The truth is, our lives are getting busier by the day. And tea time, which used to be an enjoyable tradition, has turned into a necessity of convenience for an individual. What used to be deliciously prepared tea in the comfort of our homes, has now evolved into short breaks during work hours, right outside the office buildings, at the local chaiwala. What your chaiwala will offer you is a milkier, sweeter version of your favorite blend, along with some form of tea time snacks. If that isn’t your jam, and health is your main concern, then a cup of green tea is the perfect fit for you, maybe paired with some healthy snacks.

Ultimately, there is not a single tea out there that cannot be enjoyed with some form of sweet or savoury tea time snacks.

6 Famous Tea Time Snacks and their Origin Stories

Some invented by accident, some evolved from other cultural dishes, every food item consumed today has had a beginning. Every tea time snack shares a diverse and colourful origin story with mentions in historical books. Here’s a list of the most famous tea time snacks that add the extra dip of satisfaction to our routine tea breaks.

1. Samosa : The samosa needs no introduction. It is the go-to snack of every Indian in the sub-continent. This deep-fried, triangular savoury is best served with a form of black milk tea, generally black ginger tea or kadak masala chai.  Samosas are a popular snack in the local cuisines of the Indian subcontinent, Western Asia, Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, the Horn of Africa, North Africa, and Southern Africa. However, unlike popular belief, the samosa did not originate in India. It is claimed to have originated in the Middle East (where it was known as sambosa) prior to the 10th century. It wasn’t until the 13th or 14th century when this food was introduced into India. What had started as a pie dish stuffed with mincemeat, dry fruits and spices, soon evolved into a vegetarian’s delight, prepared with flour stuffed with a mixture of mashed potatoes, onions, green peas, spices and green chilli. In today’s time, there are numerous variations of samosa all over the country known by various names. However, no matter what the name, samosas remains cult favourite tea time snacks till date and will continue to live on as one.
   
2. Baklava : Maybe one of the controversial origin stories of all time, the Baklava is a dessert dish enjoyed in the Middle East. The origin of this scrumptious delicacy is shrouded in confusing ethnic claims and undocumented histories. The story of baklava began long ago. As a matter of fact, one version of the story claims that it originated with the Assyrians.  Early 8th century records show that in ancient Assyria, people would prepare it by layering unleavened flatbread with chopped nuts in between, drenching it in honey and then baking it in wood-burning ovens. The present-day baklava has gone through numerous transformations and is prepared differently in various regions by the people of the Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, Balkans and Caucasia. Today, as tea time snacks, baklava is enjoyed with a refreshing cup of Turkish tea or Assam black tea.
3. Scones : Europe’s delight, scones are biscuit-like pastries or quick-breads, generally rolled into round shapes and cut into quarters, then baked, sometimes on a griddle. They can be savoury or sweet and are usually eaten for breakfast, but are also served with tea and coffee. Starting out as a Scottish quick bread in the early 1500s, they were originally made with oats and griddle baked, while today’s version is often made with flour and oven-baked. Considering scones are a people pleaser in Europe, they are best served with the English breakfast tea.
4. Wagashi : To call them ‘sweet’ tea time snacks would be misleading, for wagashi’s are Japanese confections prepared specially to accompany the bitter taste of tea. Prepared with plant ingredients like azuki beans and grains they are served regularly during Japanese tea ceremonies.  Though origins unknown, the earliest mentions of wagashi date back to the Yayoi period (300 b.c-300 a.c), when it referred to nothing more than fruits and nuts and was simply known as ‘kashi’, meaning sweet or confectionary. During the Nara Period (710-784), Japan, influenced by China’s grain processing skills, developed snacks such as ‘mochi’ and ‘dango’, both made from rice. By the Edo period, the Japanese adopted sugar as a common ingredient and soon started making wagashi, a confection reserved for delicious and artistic tea ceremonies. Today, wagashi is best served with matcha, pure green tea and oolong tea.
5. Crepes : France’s delectable staple, crepes seem like an odd pairing with tea, but in reality, the sweet yet salty flavour of crepes compliment the bitter and floral tea blends of almost all types. This international sensation in the form of tea time snacks originated from the humble region of Bretagne, in western France. Since not much grew in the rocky terrain of Bretagne, the arrival of buckwheat in the 12th century inspired all sorts of dishes, one of which was the crepe. Not just a delicacy, but a dish that holds cultural significance in France’s history, today crepes are served both sweet and savoury. From mushrooms and cream to Nutella and icing sugar fillings, crepes are every foodie’s delight. However, unlike popular belief, crepes can be best enjoyed with a light beverage like mint green tea, or vanilla green tea.
6. Vada Pav : The famous Vada pav is a gram flour coated, deep-fried, spiced mashed potato ball; sandwiched between slices of Mumbaiya style pav bread and some spicy red chutney masala. As known as the common man’s burger, vada pav is available at every street corner of Mumbai, India. Various food history documentations claim that this dish was created by a snack vendor who ran a street stall just outside Dadar station. Being an important station, Dadar was constantly spilling with hordes of commuters. In a moment of culinary innovation, the vendor reportedly came up with this recipe to satiate the hunger of the busy crowd, who preferred a snack they could consume on the go. Safe to say, the rest is history. Not only are vada pavs extremely delicious and light on the pocket, but they also pair well with the local’s favourite beverage, Bombay cutting chai. The life of ‘aamchi Mumbai’, vada pavs manage to keep everyone happy as their favourite tea time snacks, always.

