However you prefer your tea – black, green, herbal, medicinal, stimulating, calming – the days of “white with two sugars” have been well and truly consigned to the past. With so many options available, the nation’s favourite beverage has become as colourful and exotic as the origins of the infusions themselves.
The tea we're possibly most familiar with likely originated in south-west China as a medicinal brew. However, ”tea” can refer to any drink made from infusing crushed leaves in boiling water, with experts often preferring the word “tisane,” (from the French word meaning “herbal infusion,”) to describe tea made from dried flowers, fruits or herbs; where no tea leaves are actually included.
Both black and green tea contain antioxidants, with green tea generally considered the healthier option due to its lower caffeine content. However, by adding essential oils, such as bergamot, even the humble cup of black tea is elevated to gently medicinal – Earl Grey nudging into the category of digestive, due to this citrusy addition.
For those who would like an alternative to supplements, or to explore a gentler approach than prescribed medication, herbal teas are ideal. Pukka Herbal Collection Tea Bags, available to purchase from us in boxes of 20, are delightfully flavoursome, helping to provide a pleasurable sensory experience.
Camomile is possibly the most renowned, for its calming, gentle sleep-inducing properties, followed by Echinacea, with its ability to strengthen the immune system. But there are almost as many medicinal teas as there are situations and life stages to support.
Why is organic better?
Choosing organic is a smart move, both for ourselves and the planet. Many of our organic teas are also reassuringly Fair Trade, so you can be certain the tea you are drinking isn't at the expense of another's well-being. Especially at times of lower vitality, it makes sense to support healthfulness by skipping the pesticide residues and opting for organic!