International Tea Day 2023: why midlife women need tea more than ever

Tea. That humble cup of hot liquid comfort that somehow makes perimenopausal brain fog slightly less foggy at 4am. Instagram might tell you tea time is about a frothy latte. Not for me. At 49, I don’t care about the aesthetics, I care about the ritual. The calm. International Tea Day on May 21 is the perfect excuse to sip, savour, and just notice life for five minutes.

Generational tea bonds

Picture a Persian family reunion: tea poured into tiny glasses, conversations bouncing, and sweet treats (shirini) disappearing faster than little Cyrus’s patience. Research says six in 10 people inherit their tea habits from their parents. So it’s not just a drink, it’s cultural inheritance, handed down with love, and maybe a tiny scolding if you refill your own cup too fast.

Tea is tasty 

Science backs up what we already feel in our bones. Dr Carrie Ruxton from the Tea Advisory Panel notes:

• Working adults: sharper focus, improved memory, ideal when you’ve forgotten why you walked into the kitchen
• Older adults: lower blood pressure, reduced heart disease risk 

Black, green, herbal, you get to pick your potion, and they all come with perks.

Persian tea rituals

In our house, tea-time is a mini ceremony. Served very hot, sipped cautiously from tiny cups, paired with sweets, it’s a moment to pause, gossip and reflect. Forget the influencers’ staged “peaceful moments”, this is real life, with crumbs and loud children optional.

Green tea and gut health 

Green tea is antioxidant heaven and great for digestion. Personally, I can’t always stomach it, but teas like Nutrilic Slim Tea give me the benefits without the bitter taste. It’s also energising without giving me the shakes.

The science of tea

Dr Gill Jenkins explains: polyphenols, caffeine, and L-theanine combine to keep our brains alert, moods steady, and anxiety at bay. Eight in 10 adults report mood lifts from tea, while four in 10 say it calms them. For me, one cup and my perimenopausal panic about whether I locked the door just melts away.

Tea as comfort

Tea smells like nostalgia. It tastes like calm. It feels like permission to stop for five minutes and breathe. In midlife, that’s worth more than gold.

Detox without despair

I approached Nutrilic Tea with skepticism. Detox teas have a habit of tasting terrible, but this one pleasantly surprised me. Refreshing, subtly sweet, and energising without jitters, it’s perfect for post-gym mornings or when life is tough and you just need a digestive pick-me-up. The mesh infuser makes it effortless, hot water, pop it in, done.

Verdict: Mood-lifter, energy booster, and gentle digestive aid. ★★★★

Over The Moon Tea

HotTea Mama’s Over The Moon Tea is chamomile, rose, and valerian magic in a biodegradable bag. Vegan, gluten-free, eco-friendly, basically tea that loves the planet and your sanity. One sip and you feel like you’re wandering through a moonlit rose garden. Life stresses are momentarily forgotten.

Verdict: Pure serenity in a cup. ★★★★

Other teas I adore

• Saffron Tea: boosts mood, calms nerves, and feels decadent for pennies
• D’Amazonia Tea: energising, rainforest-infused, makes me feel like an adventurous adult for five minutes

What’s your tea?

Tea lovers, I need intel: what tea calms you, uplifts you, or reminds you of home? Drop your favourites in the comments. Let’s swap secrets.