The Importance of Tea Time Snacks

One of the most important parts of being human is parenting a sense of sanity in the form of a daily rhythm. You tend to establish that by trying to balance various aspects of your life into a regular day like work, relationships, social life, solidarity, etc. In between all these, are the tiny breaks called tea breaks that you take to retrospect, or maybe think of nothing at all, all the while enjoying your favourite healthful beverage- tea.

Tea time offers you a chance to slow your day down, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You can utilise this time to reconnect with friends and family. You can make use of this opportunity to strike a conversation with them or even get to know new people whom you’re willing to welcome in your life. Or, just use this time to relax and be away from the hustle bustle of your life.

The ultimate point is that it is these little things, like tea and tea time snacks, which help you live a much gracious and gratitude filled life. Just remember, that it is those little things that make big differences.

Abhishek Dixit

The post Chai Time Treats: Our Favourite Tea Time Snacks and their Origins appeared first on Teafloor Blog : All About Tea | Health Benefits of Tea.

Chamomile tea doesn’t just offer a yummy afternoon pick-me-up, it is also a bona fide miracle drink that can improve your health, treat your ailments and work as an excellent tea for weight loss.

Here’s How Chamomile Tea Works as a Tea For Weight Loss:

1. Fights Stress:

   Most of us become overeaters when we’re under a lot of pressure. Stress has a significant impact on the endocrine system, which is responsible for the regulation of hormones throughout our body. Too much stress can throw your entire hormonal balance out of whack, producing a ‘stress hormone’ known as cortisol. This can, in turn, result in a lower metabolism, which may lead to more cravings and weight gain. Not just this, but once your bodies reach a certain level of stress, it starts to believe that you may have consumed calories to deal with this stress. Here, your body’s ‘fight and flight’ system kicks in, telling you to replenish those calories. Chamomile tea acts as a de-stressing agent that wards off any effects that might affect your waistline negatively.

2. Helps You Sleep:

   Sleep is a vital factor during the weight loss process and even when trying to maintain your body weight. When you fail to get enough sleep, your brain looks for alternatives to stay awake and functioning. This leads to you choosing that extra slice of cake or that extra cup of latte every time you fail to complete your sleep cycle. Chamomile tea induces a sound sleep, which helps the body and mind rest. During sleep, your body produces a chemical nerve known as Serotonin. Serotonin is known for suppressing appetite and curbing unhealthy food cravings. Getting the right amount of sleep means the production of high serotonin, which means less untimely hunger pangs.

3. Stimulates Gastric Juices:

   The chemical digestion of proteins happens due to acidic digestive fluids that are secreted by the gastric glands, called gastric juices. Since these juices help to break down the food that you consume, they are essential for your weight loss as well. The lack of gastric juice production is why people find weight loss to be such a backbreaking task. When someone lacks gastric juices, they’re likely to suffer from a slow metabolism, blood sugar regulation issues, extreme cravings, low energy and sleep problems, and a variety of other issues. However, chamomile tea helps in stimulating gastric juices, which in turn help with proper digestion of food and promote weight loss.

4. Curbs Your Appetite:

   Everyone is well aware of how poor food cravings can lead to unnecessary weight gain. Not just this, cravings can often lead to overeating during a meal. Unlike chemically processed appetite suppressant pills, chamomile is a natural appetite suppressant. They work by tricking your brain into believing that you’re not hungry and that your stomach is full. Chamomile tea increases the levels of serotonin, which regulates your mood, appetite, and sleep patterns. If your brain believes you’re full then you won’t feel hungry. Therefore, a cup of chamomile tea before your meal is always a great idea. It fills you up, keeping your overall tendency to eat more under control.

   

5. Detoxes Your Body:

   Chamomile tea is rich in antioxidants which help get rid of free radicals that our body produces. Toxic waste, along with toxic fluids and excess water is expelled from the body with the help of antioxidants. This is crucial not only for losing weight but also helpful in reducing abdominal bloating. Chamomile as a tea for weight loss can turn out to be quite capable as it primarily facilitate proper digestion in the body, and an excellent digestive system is a key to healthy weight loss.

If you’re looking to lose weight, get fit or just become healthier, this potent drink should be a part of your daily routine. It can help you achieve an ideal weight because it’s rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin A. Chamomile tea isn’t some magical weight loss beverage, but it can serve as an aid in a healthy diet and a balanced lifestyle while helping you achieve an ideal weight.

Abhishek Dixit

The post Why is Chamomile Tea the Best Tea for Weight Loss appeared first on Teafloor Blog : All About Tea | Health Benefits of Tea.

The simplicity of combining tea, herbs and spices during the brewing process offers brew masters an endless array of flavors to play with. Because of this dexterity in tea’s nature, new things like Bubble tea, Cheese tea and Nitro tea, making the headlines everywhere. However, there are some popular teas that we look at in the menu and order without blinking, because we know that they will taste amazing. There are some blends and flavours that are just timeless.

