Restorative, Delicious Tea

Tea was a drink rarely made and served in my childhood family of coffee drinkers. I loved the smell of coffee beans, however, whenever I grocery shopped with mom. The incredible aroma spilling out of the mill, as it ground the beans into the fine milled product needed to make coffee, was euphoric to this tea drinker child. It had been my job to grind the coffee while mom shopped in the grocery store for the family's predictable products of the week. (There was no car in our household. Mom and dad did not drive.). ... Tea never received top billing, back then. Then I grew up and saw a different story.

Today, coffee is only important to me if it is in a chocolate or mocha cake,. Though I never developed the taste for this popular world-wide brew, my husband loves it, once, daily. Once, as a teen, while on my way home from work, I stepped into the local delicatessen to buy my dear dad a few baked goodies. (He was a devotee of sweets). I was given a sample cookie to taste and proceeded to choke. Coffee was given to me to stop the episode from getting worse, the only time I have ever had this popular drink. I drank it quickly while holding my breath. I had a decision to make: drink or choke. The taste of this famous brew that has spawned the creation of multi-billion dollar coffee industry, in all configurations, worldwide, was never been appreciated by me.

As a teen, I rarely made tea, but when I did it was usually late in the day, with orange juice added. (Never milk). No attention was ever paid to the making or drinking of this hot beverage. Now it is a priority in my life. Back then, it was simply a hot drink, not in the same category as coffee. Tea choice was limited to what was available in grocery stores and served when company came to visit. (I was not company). Tea is now my daily, go-to-drink for every imaginable health concern or just for drinking pleasure.

A new class of hot beverages called Chinese teas entered my life when I was introduced to a culinary delight called dim sum, by my husband, in the early 80's. During this afternoon eating indulgence, I began my lifelong passion for the bite-sized morsels of shumai, chung fung and Chashio bao, the tasty dishes of over 500 choices, along with unending pots of soothing green tea. My passion for green tea and others began my life-long journey towards health strength.

Oolong, jasmine green,  green, kombucha, white, black, and now rooibos are my high priority teas. Other teas: hibiscus, licorice root and dandelion, have now been added to my repertoire of 'medicinal aids'. Green tea is my tea of choice when dining out and my beverage accompaniment to pizza. Whenever I wish to accelerate the removal of carbs from my body, I usually visit my tea box, of which there are three, and choose my heart's delight. Processing carbs requires water, I learned many years ago. Drinking plain tea is like drinking water but with added health benefits. I drink it cold with added honey and lemon for a thirst quenching and healthy alternative to soda pop.

Tea helps boost metabolism, increases bone density, aids in heart health, and helps strengthen and promote hair growth. I drink Chinese teas the only way they were meant: plain or with a slice of lemon. Years ago, a new tea entered my life: rooibos, an african red tea that is caffeine-free and a 'proven' cancer fighter. (Research says so). It is an important part of my healthy diet. Our 'western' nephew, having returned to his birth province of Saskatchewan, years ago, informed me of this new mellow tea, with its intriguing cancer-fighting properties. (Our dogs have been getting it - naturally caffeine-free - in their diet, for years, as it as an aid in combating inflammation, the basis of disease). Caffeine can kill a dog! Case studies involving men and women, at different ages and stages of the dreaded disease showed rooibos's affect on reducing cancer's cells. Its merit in a dog's diet was upheld further in a dog wellness magazine, a recommendation supported by the author of the article, a naturopathic veterinarian. Oh, My.

At most functions, tea is not the main beverage attraction. Coffee is. All my life, tea was an everyday hot drink we took for granted. Not anymore. Research has now stated that tea is this beneficial liquid elixir, but made somewhat 'redundant' when milk is added. (It seems the proteins in milk inhibit the absorption of tea's antioxidants that destroy free radicals, the products of 'life')  Tea's reputation is now eclipsing that of its cousin, coffee. (Even coffee has its own rewards when served plain).

I revere my myriad of teas. They are my 'medicine' cabinet, my go-to drinks, next to water, with all food, even pizza. Teas overall health benefits, without milk's distraction, can never be underestimated. It is a tried and true centuries old liquid elixir, simple, accessible and oh so delicious. Coffee is not the only game in town.