Discover Unique Health Benefits of Purple Tea with Cured Leaves Tea Co!
Welcome to our first Tea Spotlight. This blog post series is intended to highlight some of the tea blends we develop, their flavors and their benefits.
Our East African Current Tea has its roots in two continents. The first is Africa—Kenya to be specific, where the tea is lovingly cultivated by Kenyan tea farmers. The second is Europe, from which hails the currants used in this tea. This blend represents the painful history of colonization, but also the uplifting story of freedom.
For us, this tea is the embodiment of dealing with past trauma so you can heal and become something better. It’s flavor profile—earthy, tart, and subtly sweet—remind us that we’re connected to the planet, that sometimes life can be bitter, and that bitterness can be balanced out with positivity. For us, healing is an essential part of drinking tea, and the luxurious black and purple teas, hibiscus, and black current in our East African Currant form a highly curative blend.
Black tea is known the world over for its health benefits. It’s high in anti-oxidants, which are known to reduce risk of chronic diseases.
It also has flavonoids, similar compounds found in dark chocolate, red wine, and some vegetables and fruit. Flavonoids may help reduce the risk factors associated with heart disease, such as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
The purple tea is a real standout, with its deep hue and woody scent. It gets its color from a genetic mutation, but because it comes from the same species as black tea, it is also high in antioxidants. What’s more, it’s known for both its calming effects and its ability to stimulate memory.
Hibiscus is a tropical flowering plant that has been used for centuries as medicine as well as flavoring in food and drinks. Also known as roselle or sorrel, hibiscus is also rich in antioxidants. It can also help fight inflammation, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and promote weight loss, according to the Cleveland Clinic. What’s really interesting is that hibiscus originated in Africa and was brought to many places in the Americas during colonialization; anywhere slaves were brough hibiscus was sure to follow.
Lastly, the black currant. Like hibiscus, it was brought to North American and Africa, but by Europeans and not slaves. Black current is a flavorful, tart berry that’s high in vitamins A, B5, B6, B1, E, and of course vitamin C. It actually gained popularity during World War II as an easily cultivated for its health benefits, when other forms where not available. It’s known to promote good blood pressure, eye health, gut health, and kidney health.
Taking these ingredients together, this delicious blend is excellent warm or cold any time of the day. It’s soothing to drink during cold, winter months, and refreshing when the summer’s heat and humidity kick in!
Most importantly, this tea promotes healing. Whether you need a moment to step back from your own personal trauma, or you just need to relax from the daily stresses of life, this tea is the perfect beverage. What’s more, drinking this tea helps to support local tea farmers in Kenya where we source the ingredients.
Try some of our East African Black Current tea here!