Some Of The Most Popular Teas In The World:

1. English Breakfast Tea:

   In 1843, Richard Davis, an Englishman, moved to America on a determined quest to be the best in the tea business. This, ultimately, gave rise to one of the most popular teas in the world- The English Breakfast Tea. In 1844, Davis used the Fujian province Congou tea as the base, blended it with the Golden Orange Pekoe and Pouchong, and named it the ‘English Breakfast tea’. Marketed as ‘one of the most popular teas in England’, this new blend was unrivalled for a while, until another rival purchased his blend in bulk, which was examined by Chinese experts and reproduced. However, after the 2nd Opium War in 1856, a ban placed on all trade with China led to the customisation of a new blend of this tea. The new English Breakfast tea was a mix of Assam, Ceylon and Kenyan teas and was even more popular than the previous one. This tea is revered for its heavy malty flavour, with notes of honey and a smoky taste. While the texture of this tea is smooth with rich colour, it has a crisp mouthfeel. As the most favoured morning beverage all over the world, not only does it open your eyes but also adds the freshness to your day’s start.

2. Earl Grey Tea:

   One of the very first flavoured teas ever created, every tea lover has tried this tea at least once in their lifetime. Flavoured with bergamot orange oil, the Earl Grey tea is amongst the most popular teas of the world. The initial accounts of this tea date back to 1820s in England. However, the first commercial advertisement of Earl Grey appeared in the 1880s by Charlton & Co. Named after the Prime Minister of Britain in 1830s, Charles Grey (2nd Earl Grey), this tea was believed to be created for him as a diplomatic perquisite. Despite this, there are few other stories that travel around the origins of the Earl Grey tea. Some say that the tea master used bergamot as a flavoring to balance the lime flavor in the water of the Grey estate. Another version speaks of how the blend was created by accident, when a gift of tea and bergamot oranges were shipped together from China and the flavour of the fruit was absorbed by the tea. Despite its confusing history and origins, there is no denying the fact that the Earl Grey tea is a fan favourite. The flavour of this tea is slightly smokey with hints of citrus. Made with a blend of Indian and Ceylon teas, it is so popular that many variations of this tea has become a hit in the market like Lady Grey tea, Yorkshire Grey etc.

3. Masala Chai:

   When we talk of popular teas, missing the masala chai is a sin. A tea found in almost every coffee and tea house in the world, masala chai and India share a bond steeped in tales of centuries old royalty and herbal medicine. It is said to have been created by an Indian king as a cleansing, spicy- sweet drink without any tea leaves. However, in 1853, when tea leaves made their way into local markets, it gave rise to the now known blend of masala chai, complete with spices, milk, sweeteners and tea. Initially, it wasn’t as widely consumed as today, for black tea wasn’t easy to afford for the local buyer. Things changed drastically as the CTC tea was introduced into the markets in 1960s, and masala chai became the neighborhood’s ‘go to drink’. The CTC’s bold, tannin rich flavour sat well with the existing sweet and spiciness of the drink. From an antioxidant rich base to immunity boosting properties, Masala chai is loaded with benefits for drinkers. Today, an average person consumes 3-4 cups of masala chai every day.

   

4. Mint Green Tea:

   A kind of tea that can be drunk both hot and iced, Mint green tea is as popular as popular teas can get. Not only admired for its refreshing taste, mint green tea is also appreciated for its indigestion and stress relieving properties, among many other benefits. Initially known by the name- Maghrebi mint tea/ Moroccan mint tea- it is a simple combination of mint leaves and green tea (sometimes black). The earliest references to this tea date back to 12th century in the accounts of scholar and traveller, Ibn Battuta. In Maghreb, it was made with a mixture of tea leaves exported from overseas and mint that was locally grown, making it one of the first examples of globalisation of cuisine.

5. Darjeeling Tea:

   Grown in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, Darjeeling tea is one of the most popular teas from India. The origin of the Indian tea plantation was from the hills of Darjeeling, when in 1841, Archibald Campbell brought the plant seeds there as an experiment. By 1850s, tea was commercialised and the first tea garden in Darjeeling was opened in 1856. Processed in all forms, it has a thin bodied, light coloured liquor, a floral aroma with a tinge of astringent tannic and musky spiciness. Darjeeling tea comes in various varieties and grades, namely: First Flush, In Between, Second Flush, Monsoon Tea and Autumnal Flush. When sold, these teas are graded on the basis of size and quality into four basic grades- Whole leaf, Broken leaf, Fannings and Dust. Currently, there are 87 licensed estates spanning over the hills of Darjeeling and producing the finest grade its popular teas for all of the world.

6. Chamomile Tea:

   This famous tea has been around for centuries, with traces of its use dating back to over 2000 years. Famously called the ‘herbal medicine from the past with a bright future’, chamomile’s history begins in Egypt, 1550 BC. The flower multitasked as a remedy for fever, as well as a cosmetic product. Later on, the Romans used the flower to flavour drinks and incense. Chamomile is one of the most popular teas out there, considering that its average consumption is more than a million cups per day. Also known as the “Plant’s Physician” chamomile tea has different medical properties. It works as an Anti-inflammatory and Anti-cancer agent, all the while aiding in relief from cardiovascular and digestive ailments. In addition to this, chamomile tea has helped people with dermal conditions and osteoporosis for ages. Recently, it has been used as a remedy for anxiety and sleeping disorders. Not only is this tea filled with benefits for the human body, but also has a culturally rich past, which makes it a favourite of people all around the world.

While the list of popular teas is longer than this, there is no denying that the popularity of tea is skyrocketing day by day. Trends come and go. But being the most widely consumed beverage after water, tea is here to stay.

Abhishek Dixit

The post The World’s Most Popular Teas That You Should Know About appeared first on Teafloor Blog : All About Tea | Health Benefits of Tea.

