Spillin' The Tea, On Tea

Start sipping, because it’s TEA TIME!

Black Tea

Black tea is usually one of the go-to replacement for coffee (Green tea being another popular substitute, but we will take about Green Tea laster in this post.) and for good reason (No pressure, coffee lovers!). The caffeine intake from black tea is almost comparable to that of coffee, minus the jitters. Black tea also comes with a decent amount of health benefits. But to be fair, so does coffee (See, we don’t hate coffee!). We dug up some great info on both caffeine options.

Sencha Tea Bar did an entire side-by-side comparison of black tea vs. coffee, and the results showcase that the amount of benefits of tea completely outweigh that of coffee, yet coffee is still a decent contender on it’s own. 

From the study, we gathered the following benefits of drinking black tea. Black tea:

1. Eliminates free radicals in your body. Free radicals are compounds that can cause cardiovascular disease and cancer, along with premature aging. So, we definitely don’t want those floating around! A high amount of free radicals can also lead to oxidative stress, which is the human body’s form of rust. Luckily, black tea has antioxidants like EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) that have powerful protective properties and are linked to lowering cancer and diabetes! Wow, what a power house!
2. Aids in heart health. Regular black tea drinkers have a lower risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease, because tea helps to lower high blood pressure by reducing inflammation in blood vessels. Also, say hello to a reduced risk of clogged arteries and heart attacks!
3. Aids in brain health. Black tea has been linked to preventing neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. According to an American Clinical Phytoscience publication, consuming a few cups of tea per day tends to lead to lower levels of mental decline. Yes, let's FOCUS!
4. Aids in digestive health. Black tea can help alleviate upset stomach, reduce risk of digestive diseases, and promote healthy gut bacteria while eliminating bad bacteria in your body. Makes life a bit easier, doesn't it?
5. Aids in weight loss. Black tea is an effective weight loss agent thanks to its high doses of EGCG, which increases body temperature and accelerates fat burning. We’re not saying anyone or everyone needs to lose weight! We only practice body positivity at Amara’s Enchanted Forest. But, if you’re shedding some fat or weight for health reasons, black tea can help!
6. Increases energy. Of course black tea has caffeine, but the caffeine in tea includes other compounds that also boost and maximize energy. Teas contain L-theanine, an amino acid that releases caffeine at a faster, YET STEADIER, rate. Hence, no coffee jitters!
7. Boosts the immune system. People opt for teas when they are sick for a specific reason. Teas contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals for the immune system. Black tea in particular, can help increase the reproduction of white blood cells, which combat intrusive bacteria and viruses. Go, white blood cells!

Pretty great and extensive benefits from drinking black tea, right? Now what would happen if you were to consume black tea on the daily? Check out this cool video by The List to get the answer!

"Okay, enough about black tea! What about coffee?!" Don’t worry coffee lovers, we have some good news for you too! Keep scrolling!

Coffee:

1. Has a bit more caffeine than black tea. Though you can substitute black tea for coffee, the caffeine levels in coffee are debatably higher than an average cup of tea. There are countless studies and articles arguing both sides. But at the end of the day, if you REALLY LOVE coffee, then you REALLY LOVE coffee. Black tea will never be COFFEE. So if coffee is your cup of tea, then so be it! Don't forget to consume what's simply just good for your particular pretty little soul.
2. May be able to prevent premature death IF consumed in moderation. Okay, that's a pretty cool benefit! Coffee lovers, you can read more about this theory formulated by Harvard, HERE. 

But, please remember that coffee unfortunately comes with a couple of negative impacts to the human body as well. Examples include the potential of developing a caffeine sensitivity, increasing cholesterol, causing digestive discomfort due to high acidity, and/or taking it too far with all the extra sweeteners that the average American coffee drinker adds to their cup of coffee. Just putting it out there! Don't hate us! 

Green Tea

Time for the health junkie's favorite daily staple and holy grail - GREEN TEA + MATCHA - one of the healthiest substances on the planet, according to numerous health experts, dietitians, nutritionists, and doctors. Let's submerge into this green tea + matcha craze and see what all the hype is about!

Also...cough, cough...this is another great option as a coffee replacement!

Below are 10 evidence-based benefits of green tea provided by the reputable, Healthline. 

