Tea Time: Encore Celebrates the Taste, Comfort, and Health Benefits of Tea

The month of January is National Hot Tea Month— and there couldn’t be a more fitting time of year to celebrate the warm, comforting beverage. As we face plummeting temperatures, icy roads, and mounds of snow, we should all take some time to soothe and nourish ourselves with a hot, healthful refreshment like tea.

The Birches Assisted Living’s Encore neighborhood took some time last week to celebrate the taste and comfort of tea by hosting a tea party for residents and associates.  According to The Birches’ Director of Encore and Memory Care Services Jackie Raschke, the Encore Tea Party was a great way to bring The Birches community together for conversation, fun, and, of course, some tasty tea.

In addition to a wide selection of tea, each table was provided with appetizers, desserts, and conversation cards to encourage lively interaction among attendees. “We had conversation cards on the tables to help with the socializing and getting to know each other better,” said Raschke. “Everyone enjoyed it and there was some nice conversation that took place.”

Attendees were invited to try unique tea varieties like Green Tea Wild Blueberry and Acai, which Raschke says are her favorite because of their brain boosting benefits. “Blueberries, pomegranate, white tea, and green teas are good for the brain, and they were super tasty,” said Raschke. “This tea party has rejuvenated my taste for tea. It’s a healthy drink choice in these cold winter months.”

Raschke is correct—tea has consistently been touted for its wide-ranging health benefits, which makes it a wise choice any time of year. Tea contains antioxidants known as flavonoids which help fight free radicals, reducing the risk of cancer and other health problems.  Green tea is especially renowned for its high antioxidant content and its ability to ward off cancer, stroke, and neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It is also known to counteract oxidative stress on the brain.

With a fairly large turnout, the Encore Tea Party is just one in a series of programs Raschke would like to host in Encore centered on the concept of brain boosting food and drinks.  Other ideas include a wine tasting (because red wine is known for its healthful properties), a dark chocolate fondue party, and a brain boosting smoothie summer party in Encore’s backyard.  In other words, there are a lot more tasty, healthy programs in store for Encore. Now, that is something to eat and drink to!