Winter is the time for warmth, for comfort, for good food, for the touch of a friendly hand, and for a talk beside fire. It inspires both joy and blues. While some cannot wait for the cooler weather and the holiday season, others dislike the frigid temperatures and the ailments that follow the cold air. According to a research, a quarter of our DNA changes with the changing weather. During the winter months our bodies pump up the levels of many genes linked with inflammation, triggering symptoms like swelling and uneasiness that our bodies use to protect us from cold and flu. In summer, on the other hand, a different set of genes get highly expressed, including some that help regulate our blood sugar potentially and help us burn off excess fat.

This is because some germs prosper in colder weathers. In fact, the Influenza virus (Flu) and Rhinovirus (common cold) spread easily in winters, for they thrive in low humidity, cold environments. The chilly weather makes it harder for the hairs and mucus in our noses to protect us against germs. Not just this, but our bodies barely produce any melatonin due to shorter sunlight hours. Plus, the frost brings about ache and pain in joints and old injuries. The stress of the festive season is just the tip of the iceberg. We overdo celebrations which tire our bodies, all the while staying huddled indoors. This only makes it easier for germs to transfer from one person to another, thus bringing about sickness. All of this can slow our immune system and make the holiday season barely bearable.

However, like there are remedies for everything, there is a natural remedy for the winter daze as well. And that is tea. The benefits of tea are many and winters only invite us to try a warm cup every day. It is a way to naturally cleanse our bodies of toxins and provide aid for our ailments.

Benefits of Tea for Winter Ailments

• Helps With Depression: Winter can bring about a dip in your moods and a gust of Seasonal Affective Disorders. Mellow moods can be pacified with the help of tea. Depression is often a combination of biochemical imbalance, unresolved emotional issues, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalance. The amino acid L-Theanine found in tea helps promote hormones like dopamine and serotonin that fight these problems.
• Boosts Metabolism:  A daily cup or two of tea can inflate our metabolic rate and promote fat oxidation in our body. Green tea, especially, has thermogenic properties. Thermogenesis is the process of burning calories while digesting and absorbing food as it’s being eaten. This in turn aids in weight loss. It becomes even more difficult to lose weight during winters as our bodies sweat very less. Green tea has closer to zero calories and improves our body’s energy burning efficiency. It is a natural diuretic, which makes it the ideal treatment for combating fluid retention problems and overall tissue inflammation. According to studies, drinking green tea regularly can reduce body fat by up to 19 percent.
• Gives Your Immunity an Extra Boost: Winters mean a lethargic immunity system. Our bodies are quick in picking up on germs. However, tea is useful for soothing sore throats, stopping sniffles and boosting our immunity system. Problems like chest congestion, fevers and common cold reduce if we consume at least 2-3 cups of tea every day. While being calming and delicious, it protects our body from potential sickness, viruses, or infections. When the weather gets colder, pouring yourself a delicious cup of tea will make your immune system thank you!
• Helps Soothe Winter Aches and Pains: One of the lesser known benefits of tea include its ability to ease winter aches. While pains and body aches can happen any time of the year, the symptoms become even more prominent in the cold and wet season. The warmth produced by tea along with its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce joint pains and gout.
• Gets Rid of the Winter Laziness: Since our bodies absorb less sunlight, we feel more sleepy and lethargic during winters. To get rid of this tiredness, we need an additional push in our diets to keep us running on our feet. The stimulants present in tea, like caffeine, L-theanine, theobromine and theophylline, energise your body. These energisers work as vasodilators (exercising of the heart) and elevate the mood of the consumer. Tea excites our brain and the central nervous system.  The ‘caffeine high’ attained by coffee consumption also gives us a sudden ‘caffeine crash’ which depletes all of our energy. Tea, on the other hand, allows slower absorption of caffeine, so the energy release is stable and more manageable, making it a better energy stimulant than coffee.
• Prevents Teeth Sensitivity: Tooth sensitivity occurs when the protective layers of teeth are worn out and a bony tissue called dentin is exposed. Exposed dentin allows hot and cold liquids and foods to come in close contact with the nerve endings in the teeth, which cause pain. If left exposed for long, dentin also becomes vulnerable to cavity formation. Out of all teas, green tea contains Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which not only prevents tooth erosion but also prevents plaque formation. Not just this, but its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the gums. Green tea also acts as a natural mouth freshener.

Best Tea for Winter

The sweeping benefits of tea are many, and it only becomes a blessing in the cold season. Here are some important teas that should become a part of your life, especially during winter:

1. Chamomile Tea: The queen of herbal teas, chamomile has the ability to relax your mind, get rid of inflammation from bug bites and reduce dark circles. The relaxants present in this tea helps ease winter time anxiety.
2. Ginger Tea: A naturally energising blend, ginger tea stimulates blood circulation, speeds up digestion and enhances immunity. The stronger taste of this tea cures sore throat and helps subside cough and chest congestion.
3. Peppermint Tea: This minty concoction may seem like an odd choice for a winter tea, but it actually helps cure nausea and upset stomach. The acidity caused by over-eating during holiday season can be countered with the help of this tea.
4. Mulethi/ Licorice Root Tea: A centuries old ayurvedic herb, mulethi can counter many problems all at once. However, its top benefit includes easing congestion and cough. A cup of Mulethi tea can warm you up and relieve you of a scratchy throat.
5. Rose, Passion Flower & Ashwagandha Tea: Winter coldness can bring about uneasiness and raise the blood pressure of some. A blend of rose, passion flower and ashwagandha can help relieve the holiday stress and stabilise your blood pressure.
6. Stinging Nettle Tea: Stinging nettle has been used by people for centuries to cure a variety of problems like arthritis, reproductive system ailments and seasonal allergies. If you suffer from constant allergic reactions in winters, then Stinging Nettle tea is the natural answer for your problems.
7. Fennel, Orange Rind & Lemon Peel Tea: This tea helps ease the after celebration ‘food coma’. It removes toxins from the body, while boosting the digestive system. A cup of this after a few hours of eating helps ease any kind of digestive anxiety in your body.
8. Lavender Tea:The best natural remedy for a festive hangover is Lavender tea. An aromatic blend that counters anxiety due to intoxication, it boosts mood and emotional health. Also, it has sedative effect on the body, relieving from headaches and pain, while providing a sound sleep.

