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Hello, today I would like to discuss white tea and its medicinal properties. Typically, we hear about green tea providing great health benefits. Recently, many studies have been conducted that have brought white tea into the spotlight for providing health benefits since it is the least processed and has the highest antioxidant levels. White tea may become “the ultimate tea of health.”
Cancer Prevention
White tea may have medicinal properties to prevent cancers such as colon, prostate, and stomach cancer. A class of antioxidants called flavonoids is found in white tea that has been known to inhibit the progression of cancer cells and the development of new ones. It has been discovered that white tea can work as well as prescription medications for certain ailments without the medicinal side effects.
Lower Cholesterol
Studies indicate that another group of antioxidants called catechins found in white tea are known to reduce cholesterol. Cholesterol is a type of fat necessary for health. There are two types of cholesterol – good and bad; white tea plays a role by lowering the bad cholesterol.
Lower Blood Pressure
Research shows that white tea can thin the blood and improve artery function. White tea helps lower blood pressure by promoting strong and healthy blood vessels and it can guard against the causes of stroke.
Heart Protection
In addition to thinning the blood, lowering blood pressure, and reducing cholesterol, white tea protects the heart and circulatory system. Studies have discovered that people who consume two or more cups of white tea a day reduce their chances of death after suffering a heart attack by up to 50%.
Stronger Bones
Research indicates that people who drank white tea regularly had greater bone density and strength than those who are not tea drinkers. White tea may have medicinal benefits for people suffering with arthritis and osteoporosis.
Immune System Defense
White tea is a natural killer of bacteria and viruses. There is an abundance of antioxidants in white tea providing the immune system protection from illnesses such as the common cold and influenza.
Healthy Teeth
There are small amounts of fluoride and other nutrients in white tea to help keep teeth strong and healthy. White tea also kills the bacterium that causes plaque, tooth decay, and bad breath.
Healthy Skin
Staying out in the sun too long, stress, and a poor diet can damage the skin and cause premature aging. White tea can protect the skin and help reverse the damage by reducing free radicals in the skin. Drinking white tea promotes healthy and radiant skin.
White tea is known to protect against cancer, viral infections, and skin damage. In addition to protecting against illnesses and skin damage, it helps to promote dental health, heart health, and bone health. What are you waiting for? Drink two or more cups of white tea per day and see if you notice a difference in your health.
Hello fellow tea connoisseurs! Here is the tea controversy of the day – the taste of Lapsang Souchong tea. Many people have written to the English Tea Store saying they find the taste of Lapsang Souchong tea to be on the strong side. This tea does have a distinct flavor and aroma all its own, making for a luxurious cup of tea. For those of you who are on the fence about this tea there is a way to lighten the flavor a bit.
The flavor of Lapsang Souchong tea can be lightened by using a Tibetan recipe that produces an amazing taste and keeps people coming back for more. This concoction is best brewed on the stovetop, using hot water, butter, and salt. Allow the tea to brew on low heat for several minutes with a pinch of salt (1/4 teaspoon) and a dollop of butter (2 tablespoons) near the end of the brewing process. Second, transfer the brew to a teapot and you have a wonderful cup of tea. This recipe is fantastic with an unforgettable taste.
For those people who enjoy Lapsang Souchong tea as is, here is a brewing method for the perfect cup of hot tea. Bring cold water to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon per 8 oz. cup plus one for the pot into a teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to personal taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). The Lapsang Souchong tea is perfect and ready to be served. Just a word of caution, this type of tea has better taste without the addition of milk and sugar.
Tea Cozy
To really enjoy the taste of Lapsang Souchong teas accessorize with a tea cozy. This handsome accessory keeps tea warm and provides elegant aesthetics for tea time. Call your friends and have tea time – do not forget your cozy and Tibetan recipe for Lapsang Souchong tea. You are sure to be the best host on the block.
