from the naturally caffeinated and nourishing leaves of the celebrated South American rainforest holly tree (Ilex paraguariensis), containing caffeine, 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and antioxidants. Yerba mate is touted as being a safe and effective nervous system stimulant with few side effects and many health benefits.
Benefits: with about 90% more antioxidants than the green tea, Yerba mate has significant immune boosting properties, slowing the signs of aging, detoxifying the blood and preventing many types of cancer. Yerba mate also helps reduce stress and insomnia, enhancing the ability to focus, aiding digestion and helping the metabolism.
Flavor: Available in different flavors, from spicy mate tea to citrus flavors, raspberry lemon, etc.
ROOIBOS TEA
About it: Originary from a small shrub, which only thrives in the Cedarberg region near Cape Town, South Africa, the Rooibos Tea plant (or red bush tea) grows naturally without any caffeine. Generally, the leaves are oxidized, the process producing the distinctive reddish-brown color of rooibos and enhancing the flavor of the tea.
Benefits: Containing several minerals, vital to health( magnesium, calcium & manganese, zinc and iron), as well as powerful antioxidants, this miraculous drink slows the aging process, reversing the visible signs of aging, fights inflammation, protects from chronic disease, encouraging proper liver functioning and lowers the body’s cortisol levels.
Flavor: depending on the flavor, this can be sweet and nutty (classic rooibos), delicate herbal taste (green rooibos tea), mint, vanilla, caramel, chamomile (flavored rooibos tea)
Types: rooibos tea, green rooibos tea, and flavored rooibos teas
