Black tea
Despite the growing number of trendy coffee shops, tea remains Britain’s favourite hot drink with a cup of black tea continues to be a staple in many households. It can be customised to suit your tastes – strong, weak, bitter or sweet – and served plain, with milk or a slice of lemon. Whether it’s a morning brew, an excuse for a break at work, or an accompaniment to an elegant afternoon tea, you can’t beat the restorative warmth of a cup of tea.
Made from the leaves of the camellia sinesis plant, which is grown in countries such as China, India and Sri Lanka, black tea gets its strong flavour and colour as a result of a longer oxidation process compared to green and white tea. This process also means black tea has higher levels of caffeine, making it the perfect alternative to a coffee.
Black tea comes in a selection of flavours, including Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Chai, Lapsang Souchong and Darjeeling. If you’re looking to reduce your caffeine intake, there’s also decaf versions of black tea, with at least half the amount of caffeine as regular black tea.
Is drinking black tea good for you?
Studies have found that drinking black tea can lower the risk of heart disease. Black tea also has antioxidants that help to increase healthy cell growth and general health. The antioxidants also help inhibit the growth of bad bacteria in the gut and promote the growth of good bacteria, to improve gut health.
Is black tea good for the skin?
Black tea is full of antioxidants and polyphenols which are associated with delaying skin ageing. Drinking or using the used tea bags directly onto the skin can help flush out toxins in our body that cause blemishes and hydrate the skin, too.
Should you drink black tea every day?
The polyphenols in black tea have been shown to soothe stomach issues and reduce diarrhoea, making it a healthy way to balance gut bacteria daily. Drinking black tea every day can also reduce oral issues such as bad breath, as well as helping to maintain a healthy weight due to the caffeine stimulation.