Tea Time 4 You

How to Brew Tea.

2011-05-12T10:43:00.000+07:00

Long time no see. I quite busy with my job anyway I come back today I found new article that about tea to share all of you I though it usefull for you to do witch your cup of tea.

How To Brew Tea
Firstly, use filtered or spring water : your tea will only be as good as your water.

Black Tea : Heat water to a rolling boil
Use 1 level teaspoon/ 8 oz. cup
Flavored and small leaf teas : 3 min. steep
Full leaf teas: 3-5 min. steep.

Oolong Tea : Heat water to a rolling boil.
Use 1 level teaspoon/ 8 oz. cup.
Larger leaf teas : 7-12 min. steep.
Jade Oolongs: 5- 8 min. steep.

Green Tea : This step is very important !! : Heat water to
steam: not boiling !!! If your water does come
to a boil,allow it to settle for 45-60 sec. before
preparing your tea. This will prevent it from
becoming bitter….
Use 1 level teaspoon/ 8 oz. cup.
Steep for 2- 2 1/2 min.

White Tea is prepared like green tea except that it requires a 3-5 min. steep. Resteep 2-3 times.

Herbal Infusions: Bring water to a rolling boil.
Use 1 tablespoon/ 8 oz. cup or 1 oz./ qt. water.
Sipping tea require a 10 min. steep.
Medicinal and or root teas require a 15-30 min. steep.

Rooibos can be steeped from 10-20 minutes--it requires at least 10 minutes to release all it's stored Vitamin C (which on an ounce to ounce basis ,Rooibos has the same levels)

Info from: www.plymouthtea.com

ICE TEA

2010-07-31T10:21:00.004+07:00

Iced tea (sometimes corrupted to ice tea) is a form of cold tea, often served in a glass with ice. It may or may not be sweetened. Iced tea is also a popular packaged drink. It can be mixed with flavored syrup, with common flavors including lemon, peach, raspberry, lime, and cherry. While most iced teas get their flavor from tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) , other herb-infused beverages are also sometimes served cold and referred to as iced tea. Unsweetened iced tea is sometimes made by a particularly long steeping of tea leaves at lower temperature (one hour in the sun versus 5 minutes at 80-100°C). Some people call this "sun tea". In addition, sometimes it is also left to stand overnight in the refrigerator.

Thailand
Thai iced tea or cha yen (Thai: ชาเย็น) in Thailand is a drink made from strongly brewed black tea ("red tea" in East Asia). Other ingredients may include added orange blossom water, star anise, crushed tamarind seed or red and yellow food coloring, and sometimes other spices as well. This tea is sweetened with sugar and condensed milk and served chilled. Evaporated milk, coconut milk or whole milk is generally poured over the tea and ice before serving to add taste and creamy appearance. However, in Thailand, condensed milk and sugar are mixed with the tea before it is poured over ice and then topped with evaporated milk. In Thai restaurants worldwide, it is served in a tall glass, though in Thailand it is more typically poured over the crushed ice in a clear (or translucent) plastic bag. It can also be made into a frappé at more westernised vendors.[citation needed]

It is popular in many American restaurants that serve Thai food. Although Thai tea is not the same as bubble tea, a Southeast and East Asian beverage that contains large tapioca pearls, Thai tea with tapioca pearls is a popular flavor of bubble tea.

Canada
In Canada, iced tea refers to sweetened iced tea, usually flavoured with lemon. In most provinces, unsweetened iced tea is almost unheard of. This tea is made at home from drink powder or obtained in cans or bottles. Water, sugar and flavourings may exceed tea in terms of quantity in these drinks. Sweetened Green teas and those flavoured with raspberry, peach, or pomegranate are also becoming more common via marketing efforts. Sweetened iced tea is often served as an alternative to other soft drinks, prepared by companies like Lipton, Arizona, Good Host and Nestea, although fresh-brewed iced tea is becoming somewhat popular, particularly in smaller independently owned restaurants. Powdered or frozen iced tea is a common preparation at home, due to its ease of use.

China
Although not a traditional way to serve tea, iced tea gained wide spread popularity in even rural areas since the 1980s with canned or bottled tea. Many varieties of tea, including green tea, are available packaged and sold in stores. Many families make their own iced tea by either putting lots of ice in a small amount of strong hot tea or by putting hot tea in a fridge for some time. Common types of iced tea are black, green, oolong, and lots of herbal types as well. Iced herbal tea is especially popular in the hot summers, where "yin" or cooling herbs are used to make tea such as chrysanthemum, kuding tea, etc. Cooled tea but still warm was already popular throughout ancient times but tea at cold temperatures was not as popular then.

Italy
Iced tea is a popular drink in Italy and is widely available, generally only in lemon- and peach-flavored incarnations. San Benedetto, as well as Lipton, are well-known brands. Apple is another favorite national flavour of tea.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iced_tea

The History of Iced Tea

2010-07-31T10:11:00.003+07:00

Iced tea is a popular drink in the United States, and is becoming more popular in other countries, though it will probably never reach the level of consumption by Americans. Surveys have shown that around 2.2 billion gallons of tea are consumed in the USA every year, and at least 85 percent of the total is iced. With a host of choices for their iced drinks, such as powdered, canned, and bottled for a quick pick me up, and the traditional brewed drink using either bags or loose leaves, people in the United States have proven their love for this delicious beverage.

For many years, it was believed that iced tea was first introduced at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. A man by the name of Richard Blechynden, who was the Commissioner of Tea for India, was also the director of the East Indian Pavilion at the fair. Mr. Blechynden had prepared samples of hot tea for fairgoers, and noticed that no one was taking advantage of them, as it was an unseasonably hot day and everyone was going for the coldest beverages they could find. He had the idea of icing down his hot mixture, and presented it to the public that way. The crowds loved it, and word spread of this delicious way to enjoy a healthy drink. Mr. Blechynden did not invent the iced version, but made it more popular with Americans.

This was not, however, the first time that the iced drink had been available in the United States. Rewind to the 1800s. Cookbooks from that era prove that the iced drink was popular served in punches and made with green leaves - not black leaves. Sugar and quite a bit of liquor were added to these, and they were given interesting names in line with the times. The popularity of these punches continued into the mid 19th century, and the names given to them begin to be regional and also patriotic in meaning.

