Fruit Tea Benefits

The world of Tea is changing. Recent statistics suggest that Black Tea sales have dropped by 5% in less than half a decade. In comparison, popularity in Fruit Teas and Tisanes, as well as Herbal infusions, has risen by 8%.

There are several reasons for this dramatic shift. Firstly, people are beginning to become more adventurous with their morning cuppa. Secondly, drinking Tea for its health benefits has become increasingly trendy. Thirdly, Fruit Teas and Tisanes taste great.

What’s your reason for choosing Fruit Tisane Tea? If you remain undecided, this article will help you to make up your mind once and for all. We will answer some of your most frequently asked questions, including:

• What are Tisanes?
• Difference Between a ‘Tea’ and a ‘Tisane’?
• Are Fruit Teas Good For You?
• Caffeine in Tisanes?
• Where to Buy Fruit Tea?

What are Tisanes?

A fruit Tisane tea, as the name suggests, is a beverage that uses brewed fruit. It doesn’t, however, contain any leaves from the Camellia sinensis (Tea) plant. This means that, technically, it isn’t a ‘Tea’ in the conventional sense. This is why you’ll sometimes hear the term ‘Tisane’, which refers to a beverage void of Tea leaves. Despite having its own distinctive name, the term ‘Tea” has stuck.

What are the origins of the word ‘Tisane’? And why isn’t it a name used more often? There are suggestions that it comes from the Greek word  “ptisanē”. In ancient times, a ptisanē was a drink made from crushed grains of pearl barley.

Another theory is that it comes from a combination of two languages. Some countries spell “Tea” as “Ti”. Put this in front of the French word for “without”, which is “Sans”, and you have “Tea without Tea”.

The reason this term hasn’t caught on is for marketing purposes. Put simply, it makes more sense for the Tea Industry to market their products as Teas even when they aren’t!

Nevertheless, if you ever want to impress your friends and family when they come round for a cuppa, you know the word to use! Just be sure to use it correctly!

Flavours and Ingredients:

The possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to these delectable beverages. You name the fruit, and it can most likely go in your morning brew. Initially, the industry kept things simple with ingredients such as raspberries, oranges and blueberries. While such Fruit Teas remain popular, there are now thousands of others to choose from.

Today, expert Tea blenders use cherries, apples, blackcurrants, peaches, mangoes and even boysenberries. Some have lemons, strawberries, passion fruit, kiwis, pomegranates, and yes, believe it or not, pumpkins.

There are also types to include a variety of herbs and spices. Many Fruit Teas will contain hibiscus, for example. Others might have liquorice, ginger or lemongrass. It’s worth noting that The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company stock Fruit Teas with all of the delicious ingredients mentioned above - and more.

Caffeine in Tisanes

The absence of Tea leaves ensures that all Fruit Teas are caffeine-free. Some people may see this as a health benefit, particularly those who’re sensitive to caffeine.

Furthermore, NHS Choices recommends that pregnant women, for example, do not exceed 200 mg of caffeine per day. This is the equivalent of 2 cups of Coffee. However, when it comes to these beverages, you don’t have to worry about any caffeine at all!

Are you looking for a caffeinated beverage but also the scrumptious taste of Fruit Tea? There is the option of choosing a middle-ground: Flavoured Tea. Such brews contain both Tea leaves and fruity flavours.

Why not consider trying our Pineapple Black Tea? Alternatively, we have our Cucumber and Melon Green Tea. There are many more waiting to be discovered.

Fruit and Tisane History

Did you know that Tisanes date back further than so-called ‘real’ Tea? According to legend, a Chinese Emperor named Shennong discovered Green Tea in 2737 BCE.

Despite this, historians today suggest that people made infusions using fruits and herbs long before then! In India, for example, adherents to Ayurveda, an ancient holistic healing practice, had for centuries prior to the discovery of Tea, made “Kadhas”.

Kadhas were, and still are, infusions made from a combination of fruits, herbs and spices. According to Ayurvedic Medicine, they balance the three ‘doshas’ in the body.

Nevertheless, one of the most noteworthy moments in the history of Fruit Tea was a relatively ‘recent’ occurrence. Indeed, they played a small yet significant role in the birth of a nation.

In 1773, the people of the 13 American colonies had grown tired of extortionate British taxes on Tea. As a result, a small group of protestors dressed up as Native Americans, boarded a ship in the Boston Harbor, and dumped 342 chests of Tea into the water. This became known as the Boston Tea Party, and was one of the sparks that led to the American Revolution (1775-1783).

Years later, the British set up naval blockades around American ports. Imports of Tea soon dried up. As an alternative, many soon-to-be US citizens brewed up locally found ingredients. Beverages made from peppermint, camomile and berries became all the rage during this time. Eventually, they became known as “Freedom Teas”.

Nowadays, however, people tend to choose such Teas less for starting revolutions and more for their taste and health benefits. Modern science has uncovered numerous ways in which their frequent consumption can improve daily life.

