Healing Minty Deliciousness.. In A Bag (Twinings Peppermint Tea)

Member Name: cherwaite

Product:	Twinings Peppermint Tea
Date:	23/10/06 (2598 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tastes Great, Eases Inflammation,Cheap,Healin g Properties

Disadvantages: Bags Sometimes Burst, Smell Isnt to Everyones Liking

Now as a rule Im not a big peppermint fan. I dont like pepper. Im not partial to mints either [note tongue in cheek] So it came as a big surprise to me that I lavished the fountain at which peppermint tea flowed from. Or the aisle in which I could purchase it in local co-op.

What appealed to me about Peppermint Tea was...
quite a few things. I am trying, albeit slowly, to get healthier. Im as unfit as a slug. Not that all slugs are unfit. I in my previous life as an allround couch potato, drank pepsi til it came out of my ears. This of course did my stomach no good. (see my previous Crohns thread for more info) All I was doing was adding more acid into my stomach that was enflaming and agitating it even more. I was bloated aswell as in pain with stomach cramps and umm quite a bit of wind. After a while I wondered why I was continually putting myself through this torture. The Pepsi was giving me headaches, tiring me after the initial sugar hit and making my Crohns symptoms even worse. Behold the mighty Peppermint Tea ::enter peppermint tea wearing superman cape::

My consultant at the hospital suggested I try peppermint capsules. As I have no capability at all of swallowing anything other than a tiny tic tac, this daunted me. I sauntered down to the local Holland and Barrats and ventured down the Peppermint aisle. Twinings was the most reputable and trusted brand on the shelf that I was aware of and I was drawn to it straight away.

The Packaging...
Is sturdy, quality and effectively does its job. That being to hold 20 teabags. Some have it easy dont they. In a light green colour ~ resembling peppermint perchance, there is a picture of a peppermint leaf on the front. The words 'Classical herbal Infusions Pure Peppermint' are placed above this with the Twinings logo at the very top. To open the box you have to pull a strip at the side of the box which slowly unravels to the top and gives way so the box can open book like. Its very simplistic and easy. I see no way in which anyone could get confused or struggle to do this.
At the back of the package is a small amount of dislogue in which the 1) Benefits 2) Recommendations 3) Brewing Instructions are detailed. These are great to read if you are new to herbal tea and/or unsure of the benefits of drinking it. There is also a small nutritional values table.
The packaging is 100% recyclable and made from renewable resources so its great for environmentally aware folks amongst us.

The Properties of Peppermint Tea..
Peppermint in itself is a great useful herb. For anyone with digestion problems such as IBD, IBS, GERD or such like it can be a symptom easing tool. It can not make your problems any worse. Its properties are calm, cool, healing and easing of any inflammation within the digestion tract. It is anti-bacterial, relieves any gas trapped, can help with morning sickness or nausea caused by medication/travel sickness and increases gastric juices. Peppermint also contains essential oils which stimulate the gallbladder to secrete bile, which the body uses to digest fats.

Used within a healthy balanced diet it can relieve your symptoms dramatically. If brewed very strongly to help make its potency and strength the maximum it possibly can be it has a good painkilling effect that is a godsend if you are in pain. Every little helps!

There is no caffeine and no added sugar in Twinings peppermint tea.

How to serve up a Brew..
Very much common sense. You treat Peppermint tea as if it were normal tea.

* Boil your kettle as usual
* Get out your cups
* Pop in 1 teabag per person
* Once boiled pour water into cup and leave for 2-3 minutes to allow infusion of the Peppermint.
I normally just leave the peppermint tea in the whole time Im drinking it to add flavour and increase the strength.
* Do not add milk. If you do you will be left with a very sickly concoction!! Avoid.

You can leave your peppermint tea to go cold after boiling and drink it like that. Never just use tap water as that doesnt allow proper infusion and will no doubt taste horrid.

You can have it any time of the day and to any quantity that you desire but be careful for any adverse effects (however highly unusual this may be) that you may experience.

Alternative servings..
You can add sugar if you prefer it to taste sweeter or even add a tea spoon full of honey to give it a different taste. I find this to be gorgeous. You can also refridgerate the tea and make a form of iced tea, although I dont recommend this if you have IBS symptoms as it could make them worse. The tea being warmer is better for your tummy.

The Taste...
I adore the taste of Peppermint tea and could drink it all day. I normally wait until it has cooled down after a couple of minutes. The taste is very distinctive and as expected Minty. I can actually feel it easing any heartburn or acid indigestion when im drinking it and always turn to it before I do gaviscon or such products. It may be an aquired taste as it isnt to everyones liking but after a few sips you are hooked. It isnt too strong or bitter or tangy, It has just the right balance.

The Appearance...
Dark Brown colour. Not the most appetising of looks but it rather looks like coffee minus milk. It isnt thick or gloopy, the tea leaves stay in the bag the whole time unless you have created a gash in the side of one and they all flood out. It is just the right consistency.

The Smell..
Now my nosebuds arent up to scratch at the moment but the peppermint gives off a distinctive aroma that is refreshing. Very minty and herbal like, Who would have thought!Although the good news is it leaves you with minty fresh breath afterwards. Some people dont like the smell, I never worked out why.

Price and Stores available at..

You can regularly find twinings herbal tea on special offer in any supermarket or store selling it. Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Other highstreet supermarkets and health stores all stock this brand. Available in two different sizes containing 20/40 teabags.

In Tesco they are available for
20 Teabags 0.91p
40 Teabags 1.62p

Unfortunately 40 is the maximum quantity on offer which I think should be changed and be equal to that of 'ordinary' teabag packages on offer. I think it is good value for money although the quantities and price available.

Summarising
A great healthy alternative to caffeine filled coffee and tea this is jam packed with peppermint goodness. Especially for anyone experiencing digestion problems I recommend at least 2 glasses a day to make you feel that bit better. I know it has worked wonders for some of my friends experiencing problems. If you havent tried it before, buy yourself a box and see what your missing out on. I hope it works for you.

Contact Details:

www.twinings.co.uk
Tel No: 0845 6019612

copyright cherwaite 2006 xx

Summary: Herbal tea that helps tummys.