Osmanthus tea is a native Chinese remedy that consists of three flowers; Osmanthus, white Jasmine and orange lily. It is my new find and personal choice of the month.
It has a light aroma and effortless texture that feels like you are swallowing air because it is so fluffy. You can expect sweet tones while drinking it with with a minty but nutty after taste. But the actual drinking of the tea is not the most exciting part of this brew, it's the method of making it that tantalises the eyes! Restaurants and bars who serve Osmanthus tea often use a carefully folded Osmanthus flowers that resemble a small, rock hard ball. This 'ball' is then dropped into the watered teapot and is left infuse in the water for about 5 minutes, but it is the observation of them 5 minutes you see the ball evolve and flourish into a blossoming flower - a treat for the eyes for all flower lovers. You see khaki greens, pearlescent whites and vibrant oranges swish around the water, its appearance definitely has the wow factor, but the inside of this tea is just as good as the outside, so you can reap all it's fab health benefits:
~ Dispels cold and dampness in the body.
~ Wonderful for treating colds, they can get decrease the mucus caused by inflamed lungs and reduce coughing.
~ Improves overall lung health.
~ Treats menstrual pain, as well as regular stomach pain.
~ Treats tooth aches
~ Warms stomach, improves digestion, treats intestinal diseases and reduces the amount of stomach gas.
~ Used to tranquilise an active liver.
~ Removes many toxins from the body.
~ Brilliant for enhancing eyesight, reducing bad breath and moisturising the skin.
~Lastly, it’s a great thirst quencher.
Hopefully, this article has persuaded you to try some Osmnathus tea, in turn for your caffeine packed normal tea and coffee. Enjoy!
Sophia Zenonos, The Chalfont's Community College.
