The Stress-Busting Magic of Black Tea

Since the pandemic hit, studies have suggested that stress and anxiety among people have also risen. A Delhi-based preventive healthcare platform, The Center of Healing (TCOH), conducted a study and found that 74 percent and 88 percent of Indians are suffering from stress and anxiety respectively. We know it’s hard, but what if we told you that all this stress could lessen with just ek cup masala chai?

Yes! Various studies have shown that a limited amount of black tea helps in aiding stress and anxiety.

Let’s dig deeper

But first, let’s know more about this concoction!

All teas originate from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis. The plant has been grown and harvested to produce tea for hundreds of years and has caffeine as well as other stimulants and antioxidants. First grown in rocky, mountainous regions of China and India, this is now grown in countries throughout Asia and across the globe.

If they are of the same plant then why is black tea black and green tea green? The colour of the brewed tea depends on how the tea leaves are processed. With oxidation, the process of exposing green leaves to moist oxygen rich air, the leaves turn to a dark brownish-black colour. This oxidation can be controlled by tea manufacturers. Black tea is a fully oxidized tea. Green tea comes from the same plant, but is not oxidized.

Moreover, it is also said that Camellia sinensis assamica, the larger-leafed varietal of the plant, is typically used to produce black tea. Originated in Assam in India, it grows in warm, moist climates and is prolific in sub-tropical forests. On the other hand Camellia sinensis, the smaller-leafed variety, is typically used to make green and white teas.

Ensure you’re getting the freshest black tea to sip and buy black tea online in India or you may even choose to buy organic tea online. Or perhaps like most Indians you are a fan of masala chai, in which case, you may choose to buy masala tea online.

So how does this drinking tea help during anxiety?

Anxiety and stress may have mental symptoms like excessive worrying and feeling restless along with physical symptoms such as  jitters and changes in sleep patterns. This leaves a negative impact on the body and can hamper everyday life. People suffering from anxiety may be able to find an oasis of calm and clarity with a cup of black tea. It was found in several independent studies that people who drink black tea remain more relaxed and at ease.

In 2021, the tea advisory panel published a study stating how just 2-3 cups of black tea or green tea a day can help boost brain and mind health. If we go a little back, according to another 2006 study by Andrew Steptoe, a researcher at the University College London, drinking black tea may speed up people’s recovery from the daily stresses of life. Although it does not appear to reduce the actual levels of stress we experience, tea does seem to have a greater effect in bringing stress hormone levels back to normal.

Word of caution: Though moderate amounts of black tea may help relieve stress, when overdone, it may also increase anxiety and nervousness.

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How Masala Tea Became a Phenomenon in India

It’s peak monsoon. Imagine sitting on your balcony, newspaper in hand, watching the rain come pouring down. Now imagine adding a piping hot cup of steamy Masala chai to this already dreamy scenario! Makes you crave that hot cup of chai right now, doesn’t it?

Enter Masala Tea. The sweet and spiced-up concoction is made from a mixture of ingredients like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper. And there are as many versions as there are spices! Based on their preferences people add or omit ingredients from it, to get the spicy, strong, malty flavour.

The most trusted and best tea company in India, Wagh Bakri has its own version! And all you have to do to try this lovely aromatic concoction loved by the whole country is search for Wagh Bakri + Buy Masala Tea Online in India to visit buytea.com

But who came up with this idea of adding masala or spice to chai?

For this, let’s take you back in time!

It may be surprising but masala chai is believed to have originated in the royal courts of India. Though there are several versions to the story of how the first cup of masala chai came into existence, according to lore, approximately 5,000 years ago Indian emperors used to enjoy a brewed drink of spices to stay alert in long courtly meetings. This herbal drink was also an Ayurvedic medicine known as ‘Karha’ and was also considered a precautionary measure against various ailments of the body.

In 1800, Britishers introduced black tea leaves to India. They were hooked to the taste of Chinese tea and by the 1830s, they were consuming a stunning 40 million pounds per year. When the demand for tea exceeded, the Chinese raised their prices, so the Britishers started looking for alternative sources. Until 1870, more than 90% of England’s tea consumption was supported by China’s monopoly. But that dropped to 10% by 1900 as the Britishers noticed that tea was growing wild in Assam, India. So they formalised tea growing in India. And over the years, 90% of the British tea-drinking demand was met by tea grown in British India and British Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). But don’t worry, India’s most trusted tea brand and the best tea company in India is 100% desi. And if that doesn’t make you want to buy masala chai online in India..read on.

Though the tea exports went high, consumption in India was still low. So with an increase in the production and supply of tea in the early 20th century, the British-owned India Tea Association decided to encourage the nation to drink this caffeinated beverage. They started by giving tea to workers in factories, mines, and textile mills during their break. This campaign worked! And tea slowly trickled into every nook and corner of India. That it would meet the original Ayurvedic spiced drink called karha was inevitable!

Early advertisements showed how to prepare tea with the right brew and so on. But Indians developed their own techniques. As tea leaves were still expensive for the common man, people started adding spices like fresh ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves, to enhance the flavours of this brew. They also increased the quantity of milk and sugar. This helped create an aromatic and tasty drink at a low cost. The same drink that we today buy and brew as masala chai in India or masala tea in India. The Britishers didn’t like masala chai or masala tea as adding spices meant using less tea per serving and eventually lower profits. Hence, they shut down all such tea stalls. But that didn’t stop Indians from loving masala chai.

