Can we talk about tea time in Asia?
I don’t even know where to start. There’s so much to talk about tea-wise, YOU HAVE NO IDEA.
Firstly, I’ve become obsessed with some new practices over here & tea time is definitely first on my list to share with you guys.
SO: tea-time.
( I’m like barely scratching the surface in terms of really, truly being a tea-time connoisseur but here’s my experience in the last week ).
RULE #1: pick a specific time everyday. RULE #2: pick your poison ( AKA your favorite tea; I’ve become a die hard ginger tea lover bitch in Asia ). RULE #3: have a tiny sweet ( like a mini cookie, a little finger sandwich, or some berries ). RULE #4: there are really no rules at all but I thought the above three would be helpful.
Basically when I’m having my Asian tea time I REALLY commit to it.
Like I try to put my cell phone away ( hard ), clear my mind, & get in tea mode.
That’s how into tea time I am, guys.
Here’s the thing: we’ve been eatinnnngg. Like really eating. I mean the works, desserts, finger sandwiches, soups, big salads, filets, cookies, you name it. I guess let’s call it indulging? Don’t judge.
( Side: basically when I get back to California it’s time to strap on some ankle weights & not take them off for a few weeks. I’ll also be avoiding champagne & going heavy on the fruit/veg/fish/eggs. But let’s not talk about that boring shit because I’m still here…eating. And eating and eating ).
Anyway, I SWEAR TO GOD THAT TEA IS HELPING ME STAY SLIM HERE. If it weren’t for tea I would have easily already gained a cute seven pounds of sticky rice real fast.
I started thinking: why am I not gaining weight? I mean we’re walking & kayaking & moving but I should be packing on a few LB’s, you know?
And then I started examining my new tea ritual: I wake up every morning & drink real ginger tea with lemon. Then around lunch I have peppermint tea ( PEPPERMINT IS AN APPETITE SUPPRESSENT; some Asians are known to smell peppermint aromatherapy before they eat a meal! ). And then with dinner I will drink green tea with my dinner & end with more ginger tea. So ya, basically it’s tea lyfe over here. Tea for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner.
You still with me?
So I looked in to this whole tea theory & here’s what I found about my ginger tea obsession & weight loss ( info via ):
Stimulates Appetite – If you have a sluggish digestive system and find that you need to get your digestive fires going before a meal, ginger can help. It may be the case that you don’t produce enough stomach acid, and ginger can act as an appetite stimulant, getting your digestive juices revved up so that you are able to digest your meal better. Improper digestion of foods leaves them fermenting in your digestive tract, and can contribute to weight gain.
Helps with Weight Loss – Losing weight is one of the most significantly positive things you can do for your overall health, and ginger can play an integral role in the process. The reason is because it acts as a fat burner, specifically helping to make sure that the weight you’re losing is from fat, and not just general weight or water loss. Another factor that helps shed the pounds is that ginger helps you feel full, so you’ll eat less and feel fuller longer, reducing your overall caloric intake.
Relieves Tired Muscles – The sort of muscle tiredness you get after strength training is the type that ginger works best on. This means that your muscles will recover better and allow you to take part in cardio workouts on your off days. It means you’ll be more likely to be more active instead of being out of commission on the days following your weight lifting workouts. Increased lean muscle mass generally equates to natural weight loss as you burn calories around the clock.
Helps Manage Glucose Levels – Research out of Australia suggests that ginger can help keep blood glucose levels in check. This is important because these levels have a direct impact on weight loss and weight gain, as well as how energetic or lethargic you feel throughout the day. If you’ve noticed that you get a midday crash it’s likely due to your blood sugar levels, and adding ginger to your lunch might help you stay focused and on task. An all-natural alternative to products like 5 Hour “Energy”.
