One of my favorite self-care rituals (especially paired with our cookies/biscotti) is making and drinking a steaming mug of tea. The best part is, the benefits of drinking tea are numerous! Let’s take a closer look at this healthy indulgence and how to incorporate more delicious, healthy teas into your routine.
Different teas carry different benefits, so no matter what your favorite tea is, you can be sure you’ll reap some rewards from it. You can also diversify and include different kinds of tea in your day to enjoy even more health perks.
Black Tea
Black tea (which includes Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Darjeeling, most chai blends, etc.) is an excellent source of antioxidants, which help the body to eliminate free radicals. Free radicals are nasty unstable atoms that can damage cells, resulting in diseases such as cancer, coronary heart disease, and kidney disease.
Black tea is also a great source of polyphenols, which may inhibit the tumor development, reduce inflammation, and lower blood sugar levels, which reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Green Tea
Green tea is made from the leaves of the tea plant just like black tea, but they do not undergo the oxidation process as black teas do. As such, green tea boasts many of the same health benefits as black tea. However, the different processing also allows green tea to retain more flavonoids (a type of polyphenol), which may help prevent heart disease.
Green tea tends to be more mild, so this can be a great option if black tea just doesn’t do it for you. It also contains less caffeine than black tea, so the potential dehydrating or diuretic effects are lessened. My favorite green tea is Citron Green; it has a citrus note to it.
Herbal Teas
One of my absolute favorite self-care rituals is to snuggle up on the couch after a long day with a hot cup of chamomile tea. It is the perfect way to calm and relax after a hectic day. Most herbal teas are caffeine-free and made from fruits, herbs, flowers, and other plants besides actual tea, so the leaves of the tea plant are not present in herbal blends. Herbal teas can be a good alternative to black tea and coffee if you are extremely sensitive to the effects of caffeine, or if you just don’t like the taste of actual tea.
Because herbal tea can contain such a wide variety of plants, the benefits vary greatly as well. Here are some potential benefits of different types of herbal teas:
Chamomile - Relieves stress, promotes good sleep, rich in antioxidants
Peppermint - Improves digestion, may soothe headaches and congestion
Ginger - Improves digestion, supports immunity, reduces inflammation
Rooibos - Good for the skin, rich in antioxidants
Other benefits
One of my favorite benefits of tea is that it makes an excellent healthy substitute for sugary drinks (as long as I don’t add a ton of sugar, that is).
I love the act of brewing and sipping my afternoon tea, especially hot, because the ritual and heat of the tea forces me to slow down and pay attention to what I’m doing. It’s a beautiful way to bring a little more mindfulness and self-care into my day!
Teas of all types can be a lovely alternative to coffee because it contains less caffeine. So if you love a steaming mug of something special in the mornings but are sensitive to the effects of caffeine, tea might be right up your alley! There are so many varieties to choose from in a huge selection of flavors, so you’re sure to find your perfect match.
How to Include Tea In Your Day
Tea makes a beautiful morning (or anytime) beverage. I love to wrap my hands around a hot cup on a chilly afternoon or unwind with another brew in the evening after a long day at Giorgio. Sometimes I’ll even put some in my drink tumbler to accompany me on my evening carpools!
My absolute favorite tea company is Harney and Sons, a family-run company with unbeatable quality and dedication to their product. When looking for additional products to offer our customers, this company was hands down our first choice.
I love the beautiful packaging. Is there anything more cozy and proper-feeling than fragrant tea in a gorgeous tin? In fact, Giorgio Cookie Company has partnered with them to bring you top tea blends that make the perfect complement to our cookies and biscotti! (Does this put anyone else in the mood for a hot cup of tea?)
Now that the weather is cooling down here in the northern hemisphere, I’m in the mood for hot tea and cozy fall sweaters. I’m in LOVE with the Hot Cinnamon Spice black tea blend, and I’ve been drinking it like crazy! (For, um, the antioxidants. And it’s just so darn good!)
I can’t recommend this healthful, comforting ritual enough, and I’m confident that Harney and Sons tea produces some of the most delicious teas in the world! Give a tin or two as a gift for a loved one or to yourself!