SIPPING YOUR CUP OF ZEN: AFRICAN RED TEA IMPORTS PROMOTES HEALTH & WELL-BEING
By Stacey Kumagai
Tea is one of the most widely-consumed beverages in the world, second only to water. From some of the earliest historical records dating it back to origin in China first Millennium B.C. where the Han Dynasty utilized it as medicine; to traveling to Japan by the sixth century; with Korea, India, Taiwan and United Kingdom to follow, tea has been discovered for its healing properties and healthful benefits all over the world.
African Red Tea Imports in Los Angeles is creating its own history to add to the chronicles of the tea phenomenon. They are making a difference by promoting health, well-being and anti-aging, with a caffeine-free100% certified organic and Kosher African Red tea called “Rooibos” (pronounced roy-bos) with medicinal antioxidant properties. This tea has 50% more antioxidant properties than green tea alone.
“After having my first cup of rooibos red bush tea, which was given to be by my South African friend, Michael Broomberg, I realized that this tea had amazing properties and anti-aging effects. This inspired me to partner with Michael and go back to South Africa to meet the farmers and work with them closely to learn more about the Red Bush tea and its medicinal purposes. African Red Tea Imports (ART) was founded in 1999 to help promote health and well-being, and to help people enjoy an extremely healthy caffeine free, anti-aging property tea alternative,” states Nira Levy Maslin, Co-Founder of African Red Tea Imports. “Our farmers carefully grow the Red Bush tea for us for medicinal purposes and specialize in harvesting the Red Bush at the perfect time, only using the top-cut of the bush. The top-cut of the bush contains all the nutrients, while most farmers cut 2/3 of the bush. Therefore, each cup of tea tastes smooth and refreshing, having a consistent flavor each time.”
While most Los Angelenos are self-proclaimed ‘caffeine achievers,’ who get their buzz from espressos, coffee and energy drinks and colas, African Red Tea’s beneficial properties are quite a buzz in the realm of improving your overall health a cup at a time.. For the past twenty or so years, the term ‘free radical’ has become more mainstream. People have wanted to detoxify their bodies and reverse the aging process. African Red Tea not only can help do that, but it has numerous other benefits as well. It has been prescribed for mild depression, nervous tension, digestive problems, and insomnia. Minerals in Red Tea include iron, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, fluoride, manganese and sodium . It is also rich in the flavinol Quercetin, known to increase capillary strength. Levy-Maslin found out first-hand that this tea was truly her own perfect cup of ZEN…. “I discovered it through my own use at a difficult period in my life where I was depressed, imbalanced and stressed out. With the first cup of tea I could feel the calming and soothing effects.
“Red Bush is an herbal plant grown in the indigenous region of the slope of the Cederberg Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. It is one of the few places in the world where the air and land is the most rich in natural occurring minerals. It is hand cultivated in South Africa only once it has reached full maturity and only selected branches are cultivated. The branches then go trough sterilization and sifting process 5 times to remove any impurities that make it smooth and not bitter. It is what makes the herbal plant so healthy. To be Kosher - the rabbi who comes to the farm makes sure the process of the tea is clean and sterilized without cross contamination. There is a very strict process to follow in order to become 'certified organic'. For at least 3 years the soil must be prepared and fertilized with non toxic ingredients and only then can the product grown be classified 'organic'.
Studies conducted at the Institute for Science of Aging at AICHI Medical University in Japan, showed Red Tea to contain Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) - an outstanding antioxidant and prime fighter of free radical damage. As a result of their studies, they termed Red Tea "an ANTI-AGING BEVERAGE," which can significantly help COUNTER THE AGING PROCESS,” declares Levy-Maslin. African Red Tea Imports carries more than just tea. The healthful properties of the Rooibos tea has also been incorporated into a myriad of products they carry to benefit you from head to toe…. LITERALLY. Their products include extracts, powders, supplements, hair care, foot pads, and skin care – including soaps, face creams, essential oils, and bath products and yes, even delicious recipes – as the tea can be incorporated into culinary creations that are not only healthy and anti-aging, but tasty and nutritious.
Levy-Maslin is an organic chef and infuses many fine dishes with the African Red Tea along with organic spices and seasonings, which is also sold. These products can be purchased from retailers across the country, including Ralphs, Albertsons, Whole Foods, Bristol Farms and many others, as well as online and direct via phone. But Levy-Maslin believes that the best things in life are free – and she utilizes this philosophy in dealing with customers. Her walk-in customers are not only greeted with a smile but a complimentary cup of freshly brewed tea so they experience ZEN from the moment they walk into her store. The Zen experience is enhanced with enticing aromas from the teas, to frankincense and you may discover the rhythmic sounds of tribal drumming – something Levy-Maslin incorporates as a part of a regular ritual at African Red Teas. She also is a firm believer in free samples. “My motto is "don't buy it, please try it." That's how I touch their souls by simply giving it for free. So with every sip they love it more and more and always buy it to take home,” she says. And if you think this is amazing, wait til you hear their latest news!
African Red Teas is creating a tonic bar – serving up healing elixir shots of healthful teas. “It’s better than any pharmacy – if you are tired or have a headache, you can come in, relax and have yourself a tonic and feel better, naturally,” she shares with a song in her voice. She doesn’t just preach and teach this Zen way of being. She also practices a Zen lifestyle by simply expressing daily gratitude, cleansing to reconnect the soul and nourishing her body and spirit with African Red Tea in a variety of delicious forms – keeping her physical vehicle pure and healthy. She also keeps up morale and spirit for her entire business team. “To keep the joy, the soul and the beat present in our lives we do drumming classes for healing and promote community wellness and rejuvenation once a week,” she states.
Levy-Maslin certainly marches to the beat of a different African Red Tea drummer, incorporating a healthful way of being and living with “A piece of knowledge, a delicious cup of tea and cultural experience.” She hopes to help all those she comes in contact with to enjoy a non-stressful life that is healthier a cup at a time…. And we say cheers to that!
African Red Tea Imports is located at 533 North Fairfax Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90036 also at 401-1/2 South Fairfax Avenue 323.658-7832
For more information go to www.africanredtea.com
Click here on how to make an organic rooibos smoothie