Or as a sane person would refer to it as, just tea.
The coffee market is rivaled only by the tea market, both in terms of varieties and exports. Tea has a history that is very long and… colorful. The existence of this beverage can be dated back to Ancient China, about 50,000 years ago. It was made as a leisure drink and for medical purposes.
Fun fact: not ‘all’ teas are actually teas. There are 5 main types:
- Black
- Green
- White
- Oolong
- Pu’er or pu-erh
All these are harvested from a plant called ‘Camellia Sinensis’. The differences between these are the time of harvesting and processes used. All other types are derivatives of these. Like herbal teas are made up of dried fruits, flowers, spices or herbs mixed in with regular tea.
So the history. Back in China, the popularity of tea grew rapidly, many merchants investing in plantations and markets. As foreign traders increased, the Chinese realised that by using certain processes they could preserve the aroma and retain the strong taste for longer. And that is how black tea came to be. Tea was heavily exported to Tibet, Russia and to huge parts of Europe.
It came to become a symbol of the elite and high class. However, soon it became the common man’s drink, and played a large role in globalization and transportation.
It’s been centaurus since its inception and teas have not yet lost their properties. Many use it as a ceremonial ritual, for a get together with friends, or as a popular home remedy.
Chamomile tea: this is used for stress relief and to reduce anxiety. It has a very calming effect, is used as a sleep aid and is soon to have reduced symptoms of depression. This drink is very good for people suffering from insomnia.
Peppermint tea: this is one of the most commonly used herbal teas. It supports digestive tract health and has a good amount of antioxidants, is anticancer and antibacterial. It is used to also help relieve indigestion, nausea, and stomach pain.
Ginger tea: this is a spicy and flavourful drink that packs a good dose of antioxidants. It helps fight inflammation and stimulates the immune system. It is a quick remedy for cough, cold, nausea and it proves to reduce pain and prevents stomach ulcers.
Green tea: while this tea is praised for its healthy properties and antioxidants, it is also great from weight loss. This may be due to the fact that green tea contains a compound called catechins, a naturally occurring antioxidant, that helps in burning fat.
Black tea: this is a type of tea that has undergone more oxidation, compared to oolong and white tea. It is used to help in weight control. It is high in flavones, a type of plant pigment with antioxidant properties.
Oolong tea: this is traditional Chinese tea that is partially oxidised. Studies show that this tea helps in enhancing weight loss and improving fat burning and speeding up metabolism.
Tea is not only fun to drink on cold mornings, it also has a lot of health benefits from your body. And on top of that it is also low in calories, that is if you forgo the sugar or use honey instead.