The 18th century also saw the start of refrigeration as we know it today. First there was the ice house. Then came the ice box, the first refrigerator, which was patented in 1830. Slabs of ice kept the contents cold, and were delivered several times a week by an ice man. Ice tea became even more popular as the availability of ice and a form of refrigeration became available to all. "Tea Punch" was still popular for parties and gatherings, made now with black leaves and green leaves, white sugar, heavy cream, and either claret or champagne, and usually served cold.

In a Southern cookbook published in 1879, a recipe for the iced drink appears, and it is prepared in a way that is similar to the way many people prepare it today, except the sugar is not added while the mixture is hot from brewing, the time when it dissolves best. Other recipes from 1884 and 1890 make it plain that people had been enjoying the iced drink before 1890. Lemon was, and still is, hugely popular in the iced mixture.

In fact, lemon has been used in iced tea from the first glass of it served in this country! What we know today as "refrigerator tea" was known as "refrigerator tea" when it came into popularity around 1890. In 1893, the Chicago World's Fair sold the iced variety and also lemonade. Business was brisk, as more than $2000 was earned from the sales.

In 1904, the World's Fair was held in St. Louis. For a long time, historians thought that iced tea was invented at this fair, but further investigation in later years proved them wrong. The fair did make the iced drink more popular, as the crowds thoroughly enjoyed their free samples served by Richard Blechynden, and it is felt that fair goers went back to their homes and spread the word about how delicious and refreshing the iced tea at the fair had been. Since people from all over the country attended the fair, word traveled to both coasts and everywhere in between, for after 1904, the popularity of iced tea grew. By the time World War 1 became a reality, people were purchasing special tall glasses known as "iced tea" glasses, long spoons for stirring, and lemon forks.

During Prohibition, iced tea became even more popular as people had no choice but to locate alternative beverages to the beer, wine, and alcohol they had consumed. A recipe published in yet another Southern cookbook contained the recipe for iced tea that was used in the South for decades, and is still in use in some Southern kitchens today.

The bag was also invented in 1904. A merchant from Boston sent samples to his customers in little silk bags. When he discovered that people were brewing the leaves without removing them from the bags in order not to have to deal with the loose tea leaves, the bag as we know it today was born.

At the time of World War 2, Americans had no way to obtain green tea, as the usual sources had been banned from dealing with the United States. All leaves had to come from India, and they were black. When the war ended, the people of America were drinking almost 99% black, and that trend stayed the same until recently, when green came into vogue once more.

It has been estimated that fully 60% of all the tea drunk in America is consumed in the South, and about 90 percent of that is iced. In fact, iced tea is so beloved in the South that it has been fondly dubbed the "House Wine of the South". Southerners believe in sweetening their drink heavily, and the habit has spread to other parts of the country, where this concoction is known simply as "Sweet Tea". Lemon and mint, as well as whiskey, are popular additions to Southern style iced.

Iced tea has become popular in recent years as a mixed drink called an "Arnold Palmer" or a "Half and Half". This consists of half sweetened iced tea and half lemonade, which makes for an even sweeter drink than usual, but with a small note of sourness as well. A half and half can also be half unsweetened and half sweetened tea, which cuts the super sweet taste of most Southern drinks. In the Southeast, this is commonly called a "Chris Rock" as this comedian came from South Carolina.

Bags are still a popular means of brewing iced tea, mostly for the convenience factor and the low price. More and more, people are turning to loose leaves however for preparing their iced tea because of the wide range of flavors, and the fact that brews from loose leaves has a fuller, richer flavor, and is usually a higher quality as well.

By Jon Stout

How To Distinguish The Different Kinds Of Chinese Tea?

2010-01-26T13:29:00.002+07:00

How To Distinguish The Different Kinds Of Chinese Tea?

Author: Oolong Tea

If one drinks Chinese tea beverage just for its aroma and its taste, it might not be important. However, it is very important if one wants to drink tea for health protection because green tea has the highest level of tea antioxidants, and the black tea almost none, with the oolong tea level in-between.

In the past five years, most laboratory and experimental animal studies that supported the conclusion of a health benefit of Chinese tea drinking, especially in chemoprevention against cancer and obesity, have used fresh high-antioxidant green tea or the green tea antioxidant, (-)- epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG in short, as the bioactive testing material to conduct the research. Black tea is not that effective. While the epidemiological evidence is supportive of the benefits of drinking high-antioxidant green tea for cancer prevention, the data on black tea and oolong tea drinkers are not supportive of the benefits of tea drinking for this purpose.

There are three major kinds of Chinese tea, namely green tea, black tea and oolong tea, all derived from the same species of tea tree, commonly known as Camellia sinensis or as Thea sinensis on the FDA list of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substances. Tea originated in China. As written in ancient medical texts, it was used as a health aid in 2737 BC. Tea became a major commodity in Tang Dynasty (617- 907 AD) when tea drinking gradually evolved into a form of art, but was still largely confined to the privileged elite of the society.

In the old days, fresh leaves directly plucked from the tea tree were boiled journey with constant agitation over the choppy warm ocean water in humid hot weather, the high quality "Pekoe" green tea probably had turned into half-black tea with its characteristic bitter taste as a result of oxidation and degradation when the ship arrived in Holland. It is no wonder that some Europeans would put sugar and milk into the bitter tea from China.

Shortly before and after the downfall of the Ming Dynasty in 1644,oolong tea that was purposely briefly oxidized (half-black tea) and the fully oxidized black tea were introduced for the often hungry peasants in the South as a calorie-preserving beverage and for foreign exports, in about 1650 A.D. As the society turmoil in China led to repeated famines, the poor peasants learned quickly that they should avoid drinking green tea which is an irritant to an emptystomach, and started to drink the half-degraded oolong tea or the fully oxidized black tea instead, in order to preserve the badly needed body fat tosurvive.

