We are continuing our journey of different tea ingredients, and today we are going to talk about Rose Hips. It is no surprise that Rose Hips are an ingredient that you will commonly find in many teas, especially with its subtle sweetness and delightful color. Let's take a closer look at Rose Hips and see if there are other benefits to looking for as an ingredient in your tea.
Rose Hips Tea Origin
Rose Hips are the pseudo fruit found on rose plants, and while there are hundreds of different species of a rose plant, Rose Hips are mainly from the Rosa canina plant. The fruit is found below the rose petal, and they are round and typically orange or red. The Romans used Rosa canina (also known as "dog rose") to help with a bite from a rabid dog, hence the name. The Chinese would use it to help with chronic diarrhea due to stomach weakness. Rose Hips also have origins in the Middle East and South America. The early Catholic church considered roses sacred, which might have been why the rosary was initially made out of Rose Hips. Even now, they are modeled after the smooth and elongated fruit.
Rose Hips Flavor
Rose Hips are similar to hibiscus when it comes to flavor. They tend to be slightly sweet, with a tart aftertaste. Though sweet and tart, the taste is delicate and can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other flavors. Rose hips do not overpower but blend very well. They also have a pinkish-red color when brewed, which makes it visually appealing. Rose Hips are often found in herbal, fruit tisane teas, or mixed with white teas. Most of the teas containing Rose Hips are caffeine-free. So, if you are trying to stay away from a caffeine boost, but still want great flavor, then teas that contain Rose Hips are an excellent option.
Rose Hips Health Benefits
Rose Hips are rich with antioxidant properties such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamin C and E. Antioxidants help with conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. The vitamin C that you get from Rose Hips can help stimulate the production of white blood cells. These white blood cells protect the body against infection and help support the protective barrier of your skin that shields from outside pathogens. Vitamin C can help with heart disease as it fights off LDL cholesterol and blood triglycerides. If that was not enough, Rose Hips also have anti-inflammatory compounds that decrease joint pain. While it is impressive that Rose Hips can benefit our health in various ways, it is always essential to consult a medical professional with any health concerns.
Clearly, Rose Hips is a fantastic ingredient, especially since they bring many great benefits to the table.
