Thanks to the likes of Whittards of Chelsea and the coffee shop chains found on every corner in most major cities, mainstream tea availability is no longer restricted to "builder’s tea" as it was a few years ago. Most supermarkets sell a range of green, fruit and herbal tea infusions alongside the boxes of black tea and some even have their own ranges. Increasingly, drinking these infusions is considered a health benefit rather than the preserve of bohemiam types. In addition, the widespread popularity of Oriental food outlets has brought green, jasmine and chamomile tea to the supper table as an accompaniment to stir fries, noodles and rice-based dishes.
Below is a short review of several different green tea infusions:
Lipton Green Tea with Vanilla
This is an Australian sourced tea, blended and packed in Australia from imported ingredients. Each bag is packed individually which appears to improve freshness and depth of taste. The instructions state that it should be brewed for 5 minutes and as it is light and mild, that it is best drunk without milk.
There is a strong immediate smell of vanilla when water is first added. The taste and smell remain until the final mouthful, there is no degradation into dusty taste. This would also be refreshing as an iced tea.
The benefits of vanilla include that it, allegedly, has cancer-fighting properties. It is also supposed to calm an upset stomach. For more information see this article by Kristie Leong here on Suite 101.
Impra Ginseng Green Tea
This is a Sri Lankan tea blend. The instructions specify that boiling water should be used to make this tea and that it should be left to brew for 3-5 minutes. It too arrives in an individually packed bag. This tea is very herby and earthy, similar to nettle tea. It almost has a grassy taste to it, quite distinctive, which would not be to everyone’s taste. The company’s website has more information on their range.
Ginseng is cited as being beneficial for stress reduction and improving circulation. It is also energy giving.
Tesco Green Tea with Lemon
This tea is widely available in the English-based supermarket or via the website home delivery service. Unlike the imported teas reviewed above, it is sold in a box of 20 loose bags.
The instructions state simply that it should be left to brew for 3-5 minutes and drunk without milk when hot. This provides the drinker with a fresh taste of green tea with the unmistakeable zing of lemon.
Lemon tea is considered an anti-oxidant and is sold in many forms, including a powder. It is one of the most popular flavours of fruit tea and also one of the most widely available.
Lipton Green Tea with Mint
Like the vanilla tea reviewed above, this is an Australian sourced tea, blended and packed in Australia from imported ingredients. Each bag is packed individually which appears to improve freshness and depth of taste. The instructions state that it should be brewed for 5 minutes and drunk without milk.
Similarly to the vanilla tea, there is a strong immediate smell of mint when water is first added. The taste and smell remain until the final mouthful and it has a refreshing taste, not too sickly but there is a definite spearmint tang left after drinking.
Mint is well known to help digestion, could also have benefits as an anti-cancer treatment and, like lemon, is considered an antioxidant, according to this Suite 101 article from Karen Stephenson in April 2009.
These teas should be widely available in the same or similar versions around the world, with the exception of the Impra brand, which appears only to be sold in specialist shops. The taste of the differing brands may vary depending on preparation, packing and storage conditions, but the benefits remain the same. It is worth noting that whilst some preparation guidelines state to use boiling water, this can be detrimental to the flavour of any tea, whatever its colour or desired strength.
Why not try one today and see what you think?
Paula Thomas - Paula is, among other things, an editor & proofreader. She also enjoys technology - retro or modern - travel, music, motorsport and ...
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