Tea - Ingredient Research

Herbal and fruit teas are all low-calorie, making them acceptable for health-conscious consumers. People who will be purchasing that he themselves will most likely be health-conscious due to being interested in the luxury market, higher income normally leads to a healthier lifestyle. People who will be purchasing the gift set for other people might want to give a stylish gift but also good for the person who is receiving the gift, because he would want to give a gift which would harm or will be unhealthy to the recipient.  Twinings is a example of a market leader within the luxury to environment which actively presents a series of tea ranges based on herbal and fruit ingredients, which have been successful.

They are similar in the way that the ingredients used are meant to implement great flavour was also improving or benefiting the user of the product themselves. A prime example of this is the pure chamomile selection, well-known as a natural relaxant and to have calming properties. 

 Stimulants

As I a want to create a product is aimed towards a luxury market on to take the focus onto the natural ingredients. One of the main ingredients that entice people to regularly drink tea and coffee is caffeine this is to keep them productive and awake throughout the day. 

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant of the methylxanthine class.  It is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive drug.  overuse of caffeine can lead to insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability,   and upset stomach, fast heartbeat and even muscle tremors. When caffeine reaches the brain it will affect the alertness of the user. 

Yet there are many natural alternatives which present the same effects, without the negative health effects.

Examples:

1. Maca-  an ancient food source in herbal medicine from the Andes region, maca is rich in many nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and sterols. Research has found maca to boost mood and energy levels, decrease anxiety and more.
2. Quercetin -  this antioxidant can give you the energy without the nervousness of caffeine. 2010 study from the University of South Carolina showed that the quercetin blocks brain receptors from sleep chemicals, whilst also boosting levels of mitochondria in yourselves, thereby leading to greater muscle performance. High levels of this can be found in apples.
3. Ginseng -  ginseng has been studied to improve mood and based endurance as well as treat cancer, heart disease, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, high blood pressure, menopausal symptoms, and other conditions

Relaxants 

As I want the product to vary throughout the day when the user is taking it to give the user different effects, the evening time Tea will need to have a relaxant in it rather than a stimulant. This will be to encourage a decreasing anxiety, stress, and induce a good night sleep. Thus improving the overall health and experience of the daytime for the consumer.

Examples:

1. Passionflower was first discovered in the 16^th century and used throughout the middle ages to encourage sleep, relax muscle cramps and relieve anxiety and nervousness.
2. Valerian Root has been used for centuries to help sooth upset nerves and help headaches, mood swings, and general pain. Today it is used by homeopaths and herbalists because of its calming and sleep inducing effects.
3. Camomile is widely used in similar products and acts as a soothing and relaxing sleep inducer.

Chosen Flavours: 

 As the product is meant to be aimed toward the luxury market will be looking at aiming for flavours more unique stance, creating something which is familiar yet also new. This will give the people the confidence to be able to buy the product and know what they are getting from yet also entice them to buy the product to something new and exciting all purchases as a gift to someone they care about to try something new and exciting.

Morning – Apple and Currant, Quercetin Infused Tea

The flavours I have selected her complement each other, quercetin  is found predominantly in apples naturally. Therefore I thought this would be the obvious choice to base the tea around, further exemplifying the natural aspect of the tea brand itself. Current complement Apple and give it more warming less sour taste, it also adds an element of sweetness to the tea; giving the team a perfect base for the consumer to start their day.  I chose quercetin  as the stimulant ingredient within this tea as it is an antioxidant which gives the energy and effect of caffeine, and therefore will be something that the audience is familiar with in a morning. It also leads to greater muscle performance, therefore giving them the ability to be able to get up and do what they need to in the morning to get the day started to the correct way.

Afternoon – Maca Infused Pomegranate and mint tea

 In the afternoon plenty I've decided to flavour it with mint and pomegranate. The mint is the afternoon tea refreshing taste, therefore refreshing and revitalising the consumer to be able to face the afternoons tasks. It is complemented with the flavour of pomegranate adding a sense of sweetness to the flavour, therefore giving them the energy they feel they need from a natural resource. The stimulant within this tea maca, which is an ancient food source and herbal remedies, is known to have multiple vitamins minerals fatty acids and amino acids and sterols, therefore giving the consumer the boost they need to carry on the afternoon (boosting all their essential levels). This is also known to increase mood and energy levels and decrease  anxiety therefore helping the consumer to deal with the stresses of the day that they may have already faced by the time that they reach for this.

Evening – Camomile and Valerian Root, Lavender Tea.

In the evening that he is based on chamomile and valerian root,   both these ingredients are relaxant to chamomile also works with the flavouring to the tea. the flavouring of chamomile is complemented by the scent and taste of lavender, lavender is widely known and used as a relaxant. The combination of these three ingredients into the Teas blend, ensures that the consumer will be able to gain the best nights sleep possible. The root that is used as been previously used because of its calming and sleep inducing effects, and is professionally used by homeopath and herbalist alike.