The fat-depleting effect of green tea was onlyrecently re-discovered in animal experiments. Theterms of oolong tea and black tea (red tea in Chinese)were introduced to the Chinese vocabulary in the mid 1600’s A.D. The Western tea drinking habit of adding sugar and milk into black tea was initiated by the British in about 1657 A.D. The Japanese and Chinese tea drinkers never put sugar or milk into their green tea.

About the Author:

Chinese tea - Drink Oolong tea for a healthy life

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How To Distinguish The Different Kinds Of Chinese Tea?

Tea spreads to the world

2010-01-23T11:41:00.002+07:00

The earliest record of tea in a more occidental writing is said to be found in the statement of an Arabian traveler, that after the year 879 the main sources of revenue in Canton were the duties on salt and tea. Marco Polo records the deposition of a Chinese minister of finance in 1285 for his arbitrary augmentation of the tea taxes. The travelers Giovanni Batista Ramusio (1559), L. Almeida (1576), Maffei (1588), and Teixeira (1610) also mentioned tea. In 1557, Portugal established a trading port in Macau and word of the Chinese drink "chá" spread quickly, but there is no mention of them bringing any samples home. In the early 17th century, a ship of the Dutch East India Company brought the first green tea leaves to Amsterdam from China. Tea was known in France by 1636. It enjoyed a brief period of popularity in Paris around 1648. The history of tea in Russia can also be traced back to the seventeenth century. Tea was first offered by China as a gift to Czar Michael I in 1618. The Russian ambassador tried the drink; he did not care for it and rejected the offer, delaying tea's Russian introduction by fifty years. In 1689, tea was regularly imported from China to Russia via a caravan of hundreds of camels traveling the year-long journey, making it a precious commodity at the time. Tea was appearing in German apothecaries by 1657 but never gained much esteem except in coastal areas such as Ostfriesland.[39] Tea first appeared publicly in England during the 1650s, where it was introduced through coffee houses. From there it was introduced to British colonies in America and elsewhere.

From wikipedia.org

What You Should Know About Specialty Coffee and Tea

2010-01-21T10:37:00.003+07:00

Coffee and tea has long been a traded commodity in the orient. It has been considered as a drink only for royalties and kings. These two commodities are processed in almost the same manner for it to become a soothing and relaxing drink.

Knowing Good Quality Specialty Coffee and Tea

Specialty coffee and tea should be made from the best coffee beans and tea leaves in the market. Coffee and tea experts believe that the best brews come from homegrown and handpicked batches. But this handpicking process can just be a myth since it really does not affect how the taste and texture comes out. The one thing that could affect the flavor and texture of coffee and tea is the climate since this can affect the humidity and moisture of the raw products.

It is important to know the quality of specialty coffee and tea since top quality produce are prized at a bigger rate than that of mediocre quality ones. Having to know the difference can give you the edge in the specialty coffee and tea market by going to specialty coffee and tea shops that are willing to give you the right value for your money.

A good hint to detect a medium or a mediocre type of specialty coffee and tea commodity is the smell of burnt beans from roasting. These kinds of produce are intentionally burnt because it gives out a good flavor if it is in this state.

Adding Flavor to Your Specialty Coffee and Tea

In the past decade the specialty coffee and tea business has exponentially grown. Many specialty coffee and tea shops have been sprouting and eating up each other’s neighborhood market shares; each of then brewing and concocting their own original flavors and mixes.

The way coffee and tea is consumed has drastically changed over the years. Before coffee and tea was only taken hot and straight out of the coffee maker or from an instant foil pack. Now, specialty coffee and tea drinks are made hot or cold depending on the consumer’s preference. Vast variety of flavors and other ingredients such as grounded biscuits and whip creams are added to the drink to have that perfect specialty coffee and tea concoction.

But these are just flavors and ingredients to enhance the specialty coffee and tea experience. A good flavored specialty coffee and tea should not be overpowered by the taste of its other ingredients. The aroma, texture and flavor of the original coffee and tea must still be present to give coffee and tea drinkers the full experience.

Decorative Tea-light Candleholders - Kids Make

2009-12-11T13:30:00.002+07:00

Decorative Tea-light Candleholders - Kids Make

Author: Suie Roberts

To make a tea-light candleholder you will need...

Shallow jars. Knorr - 'Stir it up' cooking sauce jars are ideal for this. Make sure your jars are clean and dry.

Metallic spray paint.

No nails glue.

Glass Stones.

Spray paint your jars with a thin layer of metallic paint. Make sure that you read the back of the paint can before you begin. When using spray paint it is important to make sure that you use it in a well-ventilated room and that you are not near any naked flames.

Paint the outside and the inside of the jars and then leave them somewhere to dry. You may wish to apply two coats of paint for good coverage.

Use ‘No Nails’ glue to stick on glass stones evenly around the outside of the jar. Be careful not to use too much glue because if it does splurge out onto the jar it will spoil the candle holders appearance. No nails glue dries white.

Once the glue dries your ready to put the tea-light candle inside.

You could use other things to decorate your candleholder. Glue on pasta shells or string before spray painting. Try substituting glass stones for seashells, sequins or buttons. Do make sure that any decoration that you apply is on the lower part of the jar. Never allow anything to cross the top of the jar because this would be a fire hazard.

Let your imagination go wild and create some beautiful tea-light candleholders for your friends and family this Christmas.

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Decorative Tea-light Candleholders - Kids Make

Planing for Christmas Tea Party

2009-11-20T14:44:00.003+07:00

Everyone should have at least one elegant Christmas tea each year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to create magical Christmas memories that last throughout your life.

Planning Tips for a Christmas, Holiday, or Winter Afternoon Tea Party
Begin by making a list (and checking it twice!) of dear ladies with whom you would like to share a special event. Of course, interested gentlemen should be welcome as well.

For an intimate tea party, three or four friends is the perfect number.
For a larger event, a buffet style gathering might be more appropriate and easier to handle.

Mail special invitations well in advance. If special costuming (formal dress, holiday colors, or lovely hats) is desired, include this information. An RSVP request assures the correct amount of treats and such will be ready and waiting for guests.

For a light afternoon tea, 3:30 or 4:00 is a good starting time.
For a larger meal, serve "high tea" which will require more substantial fare and research.

