Everyone knows green or black tea, but have you heard of the so-called osmanthus tea? If not, it’s a big mistake, because this tea is very popular, its color and taste are absolutely unforgettable. Despite its countless health benefits. Let’s introduce this „novelty“ among teas.
Kapitoly
What is „Osmanthus tea“?
Behind the name Osmanthus fragrans, or vonokvětka in Czech, is a shrubby plant native to China and Japan. It is not a tea, but a small tree from the olive family.
Thanks to its unique sweet yet distinctive flavour and aroma, osmathus tea may not be to everyone’s taste.
Rather, it is recommended to combine it with other teas, such as for example, white tea or green tea. It is also widely used in herbalism, where its sweet taste masks the unwanted aroma of other herbs, and some people add its flowers to cakes or jams, for example.
Gardeners can also enjoy it, as its intense yellow flowers brighten up every rock garden and allotment. The plant is also very easy to grow.
How to grow it?
Planting
As we have already mentioned, the osmanthus is not a difficult plant to grow, you can grow it both at home and in the garden. When planting in the garden, choose a sunny or partially shaded spot. If you decide to grow it as a houseplant, allow it to stay in the sun, outside the window.
In winter, the plant prefers a cooler room, around 12-14°C is ideal. Remember that the osmanthus is not a hardy shrub, it will not mind minor frosts but will not survive heavier ones.
Watering
You don’t have to worry about watering either, frequent watering on warmer days is a given, just make sure the soil around the plant doesn’t dry out on colder ones.
Flowers
During the growing season you may notice petals, the period from September to winter is typical for long flowers. The fruit of this plant is an oval drupe of blue colour containing a single seed.
Propagation
For propagation, use cuttings (June, July) instead, as this is a faster and more reliable method.
How to drink the tea and how to prepare it?
To enjoy the delicious osmanthus tea, its dried flowers are needed. You can prepare the decoction in two ways:
- Pour 7 grams of tea into 90°C water and leave to infuse for 2 minutes. In this way you can prepare up to five infusions.
- Place 7 grams of tea in a Gong Fu teapot and pour 150 ml of 90°C water over it. For the first three infusions, infuse for only ten seconds, and increase the time for the next three infusions (this method is suitable for up to ten infusions).
Tea lovers will know that the best way to drink osmanthus tea is to drink it on its own. However, its aroma is so strong for some that they enjoy it in combination with other loose teas.
Health benefits
Not only is osmanthus tea sweet and delicious, but it also boasts of its health benefits.
1. Helps treat allergies and has anti-inflammatory properties
Chronic inflammation is the cause of many health problems. And it is the flowers of this shrub that are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce inflammation, especially related to the respiratory system such as asthma – breaking down mucus build up in the lungs.
2. May relieve menstrual pain
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Are you suffering from menstrual pain? By drinking this tea, you can reduce them significantly. Moreover, it is a good helper for stomach pain or diarrhea. It also improves digestion, cures intestinal ailments and reduces bloating and flatulence.
3. Strengthens the immune system and relieves stress
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As the tea decoction has a mild sedative effect, it helps to relax the mind and improve brain function. Although its antioxidant activity is slightly weaker than green tea, it still helps fight free radicals.
4. Fights neurological diseases
Osmanthus contains substances such as eugenol and geraniol, which are known to protect the brain from diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
5. Helps with weight loss
The scent of the flowers also has a significant effect on suppressing the appetite, which will surely be appreciated by those who are trying to lose weight.
6. Prevents bad breath
Osmanthus tea is also used by some individuals as a mouthwash to prevent bad breath.
7. A big plus for eyesight and skin
Drinking this tea even improves eyesight. Its regular consumption also helps in proper hydration of the skin and also improves its color, tone and elasticity.
8. It contains important nutrients for the proper functioning of our body
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Osmanthus tea contains substances like cobalt (blood formation), selenium (important in fighting free radicals), manganese (vascular system) and molybdenum (enzymes). It also contains trans-alpha-carotene, trans-beta-carotene and neo-beta-carotene B. The tea relieves fatigue and prevents drowsiness.