Tea is becoming a popular beverage and new tea drinkers are asking for clear, easy instructions on how to brew. For those people who are new to tea or veterans of the fabulous beverage, there are a few simple steps to a perfect cup of tea. The first step to brewing the perfect cup of tea is to heat the teapot before adding tea. To do this, all one needs to do is add boiling water to the teapot and swirl it around to bring it up to temperature. Pour it out and select your favorite tea. Keep in mind that adding boiling water to a cool teapot will immediately cool the hot water and the concept is to maintain the proper steeping temperature.
The second step is selecting either loose leaf tea or tea bags. For those people who choose to use loose leaf tea, a large teapot with a tea strainer is a good place to start. A large teapot is ideal for this type of tea to allow the hot water to circulate and allow the leaves plenty of room to bloom during the steeping process. Tea bags are also suitable for making a perfect cup of tea, but they do not give the tea enough room to move about during the steeping process. Fortunately, many newer teabags are of a pyramid shape alleviating this problem. Regular tea bags routinely use fannings and tea dust to enhance flavor. Also, be sure to move the bag around a few times to circulate the water. Now that you have selected loose leaf tea or tea bags, it is time to mention measuring your tea. Measuring tea is very important to ensuring a pleasant flavor and aroma. The typical rule is to use 1 teaspoon of tea per cup (8 oz.) of water for a perfect cup of tea. If you are brewing a pot of tea then the ratio is 1 teaspoon per person plus one for the pot. Along the line of measuring water and tea, one needs to pay attention to the temperature of water used. Different teas achieve their best taste when using the optimal water temperature. For example, both green tea and white tea taste best when brewed with steaming water (150°-180°F).
The final step in making the perfect cup of tea is proper steeping times. I will admit it is very easy to over steep tea and produce a cup that is less than pleasing. A general rule of thumb is the heavier the tea, the shorter steeping time. For example, black tea will steep for 2-5 minutes in water at a rolling boil, whereas green and white teas need to steep for 1-4 minutes in steaming water. Herbal teas are steeped for 5-7 minutes in water that is at a rolling boil. Do these ideas inspire you to brew a perfect cup of tea? I do not know about you, but I am ready to get my teapot, strainer, tea, and teacup and enjoy a delicious cup of tea. My favorite tea is Black currant tea manufactured by the English Tea Store. What is your favorite flavor of tea? Please, leave a comment and share. It is always exciting to hear from readers. Enjoy!
Have you heard the publicity surrounding organic and fair-trade tea? If you have not, that is okay too. In all truth, I just heard about organic and fair-trade tea fairly recently. Turns out that tea is harvested by a number of people in developing countries working for menial wages and grown using harsh chemicals that can harm humans and the environment.
Typically, tea is produced by manufacturers paying their workers extremely low wages and making them work in substandard environments. Fair trade stops these unfair practices by companies paying their workers a fair wage and working to improve the living standards and educational opportunities for their workers and families. A further explanation fair trade is it is an alternate economic model striving for globalized economic equality by honoring a fair price for products, fair wages, and safe working conditions for workers. Fair trade also works to eliminate unnecessary intermediaries thereby enabling and empowering the farmers and artisans to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global market.
Organic tea is harvested without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or insecticides. Teas of this type are great for the environment, because the soil is enriched with natural compost and a layer of mulch to retain moisture while providing extra nutrients as it breaks down. Organic tea is also beneficial for farmers that tea plants can live more than 100 years. In addition to being good for farmers and the environment, it is good for you too. Organic tea provides superior flavor and health benefits from increased polyphenols and catechins. Both organic and fair-trade teas are more costly than traditional, industry-standard tea. In my opinion, it is worth it to pay a little more for a beverage that does not harm the environment or exploit its workers. It feels good to purchase tea with a conscience, which is why I choose tea by Organic Garden. The teas from this manufacturer have a delightful aroma and wonderful taste. Try a cup for yourself and tell me what you think. Enjoy!
Spring and summer are coming up very soon and everyone needs quick easy beverage ideas. The Apple Cinnamon Shake and Raspberry Teaser tea recipes are easy to make and taste fabulous. Both recipes are great for kids and adults.