Pick a beautiful spot for the tea. For a winter afternoon tea, choose a cozy warm spot close to an area suitable for serving, perhaps near a romantic crackling fireplace. No fireplace? Decorate an appropriate room with the party theme, perhaps near the Christmas tree.

Read more: http://holiday-entertaining.suite101.com/article.cfm/christmas_afternoon_tea_party_tips#ixzz0XNxCIYL6

How to Make Iced Tea With Cold Water

2009-09-17T10:17:00.001+07:00

Step 1
Start with a pitcher or container that easily fits in your refrigerator. I prefer glass because over time the tea will permanently stain plastic; glass can easily be cleaned with liquid soap or cleanser.

Step 2
Fill your container with cold tap water; I like to add one glass of water at a time(don't fill to the top-allow room for ice cubes) marking each glass on the outside of the pitcher with small strips of plastic tape(you can easily see how many glasses are left).

Step 3
Select the proper number of tea bags and holding all the "labels" in one hand, spin the bags together to form a tight string. Place the bags in the water and hang the "tags" out over the pouring spout; place in the refrigerator. I usually let it steep overnight, but in 6 to 8 hours the tea should be ready; be sure to remove and discard the tea bags as they will make the tea bitter if left in the container.

By fubars

Tea: Grading Jasmine Tea

2009-04-08T11:47:00.007+07:00

Jasmine tea is the most popular flavored tea in the world. The first jasmine tea was produced in China and made from green tea. Today, however, jasmine flowers are used to scent teas from all over the world, in black, white, green and oolong varieties.

What makes jasmine tea so wonderful is its special blend of high quality loose tea leaves with jasmine petals. The jasmine petals impart a delicate yet very aromatic fragrance and a slightly sweet flavor to the tea.

Jasmine has been produced in China for at least 700 years. The original production of jasmine tea included plucking the jasmine blossoms just as they were beginning to open in the morning. Then the jasmine petals were kept cool until evening when they were added to the green tea leaves.

The jasmine petals were infused with the tea leaves at night because this is the time when the petals release their fragrance. The teas were infused with the jasmine petals multiple times to obtain just the right scent and flavor. Today, the process is more automated, but good quality jasmine tea still depends upon using the best loose tea and infusing it with just the right amount of jasmine blossom.

For the jasmine lover, there are many choices in tea. However, it can be difficult to spot a really good jasmine tea, because interpreting the way teas are graded can be difficult.

First, it’s important to understand that there are no international standards on grading tea. Each country uses their own system, and even different types of tea are graded differently. For example, green teas are not graded the same as white teas.

So, understanding how the jasmine tea you’re considering is graded really means understanding how the tea variety that the jasmine tea is made from is graded. Here are some examples to help make it easier to understand.

Black Tea
Black tea is graded primarily based on how it’s processed. So, while this will tell you the approximate percentage of whole leaves in your tea, and may tell you if it comes from an early or late plucking, it’s not the total picture when it comes to judging the quality of the tea.

Knowing where the tea was grown and how tea is harvested in this part of the world is important, too. In the US, the best black teas are considered whole leaf teas and are designated by the term Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. You should avoid teas marked “dust” as these are typically the lowest grades of black tea.

Green Tea
Green tea is typically graded by the shape of the leaf in China. In other parts of the world, green tea is also usually graded by leaf shape, but different names are used to describe the leaf shapes. Within the leaf shapes, in both China and other countries, you’ll find grades that further break down the quality of the tea.

Oolong Tea
Oolong tea from China is graded in a simple manner that is easy to follow and understand. The best oolong tea is referred to as “Fanciest” or “Extra Fancy”, while the lowest grade of oolong tea is referred to as “Common”. Since most oolong tea is produced in China, it’s fairly simple to sort out a good oolong jasmine tea. However, if you buy an oolong tea from another country it could be graded in a totally different manner.

White Tea
White tea’s grading is somewhat simpler, because when the tea leaves were plucked is not part of determining the quality. All white tea is from a first plucking, because there is only one plucking of white tea during each growing season. Therefore, choosing a quality white jasmine tea from China simply means choosing one of the two highest grades of white tea, Silver Needles or White Peony.

However, if you choose a white Ceylon jasmine tea or a white Darjeeling jasmine tea, the grading will be totally different.

To choose a good jasmine tea, begin by determining whether you want a white, green, black or oolong jasmine tea. If you’re new to drinking jasmine tea, it’s likely best to begin with a Chinese green jasmine tea, as this tea represents the true essence of the jasmine tea.

Once you’ve sorted out the variety of tea you’d like to try and the country of the tea’s origin, simply look for this tea from a quality tea store. If you can’t find the combination you’ve chosen at a good tea store, then it’s likely that very good qualities of this particular combination are difficult to find.

Keep looking until you find a combination that can be purchased from a reputable tea purveyor. This way you’re assured of the quality of the tea, even if the combination was not what you had originally planned.

It’s hard to go wrong with jasmine tea. The scent is soothing and light and the delicate sweetness complements any variety of tea. It’s no wonder that every country that produces tea makes this delightful beverage. The hard part is figuring out which jasmine tea you like best!

By: Marcus Stout

A Chinese Tea Ceremony: The Art Of Drinking And Serving Tea

2009-01-05T14:31:00.002+07:00

The art of drinking and serving tea plays a very vital cultural role in China. It inspires a lot of artists that the Chinese tea ceremony, as it is called, has been written in songs and poetry. The ritual of preparing and serving tea has even held a special place in the hearts and minds of the Chinese aristocracy, court officials, intellectual, poets, and even the common people.

On its most basic, the Chinese tea ceremony emphasizes the tea itself, rather than the ceremony. It focuses on what the tea tastes like, smells like, and how one tea tastes compared to the previous tea, or in inclusive rounds of drinking. It doesn’t mean that each server will perform the ritual the same way and it is not related to religion. Every step taken during the ceremony is meant to be a sensory exploration and appreciation.

How to conduct a Chinese tea ceremony is just so easy. However, it is important to note that steps to assure the finest tasting tea is very exacting. As often said, if done properly you can extract the finest flavor a tea has to offer.

