Tea, as a beverage has become one of the more sought-after beverages in the world and is only second to water consumption. Believed to have been founded by the Chinese in the 2nd Millennium BC from the Camellia sinensis plant, tea has changed drastically with many flavours and other herbal infusions. But why and how has the tea-drinking phenomenon become a mainstay in many households today? For that, we will have to dig deeper into the days of European colonialism, especially during the height of the British Empire.
 
Tea as a habit
To understand how tea drinking became a habit, we will have to go back in time when the British Empire was at its peak during the 18th century. During this time, subjects of the British Empire along with other European powerhouses often demanded the cultivation of tea, due to its the high price it fetches in the market since it was considered the beverage preferred by aristocrats during their leisure time. This resulted in a trend which prompted even the middle class to follow. As a result, the drinking patterns, along with the very types of tea used by aristocrats were desired by many. This eventually led to the habit of drinking tea daily. The morning hours are often the most defining time of drinking the beverage, as the right brew sets the tone for the entire day of the individual. 
Did you know that though it started as a trend, drinking a fresh cuppa in the morning is a great way to start your day? 
 
Health Benefits of Drinking Tea in the Morning
To understand the various health benefits of tea, it is best to take the most desired and preferred variants of tea as the basis of justifying why a morning cuppa is always a good thing. Whether you’re drinking the popular Earl Grey Tea, Chai Tea, or the classic English Breakfast Tea from Dilmah, here are some key health benefits of each.
 
English Breakfast Tea and its benefits
The humble English Breakfast Tea stems from the 18th century when black tea was the preferred beverage in every household. The brew is generally described as full-bodied, robust, and rich, which is sometimes served with honey, lime or sugar. While it is a favourite beverage due to its taste, it also comes with many health benefits.
As it is pure black tea, the flavonoids, polyphenols, and other antioxidant compounds help in reducing the percentage of LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol in the system, which further reduces the chance of heart diseases. The polyphenols and antimicrobial properties also help in maintaining a healthy digestive system, as it cleans the gut from any unwanted bacteria. It also aids in your metabolism which helps in weight maintenance. Moreover, these properties also help in improving the immune system of the body. Drinking a cup of English Breakfast Tea every morning is guaranteed to help you become more focused on your daily activities, due to the caffeine present along with the L-theanine amino acid in the beverage. Of course, the best pairing for this particular tea would be with a traditional English Breakfast complete with an egg, grilled tomatoes, baked beans, mushrooms, bacon, and toast.
 
Earl Grey Tea and its Benefits
This was a revolutionary variant of tea that was introduced by the Second Earl Grey in Northumberland, by mixing Bergamot oil in traditional tea, during the 19th century. Although most of today’s Earl Grey Tea may no longer be made in this traditional manner, it still retains the flavour and the benefits, thus it has become a popular beverage to start the morning for many, as it is known that a single cup can energize you during the day.
Additional Earl Grey Tea benefits include maintaining weight, improved heart health, focused mind, increased energy levels, and also aids in digestion. This can all be attributed to the catechins, other antioxidants, and even the caffeine content present in the tea. Drinking a cup every morning helps the body to strengthen its immune system and while also helping your mind stay focused. You could make the experience even healthier by choosing Dilmah’s range of exceptional Earl Grey Tea when you pair it with some scrumptious banana bread with infused raisins for a hearty breakfast!
 
Chai Tea and its Benefits 
Originating from the 19th century British India, Chai Tea is a unique beverage that blends in the spices of South Asia, namely cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and pepper by using Black Tea as its base. Chai Tea benefits are doubled due to its black tea base, making the morning cuppa healthier for your body. 
The combination of Black Tea and Cinnamon have been known to boost heart health, as it reduces the percentage of LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol, which further helps in better blood flow to and from the heart. Additionally, the spices included in the beverage are known for its antibacterial properties, which help to maintain a healthy digestive system, which indirectly helps in the control of weight too. A fresh cup in the morning helps in rejuvenating the mind and body and kickstarts the system. Pair Dilmah’s Exceptional Ceylon Spice Chai with a delicious portion of healthy chai banana pancakes for a nourishing breakfast. 
 
Tea vs Coffee in the Morning
Tea and coffee are considered the most preferred beverages to consume in the morning. While both have certain levels of caffeine which help give you that much-needed boost for your morning, tea is known to be the healthier alternative. This is because tea has a considerably lower level of caffeine when compared to coffee. Furthermore, the higher presence of antioxidants in tea help in maintaining a healthier immune system and even weight