National Tea Day is upon us, and if ever there was a plant worthy of celebration, tea would have to be at the top of the list. This unique beverage is beloved across the globe for its diversity, health benefits and delicious flavors. It’s so well-loved that humans consume an estimated 25,000 cups of tea across the world EVERY SECOND. That’s more than two billion cups a day! What other beverages do we consume more than tea? Water. Just water.

There are a jaw-dropping 20,000 varieties of tea, and they all have their own unique flavor and nutritional value. Some are calming and perfect for winding down at the end of the day. Other teas are highly caffeinated and make for a great alternative to coffee in the morning. Many types have been demonstrated to boost your immune system, prevent inflammation, and generally contribute to your overall health. Whether you take your tea straight-up or with a packet of Purecane™ zero-calorie sugar substitute, tea can be your healthy alternative to sugary beverages, or a nice daily ritual to get you in zen-mode.

In celebration of this heavenly brew, let’s learn about a few popular types of tea and what makes them so great.

Black Tea

This tea is one of the strongest flavored and most widely consumed teas. Rich in antioxidants, it has tremendous health benefits, including helping reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels while providing added protection against chronic diseases. This heart-healthy drink can also help lower blood pressure and promote gut health. Standard blends you can find in your local supermarket or favorite coffee shop include Earl Grey, English Breakfast, and Masala Chai. Black tea often has medium-to-high caffeine content, making it a great option to help you wake up in the morning or act as an early afternoon pick-me-up.

Green Tea

Green tea has been consumed in China for so long, the first known book on the subject – The Classic of Tea – was written sometime in the first century. While it originated in China, many countries throughout East Asia cultivate it today. Like black tea, research shows green tea can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and reduce blood clotting. It may also help protect against liver, breast, and prostate cancers. Green tea can be found in any grocery store and, more recently, in the form of matcha. An increasingly popular form of green tea, matcha has even more antioxidants than regular green tea. Remember, green tea may not be as strong as black tea, but it still has caffeine and may not be the best choice before bed!

Want to make your own matcha latte, sans all the added calories from sugar? We have a blog post on how to make a sugar-free Purecane™ version that is just as delicious as what you can get at a coffee shop!

White Tea

One of the more delicate and least caffeinated teas, white tea is native to India and China and is less processed than most teas. With high fluoride levels and tannins, it can help strengthen teeth, while its high level of antioxidants may be effective (in addition to a healthy diet and other healthy lifestyle practices) at fighting cancer. Although the data is limited, some studies show that white tea may even help protect skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. If you’re looking for a tea with a good kick, this is not the one for you as it is light on the caffeine.

Herbal Teas

Did you know that herbal teas are not technically tea at all? These beverages are infusions of herbs or spices into hot water. Despite not being made from tea plants, the health benefits of herbal teas are numerous. Chamomile tea, one of the most popular herbal infusions, may improve sleep, reduce stress, and mitigate menstrual pain. Peppermint tea is excellent for calming an upset stomach and can relieve tension headaches and migraines. Ginger-infused drinks are fantastic for treating indigestions and joint pain. Hibiscus may help lower blood pressure, and prevent kidney stones.

In honor of National Tea Day and in the spirit of good health (and overall deliciousness), we’ll leave you with this refreshing recipe to try: Raspberry Hibiscus Bubble Tea!

Ingredients

Tapioca Pearls

¾ cup of Dry Black Tapioca Pearls

*Depending on brand purchased instructions will vary slightly - follow the steps on packaging

7 ½ cups of water
1 ½ tablespoon of Purecane™ Canister (or 5 Purecane™ Packets)

*Craving something more decadent? Sub out the classic sweetener for 2 tablespoons of the new Purecane™ Brown Sweetener

Tea

1 raspberry hibiscus tea bag

*If difficult to find, can improvise with just hibiscus tea (or tea of choice) & muddled raspberries

6 to 12 oz water
Splash of milk of choice
Like it extra sweet? Add an extra teaspoon of the Purecane™ Canister or an extra Purecane™ Packet or two :)

Directions

Boil the 7 ½ cups of water, then slowly add tapioca into the pot, stirring lightly. Note: If you like a lot of boba the ratio is just 1-part dried pearls to 10 parts water so add as much as you like, just make sure your pot is big enough for all the water!
Cover pot after tapioca has floated to the surface, cook for 2-3 minutes on medium heat. Keep covered but turn off heat & simmer another 2-3 minutes. Note: Cook time dependent to personal preference on softness
Scoop out cooked tapioca & rest in a small bowl of cold water for 15 to 30 seconds to cool.
Drain out cold water or transfer pearls to a dry bowl & stir in Purecane™ sweetener of choice.
Warm up the water for your tea and start muddling raspberries if desired for extra garnish.
Once cooled (or heated) to your liking scoop in boba as you like on top of the muddled berries & pour over tea. Top off with additional sweetener & splash of milk if desired.
Enjoy! Note: Boba is only good for a short window after cooking (about 4 hours) so drink up quick!