My family is from the South, so growing up Tea was “Sweet Tea”. We would go to my Grannies and she would have a pitcher always made up in the refrigerator. I have fond memories of sitting in the backyard looking out over the hillside past the big red barn(another story later on my obsession on barns)and having conversations with my Granny. My parents divorced when I was 6 and when my Dad would come to pick me up for the Summer we would head to Kentucky and Sweet Tea. My Granny and my Dad have been gone for awhile now but the tradition continues when I go to visit my Aunt.
My mom remarried we moved to a farm in Illinois and new traditions started, one of them being Sun Tea.
We would fill a glass jug with tea bags and water(at the beginning it was well water) and set out in the morning sun and by afternoon we would have “Sun Tea” At the time we bought whatever tea bags were at our local grocery store. Tea was an everyday drink in our diet, my parents were not big believers in pop. So I grew up drinking black tea with no sugar and thinking that was the norm.
When I went away to College and discovered Coffee Houses that carried teas, lots of different types of teas and that is when my fascination and love of teas started. Green, black, white, oolongs, rooibos’s all of the different flavors, aromas, strengths and that did not even include learning about all the health benefits of each type.
Here at Bee Fresh Farm, we are delving even deeper into the health benefits of Teas, especially Yerba Mate’. Jeff and I are custom blending teas for different health reasons. We are combining Yerba with greens and whites and creating an aromatic, tantalizing treat to your taste buds while giving your body a healthy boost.
We will be hosting Tea Tastings, Tea Parties, Tea Pairings, Doing videos on all types of teas, Showing ways to get kids excited about teas.
Journaling on the different types of teas. Stay tuned and Bee in the Tea Moment with us.
THESE ARE A FEW OF THE TEAS THAT WE BLEND AND SERVE AT OUR TASTING. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST IN OUR BREAKFAST BASKETS OR JUST AS A REFRESHING JAR AVAILABLE UPON ARRIVAL.
RED ROOIBOS:
HEALTH BENEFITS OF ROOIBOS INCLUDE ITS ABILITY TO CURE HEADACHES, INSOMNIA, ASTHMA, ECZEMA, BONE WEAKNESS, HYPERTENSION, ALLERGIES, AND PREMATURE AGING. THIS TEA IS ABSOLUTELY FREE FROM CAFFEINE CONTENT AND IS ALSO LOW IN TANNINS. DRINKING ROOIBOS TEA CAN FURTHER EASE SEVERE STOMACH CRAMPS, AS WELL AS BRING RELIEF FROM ASTHMA AND OTHER RELATED CONDITIONS. IT ALSO BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.
RED ROOIBOS TEA HAS NO OXALIC ACID AND THEREFORE, IT CAN BE CONSUMED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE KIDNEY STONES. IT IS KNOWN TO RELIEVE STRESS, NERVOUS TENSION, AND HYPERTENSIVE CONDITIONS. ROOIBOS TEA IS ANTI-INFLAMMATORY IN NATURE, WHICH MEANS THAT IT REDUCES BLOOD PRESSURE AND SCAVENGES FREE RADICALS LIKE OTHER ANTIOXIDANTS. QUERCETIN AND OTHER POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT FOUND IN ROOIBOS TEA HAS BEEN LINKED OT PREVENTING A WIDE VARIETY OF HEART CONDITIONS. IT PROMOTES AN INCREASE IN HDL CHOLESTEROL(GOOD CHOLESTEROL) AND INHIBITS THE LDL CHOLESTEROL(BAD CHOLESTEROL) FROM BINDING TO THE WALLS OF ARTERIES AND BLOOD VESSELS. ROOIBOS TEA CAN BE USEFUL FOR SMALL CHILDREN WHO SUFFER FROM COLIC OR STOMACH PAIN.
