Patent-pending tea: Newcomer debuts “world’s first” avocado leaf tea

03 May 2019 --- The popular fruit that stars in many an Instagram post – the avocado – is at the heart of a new launch from Avocado Leaf Tea LLC. The company’s patent-pending avocado leaf  tea is debuting this week to tea drinkers across the globe. The avocado leaf reportedly touts a high concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids, delivering a drink that is high in antioxidants.

“The leaves of the avocado tree have been used for centuries, dating back to the Aztecs and Mayans for their pharmaceutical properties. Within the past few years, researchers have started studying the benefits of the leaves with impressive results. The leaf has a high concentration of polyphenols & flavonoids – both of which are super antioxidants,” Sharon Colona, Co-Founder of Avocado Leaf Tea LLC, tells NutritionInsight.

“All of the benefits that come from drinking a super antioxidant beverage are associated with the tea. They range from helping to protect your body from free radicals, to helping to reduce hypertension,” she adds.

Two recent studies found that avocado seed oil and avocado leaf possess anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant compounds, respectively, that may prevent a number of diseases such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). 

Research from the University of Nuevo León in Mexico found that the leaves are rich in phytochemical compounds that offer significant antioxidant activity and may treat certain diseases. The researchers found 41 compounds, predominantly phenolic acids and flavonoids, 18 of which were identified for the first time in such plant material.  

The study, published in Molecules, comes at a time when avocado consumption is seeing increased popularity. This has caused a high volume of agri-industrial by-product waste before and after pruning and production, with seeds, peels and leaves discarded with no further applications. These by-products may prove a “rich source of bioactive compounds,” as well as functional ingredients such as minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, proteins, fibers and polyphenols such as phenolic acid, according to the researchers.  

Avocado Leaf Tea is launching with five distinct flavor profiles; Chamomile, Black, Lemon and Peach, all blended with natural Avocado Leaf. The fifth is the pure Natural Avocado Leaf. All are 100 percent natural and the flavored blends are organically compliant, it notes. The company will continue to work on new combinations, Colona says.

The tea will be featured in the Winners Tasting Circle at the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the US next month, (June 11 – 13, 2019).

By Laxmi Haigh

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