January is National Hot Tea Month and with these cold days it is the perfect month for it. A warm, steaming cup of tea is welcome at any time of day, especially in the cold winter months. Whether as an alternative to coffee with the rich tradition of Irish Breakfast tea, or as a quiet cap to the end of the day, settling your nerves with Chamomile and Lavender, tea is amazing. You can drink it like the American’s do, with lemon and sugar, or perhaps a bit of honey, or you can mix in milk or creamer for a fully European experience. However you do it, Hot Tea Month is a great time to reembrace this delicious beverage that can warm your heart and body.
Have you ever wondered where tea came from, and what made someone put leaves in hot water for flavor? Well, legend says in 2737 BC, a Chinese emperor was sitting under a tree while his servant boiled drinking water when some leaves blew into it. The emperor happened to be a renowned herbalist, and he decided to taste the infusion that had just been created by accident… He loved it, and that’s where tea comes from! The Tea Council of the USA was founded in 1950 and recognizes National Hot Tea Month every January.
Tea isn’t just a warm and delicious beverage, it can also be used medicinally. There are thousands of herbal teas out there, and each of them can be used to help fortify the body, and even help you heal and fight infection. One of the most common uses is to help soothe nerves as night time rolls in with a cup of mint and chamomile tea. Tea is packed with antioxidants. These help keep our bodies “young” and protect them from toxins. It has less caffeine than coffee. (The kinds that do contain caffeine) usually contain about 50% less than coffee which means you can drink it without affecting your nervous system. Research shows a correlation between tea and heart health. A recent study says people who drink tea have a 20% less chance of having a stroke or heart attack than those who don’t. It can help with weight loss, especially when paired with a well-balanced diet and exercise. Tea is usually calorie-free, and it can give you energy and cause your body to burn more calories throughout the day.