Whether you’re looking for a warm cup of spice or a calming tea, there are unlimited choices to go for. The abundant benefits of tea give us a better option than running back and forth between the doctor’s clinic and the pharmacy. Tea for winter is a wonderful choice as it will not only warm up your bodies, but also exhilarate your minds.

Abhishek Dixit

The post Changing Seasons And Super Drinks: Benefits Of Tea For Winter Woes appeared first on Teafloor Blog : All About Tea | Health Benefits of Tea.

There’s no better way to embrace these changes than with a good cup of tea. All you need to do is indulge in different flavours of tea to prep yourself. Just another way for you to find solace, stay warm and make the most of your time, this festive season.

There’s something undeniably special about sipping from a hot mug of tea during fall and the upcoming winter months.

Let’s see in what situations can tea be a good companion, this autumn season:

1. Chilly Mornings: The best thing about waking up early and going out for a walk during this season is to enjoy the fresh cool breeze and watch the orange leaves spread around everywhere. It is even better when you reach home not tired or drenched in sweat. On such beautiful mornings, there is no better companion than a good cup of tea. However, there is always a chance to make it better by trying a good variety of floral tea flavours like Jasmine, Rose or Chamomile, something to make you feel connected to nature.
2. Welcoming Festivals: In India, along with autumn season comes a line of festivals starting from Navratri and Diwali to Christmas and New Year in winter. The one good thing about celebrations is that they are always accompanied by the exchange of gifts, loads of shopping, and of course, decorating our homes. When it comes to exchanging gifts, we usually prefer gifting loved ones something sweet like chocolates or mithai. However, with changing times, we can bring a change in what we gift our loved ones and ‘Rethink Gifts’. Gift them something that not only cleanses their body, fills it with floral aroma but also keeps them healthy. Something like a pack of tea. This season, let tea become not just a welcome drink for your guests, but also something that they take back home.
3. Prevent Tiredness: When autumn announces the arrival of festive season it definitely means that it’s time to celebrate. However, we cannot deny that it also implies that it’s time for more shopping, cleaning, and also decorating our homes. No matter how exciting it may seem, it is a tiring process. In such a situation, what could be more refreshing than a good cup of tea to keep you energetic and more excited for the upcoming festivals. A cup of Kadak Masala Mantra and Tulsi Ginger Tea can definitely energise you more.
4. Best Time To Take a Step Towards Your Resolutions:  As we mentioned above, this season is also a reminder for you to start thinking about your New Year Resolutions. We’re sure that most of you are reminded of your current year’s forgotten resolutions. Especially, the one about getting fit and making your body healthy. However, you don’t need to worry as it’s just a simple reminder for you that there’s still time for you to start. All you need to do is select from the vast variety of teas, keeping in mind the benefits that serve your purpose of having a good body. The best thing about choosing a tea for yourself is that you have a number of options available starting from purest varieties of green tea to the most refreshing black and white tea with abundant health benefits.
5. A Wider Range of Snacks: Another good thing about this season is that it welcomes a lot of fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, plums, grapes, cabbages, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, beets, etc. All of these are ideal ingredients for a good salad or snack that can be paired with your warm cup of loose leaf tea on a colourful morning.
6. Better Sleep: Last but not the least, we all know that with the changing weather that autumn brings in makes our sleep more peaceful. This certainly is the most favourite part for most of us. Also, to make it even better, try a cup of Lavender or Jasmine Tea which will make you sleep like a baby until winter sets in.

As summer fades into background and winter slowly sets in, let’s cherish all the memories that we have made until now and gear up to finally accomplish those New Year resolutions.

Ankit Tiwari

I’m a Blogger, always ready to explore new things. Starting from Technology to Seo, webiners etc. Driving more and more traffic to our website is my passion.

The post 6 Things about Fall that will make you fall in Love with Tea even more appeared first on Teafloor Blog : All About Tea | Health Benefits of Tea.

The Kashmiri Kahwa chai, or Kehwa,  is an aromatic green tea that originated somewhere around the second century and has been a staple drink in the countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, regions of Central Asia and Northern India, especially the Kashmir Valley. It is a combination of green tea leaves, saffron, cinnamon bark, cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, dry fruits like almonds, walnuts or cherries and sometimes even Kashmiri roses. Traditionally, it is prepared in a brass kettle known as Samovar. However, now days Kahwa is made in regular vessels by boiling special green tea along with its ingredients. On special occasions, it is boiled with strands of saffron (known as ‘kong’ in Kashmir) called the ‘Kong Kahwa’. There are at least 36 varieties of Kahwa present all over the world and for Kashmir, Kahwa has been a staple flavour for ages.