Apple Cinnamon Shake
A delightful ice cream treat with a twist of tea.
Ingredients Needed for Each 16 oz. Glass:
(2) Cups of vanilla ice cream
(2) of your favorite cinnamon apple tea bags
(1/4) tsp. cinnamon optional
Directions:
In a blender, mix ingredients until fully blended. Cut open tea bags and mix contents with ice cream.
Raspberry Teaser
A refreshing blend of raspberry herbal tea and seltzer. Use the same idea with other herbals as well.
Ingredients:
(2) tsp. raspberry herbal tea leaves or other fruit tea
(1) tbsp. sugar
(8) oz. seltzer or sparkling water
(2) thin lemon slices
Directions:
Bring (1/2) cup of water to a boil, stir in the raspberry tea and sugar, steep for 3-4 minutes. Strain and refrigerate. When cool, divide the tea between (2) tall glasses, add ice, and pour in (4) oz. seltzer or sparkling water.
Come on, celebrate the warm weather and make a delightful tea beverage. You will be an absolute hit with your Apple Cinnamon Shake and/or Raspberry Teaser. Enjoy!
Did you know tea has more uses than simply being a delightful beverage? Tea is used for health and beauty, around the house, and in the garden. Products that have multiple uses are wonderful. You conserve space by having fewer items that double to perform several functions and save a little money too.
Ladies, you can skip your salon visit this week. You can color your hair with tea. I love this idea, because it does not damage my hair or have a dreadful aroma like that of chemically processed hair color. Another great beauty idea is you can appear as if you went tanning using tea! No tanning bed or lying out in the sun needed. All you need is two cups of brewed black tea, rosemary, sage, and a spray bottle. It is so easy; all that is required is spraying mixture onto your skin and blot with a towel.
For those people who are looking for new ways to clean around the house there are amazing tea uses for you too! I do not know about you, but I cannot get my mirrors to a perfect sheen. With tea, it can be done with a pot of strong tea and a damp cloth. Simply dampen the cloth in the tea, apply to the mirror, and buff with a soft cloth for an impeccable shine. I tried this idea and it really works!
Do you have roses that tend to appear a droopy in the summer? I know the problem all too well and have the ideal solution. Try tea to perk up those roses. Sprinkle new or used tea leaves around them, and cover with mulch. Another benefit to this idea is the fragrance of the roses mingling with the tea is wonderful. Another fantastic idea for fellow green thumbs is placing used tea bags in the drainage layer of a planter to help ferns soak up more of the nutrients it needs to be healthy.
Do you these ideas make you want to brew a cup if tea? If so, click over to the English Tea Store and see the article entitled, “Twenty-Two Amazing Uses for Tea.” Make a cup of tea to drink and one to color your hair or a fabulous faux suntan.
Tea is the new wine! Pairing tea with various foods is similar to pairing with wine. Usually people serve white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat. There is a misguided perception that the color of the wine and food determine how the two are paired together. It is all about providing a flavor adventure for the palate.
Green tea is lightly oxidized forming a perfect pair with foods such as seafood, salads, and fruit. It is ideal to go with foods customarily served with white wine including scallops and lobster. Chinese green teas such jasmine and dragonwell have a bold flavor and aroma making them an ideal match for salads and chicken dishes.
Black tea is completely oxidized giving it its rich and full-bodied flavor. It pairs well with foods normally served with red wine including meats, curries, and pastries. Black tea is an excellent complement to chocolate candy. There are several types of black teas including flavored black tea, Assam, lapsang souchong and blackcurrant.
Oolong tea is a cross between black and green tea. Lightly oxidized oolong tea pairs perfectly with foods routinely served with white wine. Medium to dark oxidized oolong teas form an ideal pair with foods that are usually served with red wine such as Chinese, Thai, and grilled foods.
While tea is sometimes regaled as the new wine, there are two significant advantages to switching beverages. A person does not take the chance of intoxication and a perfect alternative for those who do not drink wine. Let us not forget there is an extensive variety of tea. Brew a cup of tea with a meal and enjoy.
