Fancy a cuppa?

As though we need any excuse for a cuppa, this week is Afternoon Tea Week so a perfect time to you all about the beautiful health benefits of tea, and how to make sure your cuppa is doing the very best for your health.

When you’re standing in the supermarket aisle or in the bespoke tea shop, it’s easy to forget that tea drinking has been an activity spanning millennia and, though we might use it as a pick-me-up in the morning or the vehicle for a good gossip with friends, it’s been revered - almost sacred - as a ritual for a long, long time.

Think of this blog as a celebration of the cuppa in which I’ll be walking you through where it came from, whether it’s any good for your health, how much you should be drinking and some fabulous ways to honour this amazing drink. 

Here’s who ‘invented’ tea

The origins of tea date back thousands of years in ancient China. Legend has it that in 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor Shennong accidentally discovered tea when leaves from a nearby Camellia sinensis plant blew into the bowl of hot water he was drinking.

From these legendary beginnings in China, tea's consumption spread throughout East Asia, to Japan, where it became an integral part of Zen Buddhism and the traditional tea ceremony. 

By the 9th century, tea had reached the Arab world and eventually made its way to Europe in the 16th century, thanks to Portuguese and Dutch traders. The British, in particular, embraced tea passionately, leading to the establishment of tea plantations in India and Sri Lanka. The British East India Company helped popularise tea drinking in the West in the 17th century. It was a popular trade commodity, travelling along routes like the ancient Silk Road.

Different types of tea

There are four main types of true tea - white, green, oolong, and black - all derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference lies in the processing methods used.

WHITE TEA is the least processed, using just the young buds which are steamed and dried. Originated in China in Fujian Province. 

Flavour: delicate, light, slightly sweet.

Reported benefits: contains anti-aging properties and supports immune health.

GREEN TEA originated in China and Japan. The leaves are heated through pan-firing or steaming to prevent oxidation. Green tea has gained popularity over the last decade, and you’ll find many products in supermarkets today. 

Flavour: fresh, grassy, slightly sweet.

Reported benefits: high in antioxidants, aids in weight loss, and boosts brain function.

Famous teas: Japanese Matcha or Sencha, rolled gunpowder green teas from Morocco, Dragon Well green tea from China.

OOLONG TEA from China and Taiwan is semi-oxidised.

Flavour: Complex, ranging from fruity to floral.

Reported benefits: aids digestion, promotes healthy skin, supports metabolism.

Famous teas: Da Hong Pao oolong.

BLACK TEAS are most plentiful. Originating in China, India (Assam and Darjeeling), and Sri Lanka (Ceylon), they are fully oxidised before heating, resulting in their dark colour and rich flavour. This is your ‘regular’ tea; think English Breakfast, Assam and Earl Grey.

Flavour: bold, robust, floral, malty (varies greatly).

Reported benefits: improves heart health, enhances gut health, provides a steady energy boost.

Famous teas: Lapsang Souchong, Darjeeling from India.

PU-ERH from China’s Yunnan Province.

Flavour: earthy, rich, smooth.

Reported benefits: Known for its probiotic properties, aids in digestion, and may help with weight loss.

Famous teas: Menghai Da Yi (Dayi), Xiaguan Tuocha, Lao Ban Zhang.

HERBAL TEAS

Beyond the traditional teas, there are also herbal tisanes made from flowers, fruits, and herbs that offer their own unique flavours. 

These teas are not caffeinated, which means you can drink them freely without them impacting your sleep. 

This is why a cup of tea might relax you…

True tea (that’s the white, green, black, oolong and pu-ehr teas) naturally contains the amino acid L-theanine, which has some unique and beneficial effects. It’s what gives you that ahhhhhh moment when you enjoy a cup of tea. It’s particularly abundant in green tea leaves.

Reasons to love tea

Promotes ‘calm alertness’ - L-theanine has been shown to induce alpha brain waves, helping you feel more calm and relaxed while also maintaining focus and alertness. This makes tea a great beverage for enhancing concentration without the "jittery" effects of caffeine alone.

Reduces stress and anxiety - studies indicate L-theanine can help lower psychological and physiological stress responses by prompting an increase in serotonin, dopamine, GABA and other calming brain chemicals. This anxiety-reducing effect makes tea popular for unwinding.

Boosts mood and cognitive performance - the combination of L-theanine and caffeine in tea has been linked to improvements in cognitive abilities like reaction time, memory, and mental focus. It can provide an overall mood and mental clarity boost.

Supports immune function - some research suggests L-theanine may help strengthen the disease-fighting capacity of human gamma delta T cells, which are a part of the body's immune defenses.

How much tea is it OK to drink?

Despite the health benefits, it's important not to go overboard. The recommended upper limit is around 3-4 cups (700-900ml) of tea per day for an adult. Drinking much more than this could potentially cause side effects like anxiety, headaches, and insomnia due to the caffeine content.

Some people are genetically more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others. If you’re sensitive, you will likely find you do better with far less caffeine; maybe even none. 

In any case, everyone should be mindful of the half-life of caffeine. This is the amount of time it takes for half the caffeine in your cup to leave your body, which is between six and eight hours. So, that means it will take up to eight hours for half the caffeine in the cup to leave your body. Caffeine is a stimulant, so afternoon drinking is not advised. Even if you don’t have trouble dropping off to sleep, if you go to bed around 10pm and you’re having a cuppa after 2pm, somewhere along the line that caffeine will be affecting the overall quality of your sleep. 

TIP: the quality of bagged teas you'll find in most supermarkets can vary quite a bit. Many contain "tea dust" or the lower grades of broken/crushed leaves. For a higher quality tea experience, opt for loose leaf teas when possible. Loose teas tend to use more intact leaves which results in a richer, more full-bodied flavour.

Other tea tips:

• Herbal/fruit tisanes make a nice caffeine-free option for iced teas
• Don't throw out those used tea leaves. They can be composted or used on houseplants as fertiliser.
• Black tea can help food remain fresher longer due to its antioxidants - try storing baked goods with a few loose tea leaves.
• The tannins that give tea its slightly dry feeling in your mouth can actually help cut through rich, fatty foods.