Dried Olive Leaves
Olive Leaf Tea has a very unique and pleasant taste, and is very different from other teas.
If we had to make a comparison to something recognizable, it could be compared to a very light or weak green tea, but with a very pleasant and pronounced flavour. A slight bitterness may be noticed on the palate. This is mainly due to its oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol components. If the tea is brewed for a period of three minutes or longer the colour will become darker, the flavour more pronounced, and the bitterness will become more intense. It is also worth noting that the stronger the brew (steeping the leaves for a longer period) will contain higher medicinal values as it contains more of the olive leaf's water-soluble, healing chemicals.
Olive Leaf vs Green Tea:
Olive Leaf Tea is an ideal alternative to Green Tea - because it is completely caffeine free! You can receive a boost of energy without the harmful effects caffeine. Olive leaf has also been shown to have double the antioxidant capacity of green tea and four times the content of Vitamin C.
Olive Leaf Tea Consumption Levels:
As with many herbal remedies, the quantity consumed per day will depend on whether you are drinking it as a health tonic, or to assist your body in dealing with a serious infection or illness.
For an excellent general health tonic: 1 to 3 cups per day, of a light amber colour, brewed for 3 to 5 minutes.
To assist a weakened or overworked immune system that is dealing with high levels of stress or disease: 2 to 5 cups per day of a darker, more bitter-tasting tea, brewed for 5 to 15 minutes.