Some variations even use just the herbal ingredients, avoiding the green tea leaves. This Kashmiri tea has a sweet taste along with a number of health benefits. Served in either a glass or clay mug, the drink can be garnished with slivers of almonds, pistachios, roses or saffron. Generally, Kashmiri Kahwa chai is served after a heavy meal.

A cup of Kahwa packs a power punch of antioxidants for the drinker.

Here are some Benefits of Kashmiri Kahwa Chai:-

1. Improves Digestion & Metabolism
   Kahwa is known for helping in digestion. A cup of this tea can cleanse the digestive tract and keep it working smoothly. It also paces up the metabolism of the body. The Kashmiri cuisine is a very rich and complex combination of flavours and ingredients. Therefore, the main purpose of Kahwa is to help digest the heavy food. It works especially well during winters and eases digestive problems like constipation and digestive tract inflammation. Having a cup of Kahwa, first thing in the morning helps stimulate the digestive system.
2. Helps in Weight Loss
   One of the major benefits of this scented chai is that it helps in burning fat. Technically, it prevents the deposition of cholesterol in blood vessels and reduces the risk of heart diseases. The cinnamon present in the tea suppresses appetite, regulates blood sugar levels and lowers cholesterol. The polyphenols found in the Kashmiri Kahwa green tea is helpful in increasing the levels of fat oxidation, as well as the speed at which your body turns food into calories. People who consume this tea daily are known to reduce approximately 1.5 kgs weight per month even if they follow a regular diet.
3. Stress Relieving
   The tea is rich in anti-oxidants which work directly on the liver to boost the purification of the body toxins. It helps in eliminating free radicals and impurities generated by the liver during the detoxification of the body. A cup of warm Kahwa at night can aid in reducing problems like insomnia and anxiety. It stimulates chemicals like Dopamine, Endorphins and Serotonin which relax the mind, relieve it from anxiety and bring peace and happiness.
4. Builds and Defends the Immune System
   Kashmiri Kahwa chai includes saffron as one of its major ingredients. Saffron is known for being rich in Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is essential in building the immunity of the human body. The many antioxidants present in Kahwa can help fight infections and ailments, especially during winters. It acts as a natural home remedy to coughs, colds, flu and chest congestions. The polyphenols present in green tea help reduce inflammation and fight cancer. Kahwa also works along the blood vessels of the heart, keeping them relaxed and regulating blood circulation. It may prevent the formation of clots, which are the main cause of heart attacks. It also helps in fighting signs of ageing, keeping the body healthy and fit.
5. Helps Maintain Healthy Skin
   Kahwa’s rich base helps in reducing skin issues like acne, dryness and redness. The essential oils from added crushed almonds and walnuts help moisturize from deep within, while maintaining the natural glow of the skin. The amino acid, Theanine, found in it helps keep the skin clear and supple, giving it a youthful look. Added rose aids in the maintenance of the pH balance of the skin. Kahwa has many anti-aging properties that keep the skin looking firm and youthful. Since, it is mostly consumed in the colder regions, its spicy flavour keeps the body warm for longer hours.
6. Boosts Energy
   Kashmiri Kahwa chai may not contain milk, but it works as a wonderful energy booster. The combination of various energy giving ingredients like dry fruits, antioxidants, etc. not only work as a great way to start your day, but also recharges your senses when you’re feeling lethargic. A cup of tea after a workout can ease muscular pain and relax an over exerted body. It also helps the body function more efficiently.

The best thing about consuming the Kashmiri Kahwa Chai is that it can be a very good companion for the upcoming winters, to keep you warm. Also, with the festive season around the corner, it can be something new to offer to your guests, rather than the traditional cup of tea.

Abhishek Dixit

The post The Amazing Benefits of Kashmiri Kahwa Chai appeared first on Teafloor Blog : All About Tea | Health Benefits of Tea.

Lifestyle means the way of life – the behavior, practices and activities of an individual or a community put to practice in their day to day life. Healthy lifestyle encompasses those practices which have a positive or beneficial effect on our health – physical, mental, or social.

Promoting a healthy style is both helpful in preventing and curing diseases, and achieving maximum health. Malnutrition, unhealthy diet, increased weight, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, physical inactivity, stress, etc., are some of the characteristics of an unhealthy lifestyle. In fact, obesity and other chronic disease like diabetes, cardio-arterial diseases, hypertension, hyperlipidemia are all called lifestyle diseases, and taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle will keep you away from all these diseases. Improving on these means improve the quality of life.

In order to achieve a health promoting lifestyle, certain behavioral modifications may be required, such as incorporating some amount of physical activity in the daily life, inclusion of certain foods and drinks which have proven health benefits, avoid smoking and drug abuse, and so on.

A healthy diet and physical activity are the two most important part of a healthy lifestyle. This would mean eating foods that are rich in antioxidants, minerals and vitamins and have fewer but healthy calories. By healthy calories it is meant that these should come from complex carbohydrates and not from fatty, fried foods or from foods giving only empty calories like sweetened sodas, fast foods with refined carbohydrates etc. Along with this, it is also important to incorporate some amount of daily physical activity.

