My Tea Break

Rediscovering Tea around the world

Category Archives: Herbal Teas


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Yogi Tea

Yogi Tea started as part of the practice of Ayurveda, or traditional Indian medicine. The select spices in the brew were intended to be healing ingredients. Typically prepared as a mixture of cardamom seed, ginger, black pepper and cinnamon, this invigorating tonic aids digestion, helps bone strength, soothes tired muscles and purifies the blood.

Although the heavily spiced Ayurvedic yogi Tea has been around for centuries, particularly in India’s northern state of Punjab, it came to America with Yogi Bhajan in the late 1960s. Yogi Bhajan habitually served the aromatic Tea to his students after yoga practice and it became known as “yogi tea”.

                                                      Source: leablog.com via Kundalini Yoga on Pinterest

It’s very simple to make this Tea at home and it fills your house with its wonderful aroma.

Recipe:

  • 8 cups water
  • 6 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 Tbs cardamom seed
  • 2 Tbs whole cloves
  • 2 inches fresh ginger root (sliced)

Put all spices into a pot with water.

Simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes.

Remove from heat and add honey and milk (ideally almond milk) to taste.

Serve hot or cold.

Health benefits:

  • Cinnamon: anti-microbial, anti-clotting, controls blood sugar, boosts brain function, helps warm the body in the onset of cold or flu.
  • Cardamom:antioxidant, aids digestion, improves circulation, stimulates appetite, good source of potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and manganese.
  • Clove: anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, high phytonutrient content including manganese, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin K, dietary fiber, vitamin C, calcium and magnesium
  •  Ginger: aids digestion; decreases arthritic swelling; destroys bacteria and viruses; lowers blood pressure; aids circulation. anti-microbial, anti-clotting, controls blood sugar, boosts brain function, helps warm the body in the onset of cold or flu.

Whether you drink this Tea to end your yoga practice, or just to warm up on a chilly day, yogi Tea offers a host of healthy benefits for your body.

Happy Yogi  Tea Break

Tania


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Sakura Tea – the cherry blossom infusion

Sakurayu, also known as cherry blossom Tea,  is a traditional Japanese infusion made with cherry blossoms petals. It is a very popular drink in Japanese weddings or other special celebrations because “Sakura” represents “beginning”.

This Tea is made with fresh cherry blossom petals which are pickled in salt and plum vinegar and then dried . As fresh cherry blossoms can be harvested only once a year, Japanese started pickling them in salt and plum vinegar in order to be able to enjoy the Sakura flavour throughout the whole year.

                                                                                      Source: fwallpapers.com via Gosha on Pinterest

There are two ways to prepare Sakura Tea:

Take one or two flowers for each cup of Tea and remove as much salt of the flower as you like before using them. Pour hot water over it and you get a light colored tea. It has a light scent of sakura flowers and an intense flavor of cherry blossoms. Although edible the flowers remaining in the Tea usually are not eaten.

If you want to further remove the salt, it is better to first soak the blossoms for 5 minutes in warm water. You then put one or two flowers in a tea cup and pour hot water on it. Adjust the flavor and saltiness by adding some of the salty water with a spoon.

A common variation is to add a flower or two to green Tea when pouring hot water over the leaves. The result is a naturally flavored green Tea.

Sakura Tea has a subtle flowery scent and flavour with an unusual saltiness. The flavor of these sakura cherry blossoms, being the blossoms and not the fruit, is quite different from the cherry fruit flavor which is common in Japanese cherry green Teas which have cherry fruit flavoring).

If you’ve never had sakura Tea before, be prepared for a wonderfully unique experience!!

Happy Tea Break.

 


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Olive Leaf Tea

I’ve recently been introduced to Olive Leaf Tea by Sue-Ann, a friend who lives in London and has quite a good selection of Tea and herbal infusions. I was very surprised because we have a culture of producing olives and olive oil in Portugal but I’ve never heard of Olive Leaf Tea before.