Helps the Body Absorb Nutrients – When you’re trying to lose weight getting the right nutrients is essential. But if your body is overweight and not used to getting the nutrients it needs, it may have become used to not getting the required vitamins and now it doesn’t properly absorb them. More ginger means that you’ll be better absorbing the sort of nutrients that will help you in your pursuit and get you better results more quickly with the same amount of effort.
( more ginger benefits here | more general tea benefits here )
Benefits of tea in general? This source states that:
Tea contains antioxidants
Tea has less caffeine than coffee
Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke
Tea protects your bones
Tea bolsters your immune defenses
Tea protects against cancer
Tea helps keep you hydrated
Nonetheless, I obviously didn’t know I was going to have such a strong love affair with tea while in Asia. I can’t believe the instant connection. It’s really quite the love story.
Let’s also touch on this: I’ve been really in to fully adding herbs to my tea.
Sound weird/sketchy?
It’s not.
And filling tea with herbs is just really damn good & filled with benefits.
I’m a lemongrass or mint girl myself. You?
Basically I’d move to Hong Kong for their tea time…Perhaps it’s time for me find another hobby while we’re here?
And just remember: IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD FRESH GINGER TEA YOU HAVEN’T LIVED.
Ok, fun chat- dinner time. x, Lauryn
* my favorite brand of tea in California is by Nume ( not sponsored, I just like it because it’s organic/non-GMO ).
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I am so happy you are enjoying tea 🙂 I carry a peppermint stick which I am sure you have now seen every pretty girl shoving up her nose before she does anything because of this. Dive into Asian culture as much as you can, it really will awaken you from the typical US routine of diet foods, the Asian’s believe in HERBS! If you can find a Chinese tea herbalist, ask the front desk, you should go, its a total experience that I know you will love! P.S (Add turmeric to your food) and also if you didn’t notice yet Asian’s serve very small portions of food! Lots of love C
Is it spicy like ginger beer?!
It sounds delicious. I’m tea obsessed and I’ve never been to asia!
Jealous of your trip! Sounds like a wonderful time.
i love tea time. ginger really is the best.
Love this post, I’m a lemon grass and mint girl too 🙂
With love, Hayley ♥
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Tea time is a FAN-FN-TASTIC ritual that honestly keeps me sane. I block out 30 minutes on my calendar every day to take a break from work. Green tea with lemongrass and grated ginger, plus a dark choc square.
I LOVE this post! Thanks for sharing all this info on tea! I enjoy a cup usually in the evening after supper, but now after reading this, I want to add it in more! Glad you are enjoying your time… enjoy all that eating… sounds perfect! 🙂
Did you attend any of the tea ceremonies? They are really cool and they teach you a lot about the different teas. I went to Bejing a few years ago and I loved the tea culture in China. Before I left, I had to make sure I came home with tea and a nice tea set.
I love the ritual of it all! Ginger tea sounds delish — I’ll have to give it a try (slash I desperately need to plan a trip to Asia).
Always, Anita
Ok I totally agree with you on everything here. I swear by tea as well and drink a cup every single day and I think it really helps with maintaining weight and weight loss etc. Also I can’t remember where I read this but green tea reduces your risk of getting cancer which was enough of a reason for me to drink it daily! 🙂 xoxo
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I’ve become a complete and utter tea addict lately, and I swear it has helped me drop like five pounds over the past couple of months! I’ve not really changed anything, but I’ve been enjoying around five cups of mint green tea every day, and I just feel so much better.
Loveeee mint green tea! x
Asian tea is the best! Green, chai and oolong are like my alcohol shots 😛
YUM!
I LOVE tea time. Basically, I’m obsessed and try to do it everyday but I get caught up and don’t. I am now so reinspired to try it again!
I’m going to have to find some ginger tea now! What other herbs besides mint and lemongrass could you use?
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I also like using basil, lavender, & fennel!
YES!!!! I used to do have mint green tea everyday at 3ish to help with that mid-afternoon slump/sugar craving. But I’ve been totally slack about it. Thanks for all this awesome info! A much needed reminder. XO
LOVE mint tea!
