the legend of tea and our favourite blends
Everyone loves a good ‘cuppa’, and winter is the perfect season to indulge in an array of different flavours and brews of tea.
Most people assume that tea originates from Great Britain, since the Brits are so well known for their love of this fine beverage. However, the origins stretch much further, right to ancient China. According to legend, Shen Nung, a renowned Chinese herbalist, decided to try the infusion that his servant had accidentally created when some leaves from a tree, “Camellia Sinensis”, blew into some boiling water. This resulted in the drink we know today as tea.
With such a large variety of blends, it’s simply a case of different strokes for different folks when it comes to choosing a brew that suits you! Some people prefer the calmer more soothing herbal strains, whereas others might revel in the high caffeine content and stronger flavours of the tannin teas. Generally, the popularity of this aromatic beverage can be attributed to a strong demand among the upper classes in the 1600’s, trade, caffeine, health, and of course it tastes pretty darn amazing!
And now, for a few of our favourites!
Green tea
Made from Camellia Sinensis, green teas are best prepared in a teapot, as you’ll more than likely be having more than one cup for your winter pick-me-upper. This healthy beverage is praised for its healing properties; improved brain function, fat loss, a lower risk of cancer and many other incredible benefits.
Yerba mate
The new hipster tea, praised for having the “strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea and the euphoria of chocolate”. True hipsters will know that Mate is traditionally steeped and served in a hollow calabash, making use of a “Bombilla” which acts like a kind of traditional straw! Or you can simply dunk the tea bag in a handsome mug and wait for infusion to take place.
Chamomile
Chamomile has wonderful calming effects, so sip on a cup when you need to calm the nerves. The best way to prepare chamomile is to put the dried chamomile flowers into a tea infuser. Pour in hot water and allow it to infuse for 3 minutes. Add honey or lemon juice to tweak the flavour. And there you go, you have a short starter kit to embracing your inner tea aficionado when you make the perfect cup.
Now be a doll Polly – put the kettle on!
Browse our beautiful glass infuser teapots for your own homemade blends! Do you have any favourite blends?