Here are some tips that can help you make the changes required for a healthy lifestyle and keep you on track :

1. Select foods that are both low in refined sugars and carbohydrates, minimize the consumption of sugary drinks like juices, sweetened sodas, breads or pastas made from refined flour. Instead, include whole wheat or multi grain breads, whole grain breakfast cereals like oats, wheat flakes and whole fruits.
2. Choose foods that have a minimum amount of unhealthy fats. Foods that are baked, fried and frozen have trans fats which are not good for health. Also, avoid foods that have too many saturated fats, like red meats, pizzas and other fast foods. It is better to include fish, nuts and low fat dairy products in the daily diet.
3. Eat a variety of whole fresh foods instead of packaged or processed foods. Avoid processed cheese, meats and juices, rather include fresh whole fruits, salads, sprouts, etc. include lots of vegetables and beans in your daily diet.
4. Eat smaller frequent meals rather than bigger infrequent meals in order to be able to get a benefit of all nutrients. It also helps to maintain a healthy weight. Most Dieticians and Nutritionists would suggest a 6 meal pattern with 3 main meals and 3 high- fiber-nutrient- dense-low- calorie in between snacks. Make healthier snack choices, like eating fruits, nuts or salads instead of a fried in-between snacks. Also, reduce the portion size of each meal.
5. Drink a minimum of 10 glasses of water (liquids) daily. This can include lemon water, green tea, fresh coconut water, butter milk, soups, etc. This however, does not include the daily dose of tea and coffee. In fact, Green tea has shown many great benefits when incorporated along with other lifestyle changes, in causing both weight loss and weight management, especially if consumed with lemon early in the morning.
6. Along with all this, a regular exercise regime is also very important. The trick to making the lifestyle healthier is by making smaller healthier changes every day, like taking stairs instead of a lift, walking to someone’s desk rather than sending an e-mail, parking furthest  from the building and walking to your desk, etc.
7. Quit smoking and other substance abuse. Addiction to such things is considered as an unhealthy lifestyle.
8. Proper sleep and recreation are also the essential characteristics of a healthy lifestyle.

To conclude:

As per WHO’s definition, health is not mere absence of disease, but a state of total physical, mental and social wellbeing. This encompasses maintaining a healthy weight, avoidance of substance abuse, following an overall healthy regimen, making healthier food choices and including some amount of  physical activity in daily life.

Ankit Tiwari

I’m a Blogger, always ready to explore new things. Starting from Technology to Seo, webiners etc. Driving more and more traffic to our website is my passion.

The post Everything You Need To Know About A Healthy Lifestyle appeared first on Teafloor Blog : All About Tea | Health Benefits of Tea.

Oolong Tea Weight Loss

Talking about the oolong tea weight loss, the fact of the matter is that this brew is known to improve metabolism within the body. It also helps in accelerating the natural fat burning process of the body, which leads to weight loss over time. It is a natural way of losing weight, and when coupled with exercise as well as a balanced diet, you will be able to notice a huge difference in a few months. You need to keep in mind that oolong tea weight loss is no overnight miracle, so being consistent with it for a few months is key. Have at least two and at most four cups of oolong tea every day, preferably after each meal to see your waistline reduce. In fact, the women of China and Taiwan have embraced this brew, because it helps them to maintain a slender waistline.

Now Buy Best Quality Oolong Tea In India

It is very important that you lay your hands over the best quality oolong tea. It is not very accessible and buying the adulterated brew will not get the job done. So it is imperative that you find a reputed and well-known source from where you can buy authentic oolong tea. Teafloor is home to some of the most exotic, yet good quality leaves and you can easily buy oolong tea online from Teafloor. The pricing of the leaves is just right and you will be able to tell that the quality is impeccable. Buying oolong tea in India can be a tough task, but Teafloor has your back.

Other Oolong Tea Benefits

Apart from the weight loss, there are many oolong tea benefits. The brew not only helps you shed those extra kilos, but is excellent for diabetics and heart patients as well.

• It has the properties to wipe off the plaque from the arteries of the heart, which helps in lowering cholesterol levels.
• In fact, come to think of it, it also normalizes blood pressure levels and makes sure that the heart rate is steady.
• Apart from that, it is also known to reduce the body’s insensitivity towards the naturally occurring insulin formed within the body. This means that those suffering from blood sugar will be able to normalize their sugar levels all thanks to this particular brew.
• Oolong tea is also excellent for maintaining dental health. As it has plaque removing tendencies, so it also wipes the teeth clean thereby eliminating most chances of cavity formation. It also reduces bad breath by a great deal.

If you are a big fan of healthy teas and are looking forward to shedding some kilos before an event or the festivities, then be sure to choose oolong tea, which is now easily available on Teafloor. You can pick and choose across varieties and grades. The brews are available in different price brackets so there is something for everyone.

Abhishek Dixit

The post The Best Oolong Tea For Weight Loss In India appeared first on Teafloor Blog : All About Tea | Health Benefits of Tea.

Other than this, there are a lot of other factors in an organisation that will define your working conditions which may differ in every organisation, depending on their culture. To brief you with an example,

Here’s What Teafloor has to Offer its Employees

A Good Boss: Usually, the first thing that an intern would look forward to is working under a kind and helping boss. Here at Teafloor, that’s the last thing you need to worry about. At every step, you will find friendly colleagues with open hearts and helping hands. Solving the problems that an employee may face is a priority of not just the boss but every senior in the working domain. Thus, you don’t need to think twice before asking for help.

A Perfect Guide: As an intern, it’s not an easy job to cope up with the expectations of your boss or seniors. A good guide, however, can help you through this journey. Thus, every intern here is put under the guidance of a mentor who gives you a complete understanding of the work to be done. He/she helps you learn from every mistake that you make and also looks after everything that you do, from performing the easiest to the toughest of tasks.