The Teapot and Tea Cup Preparation

The Chinese tea ceremony uses small cups to match the small and unglazed clay teapots. Each cup is just large enough to hold about two small swallows of tea. These tiny cups are particularly popular in Chiujao and Fujian, while in Shanghai and Beijing, large cups are employed.

Curing the teapot and cups is one essential step in Chinese tea ceremony. When you receive your teapot and cups, they have to be cured. The teapot used is usually made from red clay, and to seal the inside of a teapot and the cups, you first need to place loose tea into the pot and fill it with boiling water. Let it sit for three hours to a day.

Some tea masters advise to do it for a week prior to the curing of the teapot, cups and pouring pitcher. This technique is said to seal the inside of the teapot. Also, oils from the tea leaves fill in all the tiny pours of the new clap teapot.

In a Chinese tea ceremony, washing bowls are also needed. You need to pour the hot tea that has been brewing for 5 minutes and fill the washing bowl with hot tea. Let the tea cups also sit in the tea. This is also done to seal the tea cups with the resins of the tea. And, once the teapot, tea cups and pouring pitcher have been cured, the next step is to get ready for the ceremony.

The Tea PreparationFor the tea preparation, all you need to do is prepare the boiling water, and carefully place the tea into the teapot until it is about a third full. Also, make sure that the teapot and cups are now on the tea washing tray. Then, pour the hot water into the teapot until it is overflowing. Place the lid on, and continue to pour the hot water over the teapot. This is done to allow the entire teapot to be hot.

After that, pour the second brewed tea into the tea cups and pouring pitcher. This is to allow the flavor of the tea to penetrate the tea cups and pouring pitcher. Then, pour the boiling water into the teapot for the third time and cover. Place the tea strainer over the pouring pitcher. Wait for the tea to brew. After three minutes of brewing, pour hot water into the pouring pitcher to assure that it is hot and pour that into the teacups. When ready, empty the tea cups and pitcher and then pour the tea into the pitcher through a tea strainer. Pour the tea into the cups, making sure to never fill a cup at a time, but by passing the tea over each cup so they fill equally.

The Importance of Water
The water used in the Chinese tea ceremony is as important as the tea itself. As noted, chlorine and fluoride in tap water should be filtered out as they harm the flavor of the tea. Distilled water is said to make flat tea, thus should be avoided. The ideal water should have an alkaline pH around 7.9.

Note: In Chinese tea ceremony, the aroma of the tea is certainly what is sought after. When using the small tea cups never drink or gulp the tea. Instead, sip the tea through the lips and teeth making a hissing sound. Drinking and sniffing the tea during the Chinese tea ceremony can take over an hour and many fine conversations will ensure. The sign of the tea master is to insure that every round of tea tastes exactly the same.

Should you Drink Caffeine Free Green Tea

2008-11-19T11:33:00.005+07:00

A tea isn’t completely devoid of the extra kick if it states that it is caffeine free. Not all of the caffeine can be taken out by the decaffeinating process only most of it. As with any other type of tea, green tea naturally contains caffeine. It is a relatively easy process to remove the caffeine from your tea, but there is a little more to it than you might think.

Caffeinated or Decaffeinated?

Start off with some background. The well-known black tea, oolong tea, green tea and white tea are just a few of several types of tea. The most caffeine is found in black tea, while green tea is in the middle and white tea has the least. Coffee contains more caffeine than tea. One half or a third of the caffeine in coffee is found in a cup of tea.

It is rather surprising when you consider some general facts about tea plants. Caffeine will be stronger the smaller the tea leaf. A higher caffeine content is also in the tea leaves that are fermented longer. However, according to some sources the health benefits of green tea is ruined by the decaffeination process. So while you may be able to find comfort in a warm cup of green tea that is caffeine free it is a no-win situation.

You will want caffeine free if you have a problem with caffeine. Caffeine green tea is not completely devoid of caffeine, so you should keep this in mind if you have a severe reaction to any amount of caffeine. Which means you should probably stay away from teas altogether.

If you can even drink caffeine free green tea then herbal infusions may be an option. These do not contain any tea whatsoever despite the being mislabeled as teas. Herbs or flowers are often contained in these products and can be brewed in tea bags or balls just like teas. Chamomile is an example of the alternate ingredients included in herbal infusion which is a type of flower.

Caffeine green tea is a great choice if you are trying to limit your caffeine intake. The health benefit of green tea generally outweigh the negatives of a little bit of caffeine when you look at the big picture.

