The reasons we love loose leaf tea leaves are vast – their high quality, intense flavours, distinct characteristics, and the freedom to mix and blend to our hearts’ content, to name just a few.
But what about their impact on our health? Well, you’ll be glad to hear that tea is not only incredibly tasty; it is also good for our health, too!
There’s so much to explore in the wonderful world of tea – so let’s get started!
Black tea contains antioxidants that have a range of potential health benefits. And because of its caffeine content, it is often used to reduce fatigue and increase mental alertness when consumed in moderation.
Black tea is the most highly produced variety of tea worldwide. It is made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant (as are all true teas) and is the most oxidised of tea varieties, with the leaves being completely fermented before drying.
Popular varieties of black tea include Assam, Darjeeling and Ceylon.
Popular blends, made by mixing the tea with other ingredients, include Earl Grey and Masala Chai.
White tea is particularly high in antioxidants, low in caffeine, and thought to have a range of health benefits. It is also a source of catechins and tannins that are good for your teeth by improving their ability to fight damage from plaque.
White tea is a fine, elegant tea with subtle aromas and flavours. There is a shorter process involved in producing this than other teas, however very careful leaf selection is required to produce white tea of a high grading value.
As with green tea, white tea is delicate and must be steeped in water that has cooled from boiling, to avoid scorching the leaves.
Popular varieties of white tea include the revered Silver Needle and White Peony.
Green tea is packed full of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) antioxidants, a powerful compound that can protect the body from free radicals and reduce inflammation. Drinking green tea can also improve blood pressure and overall heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol levels.
Green teas are enjoyed for their delicate, fresh and clean taste. Originating in China, green tea undergoes minimal manipulation, with the focus being on preventing oxidation in order to preserve the natural green colour. As a result they are less oxidised than black and oolong tea, but more so than white tea.
As a delicate tea, green teas need to be steeped in water that has cooled from boiling; too high a temperate will result in bitter leaves.
Popular varieties of green tea include Gunpowder and Matcha.
There are many potential benefits of herbal tea depending on the ingredients. For example, ginger can relieve joint pain, hibiscus can improve liver health, and peppermint is good for upset stomachs and bowel issues.
Herbal ‘teas’ are in fact infusions of herbs, spices and plants as opposed to technically being a tea, as they do not come from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant.
Caffeine free and able to be served hot or cold, herbal infusions can be enjoyed by all.
Popular herbal infusions include Chamomile and Ginger Root. Check out our guide to ginger tea health benefits here.
The ingredients found in fruit tea often make it a good immune system booster. Look for fruit tea blends that use real fruit with no added sugar to get the most health benefits from your drink.
Much like herbal infusions, fruit infusions are not teas as they are not produced using the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. Containing natural vitamins and minerals, our fruit infusions are caffeine free, and can be enjoyed either hot, or cold over ice.
Popular fruit tea infusions include Blood Orange and Turkish Apple.
The properties within rooibos tea can help slow the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) that will otherwise contract the blood vessels and therefore increase blood pressure. Rooibos is also a tea that is naturally low in tannins, which not only affects taste but can also make it a good choice of tea for people with digestive issues.
Naturally caffeine free, Rooibos is produced from a South African herb, rich in minerals and antioxidants. It has a distinctively smooth and naturally sweet flavour.
The leaves undergo an oxidation process, which produces the familiar red appearance of Rooibos. This is unlike the unoxidised Green Rooibos which holds a grassy taste, and is more expensive due to a more elaborate production process.
Rooibos is highly versatile and can be blended with fruits and spices.
Some of our most popular blends include Berry, Blood Orange and Mango My Days.
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