Green tea:

1. Contains very healthy and productive bioactive compounds. This includes polyphenols, which reduce inflammation and help fight cancer. Another great bioactive compound in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG. These little potent antioxidants help prevent cell damage. Research by the National Library of Medicine suggests that EGCG has also proven to prevent chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Go EGCG! 
2. May improve brain function. Green tea doesn't just keep you alert, but also helps boost brain function in general. The synergetic presence of caffeine and L-theanine is responsible for this amazing advantage. L-theanine has anti-anxeity effects, increases dopamine, and produces alpha waves in the brain. This combination of caffeine AND L-theanine have a much milder and different kind of buzz in green tea versus coffee - cough, cough, that means no jitters!
3. Increases fat burning by boosting the metabolic rate. An interesting fact: most fat-burning supplements in the market almost always include green tea in their ingredient list because of this benefit. In conclusion? Ditch the expensive supplements for a relaxing cup of green tea or a cool iced matcha latte!
4. Includes lots of antioxidants. This means that green tea helps protect the body against oxidative damage, which if untreated, leads to chronic inflammation which eventually leads to cancer. So the antioxidants in green tea may be lowering chances of various cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer!
5. May help protect the brain from aging. The bioactive compounds in green tea can also help prevent Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and reduce the risk of dementia. Power to the brain!
6. May reduce bad breath. Apparently, the catechins in green tea can suppress the growth of bacteria in your mouth, which then means less chances of dragon breath!
7. May help prevent type 2 diabetes. Green tea can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. A study in Japan showed that individuals who drink the most green tea has about 42% lower risk of type 2 diabetes! Mind-boggling! 
8. May help prevent cardiovascular disease. This includes heart disease and stroke, the two leading causes of death worldwide according to a study by WHO. 
9. May help in weight loss. Green tea might help reduce body fat, especially in the abdominal area (usually the hardest spot to loose fat!).
10. Might help us live longer! The compounds in green tea may help to protect against cancers and heart disease, so automatically, this aids in achieving a longer lifespan. 

Okay, so now what are the differences between green tea and matcha? Do the health benefits vary between the two? Find out below in this short episode of You Versus Good on the Well+Good Youtube channel. :)

Jasmine Tea 

The original flower tea that brings joy to your aromatic senses and comes with a chalk-full of powerful health benefits. Let's see what the hype behind this centuries-old delicate delight is all about!

According to the Tea Drops's blog, when a person consumes jasmine tea, they get all the benefits that come with black and green tea PLUS the extra added benefits of the fragrant jasmine flower. Jasmine tea is created with another tea base, usually green tea, but a white or black tea base can also be used. Hence, the benefits of black/green tea in addition to the advantages of the jasmine flower itself. The jasmine blossom adds a slightly sweet taste and a beautiful fragrance. In China, this tea is considered to be the most popular scented tea. Since its creation, crafting jasmine tea has become a true art and the process pays homage to its delicacy from the Chinese Dynasty era. 

But what are its health benefits?

Jasmine Tea:

