The benefits of hot drinks in summer
Drinking a hot beverage when it is already hot outside sends a strategic signal to your body. Detecting this new heat source, the system works to regulate itself so body temperature does not spike. To achieve this, it produces more sweat. This sweating process plays a key role in thermoregulation: by releasing heat through the skin, body temperature decreases. As a result, the hot drink indirectly creates a cooling effect.
Conversely, an ice-cold drink sends the opposite message to the brain. Sensing that the body might cool down too quickly, the system curbs sweating to retain stored body heat. It may even expend energy to generate heat and offset the gap between the icy drink and body temperature (37°C). This diminishes the immediate physiological benefits of very cold drinks. That said, for sheer refreshment and taste, we can only encourage you to keep enjoying them!
The limits of hot drinks in summer
As explained above, hot drinks encourage the body to produce sweat. The downside is that sweating leads to greater fluid loss. If you drink hot beverages, remember to hydrate more frequently. All the more so because tea is a diuretic that stimulates kidney function and aids elimination.
So, what is the best compromise for the body in summer? Probably drinking lukewarm drinks at room temperature, or cool drinks that are not ice-cold. The closer a drink is to body temperature, the less effort our system needs to make to regulate its core temperature.
Which teas should you drink hot in summer?
In practice, any tea can be enjoyed hot in summer, but some suit the summer vibe perfectly. That is true of Moroccan tea, the traditional mint green tea enjoyed year-round in Morocco. Traditionally, it is served in stainless steel or silver teapots with long spouts and matching trays. Plain green tea (Chinese “Gunpowder”) is infused alongside a bunch of fresh mint and generously sweetened before serving. A single sip will transport you straight to Morocco!
Other summer tea suggestions: organic White Bellini, with peach and apricot notes reminiscent of market stalls, and organic Tropical White, transporting you to the tropics with mango and passion fruit. Or the exotic Blue detox, a blend of green tea and maté flavoured with pineapple.
Which herbal teas should you drink hot in summer?
As well as being organic, all Kusmi herbal teas and infusions are designed to taste just as delicious hot as they do iced. Introducing the Aqua family: AquaExotica (hibiscus mango infusion), AquaFrutti (hibiscus goji berry infusion), AquaSummer (hibiscus, peach, apricot infusion), and AquaRosa (hibiscus red berries infusion).
Looking for more? Treat yourself to organic Be Cool (verbena infusion), Feel Zen (rooibos apple lemon balm), Sweet Break (red berries, biscuit), Only Spices (fennel, liquorice, aniseed), Happy Mind (herbal blend, apple), or Only Night (rooibos honeybush linden). You're spoilt for choice!