With the holiday season knocking on your door, it’s time to start your festivi-teas with Dilmah’s exclusive range.  Whether you’re making a tea-inspired cocktail or a tea-infused Christmas cake, here are some key teas to have in stock to prep you for the upcoming season.

Earl Grey

According to one story, the origin of the beloved Earl Grey tea dates back to the 19th Century. A Chinese tea master blended the first Earl Grey to gift Charles Grey, a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The Grey family loved the blend so much that they made it popular in London society. Now, Earl Grey is one of the most popular teas around the world.

 

Earl Grey is a flavoured tea, black tea fused with bergamot essence. The slight citrusy note of the rind of bergamot orange complements the strong black tea base to create a unique flavour and aroma profile. Here are some tips for brewing Earl Grey to taste better.

• Use fresh, pure water; spring water is ideal.
• Earl Grey can be brewed at a hotter temperature for a longer period, about 2-3 minutes.
• If you are using loose leaf, 2g for 80oz of water is best for a balanced brew.

 

Green tea

Green tea is one of the healthiest drinks you can think of. It’s full of antioxidants and essential minerals that may help you with weight loss, improve cardio-health, elevate your mood, support skin health and protect you against many degenerative diseases.

 

Another unique aspect of green tea is that it’s one of the least processed tea types so the flavour and aroma of it are more sweet, floral and subtle. One would easily be refreshed and energised with a cup of green tea.

 

When you prepare green tea, keep in mind that green tea is delicate, you need to be careful that you don't over-brew it. Don’t use boiling water, let it drop a few degrees and then use it for steeping green tea.

 

Cinnamon tea

According to your preference, you can choose either pure cinnamon tea or a cinnamon-infused tea - Peppermint leaves with Ceylon cinnamon, for example.

 

The inner bark of the cinnamon tree is scraped, dried, rolled and sometimes powdered to use for tea. You can steep it in boiling water until the cinnamon essence infuses with water.

 

Cinnamon tea is a powerful drink, loaded with antioxidants and other compounds beneficial to health.

 

Rooibos tea

Rooibos tea originated in southern African countries, and now, it’s one of the most popular teas consumed around the world. You’d love this tea for 3 reasons; the taste, colour and health benefits.

 

This is made from the leaves of a shrub usually grown on the western coast of Africa, called Red Bush. The tea gets its unique bright red-brown colour after the leaves are fermented and oxidised in the air.

 

Rooibos tea is a rich source of antioxidants, one of the highest antioxidant concentrations found among tea types. Unlike pure tea types such as black, green and Oolong, which are made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, Rooibos tea is caffeine-free. If you are caffeine sensitive or concerned about cutting down on caffeine, Rooibos tea is for you. Also, this tea won’t interfere with your sleep if taken before bedtime for the same reason.

 

Moroccan mint tea 

Morocco’s popular mint tea, spearmint steeped in green tea, is a treat to your taste buds. It offers you a spectrum of flavours and aromas, you’ll be refreshed in a minute with a glass of Moroccan mint tea.

 

In Morocco, this mint tea is considered a symbol of hospitality and culture. Welcoming a guest offering glass after glass of Moroccan mint tea is an aspect of their tradition-influenced etiquette.

 

Besides the tantalising taste, Moroccan mint tea carries twice the health benefits of green tea or mint tea alone.

 

So, are you looking forward to buying the best Christmas tea collection including the 5 teas mentioned above? Check out Dilmah’s Christmas promotions here.