Why Are Tea Leaves A Better Alternative To Lemons In Finger Bowls?

It’s common to find a slice of lemon in your finger bowl. After completing your meal in a restaurant, the strong fragrance of the lemon helps to remove the odour from your hand while its germicidal properties eradicate unseen germs. So, when health coach Gunjan Taneja found tea leaves in her finger bowl instead of the customary lemon, she had to list the reasons for the same. Are tea leaves a better alternative to the ubiquitous lemon in finger bowls?

Health Coach Lists Benefits Of Adding Tea Leaves To Finger Bowls

Taking to Instagram, health coach Gunjan Taneja shared a video of washing her hands in a finger bowl. What is surprising about this video was the contents of the bowl. Instead of a slice of lemon, the bowl had tea leaves. Supplementing the video with a caption, she asked her followers if they had tried this.

 

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A post shared by Gunjan Taneja (@gunjanshouts)

Gunjan in her video starts listing the benefits of adding tea leaves to finger bowls. Firstly, it’s a natural exfoliant, she says. Due to its grainy texture, the tea leaves act as a good exfoliant, removing dirt and dead skin from your fingers. Thanks to its anti-bacterial properties, tea leaf is a natural cleanser. Moreover, tea leaves are natural deodorisers. They can absorb the strong odour of garlic and onion and neutralise it.

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Tea Leaves Vs. Lemon Slices: Which Is A Better Post-Meal Cleanser?

So, is using tea leaves in finger bowls better than lemon slices? Payal Sharma, chief dietician, Dharamshilla Narayana Hospital, Delhi threw more light on the matter to The Indian Express. She stated that while lemons are known for their fresh scent and cleansing properties, they can be harsh on the skin. The acidic and Vitamin C content in the ingredient can irritate or dry out sensitive skin. Whereas tea leaves are less likely to cause such reactions.

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Apart from their varying effects on the skin, environmental-friendliness of the two ingredients was also taken into consideration. Payal stated to The Indian Express that lemon rinds are often discarded. They aren’t repurposed. On the other hand, tea leaves are more sustainable, biodegradable and an eco-friendly option.

So, would you prefer tea leaves over lemon slices in your finger bowls?

Cover Image Courtesy: @gunjanshouts/ Instagram