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Teas with flower power
By Gregory Leow
"I love teas, but hate the caffeine," is probably the battlecry of many a herbal tea enthusiast out there.
Such as account manager Eng Poh Yin.
The 27-year-old has been drinking herbal, or floral, teas for 10 years now – much before the trend started hitting Singapore a few years back.
It was whilst studying in Australia that she discovered such teas, and frequented places such as Sydney Tea Centre for her fix.
"Back then, it was really hard to get even something as simple as chamomile in Singapore. Now the whole floral tea phenomenon has really caught on. Every café has at least chamomile to offer," said Ms Eng.
Her favourite place? TeaSpa, a specialist tea outlet located at Hitachi Tower on Collyer Quay which offers a wide selection of herbal teas.
While traditional black, Chinese and green teas are made from the Camellia sinensis plant, herbal teas are made from herbs and other plants such as peppermint and lavender.
Ms Eng’s reasons for liking floral teas go beyond just the absence of caffeine. There is a subtle and clear taste that she enjoys, very different from that of normal tea.
"Normal tea, especially kopi tiam teh, can get almost stale, with thick, heavy flavour to it," she said.
Floral teas are also drunk for the benefits to one’s health, depending on the herb or flower infused. For example the ever-popular chamomile is often nicknamed the Mother of the Gut, as it is said to be particularly useful in helping to relax the intestinal muscles and stimulate the release of digestive juices, facilitating digestion and absorption of food.
Chamomile is also helpful in relieving tension.
The flowers contain a strong anti-spasmodic property that can help to relax tense muscle and ease menstrual pain. If the tea fumes are inhaled, it helps relieve irritability and can also help with conditions such as hay fever and asthma. It is also said to help one have a good night’s sleep if drunk just before bedtime.
Lavender is another popular flower and is known to have anti-bacterial and antiseptic qualities. Its soothing and calming property make it effective in helping to relieve sleeplessness, irritability, headaches and migraines.
Rose petals may be an unusual flower to use for tea, but they are rich in vitamin C.
Rose petal tea is also a mild sedative, has anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory qualities and can be used to help reduce high cholesterol levels.
Ms Eng admits that drinking floral teas does require a certain mindset. It is not a simple case of drink and go.
"Many people and cafes fail to infuse the flowers properly. They take them out too quickly. Infusion takes a good 10 minutes. Very few people have that sort of patience."
As the popular saying goes, good things come to those who wait. Even teas.
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