Even after the Independence, there was no looking back! Since then, masala chai has gained successful global recognition with its foreign relative, chai tea latte hitting the right spots for people around the globe.

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Benefits of Consuming Green Tea Every Day

Green Tea Has Been Highly Touted As A Healthy Alternative To Consuming Coffee And Regular Black Tea. It Is Also Suggested To Help Lose Weight, Improve Digestion And Assist In Controlling Blood Sugar. Once Considered To Be A Premium Beverage, Now You Can Find Green Tea Easily In All The Grocery Stores And Some Of The Best Online Tea Stores In India. But, How Did The Earthy Green Beverage Manage To Become A Mainstream Darling? Let's Get Down To The Bottom Of It And Find Out What Drinking Green Tea Does To Our Bodies.

First Things First, What Is Green Tea?

All Teas Originate From The Leaves And Buds Of The Camellia Sinensis Plant. Green Tea Is The Type Of Tea Which Hasn’t Undergone The Withering And Oxidation Process Used To Make Regular Black Teas. The Origins Of Green Tea Lie In China, And Later Its Consumption And Manufacturing Spread All Over The World. There Are Many Different Kinds Of Green Tea, And They Vary Greatly Depending On The Camellia Sinensis Leaves Used, The Environment It Grew In, Horticulture Practices, Production Methods, And Harvesting Period. And Of Course, You Can Buy Organic Green Tea Online At Wagh Bakri’s Online Tea Shop.

So Here’s Looking At The Benefits Of Green Tea.

Packs a Nutritional Punch

Green Tea Is Loaded With Polyphenol Antioxidants, Including A Catechin Called Egcg. These Antioxidants Can Have Various Beneficial Effects On Health. Polyphenols Are Natural Compounds That Have Health Benefits, Such As Reducing Inflammation And Helping To Fight Cancer.

Catechins Are Natural Antioxidants That Help Prevent Cell Damage And Provide Other Benefits. The Catechin Called Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (Egcg) Can Reduce The Formation Of Free Radicals In The Body, Protecting Cells And Molecules From Damage. These Free Radicals Play A Role In Ageing And Many Types Of Diseases.

Egcg Is One Of The Most Powerful Compounds In Green Tea. A Research Published On Pubmed Has Shown Egcg’s Ability To Help Treat Various Diseases. It Appears To Be One Of The Main Compounds That Gives Green Tea Its Medicinal Properties.

Helps in Reducing Weight

One Of Green Tea’s Compounds Is Caffeine. Although A Cup Of Green Tea Holds Much Less Caffeine (24–40 Mg) Than A Cup Of Coffee (100–200 Mg), It Still Contains Enough To Have A Mildly Stimulating Effect. Caffeine Is A Well-Known Stimulant That Has Been Found To Aid Fat Burning And Improve Exercise Performance In Numerous Studies.

To Burn Fat, Your Body Must First Break It Down In The Fat Cell And Move It Into Your Bloodstream. The Main Antioxidant In Tea, Egcg, Can Help Inhibit An Enzyme That Breaks Down The Hormone Norepinephrine. When This Enzyme Is Inhibited, The Amount Of Norepinephrine Increases, Promoting Fat Breakdown.

Ps: Add That Box Of Green Tea In Your Grocery List And Buy Organic Tea Online From Wagh Bakri’s Best Online Tea In India.

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Here's Why Your Tea (And You) Need Those Spices

The monsoons are right at our doorsteps. It has already informed us of its arrival with intermittent showers in and around and has brought down the scorching heat of the summers by a notch. Guess what that means?

Soon, it'll be the season of piping hot cups of Masala Chai or Spiced Tea, with crispy pakoras and dalvadas! But did you know that your favourite cup of Masala Chai can do a lot more than just perk up your mood on a rainy day? Here's why your tea and you need those spices!

Helps reduce anxiety

Tea is the sole plant-based source of a unique amino acid called L-Theanine that has been linked to an increase in alpha and theta brain waves, which are linked to conscious alertness, focus, and attention. Spices aid in the reduction of anxiety as tea and spices are both powerful stress relievers that act from the inside out to calm your mind and relax your nerves. On a damp, rainy day, a cup of tea with natural spices and a sprinkling of delicious cinnamon never fails to brighten the mood.

Wondering how and where to get your masala chai when you can't step out in the rains? You can simply order them online and buy tea online in India on Wagh Bakri’s website.

Helps lower blood pressure

Antioxidants included in tea and spices have been shown to help lower blood pressure. Essential oils and active compounds in the masalas or spices aid in overall blood circulation as well as blood pressure regulation. Black pepper, for example, has been shown to lower cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease.

And Wagh Bakri's Spiced Tea comes infused with the goodness of black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and mint. And you can buy spiced tea in India online on Wagh Bakri’s website too.

Helps aid digestion

A hot cup of strong tea with spices, served without milk, is a well-known home remedy for aiding digestion. Cardamom, for example, is used to treat stomach ulcers, while dry ginger is used to treat nausea and, in particular, morning sickness. Improved digestion is also linked to a better metabolism, which leads to a more active and energetic lifestyle.

Yes, yes, we understand that not everyone finds brewing tea, especially masala chai, a therapeutic exercise. But we have a solution for that too! You can buy instant tea combo online in India by simply ordering them online from Wagh Bakri’s online store.

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