National Hot Tea Month is here and what better way to celebrate than with a cup of your favorite tea and a little history. Hot teas are the second most consumed beverage in the world. Hot tea is believed to have been discovered by accident back in 2337 B.C. when Chinese Emperor Shen Nung accidentally spilled tea leaves into his pot of drinking water. Another interesting fact is that tea bags weren’t actually created until 1904.
Benefits of Tea
Hot tea is known for its variety of medicinal benefits. It is great to soothe upset stomachs, relieve menstrual cramps, reduce high blood pressure, fight off the flu, and lower stress levels. I love sipping hot chamomile and ginger tea before bed. It relaxes me after a long day with the kids.
Did you know that tea contains vitamins, oils, and fluoride? It has less caffeine than coffee. Some types can be used as a diuretic like oolong tea. It has been reported that consuming hot tea daily can help prevent certain types of cancers, heart attacks, and strokes. So, not only does tea taste good, it’s really good for you!
Types of Teas
There are thousands of different varieties of teas all around the world. The most popular are green tea, black tea, and oolong. Keep in mind that black tea has the highest amount of caffeine and should be consumed earlier in the day.
Green tea is a rich source of flavonoids, bioactive compounds that can lessen oxidative stress, relieve inflammation, and provide great health benefits.
Moringa, a plant that’s native to South Asia, has been known for its medicinal properties and is known as a superfood. With more calcium than milk, as well as iron, vitamin A, and vitamin K, moringa tea is a great addition to help keep those bones strong.
Herbal teas like chamomile and peppermint can help aid digestive symptoms.
Black teas have a stronger flavor and are more oxidized than the other teas. They give you a little kick and also have great benefits.
Ways to Celebrate National Hot Tea Month
- Host a tea party with your besties.
- Purchase a tea that you have never tried before.
- Indulge in a cup of hot chamomile tea before bed to help you relax.
- Send a gift box full of teas to a loved one.
- Read a book on the different types of teas.
Research shows that drinking hot teas can improve your overall health. So grab your cup and let’s sip to good health.