Turkish pomegranate tea: composition, benefits, how to brew

Tourists who often visit Turkey are familiar with the peculiarities of the local tea tradition. This ritual is not only a symbol of hospitality, but also a way to taste a delicious unique pomegranate drink. The benefits and harms of pomegranate tea from Turkey depend on the methods of its preparation and the degree of strength.

What does pomegranate tea look like?

Pomegranate tea appeared in Turkey after the First World War. Prior to that, Turkish coffee was the most common in the country. The devastation of the war made coffee beans almost as valuable as gold, so Turkish growers turned their eyes to the vast tea plantations – and they were right. Pomegranates grew everywhere in Turkey, so the preparation of pomegranate-based tea became quite obvious.

Pomegranate tea from Turkey eventually became the hallmark of the country. It began to be produced on an industrial scale, including for sale in other countries. To do this, use a special system for cleaning and harvesting raw materials, resulting in a useful powder with a memorable aroma. Many people confuse pomegranate tea with hibiscus tea, but they are completely different drinks. Despite the fact that hibiscus takes on a reddish hue when brewed, its taste, as well as aroma, is completely different from pomegranate tea. Hibiscus is produced on the basis of the petals of the Sudanese rose, or hibiscus.

Classical tea prepared by hospitable Turkish hostesses looks special. Its appearance evokes associations with warm summer evenings near fragrant gardens. Pomegranate tea from Turkey can be easily recognized by the description:

• color: depending on what parts of the pomegranate the tea is made from, the shade varies from pale red to deep burgundy;
• aroma: when brewed, a recognizable smell of pomegranate arises;
• taste: without special additives, the drink has a characteristic sourness.

Can you drink pomegranate tea?

Pomegranate is one of the most ancient fruits. The Greeks called it “grainy apple” and used it as a useful remedy for various diseases. Based on it, they learned how to make juice, which today is considered one of the most valuable drinks in terms of composition.

Tea in Turkey is prepared with the addition of juice, pulp or grains, as well as parts of the tree. The properties of healthy drinks prepared according to different recipes have many similarities and several differences.

Pomegranate tea is drunk everywhere in Turkey: special tea houses have been created for men in the country, and women have separate organizations – tea gardens. Politics, sports, news and gossip are discussed over a cup of tea. For the tea ceremony in Turkey, specially trained people are hired – chayji, who brew Turkish pomegranate tea according to the rules, with strict observance of proportions. Tea can be consumed by everyone, the drink can be made very strong or diluted with water and given such pomegranate tea even to a small child.

What is pomegranate tea made from?

Pomegranate tea in Turkey is traditionally prepared according to special recipes. For Europeans, the differences in preparation are not always clear, the local population claims that the use of different parts of the pomegranate tree makes the drinks taste great.

Industrial production has simplified the principles of preparation, offering the consumer a useful powder prepared in a special way. Making your own tea involves choosing one of the parts of the tree or fruit.

Pomegranate flower tea

A classic flower brew recipe involves the use of dried petals and leaves. They are harvested during the flowering period, then dried to a light crunch. Raw materials are stored with the help of fabric bags, where the sun’s rays and moisture do not penetrate.

For 1 cup of tea take 1 tbsp. l. dried petals and leaves. Raw materials are poured with boiling water, insist 10 – 15 minutes. under a saucer. When serving, the drink is filtered, a sweetener is added. Pomegranate flower tea with honey is considered especially tasty.

Pomegranate Peel Tea

The peel of pomegranates contains an increased amount of useful elements.

The white membranes that coat the beans and protect them from damage are rich in flavonoids, but can make the drink bitter when brewed. When harvesting, part of the white peel is removed, and a small amount is left to increase the useful value.

The drink is prepared from preserved raw materials or fresh peels are used:

• The first method: the peels are dried, divided into small pieces, then crushed to a powder. When brewing, take 1 tbsp. l. for 250 ml of water;
• second method: infusion of fresh crusts. They are cut into small pieces, then pour boiling water and insist.

We can talk about the benefits of pomegranate peel tea only if it is used freshly brewed, a settled drink can be a source of harm to health.

Pomegranate leaf tea

A healthy drink from the leaves is usually made on the basis of a powder that is stored for several years. It is easy to make your own and drink hot or cold.

