I love a cup of tea, I think many circumstances start to look so much better after a nice cuppa. Over the last couple of years though there has been a bit of a revival where tea is concerned.
It’s becoming increasingly used as a healthy, relaxing alternative to alcohol with many choosing tea to replace the ritual of drinking, especially during sober months like Dry January. It’s proving a popular substitute as it provides comfort and relaxation with the added benefits of better sleep, improved hydration, and no hangovers.
Research from Mintel suggests that due to the cost of living crisis, many people, particularly in the UK, are choosing a “posh cuppa” as an affordable alternative to costly alcohol. Upmarket Supermarkets like Waitrose have always stocked a wide range of teas but the mainstream supermarkets have all followed suit.
Did you know that research shows that as many as 28% of young adults in the UK do not drink alcohol. The Sober Curious Generation Movement is all about examining the role of alcohol in your life and exploring a healthier relationship with it by reducing intake and practising mindful drinking, and building community with like-minded individuals to enhance mental & physical health.
Something a lot of people don’t talk about is how much routine and ritual plays a role in drinking alcohol. When pouring that first, or second drink becomes part of your daily routine. When you’re looking for a drink to help you unwind at the end of the day consider adding a glass of cold tea rather than wine,spirits or beer to your evening ritual.
It can be far too easy to just reach into the refrigerator to grab something you can open and enjoy immediately. You might think it’s too much work to fill the kettle, wait for the water to boil, and steep a fresh cup of tea every time you want something to drink. Keeping a jug of home-made tea in the fridge can be a great substitute and there are some really interesting blends available. I add ice and fresh fruit and herbs to my blends it’s a bit like having a mocktail but with more health benefits.
You can use Herbal tea or speciality blends in the usual way, hot (or cold) or cold brew using tea leaves or herbal infusions steeped using cold water rather than hot. You do need to leave Cold Brew teas overnight so a small amount of prepartion is required, but its worth it.
There are some wonderful Tea somailers to follow online and many of the smaller tea brands have some great ideas to try on their websites. One of my favorites is Bird and Blend- https://www.birdandblendtea.com/
Tea tasting is becoming a popular experience in the UK, offering workshops, specialized courses, and professional certifications. You can attend tasting workshops in cities like London, Leeds, Cambridge, and Manchester to learn about blending, brewing techniques, and flavour profiles.
So why not give it a go!
Created Curated by Sara Brown 