By David Stewart
Technically, 'tea' comes from the Camillia sinensis plant and is either white, green, oolong, or black. However, the popular name has come to mean any infusion of plant leaves chosen for flavor, aroma, and health benefits. Many herbal blends loose leaf tea products are commercially available today, and, of course, you can make your own right out of the garden.
Many drink an herbal blend to avoid the caffeine in regular teas. Only the fermented black varieties have much of the stimulant that people also find in their coffee. If you need to avoid caffeine (which has health benefits of its own) or choose not to drink it at night, you might love chamomile, passionflower, or one of the other calming herbs.
A 'tisane' is an infusion of different parts of plants in water. Steeping the leaves or other parts in hot water releases the flavor, aroma, and health benefits of the plant and makes them available to us. Ginger, good for heart and stomach, can be mixed with lemon and mint for a great cup. Licorice is another herb known for flavor, enhancing digestion, and being especially good for women.
There are combinations of true teas and other plants, if you want the benefits of both. Lemon added to iced black or black teas may boost the antioxidant value, as vitamin C has been proved to make these nutrients more bioavailable. Black tea, orange, and cinnamon are great together. Green with lemon or mint is helpful when you're slimming.
At night, when many need to avoid caffeine, a combination of soothing herbs can be just the thing. Passion flower, lemon balm, chamomile, hops, and kava kava are all calming. You could add ginger, which enhances digestion and is especially valuable after dinner. Ginger is also warming on a cold winter night.
Buying teabags may be a habit, and it is more convenient. However, those in the know prefer the loose-leaf product. Experts say that loose varieties are fresher, with much more flavor and aroma. This is because the pieces of leaf are larger, retaining more of the essential oils that carry the essence of the plant. These blended collections of leaf, root, berry, bark, and blossom have more antioxidant value, as well.
Boxes or tins of loose leaf teas are often a better bargain than teabags, too. Compare the weights of a box of bags and a container of leaves and you will see. Some also say that if you brew a cup of leaves (or a blend of various plant parts) and drain off the water, you can re-infuse the dregs with boiling water later for another delicious cup. Since a conventional teabag may inhibit the flow of water to its contents, trying to re-use a teabag will not be as successful.
You may not have known about the mystique of fine teas. There are teamasters who are as revered as the artisans who craft fine wines. Enter into the healthy and life-enhancing world of herbal blends handcrafted for your well-being and find out how much fun this can be.
About the Author:
Purchase high-quality herbal blends loose leaf tea online right now! Visit our virtual store to view our selection of teas at http://asheholisticliving.com today.
