Wellness in a Cup

We all know that drinking tea comes with boundless health benefits. It’s perhaps one of the contributing reasons why people all around the world have been drinking steeped leaves in a cup for thousands of years. That, and also drinking plain water can be, at times, a tad boring.

Numerous studies have shown that drinking tea helps to boost the immune system, fight off inflammations (says chamomile to sore throats), decrease the chance of chronic diseases, and even reduce the risk of cancer, just to name a few.

So go boil the kettle and read below for a list of the most common tea varieties and some of the ways tea can benefit you.

Black Tea

Stemmed from the Camellia sinensis plant, black teas are often blended into our favourite Earl Grey or English breakfast. Full-bodied in flavour, these teas are a host of health benefits with antioxidant properties such as polyphenols that decrease chronic diseases, work against cancer cells, improve gut health, and strengthen our immunity.

Black teas also contain flavonoids, benefiting heart health, reducing high blood pressure and lowering cholesterol.

With a lower caffeine content than coffee, black tea also makes a great alternative for an energy boost or much needed morning focus beverage.

Australian Premium Black Tea

An award-winning Australian Black tea proudly produced in small batches in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Queensland. The leaves come from the first harvest in Spring after a Winter dormancy. This exceptional whole leaf black tea offers a malty aroma, balanced with a hint of sun-kissed stone fruit, and leaves a lasting sweetness on the palate.

Aroma: Toastie with a hint of tropical fruits.

Taste: Toasty and soft malt balanced with a hint of sun-kissed stone fruit and leaves a lasting sweetness on the palate.

Origin: Queensland, Australia

Harvest Time: Spring harvest (Sept-Nov)

Cultivar: Yabukita

Oxidisation level: 100%

Green Tea

Green tea leaves are generally processed through roasting or steaming methods. It is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory benefits that improve general inner health.

Green tea is often linked to outer youthfulness, as it has to repair properties. The antioxidants EGCG makes it a potent anti-aging drink that fights against UV damage and prevents wrinkles.

A friend with benefits, green teas are often a beverage pairing to diet plans as it boosts metabolism, directly correlating to increased weight loss.

Green teas also help to improve brain function whilst keeping our minds from premature ageing.

Gyokuro

Spring-fresh and organic, the Gyokuro is recognised as Japan’s finest green tea. As per tradition, tea plants are shaded for 20 days before the harvest begins to concentrate the chlorophyll in the leaf. The leaves are then steamed to prevent natural oxidation before being precisely rolled. The tenderness of the harvest used in our Gyokuro is evident by its leaves’ fineness and small fragments’ remnants at the base of its brew. 

Aroma: Fresh-cut grass and seaweed with a hint of nuts.

Taste: A full-bodied taste with mild astringency and a distinct seaweed profile with a mellow sweetness and a hint of nuts, delicately umami flavour.

Origin: Kagoshima, Japan

Harvest Time: Spring

Cultivar: Saemidori

Oxidisation level: 0%

Herbal Tea

Blended teas, often with the addition of dried fruits, flowers, spices and herbs, the range of herbal infusions are limitless. Not only are herbal teas often attractive when brewed, but they also make tempting beverages that can be tailored for particular health concerns.

These natural remedies can boost immune systems, aid digestion and promote weight loss, cleanse and revitalise the body, help the mind and body relax, find tranquil tea, and have sleep-inducing properties.

Oolong Tea

Traditionally a Chinese tea variety, Oolong teas have slowly gained recognition over the years. A partially oxidised tea is high in polyphenol antioxidants, which helps maintain blood sugar and prevent type 2 diabetes. In addition, a zero-calorie tea, like its relative, the green tea, is often found on weight-loss plans, as it gives a smooth release of energy, unlike that of coffee.

It has anti-inflammatory properties and contains l-theanine, which reduces anxiety. Aside from having calming properties, it is said that oolong tea also improves bone and dental health as Oolong leaves naturally contain fluoride.

The bottom line is, regularly drinking tea has many lasting impacts on your general wellness. It is why some people refer to it as “the elixir of life”.

So now that the kettle has boiled, which one will you brew?

Milk Oolong

This on-trend tea presents a creamy taste, silky texture and milky aroma. Leafed from the Jin Xuan cultivar, produced by a small farmer in Nantou, Taiwan, this high altitude Oolong is judiciously hand-rolled to give a golden liquor that encapsulates an enchanting, floral aroma and iconic, uninterrupted, velvety fineness. Contain no milk.

Aroma: Floral with a milky aroma.

Taste: Light and floral encapsulates an enchanting, floral aroma and iconically natural creamy flavour.

Origin: Nantou, Taiwan

Harvest Time: May

Cultivar: Jin Xuan

Oxidisation level: 20%