By:Tom G. Antion

Tasty Green Tea

2008-09-30T10:03:00.001+07:00

Many studies suggest that fresh-brewed tea can benefit health and fight disease.Tea is cosy, comforting, easy to brew, and can be enjoyed anywhere at any time. Chinese green has more varieties than any other tea in China as well as any other country in the world.Tasty and HealthyChinese tea is healthy in a lot of ways. It lowers blood pressure, protects the heart, helps to prevent obesity, prevents tooth decay and increases immunity, etc. Sounds like a TV commercial but it has been working on more than billions of Chinese people over thousands of years. Grean Tea is like jewelry in china agriculture food; It's announced in November, 2001 that research has found scientific evidence that Chinese tea can actually help to prevent cancer. It's more than just empty talk now. As a fellow Chinese tea drinker puts it "when I am home after a busy day, I make myself a cup of tea while sitting slanted on the sofa. A sip of hot tea down the throat, the whole world loosens up. The feeling is soooo ... you know... ". Yes, as a Chinese tea drinker, Kam knows. Chinese tea's impact on one's psychological health is immediate. In summer or warm climate, tea seems to dispel the heat and bring on instant cool together with a feeling of relaxation. For this reason, tea-houses abound in towns and market villages in South China and provide elderly retirees with the locales to meet.The above, however, does not go to say that the stronger the tea, the more advantages it will yield. Too much tannic acid will affect the secretion of the gastric juice, irritate the membrane of the stomach and cause indigestion or constipation. Strong tea taken just before bedtime will give rise to occasional insomnia. Constant drinking of over-strong tea may induce heart and blood-pressure disorders in some people, reduce the milk of a breast-feeding mother, and put a brown color on the teeth of young people. But it is not difficult to ward off these undesirable effects: just don't make your tea too strong.Green Tea Ingredient May Promote Healthy Weight LossMost teas contain large amounts of polyphenols, which are plant-based substances that have been shown to have antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral properties.However, green tea is particularly rich in a type of polyphenols called catechins. These substances have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, but recent research in animals show that catechins may also affect body fat accumulation and cholesterol levels. Handpicked Yield High Quality TeaIn China, most leaves are still handpicked, which yields a higher quality crop. Many of the top grade teas are still handmade, allowing tea masters to finetune their process to optimise the quality of the individual leaves.Knowledgeable tea drinkers can find the best of the finest in the Land of the Dragon. The low cost of living in China often results in affordable prices for many teas.Unlike black tea, Chinese green tea is made with minimal processing. A process - called firing - applies heat to kill the enzymes and arrest the oxidation, or fermentation. Traditionally, the Chinese uses three firing process: steaming, pan-frying and baking. Japanese tea only uses steaming.Pan-frying was the most popular method in China. It was preferred over steaming for two reasons: it is quicker to pan-fry than to steam, and it stimulates an intense chestnuty aroma and flavor.Baking can be done using either charcoal or electric oven. It is preferred over pan-frying when it is important to preserve the shape and texture, such as when making floral infused green tea. For the tea making tools, you could check more in kitchenware info site.Many Chinese green tea are produced using combination of pan-frying and baking, allowing the advantages of each method to be exploited. Chinese Tea is A Way of LifeA cup of tea in the morning sets the pace of the day. Sitting and chatting with a few good friends over a couple rounds of tea makes life worth living. Brewing Chinese tea calms me down. Chinese tea is more than just something to drink. It has in fact become a way of life for manyChinese Diet Green Tea and LongevityItâ€™s better than health medicine sometimes if you drink it for a long time.The role of Chinese diet green tea in promoting longevity has been investigated upon by many researchers. They found the premise of their study on observing that Japanese women who are greater-than-average Chinese diet green tea drinkers; have lower mortality rates compared to others. This led the researchers to believe that Chinese diet green tea has "a protective factor against premature death."The polyphenols found in Chinese diet green tea may be held accountable. With its high amount of polyphenols, Chinese diet green tea seems to have a stimulating effect on the immune system. Stronger immune system as a result of drinking Chinese diet green tea helps reduce risks of acquiring any illnesses.

By: Jimi khan

Learn About Scottish Tea

2008-09-03T17:15:00.001+07:00

Scottish Teas are increasing in popularity with tea drinkers. But most tea drinkers are unaware of the important role Scotland played in making tea a global drink.

In the early 1600s, tea was introduced to Scotland. Scots were instrumental in founding and developing tea estates in India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). One Scotsman, James Taylor, is regarded as the father of Ceylon tea.

Still, many tea drinkers think of England when having a cup of tea. English Breakfast, the world's most popular tea, was actually created in Scotland. A Scottish tea master invented the blend in Edinburgh, Scotland. Sampling the tea in Scotland, Queen Victoria brought the blend to England and popularized the tea. Eventually, it was referred to as breakfast tea. Tea companies across the globe produce of blend of this tea today.

One of the most recognizable brands of tea, Lipton, started in Scotland. Thomas Lipton opened his first grocery shop in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1871. Lipton entered the tea business after growing his grocery business to over 300 stores. Lipton was among the first to create a brand of tea, sold to consumers at low prices, that would be consistent everywhere it was available. In the 1890s, Lipton expanded his brand to America.

Today, two different types of Scottish Tea are widely available. Scottish Breakfast and tea blended specifically for Scotland's soft water. Scottish Breakfast is made by tea companies around the world. This tea is a full-bodied black tea with a malty flavor best served with sugar and milk.

The second type of Scottish tea is specifically blended for Scotland's soft water. Introduced in 1990, Scottish Blend is among Scotland's favorite brands of tea and was the first tea specially blended for Scotland.

With availability throughout the world, Scottish Blend is increasingly popular with tea drinkers. Unilever, producer of PG Tips, makes Scottish Blend tea.

Each Scottish tea has a unique taste. Try different types of Scottish Tea to find the kind you prefer.
by teadog

A Chinese Tea Ceremony

2008-07-09T15:45:00.003+07:00

The Art Of Drinking And Serving Tea

The Teapot and Tea Cup Preparation

The Importance of Water

The water used in the Chinese tea ceremony is as important as the tea itself. As noted, chlorine and fluoride in tap water should be filtered out as they harm the flavor of the tea. Distilled water is said to make flat tea, thus should be avoided. The ideal water should have an alkaline pH around 7.9.

By: Sarah Williams

What Makes A High Quality White Licorice Tea Garden?

2008-07-05T11:22:00.002+07:00

Flavored white teas are becoming increasingly popular. White tea is fairly new to the Western world, but is becoming more popular each year. White tea is the mildest of all teas, so it is a natural choice as a base for flavored tea, since the additional flavorings really shine in white tea.

One of the most popular flavored white teas is white licorice tea. White licorice tea is a flavorful blend of licorice and the best white tea.

White licorice tea is also extremely healthy. Because of the way that it’s processed, white tea has more anti-oxidants than black tea, making it effective at preventing many serious diseases like cancer and heart disease. These healthy benefits are another reason that flavored and unflavored white teas are becoming so popular.

If you’re new to tea drinking, it may be difficult to understand how one tea differs from another in terms of quality. The beginning of a good tea starts with a good tea garden that is tended by a skilled tea artisan.

Proper care of the garden along with careful tea plucking and harvesting creates the best tea. For white licorice tea, it’s also important that the best quality star anise be used to flavor the tea and that the tea artisan is skilled in infusing the tea with the licorice appropriately.

White tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, just like other teas. However, harvesting and processing white tea is quite different than harvesting and processing other teas. White tea is harvested much earlier than other teas, before the leaves are fully open and while the buds are covered with fine white hair, which is why it’s called white tea.