Such a beautiful post and wish I could be there tasting all those teas! I’m totally addicted to green (actually sipping on Clipper’s summery green tea & strawberry blend as I read!) and also love adding little slices of extra, especially fresh ginger and lime. I’m afraid I’m going to break rule one though…it’s always a great time for tea and the kettle should ever be prepped at the ready! Xx
YUM. I love green tea too! xx
I love the idea of having a ritual every day where you just sit there and chill! Every day when I get home from work I have a La Croix, but I’m still on my phone and stuff! I should just put all that stuff away and relax 🙂
It’s super peaceful. I am finding it’s nice to sit still too.
There were days when I just didn’t understand tea drinking. Plant flavored hot water, really? But now, I crave it all the time. Sooo relaxing and meditative to sip on hot tea and contemplate the day!
Super meditative. I’m always so relaxed when I’m drinking it. I can’t stop! x
I love ginger tea too! My boyfriend bought me a bunch of good teas from Sri Lanka two months ago, and teh ginger tea is SO good!! I hope you and Michael have such an amazing time in Asia 🙂 & Lauryn, your blog is incredible. One day I hope mine will be as beautiful as yours. Do you have a post on blogging tips? I just started, and I don’t really have any readers, my blog is not very pretty, but I have a voice and I know I have something to share with the world. You inspire me so much 🙂
I’ve never been to Asia (bucket list), but I do love the Asian culture approach to tea (compared to more western approaches). No added sugars or milks, just the benefits of the tea. If you feel like switching up your current ritual, give pu-erh tea a try. It’s grown in China and helps the digestive system and boost the metabolism. It has a great earthy flavor, but sometimes I add a piece of raw ginger to my cup to give it a little kick.
I have been struggling to switch from coffee time to tea time!
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Currently in heathrow airport hotel getting ready to fly to Thailand…. I love herbal teas and live on fresh lemon and ginger, green tea and peppermint everyday. So excited to try Asian teas in the sunshine
So I love peppermint tea and have tried really hard to get into green tea (for the benefits) but no matter what type I try I just can’t satnd the taste 🙁 any tips for this or are there any other teas with similar qualities but not the same taste? Thanks L
Add mint or honey : ). If that doesn’t work try ginger, you will love it! x
Hey Lauren. Love Asia. Love the Teas. Love the massages. Love the ENERGY. Thailand is our annual holiday destination of choice. Word of warning watch out for the sweetners sometimes slipped into teas unbeknown to the consumer. We got a caught a few times thinking it was just honey 😉
question: what are the little flowers in the tea in the top picture?
Hey Lauren, I love herbal teas!
Nice post and even better Images. I really like image of tea cup at the top!
You make tea time sound really relaxing and enjoyable! I need to do something like this where I put everything away, clear my mind, and sip on a warm beverage. Do you have any beginners tea I could start with?
Tea has many health benefits and also the top most of them has been used for improving and optimizing your health.
Thanks for this post
Thanks for sharing this awesome post with us. Hot tea makes my day complete. It helps me relax and destress. Peppermint tea is also one of my favorites. I drink my tea at breakfast and with an afternoon snack.
This is my first time stumbling upon this blog and i have to say i am officially a new reader. Had me laughing throughout the whole post! Great post!
Thanks for the support Kade. x
Ginger is one of the best thing that is given to us by nature, they can also cure some hair fall problems
I love this article. It is full of great information. I feel better when I drink green tea. It gives me a sense of well-being and seems to energize me. Just taking time for tea and it makes my day go better. The fact that it may inhibit fat retention in the body is a bonus.
we love a bonus! thank you for reading
What a lovely article about benefits of various teas. I am a tea drinker and really like olive leaf tea after my food. It does help with metabolism too.
Thanks very much for sharing this amazing and informative post. I learnt many new things about tea. You explained everything is very well.