Coming from the tropical island of Sri Lanka and conquering the world with its rich flavour and flagrant aroma, Ceylon tea has been tea drinkers’ favourite for a long time. If you are a tea enthusiast who wants to find out more about the benefits of this beverage and some trivia you can share with friends, just pour yourself a cup, sit back in your chair and read on.
Brief History
Scottish explorer James Taylor brought a plant to a province in Sri Lanka, at the time called Ceylon, in the mid-1800s. He started a plantation and manufactured tea. The ideal climate on the island played a major role and over time Sri Lanka became one of the most successful tea producers around the globe.
Today, ”Ceylon” refers to the type cultivated in Sri Lanka using the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis, and that includes white, green and black varieties. It is also often used as the base in blends like Earl Grey or English Breakfast Tea. The varieties in flavour and aroma depend on the plantations’ location, high elevations or low valleys, temperature and humidity, therefore each province produces distinctive results.
What Makes Ceylon So Special?
Health stores, restaurants, and coffee and tea shops buy bulk Ceylon tea because of its popularity nowadays, so what are its secrets? This gift from nature is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols, a compound that neutralises harmful free radicals which could damage our cells and lead to conditions like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. It also contains proteins, caffeine, potassium and other ingredients, all of which make it a powerful hydrating drink with a range of health benefits.
Health Benefits
Helps Weight Management
Turn over a new leaf in your weight management with the help of Ceylon leaf tea. It boosts the metabolism, which in turn burns fat faster and more efficiently.
Studies have shown that black tea helps in reducing body weight by blocking the absorption of fat and helps activate enzymes involved in breaking down fat cells. On the other hand, the green variety is particularly effective at targeting weight loss because of the extract AR25, a natural combatant of obesity. According to a recent report, drinking four cups of tea a day over two months significantly reduces body weight and BMI.
Makes you think about getting bulk Ceylon tea and ditching the sugar, right?
Improves Heart Health
The potassium found in the leaves is an essential mineral for a healthy heart. This can relax the veins and arteries, reducing blood pressure and the risk of a heart attack. Additionally, other compounds in this drink lower cholesterol and regular consumption can potentially prevent stroke.
It’s Good for Your Skin and Bones
Staying hydrated is a proven factor for good skin and drinking tea is only one way to do that, it might just well be the best.
Black Ceylon contains some of the best vitamins for healthy skin cells, B2, C and E. Studies have shown that these vitamins assist the growth of new skin cells and help scar and wound healing.
The green variety has antioxidant and antibacterial properties, some of which reduce collagen loss, improve elasticity and reduce wrinkles and dryness. The abundance of antioxidants can also aid people who suffer from osteoporosis by reducing bone loss.
Aids the Mental Health
A cup of warm tea sounds relaxing. Science can back this up with some facts too. It’s not only the soothing aroma, but the compounds found in this drink are food for our brains. The catechins present in this drink have protective effects on neurons, which in turn decreases the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
The L-theanine in white Ceylon helps the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that lowers the activity of neurons, thus causing a calming effect. It reduces stress and anxiety, and even prevents depression.
The black variety improves mental alertness and acuity, a result of the increase in alpha-wave activity in the brain.
Regulates Blood Sugar and Controls Diabetes
Ceylon can prevent spikes and drops in blood sugar by aiding the regulation of glucose and insulin levels in the body. This makes it extremely beneficial to people who suffer from diabetes and need to maintain their blood sugar levels adequately.
Even people who like their drink sweet can find a mellower taste in this tea.
Boosts Immune System
Daily consumption of the black variety helps keep you safe from viruses and bacteria. By boosting your immune system it is an effective protection against inflammatory processes as well as oral health problems.
Has Cancer Prevention Properties
Although scientific studies in this field have only been conducted recently, there seems to be more evidence that catechins stall cell mutation and lower the risk of tumours being formed.
Brewing Tips
To get the best out of your cup of tea, brewing it properly is important.
For starters, use clean, filtered water. For black tea, you can bring it to boiling as it helps release the deep layers of flavour and aroma. However, for more delicate green and white varieties, you should keep the temperature lower. That way, you can bring out the bright, citrusy notes of the leaves.
- Preheating your cup is a good idea, as it will prevent your drink from cooling down too quickly.
- One teaspoon of tea leaves is enough for 200ml of water.
- Stir the leaves around as they steep to extract the flavour.
- Remove the leaves or bag and enjoy.
Since the leaves can absorb odours and moisture, to preserve their quality, keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Enjoy Your Drink!
There is no better way to start your day than with a cup of freshly brewed tea. The caffeine in it, although at a lower level than coffee, will give you the boost to start the day. Then, you can have one after lunch to help the digestion or just take a short break.
Finally, a cup of warm tea will help you wind down in the evening and ensure a good night’s sleep. And we know tea lovers will come up with a few more good reasons to stop and take a sip.
