The AKAP Local Tea Guide
So here’s the tea, and no, this isn’t some small talk or discussion of a certain juice topic. We’re here to bring you the inside facts and details about the local tea that’s common and popular in the Philippines and what are the benefits of each type of tea to your health.
While milk tea and coffee have massive popularity across the country, drinking tea is still enjoyed by Filipinos across every generation. Tea in general is easy to prepare and is known as a more traditional way of healing illnesses or soothing the body for some Asian cultures. Tea drinking has also been around for nearly 5,000 years and originated in China later extended to be practiced in other countries, mainly in East Asia and soon, worldwide.
And if you’re planning to try drinking some warm tea or hoping to try a new flavor that fits your needs, AKAP is here with the perfect local tea guide for you.
Salabat Tea
A local version of ginger tea, for many who grew up in the province, or have tasted this home remedy for colds and flu, Salabat tea consists of ginger and honey and is often used to soothe sore throats and colds. Some even consider drinking Salabat when they experience nausea or indigestion.
Many Filipino families in the province turn to drink Salabat tea even to improve their voices before performances. Salabat tea is also known to be the most popular tea in the Philippines and is even easy to make. Some even suggest that ginger itself is used in food and drinks to treat arthritis and menstrual cramps.
Malunggay Tea
Locally known as “Malunggay” the Moringa tree is dubbed as the “miracle tree” due to its many uses and medicinal use. Moringa trees are also trees native to the Philippines and are commonly added to dishes with high antioxidants and even added to supplements for the heart.
Moringa leaves are even known to be very nutritious and can easily be incorporated into any diet while also fighting inflammation. Many Filipinos may even be familiar with the miracle tree leaves found in dishes, bread, and no surprisingly, tea.
Pandan Tea
If you’re looking for a sweeter scent of tea, then Pandan tea is the right pick for you to try. From its unique honey-like sweetness to the versatility of its usage. Pandan tea is used as a drink to help you sleep better, reduce stress, and even increase appetite.
The pandan is also known for its medicinal properties that are focused on eye health and even prevent cancer, it’s even used to heal headaches. If you are a first-time tea drinker, pandan may be the best choice to try if you want to have a taste of local tea in the Philippines. And bonus facts, did you know that Pandan leaves are also described as the “vanilla of southeast asian cooking?”
Pandan tea is even a warm remedy to reduce stress and need help sleeping better.
Tanglad Tea
Best known for its tangy flavor and fragrant scent. Lemongrass, or “Tanglad” is similar to Pandan in that it is used primarily in Asian cuisine due to its citrusy aftertaste. While tea drinkers describe that tea helps calm their nerves and even relaxes their senses after a long day of work or activity, lemongrass tea in particular has specific components and decreases anxiety and stress.
If you are also looking for a tea that can boost your red blood cell count, then lemongrass tea is the perfect partner for you. Adding it to your daily diet can increase hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count if you drink lemongrass tea regularly.
Calamansi Tea
Whether you drink this fruit as juice or tea, calamansi is that citrus fruit you can use in almost all food and drinks. Complimenting savory dishes in the Philippines, calamansi is even dubbed as Philippine lime, because of its impacting taste. On an overview, this fruit is packed with so much vitamin C, that many Filipinos enjoy its refreshing taste as a juice for many health benefits. Calamansi may soothe acidity, stimulate growth, help in losing weight, cleanse the body, decrease cholesterol, and offer relief to people with respiratory infections.
Drinking it hot, as a tea is also an alternative and has the same effect as drinking it cold.
Of course, these are only a handful of the diverse fruits and teas one can try across the Philippines, these top picks are our best recommendations if you want to start drinking tea that’s either homegrown or easy to find at the local market or stores.
Since we are constantly on the go, working, studying, or even doing multiple activities throughout the day, it is important to pause, take a breather, and enjoy that much-needed cup of tea to keep our mind and body fresh, in any situation. And to make carrying your favorite flask or tumbler of tea easier, no matter where you’re destination is for the day, AKAP brings you its nifty, and reliable Botella, to bring your fave drink anywhere and in style.
Designed with adjustable and expandable bottle-bands, Botella can carry water tumblers and cups of varying sizes, and it’s even reversible so you can mix and match it with your daily outfit.
Check out our different designs on our collection page and give these cozy local teas a try the next time you need a relaxing cup to seize your day.