Loose Leaf Tea
Are you dissatisfied with your cup of tea? The reason for this may be you are making tea mistakes. Did you know tea leaves expand during the brewing process and tea can be brewed too long? Read on to see if you identify with any tea mistakes.
Mistake #1: Several tea drinkers believe tea purchased at their local grocer is good quality. The reality is these tea bags contain dust and crumbs of tea leaves. In all actuality, tea tastes best when brewed from loose-leaf tea leaves.
Tea bags were invented 100 years as a way to send samples to customers. Therefore, the trend caught on and over the years severely affected the quality of the tea.
Mistake #2: Using tea strainers that are too small. Most people who drink tea own a mesh infuser ball that can only brew one cup at a time. Rather than using a mesh infuser ball, it is a good idea to consider switching to a t- sac for brewing loose-leaf tea. Using a t-sac will create an improved tea drinking experience since there will be room for the tealeaves to expand releasing their flavor.
Mistake #3: Brewing tea using tap or microwaved water. Tap water has a chemical aftertaste and microwaved has a slight metallic taste. Both of these factors can significantly affect a tea’s taste. Instead of using tap water placed in the microwave, the best choice is cold filtered water. You will notice a difference in the flavor of your tea.
Electric Kettle Starter Kit
Mistake #4: Forgetting to shut off your kettle or not emptying it after each use. Unfortunately, many rust out inside or the bottom gets burned. I will admit purchasing a quality kettle can be costly, but it will pay for itself within the first few cups. To prevent your kettle from getting ruined do not leave the water boiling until it evaporates, empty the unused water every time, and leave the lid open so it can air dry.
Mistake #5: Incorrect water temperature or brewing the tea too long. Green teas need rapid steaming water and black teas need almost boiling water to brew properly. Green teas brew quickly in two minutes, whereas black teas need 3-4 minutes. Over brewing green tea makes it taste like an over cooked vegetable. Over brewed black tea has a bitter flavor.
Mistake #6: Using cream or half-n-half instead of milk in tea. Cream and half-n-half camouflage the flavor of tea. All you need is a touch milk to enhance the flavor of your tea.
Tea Canister
Mistake #7: Tea is not stored properly. The best place to store tea is in a tea canister away from the stove. It needs to be protected from heat, light, moisture, and other flavors. Tea absorbs other flavors surrounding it. Therefore, if you place it next to cayenne pepper your tea will taste like cayenne pepper.
Do you make any of the tea mistakes? If you do, it is okay many fellow drinkers probably commit the same errors. If you are a lucky person who is a tea expert, that is fantastic. Either way, sit down and enjoy a cup of tea.
Recently a friend extended an invitation to me to join her for teatime. At first, I was apprehensive of accepting the invitation since I was ignorant about tea etiquette. You see, drinking tea is not complicated; the difficult part it is how one conducts themselves. I began searching the Internet for information on the subject. One article entitled, “Good Tea Etiquette,” struck my fancy for its information and conversational writing style.
The article provided information pertaining to holding a teacup, stirring tea, and tea additives. For example, I found out there are two different ways to hold a teacup. A point of reference from this article was that raising the pinky finger has a purpose. I always thought it was to make a statement of sorts. The purpose of raising of one’s pinky finger is to maintain balance and prevent spills.
Another interesting point of reference from this article is there is a proper flavor enhancer for tea. Surprisingly it is milk. Milk is preferred for tea, because cream is too heavy and camouflages the flavor. This is definitely good to know since I typically add cream and sugar to my coffee.
I can tell all of you this article helped prevent me from appearing foolish. My experience at teatime was both pleasant and enjoyable. If you are one of those people who enjoy teatime, but have minimal knowledge of the subject, I would suggest reading the article, entitled, “Good Tea Etiquette.” The next time someone extends an invitation to you to join him or her for teatime you can say, “That’s my cup of tea.” Yes, a bit of tea humor for you. Enjoy!
