Debunking 5 crazy herbal tea myths
Many of us these days depend on caffeinated beverages, with our busy schedules and full workloads. We tend to know a lot about coffee, and not a lot about caffeine-free beverages such as herbal tea. Before we even begin to debunk our myths, there is always one huge misconception between herbal tea and tea! Herbal tea is not technically a true tea, as it does not derive from the Camellia sinensis plant (i.e. the plant that is used to create black, oolong, green, and white teas). Instead, herbal tea is an infusion or blend of various leaves, fruits, bark, roots, or flowers belonging to almost any edible, non-tea plant. In Europe and other areas of the world, herbal teas are commonly known as tisanes. And, what we think we know about herbal tea often isn’t even true!
Drinking tea green tea burns fat
Although green tea technically isn’t a herbal tea, this is a very common misconception! There have been many articles written about the magical properties of green tea that will help you lose weight fast, but unfortunately, this isn’t quite true. These articles suggest that green tea contains a stimulant that will supposedly boost your metabolism. Although green tea can boost your metabolism, it isn’t enough to burn fat on its own. If you’re looking to lose weight, start by lightly exercising for 30 minutes a day and try swapping out sugary beverages for a cup of herbal infusions! Further, herbal infusions that marry herbs that are proven to boost metabolism and aid loss are a much better option, such as our Slim Tea.
Tea never expires
A question we always get; tea doesn’t go bad or expire, right? While tea does last for a generous amount of time, it’s not as long as you might think. Loose-leaf tea will expire approximately 6 to 12 months in the pantry and 1 to 2 years in the freezer. Herbal infusions tend to last about 1 to 2 years as well.
Pregnant women can drink tea as a substitute for coffee
Pregnant women should not drink coffee due to its high caffeine content, and that is a scientifically backed fact! However, a very common myth we see is that pregnant women think they may replace coffee with green tea; unaware that green tea also contains a fair amount of caffeine. We recommend selecting a herbal infusion that is caffeine-free, however, if you are pregnant always talk to your physician about all herbal products before you consume them.
Hot tea is healthier than iced tea
False. Iced tea is actually much more popular than hot tea in the United States! Homemade iced tea can be as healthful as hot tea, as long as you brew it yourself. But you do have to drink more iced tea to get the same benefit as hot tea, as adding ice dilutes the tea and reduces the volume of flavonoids and nutrients per tea bag.
All herbal teas taste the same
“It’s herbal tea, they all taste the same!” - if only we had a dollar every time we heard this. The name “herbal tea” insinuates that it’s going to taste like, well, herbs. But there are so many different herbs with various flavours and distinctions! When these are paired with other natural fruits and flavours as we do at Tipson, each blend offers something completely unique!
So we’ve debunked some of the most common myths about herbal teas and hopefully given you a better understanding of how to get the best out of your infusions. But if there are any more questions, don't be afraid to drop us a message on any of our social channels! We have been making fine herbal infusions for over 10 years so can offer expert advice on everything from which herbs work well together to what type of water is best. To find out more head to www.tipsontea.com today!