By Emily Wei, Lifestyle Columnist
What’s a staple part of your morning routine? If you’re like the majority of people, it’s likely that you pour yourself a cup of coffee to start your day. The caffeine gives you that boost of energy you need to get yourself out the door. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with drinking coffee (in moderation) but, what if you tried an alternative? A beverage that not only gives you the energy benefits of coffee but also some added health benefits? The answer is, tea! Obviously not a novel invention to just sweep the nation now, but underrated nevertheless. So sit back and grab yourself a nice cup of tea, because this month’s column is going to take a deep dive into the different types of teas!
Starting off strong, green teas! Green teas have been a traditional drink and medicine in Asia for centuries and for good reason. They are rich in antioxidants which have been found to improve various health conditions. Not only this, but they contain caffeine and L-theanine which can enhance cognitive function and mood! Green tea is my personal favourite, but in particular I highly recommend; genmaicha, hojicha, sencha, and matcha! If you’re thinking of trying out any of these, try giving the Ikebana Shop on Quinpool or the World Tea House on Argyle a visit to get your supply! I am so grateful to have the time to indulge in making myself a cup of matcha with soy/ almond milk every morning. However, if you are thinking of making a matcha latte or plain matcha for yourself, it might be helpful to look up a quick tutorial online first as the instructions can be quite particular.
Next up, herbal teas! As opposed to other teas which are made from plant leaves, herbal teas are typically made from dried flowers, fruits, herbs, or spices. While they may not be your drink of choice to wake up in the morning, some herbal teas such as chamomile or passionflower tea can be a great bedtime beverage. Furthermore, hibiscus, echinacea, and rooibos teas have been shown to aid in illness recovery. Echinacea tea has also been studied to boost the immune system. Plus, as an added bonus, rooibos tea won’t stain your teeth as much as coffee might! The next time you’re feeling nauseous or have a stomach cramp, try drinking some ginger or peppermint tea. Although they may not be my favourite taste, they have definitely helped me in the past when I wasn’t feeling the greatest. A quick note: if you’re on any medications, make sure to double check because some teas may actually interact with them.
These teas may not solve all your problems, but sometimes you just have to take what you can get! I hope you’re feeling inspired to broaden your selection of teas in the future and have a happy August!
