While you may know and love some of the most common products of the olive tree — olives and olive oil — did you know that the leaves of the olive tree can be used to make herbal tea? Olive leaves have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, but olive leaf tea is a relative newcomer to the tea scene. Despite its newness, tea enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers alike are flocking to olive leaf tea to take advantage of both its health benefits and its light, herbaceous flavor.
What is driving this newfound interest in olive leaf tea, and what is olive leaf tea good for? Keep reading for answers to some of the most common questions about olive leaf tea.
What is Olive Leaf Tea?
Olive leaf tea, also called olive leaf extract tea, is a natural, healthy, herbal tea made from the leaves of the olive tree (Olea europaea). Native to the Mediterranean region, olive trees — and specifically their long, silver-green leaves — are known as a symbol of peace.
Olive leaves are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and healthful compounds like oleuropein and have been used for centuries as a source of plant medicine to treat various ailments and support immune health. An added bonus – olive leaf tea is keto-friendly!
What Does Olive Leaf Tea Taste Like?
Although olive leaf tea has its own unique flavor, it can be most closely compared to a light green tea with mellow, herbaceous notes. The healthful compounds naturally present in the olive leaf produce a slightly bitter taste which becomes more pronounced the longer the leaves are steeped.
This light bitterness can be easily tempered by adding a touch of sweet honey or lemon. The result is a soothing, relaxing, mellow herbal tea that often leaves consumers with a feeling of well-being.
What Are the Benefits of Drinking Olive Leaf Tea?
Aside from its great taste, olive leaf tea is naturally full of beneficial compounds called polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidant-rich micronutrients found in plants (in this case, olive leaves) and research suggests they are full of potential health benefits. The most notable polyphenols found in olive leaves are hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, and tyrosol. These powerful antioxidants can help the body fight against illness and free radicals, and also have antibacterial, anti-aging, and immune-boosting properties. Below is a short list of potential benefits of drinking olive leaf tea.
Some health benefits of olive leaf tea include1:
- Lowers cholesterol & blood pressure
- Enhances the immune system
- Reduces inflammation
- Supports weight loss
- Antioxidant and free radical fighter
How is Olive Leaf Tea Made?
After reading about its many benefits, you may be wondering how fresh olive leaf tea is made. The process is fairly straightforward and begins with boiling fresh, clean water. The water is cooled slightly before pouring over fresh olive leaves, to avoid burning them. This also helps with the taste of the tea and keeps from damaging the polyphenols in the leaves. The tea is then steeped to the desired taste, with a longer steeping time producing a more intense flavor. Complementary flavors may be added to this healthy herbal tea, such as lemon and hibiscus, or a natural sweetener like palm sugar or monk fruit.
Olive leaf tea can be enjoyed hot or as an iced tea.
Does Olive Leaf Tea Contain Caffeine?
Olive leaf tea is naturally caffeine-free! This makes olive leaf tea a great alternative to other types of caffeinated tea, as it can be enjoyed any time of day as a non-caffeinated source of energy. This is great news for anyone who enjoys the taste of tea but doesn’t want the potentially harmful effects of caffeine, which can cause upset stomach, feelings of anxiety, and that inevitable energy crash shortly after consumption.
Is Olive Leaf Tea Better Than Green Tea?
Along with being caffeine-free, olive leaf tea has double the antioxidant capacity of green tea and four times the amount of Vitamin C2. The antioxidants in olive leaf tea are powerful free radical fighters that naturally combat the damage done to the body by common lifestyle issues like stress and poor diet; Vitamin C is widely known as an essential nutrient for overall health, helping the body produce collagen, absorb iron and boost the immune system, among its many functions. With this boost of healthful benefits, it’s no wonder olive leaf tea has quickly established itself as a popular alternative to green tea.
Are There Side Effects Of Drinking Olive Leaf Tea?
As with all plant-based wellness, olive leaf tea should be consumed in moderation. Reported side effects, such as headaches and muscle discomfort, are generally mild. If you are managing an illness or taking prescription medications it is always best to talk with your doctor about possible interactions.
The Last Sip
Olive leaf tea is leading the way as one of the best herbal teas for health. While its benefits may not transform one’s health all on their own, olive leaf tea is becoming a sought-after component of an overall health and wellness lifestyle.
If you’re one of the many tea enthusiasts wondering “where can I buy olive leaf tea near me?”, head on over to the Special Leaf online store to order a case of wholesome, all-natural, craft-brewed olive leaf iced tea today.
References:
1. Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324878#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
2. Current Trends in Biomedical Engineering and Biosciences https://juniperpublishers.com/ctbeb/pdf/CTBEB.MS.ID.555889.pdf
