Drinking tea is a very English pastime; afternoon tea is part of the Brit’s heritage and is enjoyed by various cultures worldwide.
The British Prime Minister Earl Charles Grey introduced one of the finest black teas to the mêlé in the 1800s. He commissioned a Chinese tea merchant to create a unique tea that would reflect Northumberland’s Howick Hall’s personality while balancing the hard water and high limestone concentration. The merchant added extracts from the fragrant bergamot orange, an aromatic citrus fruit that was native and almost exclusive to the coastal plains of Southern Italy, to Chinese Keemun black tea.
Sunshiny Earl Grey, not only is a tasty and refreshing drink; it has some well know health benefits too. It contains antioxidants that help prevent cell oxidation and fight off damage-causing free radicals.
Aromatherapy bergamot oil is well-known to have calming effects on the mind, reduce anxiety, ease stress, and promote an overall sense of wellbeing.
Earl Grey Health Benefits
- Earl Grey Can Improve Digestion
Earl Grey can work wonders with an array of digestion discomforts. It contains natural antispasmodic properties that can relieve IBS symptoms (irritable bowel syndrome), constipation, acid reflux, intestinal infections, colic, and nausea. It’s thought that British mothers have used tea for their ailing children since Victorian times.
- Oral Hygiene and Dental Benefits
Earl Grey and other teas boast a powerful antioxidant called catechin, which fights against oral infections and significantly improves PH levels in your mouth. Tea also contains trace elements of fluoride that fights decay and protects your teeth against the formation of cavities.
- Losing Weight With Earl Grey
Tea possesses slow-burning caffeine properties that slightly increase your body’s internal body temperature and activating fat-burning powers that aid weight loss. Nutritionists believe that citrus fruits can help your natural metabolic process by burning calories. Why not try the tea with a slice of lemon instead of calorific milk or sugar?
- Earl Grey Tea Prevents Heart Attacks and Strokes
Studies show that regular consumption of tea can help maintain healthy arteries, thus preventing heart disease and diminishing harmful cholesterol. A study of 8,552 participants in Japan revealed that regularly drinking tea throughout the day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 28%.
Leaf teas are great for maintaining and increasing beneficial cholesterol, which is known to boost your immune system. The glycemic levels in tea also have favorable advantages for those likely to develop varying types of diabetes.
- Energy-Boosting
Although Earl Grey tea contains a lot less caffeine than coffee, it still contains an ample amount to maintain your energy levels throughout the day. Not only does this citrussy tea boast a whole host of health benefits, but it keeps you on your toes all day. Try a cup or two in the afternoon to prevent sluggishness from setting in. Earl Grey has enough slow-release caffeine to keep you going but without keeping you from sleep at night.
- Bergamot Lifts Your Spirits
Bergamot possesses incredible natural aromatherapy qualities that not only lift your mood, provide a sense of calm but diminish any feelings of anxiety. The tea itself is also helpful in relieving stress levels. According to a 2011 study of elementary school teachers in Taiwan, bergamot oil, one of the main ingredients in Earl Grey tea, is effective for reducing blood pressure and heart rate. Antioxidants in Earl Grey tea keep you healthy and help you combat the blues.
- Tea Keeps You Hydrated
Earl Grey tea is high in potassium, one of the primary electrolytes and minerals that keep your body hydrated. Caffeine levels in tea are much less than in coffee, which means you can avoid the acids and dehydration that can cause anxiety and the shakes.
Which Is the Healthiest Earl Grey Tea Brand?
It’s important to look at the ingredients and where they are sourced to determine which is the best Earl Grey tea brand for your health. The highest quality tea brands typically source the tea from India and the bergamot oil from Italy. There are plenty of added ingredients and flavors, and the right blend for you depends on your taste buds and how much you want to spend.
How to Make the Best Cup of Earl Grey
Making tea the British way is quite an art and has a few steps to follow:
- Always use fresh, cold, filtered water; don’t use hot water from the tap.
- 208 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal temperature to make the perfect brew. Just heat the water until it begins to boil and turn off the heat.
- Tea is delicate and needs to steep at precisely the right temperature to bring out its fragile flavors. To warm the pot (or cup), pour in a little hot water into the vessel, swirl it around and pour it out.
- Add the tea. Finding your perfect measurement depends on the size of your favorite cup, but the average rule is one teaspoon per six-ounce cup.
- Steep your Earl Grey to perfection. Again, this depends on personal preference, but most tea specialists recommend between three and five minutes to prevent the tea from becoming bitter.
- Traditionally Earl Grey tea is served with a slice of lemon with honey or sugar to taste because it brings out the aromatic and citrus flavor. You can also serve it with a splash of milk.
The benefits of drinking tea are beneficial for your body, soul, and overall wellbeing. Make it part of your daily ritual, and you’ll soon reap the benefits.