The Benefits of a Hot Cup of Tea
Tea or Coffee....

By Tony Russell, Chef and Owner of Quench Restaurant
There are many benefits to enjoying a nice cup of hot tea; me, I prefer Chai. The black tea in chai is rich in antioxidants and the spices in chai have been used for thousands of years to promote general health and well-being, as well as to treat various ailments.
Chai tea is a combination of spices with tea and milk that makes a delicious, healthy beverage. According to the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, chai tea comes from Ayurvedic medicine and can be created with different recipes. All the recipes use health-promoting spices. Ayurvedic medicine, also called Ayurveda, works with each individual's constitution; and, traditionally, chai tea recipes are tailored to the constitution of each individual.
Almost every chai recipe includes ginger, cinnamon, cloves and black, green or oolong tea. Other common chai tea ingredients are cardamom, black peppercorns and fennel. All of these are considered healthy ingredients in Ayurvedic medicine. Milk, which is almost always part of chai tea, enhances the taste and makes it a richer, more satisfying beverage, but it isn't necessary for the health benefits. People with lactose intolerance can use soymilk or rice milk.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is thought to increase circulation and open breathing, increase awareness and vitality, and reduce fatigue. It is also reputed to be an aphrodisiac!
Nutmeg
Nutmeg has been used for centuries to ease sciatica and promote the digestion of heavy foods. It was also used by ancient Arab physicians to treat kidney and lymph problems.
Black Pepper
Widely used to support circulation and metabolism, black pepper can help to alleviate chronic coldness.
Chinese Star Anise
Traditional Asian herbalists credit star anise with a variety of properties. It's used frequently as a cough remedy and to freshen the breath.
Ginger
Long valued as a stimulant for the circulatory and the immune systems, ginger has been used to treat such disparate conditions as impotence and motion sickness.
Chai tea provides a robust, satisfying beverage that can substitute for some of your daily coffee consumption. Caffeinated tea has less caffeine than coffee, and decaffeinated tea has almost none. Having chai instead of coffee provides health benefits and satisfies the taste buds.
For those Coffee lovers try Vanilla Soy Chai Tea with a shot of Expresso.... A great way to start your morning.
Love the News?
Become our partner in independent community journalism
Thanks for turning to Austin Weekly News and AustinWeeklyNews.com. We love our thousands of digital-only readers. Now though we're asking you to partner up in paying for our reporters and photographers who report this news. It had to happen, right?
On the plus side, we're giving you a simple way, and a better reason, to join in. We're now a non-profit -- Growing Community Media -- so your donation is tax deductible. And signing up for a monthly donation, or making a one-time donation, is fast and easy.
No threats from us. The news will be here. No paywalls or article countdowns. We're counting on an exquisite mix of civic enlightenment and mild shaming. Sort of like public radio.
Claim your bragging rights. Become a digital member.
Reader Comments
1 Comment - Add Your Comment
Note: This page requires you to login with Facebook to comment.
Facebook Connect
Answer Book 2019
To view the full print edition of the Austin Weekly News 2019 Answer Book, please click here. |
Quick Links
Sign-up to get the latest news updates for Austin and Garfield Park. | |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Advertise | Classified |
Multimedia | Contact us |
Submit Letter To The Editor | |
Place a Classified Ad |
Latest Comments
Victim-blaming about the Carla Aiello and Lee Luellen...
By Josh Stillman
Posted: December 2nd, 2019 12:43 PM
Darnell, first heard this reverse annexation story...
By Dan Haley
Posted: November 5th, 2019 12:32 PM
There is a thing done in Judiasim called davening. ...
By Sean Hndx
Posted: October 30th, 2019 6:04 PM
So this is why Austin and it's residents have been...
By Darnell Shields
Posted: October 25th, 2019 5:35 AM
God bless you and your ministry on behalf of the...
By Ferdinand Hargrett
Posted: October 3rd, 2019 1:42 PM
A great write-up for a great man, who has been very...
By Les Barrett
Posted: September 30th, 2019 10:06 PM
Regarding your statement: "Singing is a God-given...
By Linda Schmickle
Posted: September 28th, 2019 1:32 PM
By Charles Jenkins
Posted: August 27th, 2019 10:58 AM
I have come up under a few churches since childhood....
By Taj'a T Board
Posted: August 20th, 2019 8:08 AM
The deadline for applications at the West Side...
By Tia K. Williams
Posted: August 15th, 2019 10:10 AM
Dawn from Chicago
Posted: February 23rd, 2013 8:25 AM
Tony, this sounds so good. I'm going to try the Vanilla Soy Chai Tea with a shot of expresso today.