1. Gives a natural glow to your skin. Want gorgeous, dewy, and glowing skin? Jasmine petals have deep cleansing properties and encourage natural healing in the skin. You don't have to apply the tea directly to your skin to get these benefits either. Consuming jasmine tea means consuming the polyphenols in it, which help you age gracefully by keeping free radicals out of your body. 
2. Is good for your hair. Jasmine tea is known for keeping the scalp healthy by fighting off unwanted fungus and bacteria. When you utilize green tea based jasmine teas, the caffeine found in this amazing combination may help to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. Isn't that awesome?!
3. Includes active compounds that reduce chances of cancer. This one seems to be a pattern for all teas. Jasmine tea also includes antioxidants, polyphenols, and the mighty ECGC, which are ALL incredible in fighting off cancerous cells. 
4. Improves gut health. The polyphenols in jasmine tea act like prebiotics in your body and help nourish the body's microbiome. Jasmine tea also helps your body keep high levels of cellular antioxidants that cut down inflammation. These are all necessary occurrences to keep a healthy and thriving gut!  
5. Improves brain functionality. Jasmine tea also includes a pinch of caffeine, but this particular variety of caffeine packs a punch! It accelerates the nervous system and boosts brain power, which aids in speeding up the natural conversations between the brain and body. Which in return, makes a person fully awake and productive. Don't worry though, jasmine tea also includes plenty of natural dopamine and serotonin, so it balances out for those with anxiety!
6. Keeps your cardiovascular system healthy. There is an abundance of catechins in jasmine tea that help stop LDL-oxidation, which means controlling your cholesterol levels. Jasmine tea also generally keeps heart cells healed and healthy!
7. Helps manage blood sugar. Thank the mighty ECGC compounds found in jasmine tea for this one. But, this is especially true when jasmine tea has a green tea base, like our Fairy Bomb tea!
8. Good for oral health. A green tea based jasmine tea can also brighten your teeth and reduce bad breath. Green tea brightens teeth, while jasmine helps eliminate bacteria that causes bad breath!
9. Aids in weight loss. Since jasmine tea is naturally sweet, so it can satisfy sugar cravings without actual sugar. Jasmine tea is also usually very low in calories, can increase metabolism by 5%, and increase the body's ability to burn body fat by 16% (according to the Tea Drops's blog).
10. Helps with sleep, insomnia, and overall mental health. Jasmine tea is a natural component of aromatherapy and this works wonders on the nervous system. For centuries, this beautiful plant has been used in China to fight depression, stress, and anxiety. Jasmine oil also affects the nervous system chemical, GABA, which causes a natural calming to the physical body. This explains why jasmine tea helps with sleep, as it encourages a parasympatheic nervous system response. This causes the body to relax, slow down, and prepare for some Z's! 

As concluded from the information above, jasmine tea is a powerhouse when combined with green tea! We actually carry a super mystical tea that does exactly the above. Meet Fairy Bomb by Par Avion Tea:

The Fairy Bomb Tea is a magical blooming tea packed into a cute little hand-tied ball that eventually bursts into beautiful jasmine flowers when seeped. Not only is this tea SUPER COOL, but it includes all the powerful benefits mentioned above since it happens to have a green tea base. Learn more about this tea and purchase it HERE.

Hibiscus Tea

This one is an age-old beauty secrete that aids in glowing skin. And, if it were to star in a movie, what better title to take inspiration from than PRETTY IN PINK!

Hibiscus tea, like any other tea mentioned in this blog post, includes amazing benefits like providing a ton of antioxidants, fighting inflammation, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, helping with weight loss, etc. But the factor that differentiates this tea from the rest is its beauty component. Hibiscus tea is REALLY GOOD for the SKIN. We found the below information on this beautiful tea via the Mind Body Green blog.

Hibiscus tea:

1. Supports the body's natural collagen production. The natural vitamin C in hibiscus tea helps the body make collagen naturally. In addition to increasing collagen synthesis, hibiscus also slows down collagen degradation because it's high in an antioxidant called myricetin. So skip those overpriced collagen supplements and sip on some yummy hibiscus tea!
2. May prevent elastin breakdown. Elastin is necessary to keep the elasticity in skin. Hibiscus helps the body decrease elastase activity so there is little to no elastin loss, which technically equates to preventing wrinkles and general skin aging!
3. Can ease inflammation from the inside out. As we mentioned earlier, hibiscus is very rich in antioxidants. The most powerful antioxidants it carries are vitamin C, beta-carotene, and anthocyanin.  All three of these antioxidants help to reduce oxidative stress, which contributes to aging and inflamed skin. 
4. Includes AHA's to exfoliate the skin. If you're a skincare junkie, you probably are well aware about the power of AHA's. Hibiscus contains malic acid and citric acid, which help to reduce hyperpigmentation and improve skin clarity. Next time you are browsing for a new skincare product, try to find one infused with some hibiscus leaves! 
5. May speed up wound healing. Since hibiscus is generally very good for the skin, it's said that it can also aid in healing broken and wounded skin. When applied topically, hibiscus can increase the production of fibronectin, a protein that heals, hydrates, and regenerates the skin. So, imagine what hibiscus tea can do from within! 