Significant Breaks: It’s true that spending the entire day sitting at one place is not an easy thing to do. However, the significant breaks will definitely make it easier for you. Starting from the morning tea break to the 45 minutes lunch time in the afternoon and yet another tea break in the evening, you will get substantial time to relax your body and mind and have some quality time with your colleagues.

Monthly Meetings: This is the best time for every employee to interact with the boss as well as other seniors. Through these meetings, everyone is made aware of the monthly progress of the organisation as well as the individual progress of every member of the team. The best part of these meetings is that on the basis of good performance, employees are also rewarded with certificates as well as bonus money. The cherry on the cake is that the entire team is rewarded with a lunch treat by the boss as a form of praise for everyone.

Monthly Leaves: As mentioned above, you need not think twice before stating your problems. Thus, you can always look forward to asking for a leave just to take a break from your daily routine, and your request will be granted. Also, you can work from home to match up with your everyday targets.

Supportive Colleagues: The employees here are more than welcoming to new people, and will help you fit in, as early as possible. The best thing about working here is that every employee helps the other employees to carry out their working with a constant support and direct contact with the seniors which you may not find in other organisations.

Every Employee is Valuable: No matter whatever position an employee may hold, their ideas are always valued and listened to. This is not the end of it, you will always be guided further on how to make your ideas better. Also, you’ll be a part of every important decision that is taken for the organisation as well as the employees.

Encouraging Environment: The one best thing about working at Teafloor is that every employee is encouraged to do better and learn more, not just from their own work but also from what your colleagues do. You’ll always be encouraged to spend some time learning new things and experiment, not just for the company’s progress but also your own.

No Dress Code: This is definitely one of the best things about working here, especially for those who don’t wish to spend extra time in thinking what to wear.

Celebrations: Celebrating together is one thing that will make your work place feel like home. Whatever the occasion be, the entire organisation or as they say it – the Teafloor family, is always ready to celebrate along. Birthday, festivals or even farewell of interns as well as employees are celebrated with such enthusiasm and zeal that the one leaving the organisation goes with tears of happiness and a lot of beautiful memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Towards the end, we would like to make you aware of only a few things that you might find difficult to adjust with, like 6 working days and 9 hours of work every day (sorry boss). However, with all the perks mentioned above, we’re sure you can cope up with a few cons, since working in any organisation is definitely not a cake walk.

Ankit Tiwari

I’m a Blogger, always ready to explore new things. Starting from Technology to Seo, webiners etc. Driving more and more traffic to our website is my passion.

The post What It’s Like To Work At Teafloor? appeared first on Teafloor Blog : All About Tea | Health Benefits of Tea.

He is right, and we might be one of those 2 billion people.

Food is the essential part of everyone’s life. Good food always makes a man’s day better. A bad day can turn out to be good if he gets the kind of food he wants without being worried about his health.

However, most people consider exercise and diet as the only ways to stay healthy and are unaware of the benefits of the things that are a part of their daily diet. They can curb all their health problems by adding another food intake for the body to take care of itself. Tea being the most preferred beverage around the globe comes with a lot of benefits and modifying effects that people fail to realize as it is just a form of refreshment and an everyday habit to them. Drinking tea every day can not only refresh a person’s body and mind but can also help solve many health problems.

“It is easier to change a man’s religion than to change his diet”

Says Margaret Mead, an American author, and speaker. True Ms. Mead – we understand that it’s not easy, to begin with something new and make it an everyday habit. Just like different food items, there are people with different food habits. Some eat to curb hunger while others prefer eating as a form of entertainment and some few develop binge eating disorders. Most of us find it hard to do something uncomfortable even if it earns them something useful later. We might not want to come out of our comfort zone and invariably want to avoid sweating, being out of breath or getting out of bed early… STOP. All this can be bolstered with the help of available teas in the form of healthy flavored drinks. The Vanilla Iced Green Tea satisfies the flavor carvings and is not loaded with calories. Also, it helps to lose weight and is healthier than any of the sweetened products of vanilla. Not only this but also the Zesty Orange Green Iced Tea also has specific benefits over caffeine, it prevents kidney stone, keeps the blood pressure balanced and gives you glowing skin.

If you’re the one who considers physical fitness as one of the most critical aspects of your life and is one of the victims of obsessive exercise habits – there is something we would like to share with you. Excessive weight lifting can lead to shoulder pain, and excessive running can lead to shot knees and then permanent damage. All this can be prevented if people focus on the kind of tea they intake, depending upon their taste and health preference.

Most people, specifically athletes go with the phrase “walk it off” and push their body past limits without realizing the adverse effects of the same. We all are aware of the fact that excess of everything is terrible and, thus, exercise too should be done with a natural balance. Trying the Darjeeling Organic leaf Green Tea, Darjeeling Summer Classic Green Tea and Mint Green Tea can change their mind about weight loss and exercise. Darjeeling organic leaf green tea comes from camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub that kills bacteria and enhances body metabolism, whereas, the organic leaf green tea lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes. The mint green tea helps to reduce bloating as peppermint relaxes stomach muscles and increases bile flow.

Making these teas a part of your daily routine will not only bring you closer to a fresh body and mind but also make life plain sailing with little exercise, more food, and less medical bills.

Ankit Tiwari

I’m a Blogger, always ready to explore new things. Starting from Technology to Seo, webiners etc. Driving more and more traffic to our website is my passion.

The post What’s More Satisfying than Unlimited Snack and No Health Problems? appeared first on Teafloor Blog : All About Tea | Health Benefits of Tea.