Tea is calming. Early morning, a warm cup is satisfying. To heat up a pot of tea for guests is a delight. Tea is practically an ancient ritual that persists to this day. And to top it all off, tea warmly brews up a myriad of health benefits.
Tea around the world
In some parts of the world, tea is not just a drink. Tea is an art.
In Japan, tea is a ‘spiritual experience’. It represents purity, tranquility, respect and harmony. Tea connects people to nature through its tea leaves, water, and background.
In Ukraine, tea is often accompanied with pleasant gatherings. For this country, I associate tea with the term ‘togetherness’. Families and loved ones sit around the table, drink tea and talk about current events.
In India, the preferred choice is Masala Chai. In Hindi, the word “chai” means “tea” and the word “masala” means “spice”. Chai is such an integral part of India there’s a time dedicated just for it.
My sereni•tea
Tea is often at the center of some of my most memorable moments. From enjoying freshly picked jasmine leaves abroad in Europe; to having conversations with my mom over a cup of golden milk tea— tea generates memories in my mind. Upon the first sip, I am instantly back to the feelings, timing, atmosphere and location.
The honest tea
The best tea you can buy or drink is natural tea that is freshly dried and responsibly picked. My preference is to buy from reliable companies with high honest standards. It is important that people working the fields get paid fairly.
In addition, not all tea is created equal. The tea I buy is organic and it bears the seal of authenticity on the box. This organic label indicates that no harmful chemicals are used to treat the tea leaves.
Honestly, no one should be giving their money to companies that treat workers poorly and that have poor standards. Furthermore, remember your body is a temple and you deserve only the best.
My cup of tea
I love tea. A section of my cupboard is dedicated solely to tea. These are a few that fill the top slots.
‣Rooibos — [pronounced roy-boss] by NUMI
This one is one of my favorites. It’s a red tea without caffeine. It’s like marshmallows and Christmas uniting in a cup. I usually drink this at night.
It is rich in antioxidants, meaning bye-bye nasty toxins. It also improves the look of skin and helps reduce wrinkles because of its main ingredient consisting of alpha hydroxy acid. Rooibos also contains magnesium and calcium, these two minerals are super important when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.
‣Hibiscus Berry by RISHI
This one is like summer in a cup. It is caffeine free, which means you can drink two cups or three without the negative side effects of coffee. This is my go-to tea when I want something sweet without the sugar. It’s yum!
This herbal tea has plenty of benefits. It may help lower blood pressure. It is also filled with antioxidants and boosts liver health.
‣Jasmine Blossom by the East India Company
This is a classic favorite of mine. This one is tranquil and relieves daily stress. From its floral aroma to the slightly bitter taste if steeped too long, this one is like nature in a cup.
While traveling in Europe, I made sure to grab two of these by the EIC Company. The tea is a combination of the jasmine flowers and leaves. Together these make jasmine tea the ultimate elixir.
Jasmine tea in general is high in antioxidants. This means that this tea combats free radicals formed in your body. The beautiful scent of jasmine tea is also a form of aromatherapy. Jasmine tea gives the body a sense of calm as its fragrance has a direct affect on your nerve activity and mood.
‣Three Mint by PUKKA
I usually drink this after every meal. It tastes so delicious. No sugar or honey required. This one is freshness and vitality in a cup.
Peppermint tea is known to promote energy and freshens breath. Spearmint tea is high in antioxidants and aids with hormone imbalance in women. Fieldmint tea is rich in nutrients that are similar to those found in peppermint and spearmint.
All three mints together help fight bacterial infections and improve memory.
Those are my all-time favorite teas. What is your favorite tea? I am always on the look out for teas to try! Let me know.
Stay happy, stay healthy,
