There are many good reasons to drink tea. Drink tea for its good taste and to boost energy are the primary reasons why tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. However, to the health conscious crowd, tea drinking is not only pallet pleasing but also beneficial to our health. Let's scroll on to find out why.
Tea is very rich in Antioxidants. Tea has one of the highest contents of flavonoids among common food and beverage products. Catechins are the largest type of flavonoids in tea leaves. While many scientific researches have mixed conclusion on the effects of antioxidants, the antioxidants in tea might help protect against cancer.
Tea energizes us with its caffeine but in a less abrupt way then coffee does. After drinking tea, the caffeine is released into our body more slowly. So the result is a gentle and longer lasting boost of energy.
Tea could be beneficial to the cardiovascular system. Researches have showed that tea drinking may associate with a reduced risk of stroke. Research also showed that long-term tea consumption can help lower the cholesterol in our body. In short, tea might be very beneficial to our heart.
Tea may help protect against age-related cognitive impairment/decline and dementia later in life, based on correlations found in epidemiological studies.
Tea can help boost metabolism and exercise endurance. Scientists have found that the antioxidant rich tea might help speed up metabolism and increase our body's ability to burn fat as fuel.
Tea could help control blood sugar. Studies suggest that tea drinking might help our body tometabolize sugar better.
Tea can have immune boosting effects on our body. Again, because of all the antioxidants tea has, tea might be beneficial to our immune system to fight against common cold and flu.
In conclusion, moderate long-term tea drinking could be very beneficial to our health. Let's brew some tea now. Enjoy!
Some teas come with a story as memorable as their flavor. Darjeeling Margaret's Hope brews a delicate cup with the distinctive "muscatel" grape character, and hints of currant give it an almost wine-like taste. We like it as an afternoon or after-dinner tea.
History & Heritage
Tea came to Darjeeling in 1841, when Dr. Archibald Campbell planted Chinese tea seeds beside his home at Beechwood, and commercial gardens followed in the 1850s. Margaret's Hope, in the Kurseong area sometimes called the "Land of White Orchids," began producing commercially in 1864 under the name Bara Ringtong. Its current name comes from a story told for generations. Legend has it that Margaret, the young daughter of the estate's manager, fell in love with the garden on a visit and promised to return, but she fell ill and died on the voyage home to England. Her grieving father renamed the estate in her memory, and local tales say her spirit still visits the manager's bungalow.
Interesting Facts
Darjeeling's cool, high climate favors the small-leaf China tea plant, and the bushes at Margaret's Hope are almost entirely of the Chinese type.
Because the bushes grow slowly at such heights, production is limited.
Our Margaret's Hope is a TGFOP grade grown at 6,800 feet.
Tasting Notes & Pairings
The best quality comes in the second flush, from late May to late June, when the fragrance seems to reach right out of the cup. Some taste nuttiness, others black currant, but most compare it to muscat grapes. The infusion is bright tending light. Enjoy it plain with scones and jam, fruit tarts, or a cheese plate after dinner.
Brewing tips (general guideline): use 1 rounded teaspoon (about 2–3 g) per 8 oz of water just off the boil (195–205°F), steeped 3–4 minutes. A shorter steep keeps the cup delicate. Adjust to taste.
Like every tea at Beantown Tea & Spices, Margaret's Hope is a quality loose-leaf tea offered at an affordable price, with sample and larger sizes so you can find your favorite. Explore more in our Black Tea collection, or pair it with our tea accessories.