SENCHA:
SENCHA TEA HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED A BRAIN STIMULANT, AND THE ANTIOXIDANTS FOUND IN THE TEA ARE ABLE TO STIMULATE NEURAL PATHWAYS AND PREVENT OXIDATIVE STRESS IN THE BRAIN, WHICH RESULTS IN THE DEPOSITION OF PLAQUE. THIS TEA IS HELPFUL FOR KEEPING YOUR MIND SHARP AND FOCUSED, EVEN AS YOU AGE, AND LOWERS YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING ALZHEIMERS’S AND DEMENTIA. SENCHA TEA IS INFUSED WITH MANY EXCELLENT HEALTH BENEFITS, INCLUDING ITS ABILITY TO LOWER THE RISK OF CANCER, PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASES, REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE, BALANCE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS, AID IN WEIGHT LOSS, PROTECT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, INCREASE ENERGY AND STIMULATE COGNITIVE ACTIVITY.
WHITE TEA:
HEALTH BENEFITS OF WHITE TEA INCLUDE A REDUCED RISK OF CANCER, CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS, AND AN IMPROVEMENT IN ORAL HEALTH. IT HAS ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-AGING PROPERTIES WHICH HELP IN MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH AND WRINKLE-FREE SKIN. IT PROTECTS THE SKIN FROM HARMFUL EFFECTS OF UV RAYS; WITH ITS ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES, WHITE TEA ALSO PROTECTS THE BODY FROM VARIOUS INFECTION CAUSING BACTERIA. IT PROVIDES RELIEF TO DIABETICS FROM SYMPTOMS SUCH AS DECREASED PLASMA GLUCOSE LEVELS, INCREASED INSULIN SECRETION, AND EXCESSIVE THIRST. INTAKE OF WHITE TEA ASLO HELPS IN LOSING WEIGHT.
2 KEY INGREDIENTS IN ALL OUR BREWS:
There are 2 ingredients that we add to all the Teas we brew. Ginger and Hawthorne Berries.
Ginger-This spice has anti-inflammatory properties that promote the elimination of pollutants from the lungs. Ginger is in the same family of spices of turmeric and cardamom.
Gingerol is the bioactive component in Ginger that gives it the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help the body fight off infections and boosts the body’s natural immune system.
Since Ginger is high in anti-inflammatory benefits it can play a role in reducing swelling and helping prevent serious illness in the body, from cancer to heart disease.
Instead of reaching for Pepto-Bismol when you have an upset stomach or nausea, think about using an alternative such as Ginger. For centuries Ginger has been used as a way to help an upset stomach. Ginger is helpful for dealing with minor nausea such as beginning Morning Sickness to helping with an upset stomach caused from going thru Chemotherapy.
Ginger can help with Muscle aches and pains with no side effects commonly found with prescription drugs.
The Gingerol in Ginger has found to help with the pain and stiffness associated with Arthritis.
Gingerol has anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to contain cancer-fighting agents.
The Benefits of Ginger in fighting Heart Disease:
Research has shown by consuming small amounts of Ginger on a regular basis can lower the lipoprotein levels which will help alleviate pressure on the heart and circulatory systems. Ginger has been shown to reduce fat levels in the blood, which can reduce cholesterol and lower the workload on the veins, arteries, and heart.
Oatmeal for breakfast or as a snack has been shown to reduce cholesterol, sprinkle ginger on top for an additional healthy punch.
Boost the cognitive part of your brain to increase brain functionality (Sencha/Green Tea with Ginger) Ginger has been shown to aid in memory especially in women.
Your dental health can be improved with Ginger, because of the high anti-inflammatory benefits it fights against bacteria in your mouth that can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis
HAWTHORNE BERRIES-STRENGTHENS YOUR IMMUNE AND CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Hawthorne Berries are high in Vitamin C which boosts the activity of your White Blood Cells. Our White blood cells fight off infection and disease. They are very high in antioxidants which help eliminate free radicals and toxins from the body. They can help reduce the levels of blood fat buildup (cholesterol) and help with the prevention of build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries.
Hawthorne Berries contain a compound that helps to stabilize your blood pressure. They neither raise or lower your BP when you consume them. They aid the cardiovascular system by bringing your BP to a healthy level.
Hawthorn Berries contain flavones which enhances the function of the cardiac enzymes which help the heart fight off stress. They help increase the blood flow to the heart while strengthening the blood vessels.
