Black Tea

Not just a traditional hot drink, organic black tea has many health benefits. It's full of antioxidants called polyphenols that help to protect us against the harmful effects of pollution and other nasties.

What Is Black Tea and how is it made?

Black tea is made from the leaves of a bush called Camellia Sinensis.

It has caffeine as well as other healthy stimulants and antioxidants. Enjoy it either hot or cold, however, It should always be brewed in hot water before it is cooled down.

A process called oxidation turns the leaves from green to a dark brownish-black color.

Oxidation is the process where the leaves are exposed to moist, oxygen-rich air.

Black tea is a fully oxidized tea.

The difference with Green tea is that the leaves come from the same plant, but are not oxidized.

When people mention tea they usually refer to black tea. It's the most popular type of tea in Australia, UK and the US.

Whether you're looking for iced tea, sweet tea, afternoon tea, and morning tea they are usually made using traditional black tea blends such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey.

What are the health benefits of black tea?

Consuming Black Tea, particularly of an organic nature, can provide many health benefits to the consumer.

These include:

1) Increase in Energy

Due to the fact that black tea often contains small amounts of caffeine, it can enhance blood flow without the heart becoming overstimulated as a result

2) Better immune systems

Tannins are a group of compounds found in tea. They are known for their distinct flavor and interesting chemical properties helping prevent disease by providing antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits.

Tannins are naturally found in a variety of edible and inedible plants, including tree bark, leaves, spices, nuts, seeds, fruits, and legumes.

3) Stress Relief

The amino acid i-theanine that is present in black tea can help you relax and concentrate.

In a review of five randomized controlled trials, the experiment found that out of 104 participants, four trials linked L-theanine with reduced stress and anxiety in people experiencing stressful situations.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352385915003138?via%3Dihub

4) Lower Risk of Diabetes

Studies have found that black tea significantly reduces the rise in blood glucose levels among healthy and pre-diabetic adults when consumed after consuming a sugary drink.

Out of 50 countries, researchers have also analyzed that the rate of diabetes was lowest in countries where people consumed the most black tea.

https://www.endocrineweb.com/news/diabetes/56850-black-tea-improves-glucose-levels-may-help-prevent-diabetes

During the process of making black tea, which is more fully oxidized, the catechins (A natural compound common in tea) converts to complex flavonoids known as theaflavins and thearubigens.

Research has shown that theaflavins and thearubigens maintain substantial anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-hypertensive properties.

Black Tea Linked to Lower Diabetes Risk - WebMD

Organic Tea – Better for you, Better for the environment

Tea originates from the Far East and has been a popular drink for thousands of years by the Chinese and Indians and eventually making its way around the world.

What is Organic Tea?

Organic tea is simply 100% pure tea without any fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, or any other harmful chemicals added to the growth process of the tea leaves.

Why is organic tea healthier?

Black tea itself is known to have many health benefits,

-knowing that it has been produced organically

-without the aid of pesticides, chemicals or GMOs

When you consider the health impact on tea growers that spray their tea with pesticides, you wonder how much of it ends up in your body.

While it's true that some pesticides and fertilizers are removed during processing, many of these chemicals are water-soluble, which means they end up straight in your cup.

And unlike fresh fruit and vegetables, which you can wash before consuming, tea leaves are too small to clean properly in large quantities.

It has been found that pesticide-contaminated tea does more harm than good and can actually decrease, rather than increase lifespan.

Where to Buy Organic Tea

Here at First Ray Our products are 100% organic and additives-free.

We stock Hampstead Tea considered one of ‘The Most Ethical Tea Brand’ which is grown with regenerative farming.

It's a sustainable way of farming, that grows nutrient-rich, delicious plants.

That means better quality tea leaves and a healthier cuppa.

Try our range of ethical and delicious organic teas free from pesticides or plastic.

We stock both Tea Bags and Loose Leaf Tea in both Early Grey and English Breakfast Varieties.

Enjoy the perfect cuppa with First Ray.

Brands tried and tested

At First Ray, we stock both Tea Bags and Loose Tea leaves from Hampstead Tea based in the UK.

For more information on our products or if you would like to make a wholesale order, Contact Us.

For complimentary drink products such as Green Tea, Herbal Tea, Juices & more, view our Drinks range.