Do you remember your parents or grandparents drinking a hot cup of tea before stepping out in the sun? It must have always made you wonder why they do so when all you crave is something cooling like cold coffee, a watermelon mojito, or a homemade aam panna. But there is science behind how a hot liquid can cool you down. The secret is not the drink itself, but how your body reacts to it.
When you drink something hot, the receptors in your tongue and throat send a signal to your brain that the body is getting warmer. This is known as the thermoregulation trigger. Your brain responds by increasing sweat production, often more than necessary to compensate for that one cup of tea. This is part of the body’s evaporative cooling mechanism. As sweat evaporates from your skin, it pulls heat away, helping lower your body temperature.
However, this works best only when sweat can evaporate efficiently. In cities like Mumbai or Chennai, where humidity is high, sweat tends to sit on the skin, making you feel hotter and stickier. But in regions with dry heat, like Delhi, Rajasthan, or parts of Central India, this effect works very well. That’s also why chai tapris continue to have customers even in the blazing summer sun. Here are five teas that can actually help cool your body and are suitable for hot weather.
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Light Chai
In India, chai never takes a back seat, even during summer. There is a long-standing habit of sipping chai in the afternoon in many households. However, summer chai is often lighter than the regular version. It typically contains more water and less milk and sugar, making it easier to consume in the heat. It still delivers the same comforting flavour while encouraging mild sweating, helping the body cool itself without feeling too heavy.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is another hot beverage well-suited for summer. It offers a unique advantage: menthol, which creates a cooling sensation in the mouth and throat, even when the drink is hot. This makes it feel refreshing and provides relief without interfering with the body’s natural cooling mechanism.
Also Read: How To Make Tea; 5 Unique Tea Recipes To Try
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Green Tea
Green tea is a good option for hot weather. It is lighter than black tea, contains antioxidants, and is less likely to feel overwhelming. It also helps with hydration while providing a subtle energy boost, making it ideal for those who want something warm but not too strong.
Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass tea is light and has a citrusy aroma that makes you feel refreshed. It is less dense than milk-based teas and has a clean flavour profile, making it suitable for warm days when heavier drinks feel too rich.
Ginger-Tulsi Tea
This beverage is made by combining spices that help the body cope with heat. Ginger stimulates circulation and sweating, while tulsi supports digestion. Together, they create a drink that keeps the body balanced without making you feel sluggish, making it a great option for summer.
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Fennel Tea
Fennel or saunf, which is often used post-meals as a mukhwas, is also a natural refrigerant. When you brew it hot, it helps in extracting the essential oils that soothe the digestive tract, which often gets inflamed during summer. All you need to do is steep one teaspoon of fennel seeds in hot water for 5 minutes, and the fennel tea is ready.
Cold beverages do provide instant relief, but they often work against the body’s natural cooling process by reducing sweating. Hot drinks, on the other hand, support gradual cooling and help maintain balance. However, their effectiveness depends on the environment. Drier conditions allow sweat to evaporate easily, while humidity can reduce this effect.
So the next time you are looking to cool down, consider reaching for a hot cup of tea, especially if you’re not in a high-humidity zone, and experience how this simple technique works.