This one was bought at the Borough market’s Oliveology stand – greek artisan farmers who share the culinary treasures and gastronomic traditions of Greece.

After some research, I found out that Olive leaf Tea has been used by ancient Egyptians and Greeks as a daily drink to protect against viruses. It is considered very healthy for its detoxifying and healing properties. Olive leaves are exceptionally rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, and will give your body anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal boost. Ideal to boost the immune system.

The leaves are handpicked from the olive tree, carefully washed, quickly air-dried and  then left to cure with the absence of sunlight. Once processed, these leaves can stay fresh for up to one year as long as they’re properly sealed and stored away from sunlight. Like any other Tea, the essential oils will eventually vanish leaving the drink with little flavor and benefits.

This infusion has a smooth, mellow and savoury flavour (It doesn’t taste of olives!) and you can also add some lemon or honey to enhance the flavour.

The olive leaves can also be used for cooking – just sprinkle it over a salad or a soup or use it in a marinade or spice rub to season a variety of dishes.

Happy Tea Break.

Tania


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Pukka

Have you tried Pukka herbal blends?

Pukka is a UK brand that specialises in organic herbs and offer skincare, herbal remedies and herbal Teas.  Translated from Hindi,  Pukka means authentic, genuine, real. Specially blended by master herbalist Sebastian Pole, each of their blends is full of flavour and rich in therapeutic benefit. You have a different blend for every mood and moment.

Their range of herbal blends is extensive going from peppermint & liquorice for a more refreshing moment; love to warm the heart (composed by organic rose, chamomile & lavender flower Tea); red ginseng; mushroom formula (a powerful blend of organic maitake, reishi & shitake mushrooms)or the  lemongrass & ginger for a more uplifting effect. They also have the Original Chai which blends Black Tea with cinnamon and cardamom; the Lemon Green with Sencha  green Tea and Sicilian lemon or the pure Green Tea which blends three types of Green Tea - Sencha, Oothu and Suoi Gang. 

I am now drinking the detox blend on a daily basis and it is great. The detox blend is composed by organic aniseed (40%), fennel seed (20%), cardamom seed (15%), licorice root, coriander seed, celery seed.

Fore more information about Pukka please visit http://www.pukkaherbs.com/

Happy Tea Break.

Tania


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Tulsi – The Mother Medicine of Nature

Hey everyone,

I received a very interesting gift recently – an herbal Tea called Tulsi Ginger, from The Organic India.

I have to confess I had no idea what Tulsi was, so I did some research. Guess what? I am really impressed with this new finding! Tulsi or the holy basil is considered the “The Queen of Herbs” for its health benefits.

Research shows that Tulsi contributes for:

  • reducing stress,
  • enhancing stamina,
  • boosting the immune system,
  • lowering cholestrol levels and high blood pressure
  • eliminating toxins, as it is full of antioxidants and  other nutrientes,
  • reducing inflammation,
  • preventing gastric ulcers,
  • lowering fevers,
  • improving digestion
–

It is also stated that Tulsi has preventative and curative potential in relation to “many degenerative disorders, such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis and diabetes.”

So, lets start drinking Tulsi!

The combination I have is Tulsi Ginger. It has a strong herbal, spicy smell and a great taste.

There are a lot of other combinations: The Original Tulsi, Tulsi Chai Masala, Tulsi Green Tea, Tulsi Jasmine Green Tea, Tulsi Sweet Rose, Tulsi Mulethi, Tulsi India Breakfast Tea and Tulsi Sweet Lemon Tea. Just pick one!

For more information please visit: http://www.organicindia.co.in/

If you want to research more about Tulsi please visit - http://www.organicindia.co.in/tulsi.php

Thank you Neeraj!

Happy Tea Break, Mariana


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Medieval Tea

I have just arrived from the Château de Chillon (Chillon Castle), in Montreux, Switzerland. It is a fantastic Castle, full of live, with a lot of fun activities and such good history. I highly recommend you to visit it!