Lucky for you, we have a super pretty and super beneficial hibiscus tea in our shop! Meet Pink Mermaid by Par Avion Tea. Our hibiscus tea seeps naturally pink (#pinkaesthetic)! In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, Pink Mermaid is a combination of hibiscus AND berries! This means that you get all the benefits mentioned above, PLUS the extra antioxidants and vitamins you find in berries! A TRUE SUPER TEA!

What are you waiting for? Get yourself a Pink Mermaid! ;)

Blue (or Butterfly) Pea Flower Tea

Black and green teas are obviously the more popular and better known teas with various amazing health benefits. Then, you also have the oh-so-pretty teas like jasmine and hibiscus that also pack quite a health punch. But what about the more unique teas? Well now, we're left with the extremely unique and extremely enchanting blue pea flower tea - an electric blue herbal dream. You might have seen this blue tea emerge at trendy boba/bubble tea shops or at those fancy little cafes. This tea is making a scene for a pretty good reason! Let's learn about this eccentric and distinctive tea some more, shall we?

COOL FACT: Another name for blue pea flower tea is BUTTERFLY pea flower tea...HOW CUTE?! Other cool facts? Blue or butterfly pea flower tea comes from the plant, Clitoria Ternatea. This plant is found in South and Southeast Asia and has a history in traditional Ayurvedic treatment and medicine. The Clitoria Ternateaplant plant is also known for its electric blue flowers, hence the breath-taking color of the blue pea flower tea and the origin behind its intriging name. Taste-wise, this tea has a very woody and earthy flavor. Health benefit-wise, blue flower tea:

1. Helps with digestion. This tea is super rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body against free radical action, hence flushing out bad toxins. According to NetMeds, drinking a cup of blue pea flower tea just once or twice a week on an empty stomach can get rid of accumulated toxins in the body's system and vastly improve digestive health. - Nice! A natural detox!
2. Aids with mental health. According to the TeaFloor blog, the blue tea leaves have antidepressant and anti-stress properties. This tea is also a great adaptogen, which are molecules known to increase stress and anxiety resistance, bringing the body back to its natural calm and healthy state. The earthy flavor of the blue pea flower tea is also said to enhance mood and reduce anxiety. A great way to refresh your brain! Detox your body AND MIND!
3. Helps with weight loss. Blue pea flower tea is free of caffeine, carbs, fast, and cholesterol. It also purifies the gut of food wastes and impurities. This tea is known to regulate your appetite...so no binge or stress eating when consuming this beautiful tea!
4. Is great for your skin. The natural flavonoids in blue pea flower tea stimulate collagen production, which helps in developing and maintaining the skin's elasticity. And, since this tea detoxes the inside of the body naturally, the clearing of the stomach, liver, and kidneys, in turn, shows up on the face. It creates for a natural glow, evening out the skin tone and removing unwanted dark spots!
5. Is great for your hair and stimulates hair growth! Blue pea flower contains anthocyanin, a compound that increases blood circulation in the head and therefore helps to maintain a healthy scalp. This compound also helps to strengthen the hair follicles from within. This is pretty amazing for anyone experiencing hair loss!
6. Is anti-diabetic and anti-diuretic. Another cool fact found on the TeaFloor blog: blue pea flower tea acts similar to the anti-diabetic drug, glibenclamide. Blue pea flower tea basically prevents excess absorption of glucose. - A natural medicine! 
7. Keeps your heart healthy. Like all the other teas, blue pea flower tea is rich in antioxidants, which helps promote heart health. 
8. Great for you eyesight and eye infections. There is a natural abundance of proanthocyanidin complexes in blue pea flower tea. These complexes help lower discomfort, redness, and swelling in eye infections. These complexes also aid in preserving visual organelles, retina, cornea. They also heal glaucoma and hazy vision!

Amara's Enchanted Forest actually carries a very unique blue pea flower tea called Unicorn Tears by Par Avion Tea. 

Unicorn Tears has a green tea base with blue pea flowers and rosehip. Say hello to all the combined benefits of green tea AND blue pea flower tea! Our mind-boggling tea also has a SUPER COOL EFFECT where it seeps blue and turns purple when lemon is added! You can find Unicorn Tears HERE. 

Oh wow, that was a lot of information to digest! We hope you absorbed it all sippin' on your favorite tea! <3

Also, please check out these AMAZING tea-based blogs we ran across: