SUITS YOU TO A TEA

As the weather cools, one of life’s simple luxuries is to take time for a quiet moment of respite and enjoy a soothing cup of hot tea. Coffee is no doubt the first choice for many, but tea has many health benefits that have been cherished for thousands of years. Along with being high in antioxidants, tea traditionally has less caffeine than coffee, which makes it a better allround choice.

In Australia, our favourite cuppa is a black tea, but with so many other options to choose from, there is something to please all tastes.

WHITE TEA

White tea is the least oxidised of all the tea types (therefore referred to as the healthiest) and is said to be the closest thing to a fresh tea leaf that most of us in the western hemisphere will see.

With a lighter taste and colour, white tea has up to 20 per cent catechins, which is a super potent antioxidant and helps prevent cell damage. Having around 15-20mg of caffeine (compared to 50mg in black tea) makes it a great choice pre-slumber.

GREEN TEA

Green tea finds the middle ground between white and black teas when it comes to how much its leaves are oxidised and it’s also high in catechins (in particular EGCG).

If fresh breath is important to you, green tea has been shown to suppress the formation of plaque on teeth.

With less caffeine than coffee, green tea gives you a milder buzz than the latter but the amino acid L-theanine works to improve brain function.

BLACK TEA

Next to water, black tea is said to be one of the most consumed drinks in the world. Stronger in flavour than other teas, it also takes the prize for the most caffeine and is often blended to make other flavours such as fruit teas, chai, earl grey or English breakfast.

Black tea is well known for its ability to banish fatigue, stimulate mental alertness, and raise energy levels. It has been shown to, as most teas do, improve gut bacteria by helping repair the lining of the digestive system with thanks to polyphenols.

ROOIBOS

One of my favourites, Rooibos is a 100 per cent naturally caffeine-free herb indigenous to South Africa and not related to green or black teas.

Low in tannins, which interferes with the absorption of certain nutrients (and is present in black and green tea), rooibos is also high in flavonoids, which helps relieve stomach and digestive discomfort.

Smoother with natural sweetness, Rooibos has a slightly nutty taste. When brewed for 5-7 minutes, it’s utterly delightful with a splash of fresh milk.

HERBAL TEA

Apart from Rooibos, herbal tea is the term used for any tea that doesn’t actually contain tea plant leaves. Common varieties including peppermint, spearmint, camomile, which is a flowering plant in the daisy family, and ginger teas are naturally caffeine-free and traditional herbal remedies for ailments such as digestion.

Used in winter, these drinks can satisfy a sweet tooth or serve as alternatives to coffee for those trying to cut down on caffeine.

Spoilt for choice, the pinnacle of optimal tasting tea has to come from loose leaves, rather than teabags. Teabags tend to contain lower quality broken leaves and tea “dust”, whereas loose teas use the whole leaf.

Also consider whether your tea is grown organically or uses a bleach residue, which often resides on the tea bag.