A large part of skincare is not what you put ON your skin but what you put IN it! Nutrition is such a fundamental factor in healthy skin, which includes not only what you eat but also what you drink. Teas have been used for millennia for their medicinal properties. I was so excited to find one that specifically promoted a healthy complexion and, BONUS!, it tastes delicate and wonderful too.
The Vital Tea Leaf
A few years ago, my good friend Angel (who is also an amazing designer and seamstress; Check out her etsy shop, Glam Cloud if you like cute dresses) turned me on to this tea. She took me to the Vital Tea Leaf and it was an amazing experience. Their store is located in by Seattle’s Pike’s Place Market and you should plan on your visit lasting awhile. One store wall is lined with Chinese teas from Pu-erh, Green, Black, Red to Herbal and Floral. It is set up like a ceremonial tea bar and they will guide you, new and seasoned, through a tea tasting wonderland. I saw a gentleman wander in off of the street with a stomachache and in 10 minutes they had his stomach settled with a Pu-erh for digestion. They truly know their stuff.
About Siberian Rose Tea
The tea itself is a beautiful mauve pink and grows in the northeastern region of China near Siberia. It is subtly aromatic and smells like a rose garden. Daily use of the Siberian Rose tea is said to give you a healthy complexion, promote skin hydration, and act as a gentle sleep aid. It is helpful in clearing toxins and restoring balance to the intestines. Rose teas are very high in vitamin C, which is an important component in maintaining healthy and radiant skin. The Chinese have also used this tea to balance female hormones and endocrine imbalances. I find this extremely helpful for keeping harmony with my skin throughout the month.
How To Steep It
Making the Siberian Rose Tea is simple but there were a few tips to share that improve the cup. When the folks at Vital Tea Leaf prepared the teas, they said that you should always do a rinse pour before you steep. Teas have been dried, shipped, and stored in a range of conditions (none of which you know!) and this insures that you rinse off a lot of dust or debris that may have accumulated. You can also incorporate other teas that complement the rose to make the flavor more complex. I prefer to add Osmanthus tea to my brew. This tea is a neuroprotective, free-radical scavenging, antioxidant.
To prepare, add a few buds (a heaping tablespoon) and a pinch of Osmanthus to a large tea basket. Make sure you give the tea room to move around in the basket. After a discarded rinse pour, steep your tea in 8 ounces of water at about 160 degrees for about 30 seconds. The roses are delicate so make sure your water is not too hot or it may become bitter. That’s it! You are ready to enjoy, but don’t throw out your basket of goodies just yet. After you drink your cup, I’m sure you’ll want more. This tea is good for several steeps and I think it gets better on the second go-round.
Where To Get Siberian Rose Tea?
I’m so glad I decided to revisit all of the skin nourishing benefits of this tea. It reminds me to make a trip down to the market to get more! If you don’t live in the Seattle area or can’t find a local store that carries Siberian Rose Tea, you can find it and other great teas on the Vital Tea Leaf website. Enjoy!
