A beautiful Russian proverb translates as: "After tea, it's summer for the soul." So it's no wonder that it is so good for us, especially in the cold season. This fragrance, the fine aromas - it makes for real feel-good moments. And the variety is legendary.

We like the taste

We Germans are "black tea drinkers", consuming an average of 20 liters of black tea a year. The perennial favorites are Darjeeling, Assam and Earl Grey. Herbal and fruit teas are the second most popular varieties.

Loose or in a bag?

It is practical to be able to quickly hang a bag in your cup. However, critics complain that only inferior tea is packaged in them. Although this is not true across the board, it is significantly less productive and does not "survive" a second infusion. Loose tea, on the other hand, is usually available in the higher quality varieties, it tastes more intense and is cheaper. Tea blossoms in the shape of balls are a nice alternative: when hot water is poured over them, they unfold impressively - a great sight.

For your health

Tea is a natural remedy and, depending on the variety, is full of vitamins, essential oils and plant substances that strengthen the immune system. Green tea is particularly healthy, as it contains substances that have an anti-inflammatory effect, lower our blood pressure and can protect against cardiovascular disease. If you want to be sure that tea has the best possible healing properties, make sure you buy organic quality.

Tips for preparation

As a general rule, the longer it steeps, the stronger it becomes. Black tea should be steeped in water at a temperature of around 95 degrees Celsius for 3 to 5 minutes. For green tea, the water temperature should be a maximum of 75 degrees and the infusion time is only 1 to 3 minutes. Herbal teas should steep for 5 to 8 minutes - by the way, you only need 3 to 4 grams per liter of high-quality varieties such as those from the Schönfeld tea nursery.

Making your own

From peppermint to sage - if you have planted herbs, you can easily blend your favorite tea yourself. To do this, pour hot, no longer boiling water over fresh leaves and leave to infuse briefly. For storage, dry the leaves in the air or in the oven. It will keep for several weeks if stored in a dark place. For a strong infusion, you need about a handful of herbs per liter of water.