In addition, white tea leaves are not fermented like black tea. This lack of fermentation ensures that the tea is sweet and mild and contains all of its natural anti-oxidants.

The best white tea gardens pluck the tea by hand, selecting only the completely unopened and undamaged buds, and, in some cases, the top two leaves of the plant. The harvester ensures that the buds and leaves are not damaged during plucking. The best white tea buds are harvested only in March and April and only when the weather is just right.

There must be no rain on the day of harvest. There should have been no frost on the previous night, and the morning’s dew must be dry. It’s critical that the tea garden pay careful attention to these environmental factors when harvesting the tea.

Next, the white tea leaves are dried and steamed. The best tea gardeners know exactly how long to steam the leaves to ensure the best flavor.

Finally, for white licorice tea, the tea must be mixed with star anise to give the licorice flavor. The best tea gardens use only whole pieces of star anise in the tea, and they know exactly the right combination of tea leaves and star anise to get the perfect flavor.

Once the tea is processed, it must be stored and packed for selling. This is the end of the process for this year’s white licorice tea harvest, but it’s not the end of maintaining a good tea garden.

Throughout the year, the tea gardener has work to do to ensure his tea garden is maintained properly so that he can produce fine tea each and every year.

During the summer, the tea garden must be constantly weeded. In addition, if the tea garden produces black and green tea as well as white (as most of them do) there will be tea to harvest throughout the summer. Most black and green tea plants are harvested three or four times each growing season.

Tea plants do their most vigorous growing during the autumn. So, it is during this time of year that the tea gardener will fertilize the tea plants and plant any new plants for the year. By October, the tea plants will need to be pruned in preparation for winter.

During the winter, the tea gardener will pay close attention to any tea plants in his garden that are less than four years old. Depending upon the severity of the winter, they may need protection from the cold during the winter months.

In late February or early March, the tea plants must be pruned in preparation for the spring. Then, the entire tea harvesting cycle begins all over again.

As you can see, tea gardens require constant work and attention. Only the tea gardeners who work diligently to harvest and process the tea appropriately and who maintain their gardens throughout the year will be able to produce the very best tea.

Tea gardening requires a great deal of skill, patience and attention to detail. Most tea gardeners learned the skill from their parents, and may be tending a tea garden that has been in their family for generations.

A lot goes into making that delicious cup of white licorice tea. As you sip, savoring the flavor and aroma that makes white licorice tea so special and distinct, remember that labor and love that went into producing this cup of pleasure.

By Jon M. Stout

Tea, High Tea And Afternoon Tea – What’s The Difference?

2008-06-03T14:33:00.002+07:00

Tea the Drink

There are two forms of tea that often cause confusion in the tea world: tea the drink and tea the meal. Tea the drink is made from the Camellia Sinensis plant and from the processing of the plant white, green, oolong, and black teas are produced. The basic teas are also often blended with other plants like vanilla, mint and melon as well as flavors like Oil of Bergamot to make Earl Grey Tea,
The beverage is made by steeping processed leaves, buds, or twigs of the tea bush in hot water for a few minutes. The processing can include oxidation, heating, drying, and the addition of other herbs, flowers, spices, and fruits.
The term "herbal tea" usually refers to infusions of fruit or of herbs (such as rosehip, chamomile, or jiaogulan) that contain no Camellia Sinensis.

Tea the Meal

Tea the meal on the other hand involves tea the drink as an important part but really is directed toward social and family gatherings where tea and food are often consumed together.

Generally speaking , the tea meal became most popular and refined in England but spread to English speaking countries or former English colonies as well. Tea meals are also celebrated in other countries in differing forms.
The key distinction between differing tea meals is the time of day, type of food served and the location of serving.

Afternoon tea

Afternoon tea (or Low tea) is a light meal typically eaten at 4:00 pm. It originated in Britain, though various places in the former British Empire also have such a meal. However, most Britons no longer eat such a meal.

Traditionally, loose tea would be served in a teapot with milk and sugar. This would be accompanied by various sandwiches (customarily cucumber, egg and cress, tuna, ham, and smoked salmon), scones (with butter, clotted cream and jam) and usually cakes and pastries. Traditionally the tea and food would be served on a lounge (or low) table.

While afternoon tea used to be an everyday event, nowadays it is more likely to be a treat in a hotel, café, or tea shop, although many Britons still have a cup of tea and slice of cake or chocolate at teatime. Accordingly, many hotels now market and promote afternoon teas.

High tea

To the uninitiated, High tea may be a confusing term.

High tea is an early evening meal, typically eaten between 5:00 and 6:00 pm. It would be eaten as a substitute for both afternoon tea and the evening meal. The term comes from the meal being eaten at the ‘high’ (main) table, instead of the smaller lounge (low) table. It is now largely replaced by the later meal tea.

It would usually consist of cold meats, eggs and/or fish, cakes and sandwiches. In a family, it tended to be less formal and is an informal snack (featuring sandwiches, cookies, pastry, fruit and the like) or else it is the main evening meal.

On farms, rural areas or other working class environments, high tea would be the traditional, substantial meal eaten by workers immediately after nightfall, and would combine afternoon tea with the main evening meal.

In recent years, High tea somehow became a word for exquisite afternoon tea. Such usage is incorrect. High Tea is not, in traditional terms, afternoon tea.

Main evening meal

Tea is the main evening meal, even if the diners are not drinking tea. It is traditionally eaten at 5 o'clock in the evening, though often it is later, as late as 9pm.

In many rural parts of the United Kingdom tea as a meal is synonymous with dinner in Standard English. Under such usage, the midday meal is sometimes termed dinner, rather than lunch.

The United States

The term high tea is sometimes used in the United States to refer to afternoon tea or the tea party, a very formal, ritualized gathering in which tea, thin sandwiches and small cakes are served in an exquisite setting. This usage comes from misunderstanding the term high to mean formal. Most tea drinkers understand that such usage is incorrect;This form of tea is increasingly served in high-end U.S. hotels, often during the winter holidays and other tourist seasons, and many big-city teahouses, where it is usually correctly described as Afternoon tea

Social Implications

The tea party is still occasionally given in the U.S., usually for a special occasion. This occasion is a formal one, but otherwise afternoon tea is an informal gathering of friends. The tea party often became a place of intimate conversation and social intercourse.

