The Joys of Bai Mohn
Walking the aisles of the recent Health & Beauty Show at Muang Tong Thani, was a delight indeed. Not only on show were many of the new players in the Health industry, but also some very interesting food and beverage suppliers. If this show is anything to go by, the health industry is indeed healthy. Herbal teas, whether the genuinely organic variety certified by the authorities, such as that supplied by the Thai Tea Suwirun company from Phetchaboon or just regular chamomile, lemongrass or ginger, were all available from suppliers old and new. They are available on their own (as a single tea) or in combination for specific health ailments. Of the blends the specifically selected herbs that go into the ‘coloured teas’ of blue, brown, red, green and yellow blends from Khaokho Talaypu company from Chiang Rai were definitely the most inspired.
One of the most interesting ‘single teas’ was the ubiquitous Bai Mohn or Green Mulberry tea which has long been available in Thailand thanks to the silk industry. Originally brought to this country by Japanese traders and grown across the North East of the kingdom specifically to feed the silk worms, it was not long before the villagers then discovered the benefits of Bai Mohn and it was incorporated into Thai traditional remedies for a variety of health ailments. With its mild aroma similar to Japanese Green Tea and its 0.01% caffeine level (officially regarded as containing ‘no caffeine’) and its lack of tannins, it is an ‘easy to drink’ herbal tea.
As with all herbal ‘teas’, it is not technically a tea, but a tisane. Tisanes (the French word for an ‘herbal infusion) are ‘teas’ that are made up of herbs, flowers, leaves and/or fruit pieces. They are brewed in the same way as regular ‘tea’ but some may require a longer steeping time (even up to 15 minutes or more) to allow their delicate flavors to fully develop. With a few exceptions, herbal tisanes are caffeine free.
It is only in recent years that our scientists have discovered the natural health benefits of this amazing plant. Tests in Japan, America, England, Romania and India have found that Mulberry has specific properties that will help to control blood pressure and reduce blood sugar, thereby reducing the risks of heart attacks.
Other health claims include its ability to reduce high blood pressure, aid in weight loss, reduce asthmatic conditions, rejuvenate your strength, prevents brittleness of the bones due to it’s high calcium content, contains vitamin A to improve your eye sights, contains vitamin B1 & B2, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc and all 18 amino acids required by your body, and prevents cancer due to its quercetin content. And that’s not all – Mulberry extract is an emollient and anti-inflammatory, and can be used as a skin whitener due to the presence of phenylfavanoids.
According to the Ziamese Tea Society, there are the different genetic strains of the Mohn or Mulberry trees, and like just in the production of the best wines you must choose carefully the right genetic strain and harvest its leaves accordingly. Purportedly the best area for growing Mulberry trees is the part of the kingdom that they were first introduced to – Issarn; the heart of Thai silk industry, where the soil and climatic conditions are most condusive to the trees growth. Hand picked leaves minimize the stress on the trees that mechanical harvesting can cause, and with the leaves being dehydrated using the same techniques as that employed in the production of Japanese green tea, you are sure the resultant properties regardless of their health benefits are sure to taste great.
For more information on the companies mentioned in this article, the can be contact by email at the following addresses:
Khaokho Talaypu Co., Ltd. – talaypu@khaokhonaturalfarm.com
Thai Tea Suwirun Ltd. Part – suwirun@yahoo.com
Ziamese Tea Society - info@ziamesesisters.com