One thing Canadians know about January through March is that no matter where you are across this country you can count on cold winter weather. And nothing takes the chill off those icy winter winds like a nice hot cup of tea!
Did you know that tea is the world's second most consumed beverage (after water)? When you consider the comforts of tea, it’s no wonder. Whether it's in front of a roaring fire, sitting at a harvest table with friends, or bundled and cozy on the family room couch, just having a cup of hot tea between your hands can be instantly soothing.
While you're sipping that lovely warm "cuppa," here are some tea facts to give you a warm feeling inside.
A special consideration in the winter months is that the weather is not just cold, it’s also dry—so it's important to stay hydrated. In that regard, tea is an excellent choice for keeping your body in good condition to face the dry winds of winter.
If hydrating your body makes you think of cola, coffee, or even an alcoholic beverage, think again! All of those drinks have diuretic properties, which means they cause your body to lose fluids at a faster rate. A cup of herbal tea—a flavourful, hydrating drink with no artificial ingredients—is a much better alternative.
In an article published in 2011 titled, Tea compared to water for hydration, the respected British journal Nursing Times cited “a high-quality clinical trial” that compared hydration levels in people drinking four mugs of tea, with their levels when drinking the same amount of water. The study concluded that, “Drinking four to six mugs of tea a day is as good for keeping you hydrated as a litre of water.”
Herbal teas such as Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger Herbal Tea blended with hibiscus, rosehips, and lemon grass, or Celestial Seasonings Herbal Chamomile Tea are great hydrating drinks for the winter months. They are sourced from natural ingredients and 100% caffeine-free. A bonus is that these herbal teas not only help in keeping you hydrated, but also relaxed and calm.
Knowing you are doing something good for your body when you enjoy a cup of tea certainly adds to the pleasure of the experience. But the benefits of tea go further than that.
Tea is traditionally associated with relaxation and renewal. Many people actually find that sitting down to a steaming cup of tea has a positive effect on their mood.
A cup of tea that’s perfectly relaxing can provide that gentle pick-me-up you need to keep your day going great.
Science backs up this feeling. A review of research conducted in 2013 by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that "Tea consumption has acute benefits on both mood and performance in real-life situations." The researchers noted that drinking tea, "consistently improved self-reported alertness and arousal," and also "showed beneficial effects in related areas such as work performance and creativity."
That means that next time you feel like taking a tea break, you can point out that medical science says it's good for both your mind and body!
And on that thought, have you ever asked yourself when is the best time to indulge in a nice hot cup of tea? The answer is any time!
Tea lovers can indulge their passion at any time of the year, not just the winter months. You can enjoy tea, whether hot or iced, all through the summer months as a refreshing rejuvenator.
And any time of day can be the perfect tea time. Many people wouldn't consider starting their day without a cup of hot tea over breakfast. Others love the ritual pleasure of high tea in late afternoon. And then there are the many comforts of a nighttime herbal tea before bed.
To excite your taste buds and bring a special thrill to the long winter months, you might consider a unique aromatic or seasonal tea.
For a sense of adventure, you could try Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice Herbal Tea, an arousing blend that’s like a trip to an exotic spice market in a faraway land. Or, to bring you the bountiful comforts of harvest time, try Celestial Seasonings Cinnamon Apple Spice Herbal Tea with an aroma that’s reminiscent of crisp autumn days.
Whatever the reason and whatever the season, you can make Hot Tea Month every month of the year!
What’s your favourite tea time? Leave a comment below and we’ll compare notes. We’d love to hear from you, our Canadian tea lover, about the moments in your life where a cup of hot tea seems to make all the difference!
Tea Fact Sheet 2018-2019
Tea Association of the USA Inc.
http://www.teausa.com/14655/tea-fact-sheet
Acute effects of tea consumption on attention and mood
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 30 October 2013
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/98/6/1700S/4577506
Tea compared to water for hydration
Nursing Times, 4 April 2011
