“Sick of tea? That’s like being sick of breathing!” – Uncle Iroh, Avatar: The Last Airbender
Tea: empires were built on it. Other empires conspired to steal its secrets. For centuries, China kept its cultivation and preparation a strict secret, thus maintaining a global monopoly. In a daring display of industrial espionage, British botanist Robert Fortune managed to steal seeds and plants. He also persuaded Chinese workers to more-or-less defect to British India, bringing their expertise with them.
In the centuries since, tea has spread around the world. As well as the classic tea, there are a bewildering array of herbal blends. Even your bog-standard tea ain’t just tea. For a start, there’s black tea and green tea, both of which come from the same plant.
While black and green tea both come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, the way they’re processed makes all the difference. Black tea is fully oxidised, giving it its dark, rich colour and malty flavour, while green tea is steamed or pan-fired to keep those fresh and earthy notes.
Tea is not just a way to start – and punctuate – your day. It also has myriad health benefits. Even plain old black tea.
According to Dr Mohammed Najjar, medical director of Jorja Healthcare group, black tea is also rich in polyphenols, which protect cells from damage.
He says that “some research suggests that there is molecular evidence of health benefits of drinking black tea” and that it may help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease.
“Black tea also contains tannins that are beneficial for supporting digestion and soothing gastric problems,” he adds.
The polyphenols in black tea may also play a role in keeping your brain healthy. Regular black tea consumption is linked to improved memory and a reduced risk of dementia.
Polyphenols in green tea, such as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), are even more powerful and have been studied for their role in various health benefits, including cancer prevention and improved heart health.
Regarding green tea, Dr Najjar says: “It is believed that it can support gut health by promoting beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome and helping to reduce harmful ones.”
He also adds that the polyphenols in it can be metabolised by gut bacteria, aiding their diversity.
Green tea is also thought to boost the metabolism, as well as potentially lowering heart disease risks and the risks of developing some cancers.
But beyond black and green, there’s a whole world of herbal teas to explore. Ginger tea, for instance, can calm nausea and help digestion. Peppermint tea relaxes the gut muscles and may ease IBS-like symptoms. Turmeric tea? It’s anti-inflammatory and could help reduce bloating – something to consider the next time you place your order at your local cafe.
Chamomile tea has long been favoured for its relaxing properties as a pre-bedtime drink. It may also help with heart disease, supporting the immune system and possibly even slowing down loss of bone density.
Saffron tea, common in Persian culture, can help diversify gut microbiota, lower blood pressure and ease symptoms of PMS and depression.
Additionally, it’s rich in crocin and safranal, compounds that have been shown to enhance both mood and memory.
All tea is good tea, but diversifying your daily tea schedule can help deliver maximum health benefits.
According to Dr Najjar, the best time to drink tea depends largely on the specific brew you’re consuming, as well as the purpose for which you’re intending it.
“For green tea, it’s usually advised to drink it a couple of hours after meals, in order to allow your body to digest the food before the tannins interfere with nutrient absorption.”
However, you could also try a green tea mid-morning when you need a gentle energy boost without the extreme buzz brought on by coffee.
Reach for ginger or peppermint after lunch to aid digestion (this is an easy one to add in). Try swapping your afternoon caffeine hit for saffron tea to calm the nervous system and feed your microbiome. And if you’re after a better night’s sleep, try chamomile before bed.
So, try incorporating new tea varieties into your daily routine, in a small way, one at a time. Over time, decide which ones you like and work best for you.
Even if you stick with the old Liptons, you’re doing your health a favour.