Always check with your doctor if you are on any medications.
Some interesting Facts about Hawthorne Berries
They are in the same family as apples and roses. We blend rose petals, Hawthorne berries with our Rooibos for a delightfully fragrant warm and inviting caffeine free Tisane. (Tisane is the French word for Herbal Tea)
They have been used for centuries in Greece and Asia for making medicines. All parts of the Hawthorne Berry, (flowers, leaves, bark, berries, stems) are edible, which made this plant very valuable in times of famine.
In the late 1800s, alternative health practitioners from Europe successfully introduced the use of Hawthorn Berries for treating Cardiovascular problems to the US.
They have also been used to successfully treat Edema(excess fluids) and Gout.
Hawthorn Berries offer a multitude of Health Benefits when combined with other herbs.
We make a Rooibos tea with Hawthorne Berries and Lemon Balm to help with anxiety and calm the nerves which are good for reducing insomnia.
Chamomile and Elderberry Health Benefits
Chamomile and Elderberry are two herbs that can be used in a Custom Blend Tea either by themselves or added with other herbs in either a Green, White or Red blend.
Chamomile is a daisy-like flower in the Asteraceae plant family, which also contains sunflowers and marigolds.
Uses of Chamomile can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, it was used to treat fevers and as an early cosmetic aid.
It has the flavor that is both herbal and slightly fruity. The name is derived from the Greek Words “Chamai melon” which means ground apple. It has a sweet scent when it is brewed.
We are generally asked to blend this herb in our teas for folks who are having sleep or anxiety issues.
Chamomile has apigenin, which is an antioxidant that binds to certain receptors in the brain that can help promote relaxation and sleepiness and help reduce insomnia. Chamomile Tea can increase serotonin and melatonin, these two hormones help to alleviate the feelings of stress.
When stress is reduced, you can fall asleep faster and deeper. A good nights sleep moves the body into a healthier state and able to cope better with the day to day stress.
The antioxidant, apigenin has also been shown to fight cancer cells, especially those associated with skin, prostate, breast, digestive tract and uterus.
Chamomile Tea can also be used topically. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help relieve skin irritations such as eczema and rosacea. The tea can also be added to a relaxing bath(tub tea) to help relieve itchy skin. Apply the cold tea as a rinse to your scalp to help with dandruff, itchy scalp and to lighten hair.
One of my favorite night time teas is a Peach Rooibos with Chamomile and a touch of mint honey. Yummmm.
Elderberries
Native Americans and herbalists have used elderberries for their wide range of health benefits. The most prominent is the ability to boost the immune system to help the body fight off colds, flu and other respiratory infections.
Ancient Egyptians used to help with burns and improve their complexions.
Elderberries are the fruit from the Sambucus tree. They are rich in flavonoids, anthocyanins(have 3x the antioxidant power of vitamin E) which give them their deep purple color. They are a strong antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects.
Elderberry tea has been shown to help soothe the symptoms of colds, such as headache, fever, fatigue, sore throat and coughing. Elderberries are also high in fiber, a serving provides one-fourth of your daily requirement. This fiber-rich berry can help improve digestion. The berries also contain significant amounts of calcium, iron, and potassium which helps to strengthen bones and bone mineral density, which can reduce the risk for osteoporosis.
Vitamin A is also significant in the Elderberry and can help boost vision health.
They contain phenolic acids which are compounds that are a powerful antioxidant which can help reduce the oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative Stress can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for heart and vascular disease. It has been shown that elderberries can help with the increase in insulin secretion and help improve blood sugar levels, which is important in preventing these diseases.
Elderberries can also be used in a cleansing program. The Tea can help to relieve constipation and also be a diuretic.
Elderberry tea is made from the flowerheads of the shrub and is often combined with cinnamon, ginger, and mint.
My grandmother used to make elderberry juice and jam. She had a root cellar filled with delicious home canned goodness. When I visited from college we would go to the cellar and pick out jams and jellies, freshly canned dill pickles(my favorite) and take them back to school with me.