While we were there (my friend Carolina and I), we bought a pack of Tea (tisane) called “Veillée de Dame Flo” – which is a combination of mint, lavande and chamomile. A delicious and helpful mixture for your digestion! Although the recipe is from Madame Flo, this tisane is made with plants that already grew during medieval times.

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Happy Tea Break,

Mariana


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Special T from Nestlé

Last year, Nestlé launched a new concept , Special T,  which brews Tea from capsules.

“Special.T by Nestlé offers a selection of 25 tea varieties – ranging from green, black, blue, red and white teas, to flavoured teas and organic herb teas – which are carefully sourced from selected tea farms in China, Japan, Sri Lanka, India and South Africa. 
The high quality tea leaves are protected by aluminium capsules, with each dosage measured to precision. The perfect brewing time and temperature for each individual tea variety is calculated by the innovative Special.T machine system, which in turn, releases the full benefits and infusion of the tea beverage.”

“I have never tasted the Tea capsules and, to be honest, this is definitely not my cup of Tea! Although I´ve got to say it is a very creative idea!” Mariana

“I actually tried it last weekend as my uncle just bought one. I was quite suspicious about its quality but actually I enjoyed it. I tried a Rooibos capsule and it had a pleasant smooth and fresh flavour. It also comes out with a small layer of foam on top which gives it an  Espresso look and feel ” Tania

Click here for more information about Special T.

Happy Tea break!


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Morning Lemon Infusion

I’ve always heard many people saying they drink a lemon infusion (with real lemon) first thing in the morning. A friend of mine recently did a 3-day detox and the first rule is to start each day with a glass of warm water and a slice/wedge of lemon.

Source: spoki.lv via Sumia on Pinterest

I tried doing it this morning and it is tasty and refreshing but wanted to know the health benefits.

Due to its very low sugar content and high alkaline mineral content, the lemon raises the alkalising effect of the water and release enzymes that help to kick start the metabolism. One would think that lemon is acidic but once digested it has an alkalising effect in the body .

Main benefits:

    • Cleanses and stimulates the liver and kidneys that releases toxins
    • Contains calcium, magnesium and potassium
    • Helps treating infections
    • Provides vitamin C and can relief cold and flu symptoms
    • Can relieve asthma
    • Cleans your skin
    • Prepares your body for digestion

By starting our day with lemon water we are literally revitalising our body and digestive system to clean out toxins and kickstart our day in an energised and refreshed way.

If you are worried about the effect of citrus on your tooth you can drink your lemon water through a straw.

Happy Tea Break.

Tania


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Rooibos: the red bush Tea

Rooibos is sometimes called red Tea because of its colour but this should not be confused

rooibos plant

with Chinese red Tea. As explained in previous posts, red Tea in China is what the western countries call black Tea.Rooibos is a herbal tea from the red bush plant (Aspalathus linearis) , which grows exclusively in the north western cape of South Africa.

 Despite being called red bush the leaves are green and only after being oxidized, drying in the sun, they turn to its distinctive red colour.

Rooibos Leaves

Traditionally in South Africa this is usually served with milk and sugar however due to its natural sweet and nutty flavour I believe this can be enjoyed on its own. Brewing Rooibos is very similar to brewing a cup of black Tea.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos does not contain caffein and it has a low level of tannin while still having a high number of antioxidants. It is widely known for its calming and soothing effects and often used to relieve baby’s colics, stomach cramps and even alergic skin. In 1997, rooibos was awarded a gold medal for its anti alergic properties by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).  Annique Theron published her findings on the anti-allergic qualities of the Rooibos Plant in her book:  ”Allergies: an amazing discovery“. Hospitals in South Africa often use it in baths for children with skin allergic conditions and also give it as a drink.

Rooibos started as a small South Africa indigenous herb but nowadays is one of the most consumed and well-known herbal Tea in the world.

Happy Tea Break.

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