Herbal Blends Loose Leaf Tea

By David Stewart


True 'tea' comes from one family of plants, the Camillia sinensis which grows over most of the world. It is classified as oolong, white, green, or black. However, many of us use the term for the herbal blends loose leaf tea we drink. The infusion of plant material - leaves, roots, berries, flowers, bark - in hot water has infinite flavors, aromas, and health benefits. You can buy these beverage starters in the grocery store or make your own from the healthy plants in your garden.

One reason for using true teas is for the caffeine, which millions of people crave in their morning coffee. Only the black or fermented teas have a significant amount of this stimulant, but there are many herbal blends for morning wake-up or afternoon refreshment. In the evening, instead of having decaffeinated coffee, you might try a cup of chamomile or lemon balm tea. There are other calming herbs, so find your favorite flavor.

Leaves, roots, and flowers are all used to make tisanes. Master tea crafters create blends just as vintners combine the juice of grapes. Teas have beneficial properties as well as flavor and aroma, and a lot of care goes into making unique combinations that give desired results. For example, ginger or licorice combined with mint make a healthy and delicious brew.

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.

There are cost savings, too. Compare the weight on a box of teabags with the amount listed on a container of loose-leaf and you will see that the latter is a much better value. Online posts also say that if you make a cup of loose-leaf tea and drain the dregs thoroughly, you can re-use them, maybe more than once, for more enjoyment. Teabags, which experts say confine the leaves too much and impede the flow of hot water to the contents, will not be as reusable.

The science of tea is fascinating. Centuries of users have developed a real mystique in almost every culture. Go online to see what skilled teamasters have created for your enjoyment.




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