"Tea time is a chance to slow down, pull back and appreciate our surrounding." - Letitia Baldrige
May 21st is celebrated as International Tea day. The day aims to create awareness of the long history and deep culture that's hidden away behind a warm brew poured in a tiny tea cup. The main purpose of the day is to promote activities that support sustainable production and consumption of tea one that involves fair trade and to sow awareness and the importance of tea in fighting hunger and poverty.
What makes a cup of tea, a cup of tea?
A good cup of tea isn't just a nice warm brew. It's a beverage with deep flavours of history one that involves quiet ceremonies and colonial disputes. Rich in romance, culture and the endless efforts of farmers from different countries across the globe. All that for the rich and deep flavourful beverage we enjoy in the evening that we've come to call "Tea-Time" or the parties we now call "Tea parties".
All about that tea!
All assortments of tea are produced using the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. This includes the main six types of tea dark tea, green tea, wulong (oolong) tea, white tea, puer (pu-erh) tea, and black tea. Herbal tea and its varieties are not cultivated from the camellia sinensis plant for example the peppermint, rooibos, chamomile, etc and the different kinds of fruits and flower teas like peach teas, orange teas and hibiscus tea.
Fruit teas are all about that pleasant, rich and sweet flavour that relaxes your body. This particular type of tea are enjoyed most in summers. While most fruit teas are enjoyed as iced teas a warm fruit tea is delightful if you enjoy rich and deep flavours.
Fruit Teas are best to enjoy during dinner or right after as it doesn't contain caffeine or added sugar. Fruit teas are the perfect switch from sodas to a sweet and fruity drink. (Source: Drink Filtered)
Today our brew is Apple Tea - one of our post dinner favourites
Benefits of Apple Tea
Apple tea provides a lot of benefits as the fruit has multifarious uses and health benefits. Apple tea contains good amounts of vitamin c which boosts immunity. The fibre and antioxidants present help fight cholesterol. Apples also have malic acid which ensures a healthy digestive system. It contains natural sugars called fructose and regulate levels of blood sugar. They are also low calorie fruits so you don't have to worry about weight issues. While apple tea is a healthy concoction it can cause an allergic reaction to those who are sensitive to the family of fruits. if you don't have any said allergies you can gladly indulge. (Source: FOOD.NDTV)
Here is our recipe of the Apple Tea with herbs and spices. It's absolutely delightful and perfect for the sugar intolerant, lactose intolerant, and caffeine free brew seekers!
Apple Basil Tea
Brew a magical, delicate flavour with us!
Serving : Makes 1 large cup
What you'll need
- 1/4th apple roughly chopped
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 1 clove
- 4-5 Whole Black pepper
- 5-6 Raisins
- A sprig of tulsi/ Indian Basil leaf
- 1 Bay leaf
- 500 ml water
On to the brewing...
Step 1: Put a kettle or pan on the stove and pour 500 ml water into it
Step 2: Add all the ingredients to the water
Step 3: Put the heat on minimum and let it simmer for 8-10 mins stirring it slowly in between with the wooden pourer. Do not let the water boil
Step 4: You'll get a light fragrance from the kettle and you know its done
Pour into the cup and enjoy.
Serving tip: Sip on it slowly while reading your book before sleeping and feel free to eat the apples and raisins as dessert.
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