Health Benefits of Fruit Tisanes

It’s a common misconception that Fruit Teas aren’t healthy. It all depends on your perspective, as well as the ingredients found in your brew. Oranges, for example, contain magnesium, which can maintain cardiovascular health.

This particular citrus fruit also has high levels of Vitamin C, which supports the immune system. If your Fruit Tea has Hibiscus, its full of Health Benefits. This herb can lower blood pressure, provide liver protection and relieve menstrual discomfort. To find out more information, read our “Hibiscus Tea Benefits” blog.

But, for now, let’s stick with the fruits. Many ingredients found in these Tisanes boast a variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Antioxidants, in particular, can combat free radicals in the body, thus slowing down the natural, though harmful, process of oxidation. This ultimately reduces the risks of developing numerous chronic conditions. Studies suggest that it can prevent cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.

Other fruit tea benefits include:

• Stress Relief: Did you know that chronic stress disrupts our sleep and blood sugar levels? This, in turn, can lead to increased hunger and comforting eating. Ironically, this then leads to even more disrupted sleep and blood sugar levels. Ultimately, a cruel circle such as this one can not only cause unhealthy levels of body fat but also, very potentially, type-2 diabetes. The answer? Stop stress at the source. Brew up a cup of Fruit Tea and spend some much-needed ‘me’ time relaxing on the sofa or in the bath.
• Less Sugar: The vast majority of Tisanes contain only the natural sugars found in the ingredients. This makes these Teas an excellent alternative to other sugary and fatty beverages such as soft and fizzy drinks. When you want something to quench your thirst, why not brew up a cuppa instead of opening a can of cola? Expect the same great taste without the unwanted guilt!
• Fruit Tea Pregnancy: Unlike some Herbal Teas, which medical professionals occasionally advise against drinking while pregnant, Fruit Teas are completely safe to drink. (The only Herbal infusion recommended by some midwives is Raspberry Leaf Tea, which you can find out more about in our blog). Having a fruity cuppa or two a day makes for an excellent alternative to ‘real’ Tea while pregnant. However, should you have any concerns, The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company will always recommend a medical consultation.

Where to Buy Fruit Tisane Tea

The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company stock a wide range of Fruit Teas and Tisanes. We have a type to suit every personal taste and palate.

Whatever your preferences might be, you’ll be hard pressed to find better quality and consistency than right here! Take a few minutes to browse our vast selection, or choose one (or more!) of our favourites below:

Boysenberry Fruit Tea

Boysenberries are bramble forest fruits. They are a hybrid of blackberries, loganberries, raspberries and American dewberries. It has the combined tasting notes of all four berries.

To this, we add orange peel, hibiscus flower, rosehips and apple pieces. There is no denying that this is a match made in heaven. Enjoy this flavoursome infusion morning, afternoon or evening with its sweet notes and tart undertones.

When it comes to health benefits, it has even more to offer. Boysenberries contain considerable levels of potassium. This component, according to scientific research, can preserve bone mineral density. You can buy Boysenberry Fruit Tea here on our website.

Tropical Fruit Tisane

Evoke beautiful images of sun-kissed paradises half a world away with our Tropical Fruit Tisane. Experience intense citrusy flavours with distinct notes of passion fruit, papaya and hibiscus. This delectable infusion is a delight to the senses. It is wholesome to the last sip, with an indulgently sweet aftertaste.

We’ve all heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. But what about the other ingredients found in this Tea? Hibiscus, without a doubt, is a great accompaniment to a healthy and active lifestyle.

Furthermore, the antioxidants in passion fruit and papaya can support cardiovascular health. Some studies even suggest that such antioxidants can improve skin health!

Winter Romance Fruit Tisane

It doesn’t have to be summer to enjoy Fruit Teas. Our Winter Romance Fruit Tisane makes for an excellent choice while huddled up by a roaring fire. Share it with a loved one while the snow is falling outside. Expect notes of cinnamon and apple with almond undertones and a sweet hibiscus tang.

One particular ingredient found in this Tea can improve one’s wellbeing: rosehips. This fruit, a product of the rose plant, contains Vitamins A, B-Complex, D, E and K. It also has calcium, carotenoids, flavonoids, magnesium, pectin, potassium, sodium, sulphur, tannins and zinc. What more could you want from your morning cuppa?

Lemon and Ginger Loose Tea

We would be remiss not mentioning the most famous Fruit Tea of them all. Indeed, beverages rarely get more traditional than our nutritious Lemon and Ginger Tea. This infusion contains exceptionally high levels of Vitamin C. For this reason, it’s the Tea of choice for when one is feeling ‘under the weather’.

Furthermore, ginger can, according to a 2012 study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, provide menstrual relief. It saw 120 participants suffering from dysmenorrhea split into two groups.

The first group consumed ginger extract three times a day. The second group had a placebo. At the end of the study, the results indicated that the ginger group experienced significantly less pain.

When it comes to the taste, our ever-popular Lemon and Ginger Loose Tea has a strong, almost sharp zesty note of lemon combined with notably ‘zingy’ herbaceous undertones. It indeed packs a punch with every sip.