If you asked us what is the most important thing about the coffee plant? Surely, we will agree that they are coffee cherries. Of course, it is the answer that every lover of this drink would give. But, this time the focus is on the coffee leaves, because, thanks to them, we can prepare a delicious and beneficial tea, free of chemicals and contaminants.
Normally, when the coffee fruits are harvested, their stems, branches and leaves are cut or pruned, and are not taken into account. Something that does not happen in certain countries, since they also usually collect the leaves of the coffee tree to make tea.
We know that you are very curious to discover more information about this tea, made with the leaves of the coffee tree, starting with its properties and preparation. That is why, Incapto Coffee invites you to continue reading and learn more about this.
How is coffee tea born?
Although we know very little about this drink, the truth is that it has a long history. Since it has been consumed for many centuries, in countries such as: Jamaica, Ethiopia, Sumatra, India, Java and Sudan.
Ethiopian coffee farmers, from the 16th to the 19th centuries, used to save coffee beans, either to market them or to offer them in special ceremonies. Meanwhile, the inhabitants of the Harari town (Ethiopia) were enjoying a drink called “Kuti” as part of your daily life.
But what exactly is Kuti? It is a peculiar drink, made with the leaves of the coffee tree. These are put in boiling water, sometimes they put a pinch of salt or sugar. Usually, it was left to boil for about 30 minutes, because it was thought that this would obtain greater sweetness.
By the 19th century, Dutch settlers were in charge of transporting coffee leaves to certain agricultural regions of Indonesia. Since workers were prohibited from consuming the coffee they harvested, they were looking for a new alternative. And this was a drink known as “Kawa daun”, whose preparation consisted of drying the coffee leaves in the sun, with the purpose of highlighting its bitterness.
Subsequently, the leaves were smoked and roasted for several hours. Lastly, they were put in boiling water and then the Kawa daun was served in a coconut shell. Nowadays, new ingredients have been added to this drink, which are sugar, condensed milk and ginger. Sometimes you can put bamboo, and even egg.
During that same century, attempts were made to introduce coffee leaf tea to Europe, but unfortunately without success. The good news is that this drink has gained some fame in Western markets in recent years. This is due to its supposed health benefits.
Similar to green tea?
You could say that both have many things in common. However, coffee leaf tea is more earthy and a nice sweet touch. Unlike green tea, it contains less caffeine. Something that replaces with its antioxidant properties.
In the past, it was believed that coffee tea was capable of curing cold-related symptoms.
How is its flavor?
Most people think that the taste of coffee leaf tea is similar to coffee. Something that is just assumptions, since the flavor of this drink is completely different. In fact, the communications and marketing manager at Impact Roaster, Lina Sazanauskaite, assures that it does not have even a hint of coffee flavor.
What is certain is that the flavor of the tea will depend on where and how it was harvested. Something similar to what happens with coffee. It should be noted that, although this drink is usually compared to green tea, the reality is that the infusion made with coffee leaves is not a tea.
The plant Camellia sinensis, originally from China, is in charge of offering the genuine teas that we know: Black, green, white, dark tea, among others. This Asian plant can grow into a tree, however, farmers prefer to keep it in bush form so they can harvest its leaves and shoots. While the coffee tree, not having a direct relationship with the Cammellia Sinensis, is not considered a tea.
On the other hand, the person in charge of tea and coffee quality at a roastery and importer of tea leaves in Germany, Mateusz Petlinski. He states that calling it an infusion would be medical terminology, and will not arouse interest in the public, in the case of coffee leaves, currently, “exceeds its taxonomy.”
The German expert describes the flavor of this drink with much sweetness, silky body and low astringency. At the same time, it specifies that notes similar to vanilla, pipe tobacco, honey and earthiness can be perceived. Regarding its color, it has a coppery peach tone, bright and vibrant.
Unlike black tea, coffee leaf tea has better balance and that sweet touch that brightens any palate. However, it has little intensity and of course, it is nothing like coffee.
A bestseller
Sales of coffee leaf tea at the roastery and importer where Mateusz works are not very popular. However, the Canadian beverage company Wize, which has a good presence with the Western public, also offers this tea, on a large scale and can be found in more than 30 countries.
To the surprise of many, in 2015 an iced tea made with coffee leaves, which is their latest product, won the World Tea Expo as one of the most innovative drinks. Currently we can find it with mango, grapefruit or original flavors. The leaves used to make this drink come from Nicaragua.
Is it beneficial for health?
Everything indicates that this drink has anti-inflammatory properties. This is due to the production of nitric oxide. Some studies have even revealed that coffee leaf tea is beneficial in treating type 2 diabetesIt is also capable of regulating insulin and cholesterol levels, and if that were not enough, it is capable of preventing heart attacks (hypertension).
Mangiferin is a compound that resides in the leaves of the coffee tree on a large scale. This has been previously studied, and is known as antioxidant polyphenol. In addition to coffee leaves, mangiferin is highly present in mangoes. And if that were not enough, it has worked to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Now, a study that was published in the scientific journal Annals of Botany, pointed out that coffee leaf tea has twice the antioxidant properties, thus surpassing other teas. At the same time, it has important natural chemical levels that we also find in mango, and they serve to reduce inflammation.
This drink, with a long history despite having low levels of caffeine, is capable of disappear fatigue, and reduce hunger. The latter is ideal for those who are trying to lose weight.
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What is coffee leaf tea?