5 Health Benefits of Leaf Tea and How to Make it at Home
There’s not much in life that can beat the warm feel of a cup of hot tea, wrapped around your fingers, as you sit back and relax. Tea is comforting, it’s warm and it’s good for you. Tea is always in season. There’s a tea blend for every occasion. But, tea goes beyond just a tasty, warm beverage. Research has shown the health benefits of a cup(or two) of tea are abounding.
Antioxidants
Teas contain antioxidants. These are compounds found in food items that actually stop or delay damage to your cells. It slows down ageing and helps to repair damage that’s already been done. Antioxidants are released from the tea being drank during digestion and then travel through the bloodstream and into cells where it does good things to those free radicals causing harm. These compounds literally fight for you.
To get the most out of your tea, choose a white or green. These are less processed and therefore have more antioxidants available for your body to use.
Your Teeth
Did you know your tea is positively impacting your smile? It’s awesome for your teeth health. It has been proven that certain teas change the ph level in your mouth. When the ph level is changed it helps to prevent tooth decay and tooth loss. You’ll see less cavities than with teas other counterparts, such as caffeine or soda pop. Smile big knowing your daily drink of tea is helping your pearly whites! However, in cases of toothaches and emergencies, be sure to fix painful oral issues with the Dentist in Queen Creek.
Calorie Free
Tea is an amazing no calorie drink choice. Yup! There are zero calories in your cup of tea. Just remember to leave out honey, milk and sugar, these of course are high in calories. A great benefit of tea is it allows you to hydrate with a fluid, other than water for zero calories, and you are able to still enjoy an array of flavors. There are many, tasty calorie-free choices when it comes to tea.
Some are fruity tasting, others taste woody, there are even mint varieties if that’s more your cup of tea. No matter your preferences, we encourage you to experiment with your tea because of the vast varieties that are out in the world. If you have ever only used tea bags, your taste buds are in for a surprise as you taste loose leaf teas and not the paper of the tea bag.
Digestion Aid
Tea makes a wonderful after-supper drink because of its ability to aid your body in digestion. This is impart due to the high levels of tannins found in the tea. The Chinese have been using it in this fashion for thousands of years with much success.
Reduces Heart Attacks and Stroke
To prevent blood clots that may cause heart attacks and strokes, consume tea daily. Research has found that ingredients found in tea help to reduce the chances of these cardiac conditions from happening. Drinking a cup of tea is a simple way of ensuring your blood doesn’t clot and prevent a stroke or worse.
How To Make Loose Leaf Tea at Home
Most of the population will take to buying their tea already bagged with a cute little string and tag attached. These folks have no idea what they are missing out on. Brewing loose leaf tea at home is much easier than most think. The delightful cup of tea that results will astonish you. The taste of a fresh brewed, loose leaf tea is incomparable to any other. Once you know how to make loose leaf tea at home, you won’t ever buy it as teabags again. You may even find yourself wondering how you even drank tea from papery teabags to begin with.
Supplies
1. Tea Infuser: These come in many shapes and sizes. Some are small balls with holes in them usually attached with a chain. Often times these are made of metal. Others are larger, basket like filters that fit into a pot. Choose one that you like. We suggest a non-paper infuser for best taste. Anything that uses paper to infuse will leave traces of paper taste behind.
2. Tea Pot Or Tea Mug: You’ll need a container to steep your tea in. If you are using the larger infuser, you will need a pot, otherwise a mug works just fine. A large mug is ideal, but this is a personal preference item.
3. Boiling Water: Easily boil the needed water in a saucepan, tea kettle or electric kettle. This has no specifics except that the water needs to be boiled. If you are short on time an electric kettle is faster than both the standard tea pot and the saucepan.
4. Loose Leaf Tea: This is found in may organic specialty stores, online or in some grocery stores. There are many types of flavor varieties to choose from. We do suggest an organic variety for purity reasons.
Directions
1. Add loose leaf tea to your infuser. A good guide is one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup. Adjust according to taste.
2. Place the infuser inside of your mug or tea pot. Pour your boiling water into the mug. Aiming for the water to go over the infuser and into the mug. This allows the water to circulate the leaves in the infuser. The infuser should remain in the mug until the desired taste is achieved.
3. Time your tea to get an accurate brew strength. This alone could change the quality of your tea. Too long steep times will absolutely result in a bitter tea. See our handy guide below for steep times:
White tea- 1-2 minutes
Green tea- 1-3 minutes
Oolong tea- 1-3 minutes
Black tea- 3-5 minutes
Herbal and Fruit tea- 3-5 minutes.
4. When time is up, swirl your infuser, remove it and set it aside for a second brewing.
5. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a beautifully brewed cup of loose leaf tea.
Loose leaf tea is a delicious way to enjoy a healthy beverage. The health benefits of tea are enormous, and it’s easy to prepare. You will only need a few items to begin brewing loose leaf tea at home. By following are simple directions above, you will find yourself with an amazing fresh brewed cup of tea in your hands in the near future.
