Did you know some teas can help cool the body down when it’s hot? Especially Iced Tea.
In the warmer months it’s important to cool the body down on hot days to help prevent your body from over heating, which can then cause other health complications, like nose bleeds and headaches. That’s where Iced Tea can come in. Especially ones home made and full of delicious nutrients, vitamins and minerals which not only coo, down the body, but help keep the body well nurtured as well.
Teas like this come from a long cultural heritage of cultivation, growing and enjoying! Chinese Tea is drunk extensively in China and throughout the world. In significant areas of East Asia, it is not only a beverage, but part of everyday life.
Chinese tea comes from a species of plant know as Camelia Sinensis; which grows in well drained soils of China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, Korea, and some parts of Africa.
There are many varieties of teas. They include green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea, and puerh tea. A lot of these teas get their distinctions from how they ferment, and how they are processed.
All of these teas contain thousands of compounds including some which can be classified as vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids.
Culinary experts and Chinese medicine practitioners believe that the different varieties of teas hold different properties.
So What Tea is best?
Green tea is considered to be cooling, bitter and sweet in nature and thus it is a good option to consume in summertime. Once tea leaves are picked, they quickly begin to oxidise. For green tea, oxidation is halted by applying heat. This is done through steam or from pan-frying.
Though green tea does have caffeine in it, so if you have already met your quoter of caffeine for the day, try using a caffeine free tea like lemon and ginger, or lime, or even a fruit tea made from blueberries is a good choice.
Chilled Green Tea Refreshing Recipe:
On a hot day, a nice glass of chilled green tea with lime and mint can be refreshing, and a far better alternative to a sugary carbonated drink or fruit juice full of bad sugars.
Here’s how to make it:
- Select a milder variety of green tea, or one to your liking. There are many varieties of green tea, but one of my favourites is Jasmine Green Tea.
- Steep the green tea in a pot and allow to cool.
- Add honey if desired.
- Pour into a jug and add cold water to mix to your desired strength.
- Add ice
- Squeeze the juice of 2 limes. Or if you prefer, you can infuse the tea overnight with slices of mixed fruit, such as lemons, limes and even strawberries.
- A refreshing touch, is to top the tea once served with dried rose petals for a natural sweetener taste to the tea.
- Add a couple of sprigs of mint leaves
- Stir and serve.