Benefits of pomegranate tea

Turkish pomegranate tea can not only quench your thirst or please your taste buds, its composition has useful properties:

• relieve stress, calm the nervous system due to the content of essential oils;
• amino acids, vitamins and essential oils contribute to the normalization of blood pressure, have a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels, prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, and normalize blood flow processes;
• flavonoids help eliminate the symptoms of inflammatory and infectious diseases, in combination with tannins and vitamins strengthen the immune forces and increase the body’s resistance to external influences;
• vitamin composition, supplemented with tannins, has a positive effect on the activity of the thyroid gland;
• with the participation of the components of the composition in the body, chemical reactions for protein synthesis take place, the degree of digestibility of products increases, and indicators of metabolic processes improve;
• ascorbic, pantothenic acid help to stabilize the state of the body during the course of a cold, vitamins compensate for the loss of elements, the liquid prevents the violation of the water balance.

Often, pomegranate tea is recommended for anemia, it helps to compensate for the lack of iron and normalize the natural balance of micro and macro elements.

How to Brew Pomegranate Tea from Turkey

The local population of Turkey observes the tradition of brewing tea from pomegranate. Tea establishments in the country are proud of the way the service is organized. For classic cooking, special dishes are used from a variety of materials. Teapots consist of two parts of almost the same size, placed on top of each other. The upper teapot is filled with tea leaves and water, and the lower one is filled with boiling water: it performs the function of a “water bath” for proper infusion.

Cold water is used to brew the powder. It saturates the tea with additional oxygen, according to the local population. Then the water with tea leaves is boiled over medium heat for 5-6 minutes. The drink is poured into the upper container and placed on the lower one – to infuse for 10 – 15 minutes.

Pomegranate tea is poured into glasses, it is served with fruits, sweets, salty biscuits, sugar or honey. Drinking tea is a separate meal. It is never served after meals or before meals. Strong tea is preferred by the male population; for women and children, the drink is diluted with water and various sweeteners are added.

How to drink pomegranate tea

The classic recipes for pomegranate tea from Turkey have been supplemented or modified over time. You can add honey to warm pomegranate tea and drink it chilled. Powdered rinds, grains or leaves are traditionally added to brewed black or green tea.

Recently, pomegranate tea with the addition of lemon juice or crushed ginger root has been especially popular, although such additives are not accepted in Turkey.

A concentrated strong drink from Turkey is drunk 200 ml daily. With an exacerbation of chronic diseases, take a break or dilute the tea with water.

Infused with petals, pomegranate leaves, tea is consumed 1-2 cups daily.

Pomegranate tea raises or lowers blood pressure

Pomegranate is known as a fruit that helps to normalize blood pressure. Pomegranate tea from Turkey, at medium concentration and moderate intake, lowers and normalizes blood pressure. It is drunk warm or chilled with added sugar to taste.

The mechanism of pressure reduction becomes possible due to the influence of the drink on the elasticity of blood vessels, preventing the formation of blood stasis and stabilizing blood flow.

pomegranate tea during pregnancy

The content of iron and B vitamins indicates the benefits of pomegranate tea from Turkey during pregnancy, but there are a number of restrictions that a woman must take into account so as not to harm her health.

• Iron and folic acid are especially necessary for a pregnant woman during the first trimester. By the third trimester, the body’s ability to respond to plant components increases, so you should be more careful with the drink;
• Pomegranate tea, infused with leaves, flowers or grains, differs in the concentration of basic substances from tea with the addition of juice or peels, therefore, during pregnancy, the first option is preferred;
• If the expectant mother has an increased acidity of the stomach or there are associated problems with the intestines, then it is better to refuse to drink the drink completely.

Contraindications for pomegranate tea

In addition to beneficial properties, pomegranate tea from Turkey can provoke unwanted reactions in the body. It is contraindicated:

• people suffering from chronic diseases of the stomach, intestines or pancreas;
• those who suffer from increased sensitivity of the gums (the acid content can provoke an exacerbation and lead to an increase in the sensitivity of the teeth);
• those who have allergic reactions to pomegranate;
• children under 3 years of age: upon reaching this age, the drink is introduced gradually in small portions.

In addition, with frequent use of pomegranate tea, an overdose may occur. Its symptoms appear as an overabundance of concentrated substances:

• weakness, lethargy;
• drowsiness;
• increased sweating;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• slight dizziness.

These symptoms also indicate that not only glut has occurred, but also a drop in pressure due to uncontrolled intake of the drink.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of pomegranate tea from Turkey depend on how and from what the drink is made. For people with low blood pressure, it can cause a deterioration in well-being. For those who are not subject to pressure drops, tea from Turkey will seem divinely useful, able to invigorate and energize.

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