This infusion is renowned for its significant health benefits, offering a floral taste and helping prevent the development of diseases
A tea is being hailed as a beverage that can ‘cure everything’ thanks to its wide-ranging health benefits. Blue tea, also known as Oolong tea, is a traditional Chinese beverage with a blueish hue derived from the Camellia sinensis plant.
It can change colour depending on what it’s mixed with due to its pH and has a flavour more similar to green tea than black tea, lacking the sweet and rosy aroma of black tea and the strong herbal notes characteristic of green tea. It’s usually brewed strong, leaving a sweet aftertaste in its bitterness.
It has been consumed for centuries in Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, and Malaysia for cooking, dyeing fabrics, or even making cosmetics. According to the Spanish Heart Foundation, substances in blue tea activate organoleptic properties and prevent the development of diseases such as cancer, myocardial infarction, stroke, neurodegenerative processes, and immune system pathologies.
It also supports respiratory functions, reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and protects the liver. Drinking a cup of blue tea reduces harmful concentrations of triglycerides and bad LDL cholesterol while increasing good HDL cholesterol levels, preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, blood clots, or hypertension.
It also aids in diabetes as the presence of phenolic acid improves insulin secretion, regulating glucose metabolism and preventing excessive sugar absorption. Oolong tea also helps you sleep better at night by promoting muscle relaxation since it contains no caffeine. It prepares the body for deep and prolonged rest, making it recommended for those suffering from sleep disorders.
Thanks to its high antioxidant content, this infusion helps inhibit free radical effects and improves skin health by preventing wrinkles. It is also considered beneficial for eczema and sunburns.
The presence of bioflavonoids promotes hair growth, helps thicken it, and maintains its natural colour. While it can be consumed at any time of day, experts recommend drinking it after a meal as it aids digestion.
The blue pea flower also increases acetylcholine levels, an essential neurotransmitter for proper brain function. You can buy the dried butterfly pea flowers online – priced around £6.50 for 12 cups . Here’s the best way to enjoy it.
How to prepare blue tea
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of dried butterfly pea flowers
- 2 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Preparation:
- Boil water.
- Remove water from heat, add dried flowers and cover the container with a lid.
- Strain the tea into a cup; if you want to sweeten it, you can add a teaspoon of honey.
- Let it steep for 5 minutes.
- Finally, serve hot or cold.
