Tea Connoisseurs share notes
The month of May happens to be a period when tea farmers get very busy in their production for this second most consumed beverage across the world. Locally, for Batswana have openly welcomed the art of drinking tea. And as the world evolves, they too have evolved in their love for their favourite beverage. It is on this backdrop that Protea Masa Square organised the second edition of the local International Tea Day. Held on May 21, the official commemoration for this important day, guests came out dressed to the nines. They did not miss a step when it comes to their attires. Colourful, all guests meant serious business.
The décor itself tied well with the theme of the day. Fancy teacups, flowers, and the beautiful accessories that make the art of drinking tea beautiful, adorned the venue. The partners for this year happened to be Fresh Pak Roobois tea, pronounced Roy- Boss. On this particular day, guests were treated to a fresh pot of gourmet tea, freshly made scones and themed dessert platter.
To tie in perfectly with what Roobois tea is all about, speakers held a dialogue around mental health and wellness with conversation varying from issues around the impact of the pandemic on one’s career, entrepreneurship, and wellness dimensions. Speakers for the day included Health, Well- being Practitioner & Clinical Dietician Ndiko Giddie, Founder and Managing Director of Leadership Excellence, Maipelo Rakwadi Madibela and Motivational Speaker, Emmanuel Mmusetsi.
Roobois is best known for its health benefits, and its array of products come in various flavours, and have a bagful of benefits. While some are familiar with the normal Rooibos ( which comes in teabags or loose tea) that most grew up drinking, the brand has so many other varieties and flavours. The benefits for indulging in one of these flavours vary depending on what one might be suffering from or going through.
You have your Roobois Chamomile Tea, best known for its amazing benefits to reduce menstrual pain, is said to treat diabetes and lowers blood sugar, reduces inflammation, and helps with sleep and relaxation. It can be enjoyed on its own or with a bit of a sweetener. And then there is the
Rooibos with Echinacea made from the Echinacea purpurea plant. Like chamomile, this variety also has health benefits that range from boosting immunity, relieves pain, improves mood, and as the winter intensifies, is the best one as it can help with the common cold.
For this tea, experts warn that it must be limited to three cups per day to avoid any negative side effects. To get the best results, steep it for 5- 10 minutes, and enjoy.
Another amazing variety is the Rooibos Ginseng tea made from a root grown in Asia and North America. For those who might be a bit down, this one is best known for boosting energy, and helps in nerve relaxation. Experts highly recommend for a daily cup or two of this variety. Other flavours include the lemon, ginger, cranberry and pomegranate, and the all important Senna flavor which is ideal for those who might be having issues with constipation.
For those with kids, they will be happy to note that the tea is committed to getting children their best cup of tea. Coming in different flavours, Roobois tea has flavours that are just right for children as it does not contain any chemicals. Flavours to look out for include, apple, honey, peach and apricot, strawberry and vanilla, and organic flavour to mention a few.
Protea Hotel Sales & Marketing Manager, Botho Mogami noted that Protea Hotel strives towards redefining the hospitality experience in Botswana despite the challenges brought about by the covid- 19 pandemic.
“The day is aimed at raising awareness on the importance of tea in fighting poverty and hunger. Tea is known for its relaxing and therapeutic benefits and as the month of May also signifies Mental Health Awareness month, what better way to de- stress than with this century old delicacy,” she said.
For his part, the Protea Hotel by Marriot Masa Square, Chief Operations Officer, Andrew Kamanga highlighted that it was an absolute honor to host their beloved clientele to a morning of tea and impactful discussions.
“As the industry rebuilds itself after a catastrophic two years, we truly appreciate the support. One of the great joys of tea is being able to access a wealth of variety from around the world at very accessible prices. What a beautiful experience it is indeed to share a cup of tea with someone,” said Kamanga.