Time for Tea
More than just a drink, tea is as healthy as it is delicious
DRINKING TEA TAKES US BACK TO DAYS WHEN WE HAD THE TIME TO ENJOY A POT OF TEA WITH OUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY WHILE BEING COMPLETELY CONNECTED WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS.”
—BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, OWNER OF THE WISTERIA TEA ROOM & CAFE
On any given day, over one half of the American population drinks tea, according to the Tea Association of the USA, an organization that serves the tea industry. Next to water, it is the second most widely consumed beverage in the world. Furthermore, tea can be found in almost 80 percent of all U.S. households.
A popular drink choice for good reason, tea has a long history of being enjoyed for its medicinal qualities. Legends have it that the benefits of tea drinking were discovered by Chinese Emperor Shen Nung in 2737 B.C. Today tea’s recognized not only for its delightful taste, but also for aiding digestion, lowering cholesterol, helping control diabetes and many other health benefits.
“Both lemongrass and spearmint [teas] are good for digestion,” says Cathy Via, the owner of Cathy’s Herbs and Botanicals in Naples, a retail and online store offering a wide selection of herbal teas, spices and herbs. Spearmint can also be used to treat sore throats, headaches, toothaches and digestive disorders, she points out.
Aloe is another plant that has become popular for its use as a tea. “Aloe can assist both internally and externally,” says Via. Aloe has been known as a powerful laxative and can assist with diabetes, while aloe gel is often used when treating psoriasis, dandruff, minor burns and skin abrasions.
Although turmeric is best known as an ingredient in curry, its benefits as a tea are noteworthy. “Tumeric is a natural antiinflammatory,” says Via. This herb can also increase the body’s antioxidant capacity.
Organized by types of teas, black tea can protect the lungs, oolong tea can help lower cholesterol, and green tea can help burn fat and reduce the risk of stroke. And the list goes on. For many ailments, there is a tea to assist.
What’s also great about these, and other herbs that make tasty tea, is that many of them can be planted and grown in Southwest Florida. You can grow your own herbs, air dry them and then use them to brew that perfect cup of tea.
The lengthier time to steep (three to seven minutes) and sip (as long as one desires) a cup, no doubt adds to the social experience of tea drinking. There’s nothing better than lingering over a freshly brewed cup accompanied by good conversation.
Even in today’s fast-paced society, tea drinking is still a social experience many of us relish. “Drinking tea takes us
back to days when we had the time to enjoy a pot of tea with our friends or family while being completely connected without distractions,” says Bobbie Schwartz, owner of Fort Myers’ Wisteria Tea Room & Cafe, located in a historic home ideal for re-creating the experience. Here you can sample a variety of teas, as well as order soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts.
“In our black tea offerings the most popular is our Vanilla Chai Spice, and in our green teas, the popular flavor is our Goin’ Nuts, which is a green tea with walnuts and hazelnuts,” says Schwartz. Other popular flavors are the rooibos, or “red bush” that grows in Africa, and the hands-down favorite Crème au Caramel. For an herbal fruit tea, Schwartz says it’s a tie between Berry Blast and Fruity Sangria.
While the Wisteria Tea Room & Cafe may be a nod to yesteryear, we are now seeing tea drinks popping up on coffee shop menus. The Grind Coffee House and Roaster, with two Fort Myers locations, offers a one-stop shop for both coffee and tea lovers. Guests find an assortment of black, white, green, oolong, rooibos and herbal loose teas, along with sandwiches, Danish pastries, muffins and more.
New to the area is Teavana, a stylish shop selling tea along with pots, cups and accessories, with locations in Estero and Naples. At Teavana, a fully trained teaologist is always on hand to educate consumers about the different types of tea and their benefits. With nearly 100 teas to choose from, you’re sure to find one here that suits both your needs and palate.
For folks on the go, bottled tea is the next best thing to a freshly made iced tea, and several brands are making headway
in grocers’ coolers. In fact, according to the Tea Association of the USA, in the last 10 years, sales of ready-to-drink teas have grown more than 15 fold. Considering the delicious taste, the variety of flavors and the health benefits, it makes a lot of sense to grab a bottle of Sweet Leaf Tea, Teas’ Tea or Honest Tea instead of a can of soda. Ann Marie O’Phelan is a Southwest Florida resident who loves sipping tea and is partial to Vanilla Chai Spice.