Tea is a very important part of many people’s lives and it is important for those who drink tea or participate in tea meals to understand the correct terminology.

By: Marcus Stout

Coffee Facts – A Brief History In Time

2008-05-29T16:40:00.002+07:00

It is probably common knowledge that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia. The ‘red’ cherries which the sheep ate and become very active were taken home and tasted and what was known as the devil’s fruit become coffee as the world knows it today. However, this is just one of the stories which revolve around the history of coffee. Another tale which has been around for some time involves an Arabian who use coffee beans to survive an exile and was discovered near the town of Mocha and thus we also refer to coffee as Mocha. As you will read on, there are more to these interesting coffee facts.Coffee remained in Arabia for quite some time and was a secret which Arabians were not keen to share with outsiders. India was one of the first few countries outside Arabia to get a taste of coffee and then there was no holding back the growth of popularity of this drink. There is a lot of history which revolves around coffee and many legends which exist which help in creating a mystique for the beverage. Famous luminaries seem to have had some kind of brush with the drink and it is said that The Boston Tea Party, so well known for throwing away boxes of tea, considered coffee drinking a patriotic act!Coffee beans revolved and took the avatar of instant coffee which is used the world over. Many well known words and trends have been the output of coffee as it gets accepted as part of the global culture. Coffee facts tell us that countries such as Brazil have an entire economy dependant on the production of coffee and the United States is one of the largest coffee drinking nations in the world!

BY Jocelyn Meadows

The Coffee Experience

2008-04-18T14:31:00.003+07:00

There has developed a new craze in Britain in recent years. You can see it wherever you go; people walking or even riding bicycles, carrying a cardboard carton of the stuff. Yes, you guessed it, it's the coffee craze. The coffee experience has taken over from the can of cola and the coffee vocabulary litters our speach.

In America coffee drinking became particularly popular with the birth of a well known chain of coffee shops. In the cafés of Europe, particularly Italy, Spain and France, strong coffee has been the beverage of choice for centuries.

Drinking coffee has become so addictive that people will even queue up to be served their favorite variation, be it latte, espresso, mocha or a plain americano. One chain of coffee shops sells at least forty different blends of coffee from all over the world. There are blends from Latin America, Africa, Arabia, Asia and even Europe, as well as mixed blends and decaffeinated versions.

Coffee shops and cafés have popped up everywhere, in cities, towns and villages across the country. This phenomenon seems to have been caused by the desire of the youngsters of today to have a place to meet friends and do business as well as shoppers seeking refuge for their sore feet. Indeed coffee shops seem to be taking the place of the pub for many people.

Some business people even set up their offices in coffee shops; with the advent of wireless connections for their laptop computers and the ever present mobile 'phone, nobody actually needs to actually be in their office in order to work. This situation is ideal for informal business meetings as the atmosphere is much more relaxed than it would be at their place of work.

The coffee experience has now become such an important part of life so café owners need to look to their laurels if they are to survive. Customers are becoming far more selective when it comes to choosing the venue for their coffee drinking and the choice of products has a bearing too. With all the competition, only the coffee shops which provide the most comfortable atmosphere and best variety of coffees, well made, together with accompaniments such as pastries, cakes and biscuits will attract the most custom.

Customers expect not only different blends and origins of coffee these days but different flavors too such as cinnamon, hazelnut, nutmeg and chocolate. Not only must the coffee be well made and flavorsome but a wide choice of additives needs to be available. Gone are the days when white sugar would do; now there must be brown sugar, sugar crystals, honey and low calorie alternatives. The whiteners may include whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk, pouring cream, whipped cream and low fat powdered creamer. People aren't just looking for a drink but a whole experience when they go for a cup of coffee.

Consumers are even tiring of the more traditional ways of making coffee and are demanding that it be blended with cola, jam or spices usually associated with making curry. There are almost no lengths to which the coffee fanatic will not go to enhance the coffee experience.

By Liz Canham

Tea Tree Oil for Acne Treatment

2008-03-26T15:36:00.005+07:00

Tea Tree Oil is a naturally occurring antiseptic oil produced from an Australian tree called the Melaleuca Alternafolia. It kills germs (some viral germs), bacteria, and fungus, and is used as a cure for acne, body odor, foot fungus (athlete foot), halitosis, head lice, and oral herpes outbreaks, or cold sores.

This is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the tree called Australian Melaleuca Alternafolia. Apart from its strong antibacterial and antifungal traits, this natural substance is also widely recognized for its beneficiary roles in treating bad breath, cold sores, body odor etc. Terpinen-4-ol is the main constituent of this oil which is believed to be the playing the role of the chief antimicrobial ingredient. Also it is a renowned fact that an acne lesion is inflamed by the presence of skin-dwelling bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes.

Before determining which products to purchase or what regimen of tea tree oil for acne treatment will be most helpful in individual cases of skin problems, it will be beneficial to know what causes blemishes in the first place. Many persons in the past have related blemish and skin problems with uncleanliness. But, the truth is that pimples, blackheads and whiteheads are the products of over-active glands found near the hair follicle.

Since an undiluted form of this natural agent is hazardous, there comes an inevitable question as to what other forms of this herbal oil should be used in order to achieve the best impact. If you are a frequent visitor of your local medical store, you perhaps have noticed that it contains a superfluous stock of different skin care and acne care products with this substance as a chief ingredient. And if you are allergic to other ingredients mixed in those commercial products, or rather fascinated by homemade regimens, then there are plenty of them too. For instance, you could make your own undiluted solution by using 5% of tea tree oil and 95% of water mixed properly. If you have got a sensitive skin then a combination of this essential oil and aloe vera would respond well. Besides, a few evidences show that some people tend to develop sensitivity to this natural ingredient and therefore it is always suggestible to try a little amount first on the skin surface to test its impact on your skin.

Tea tree oil has been recognized as a potent antiseptic in Australia anecdotally for much longer than there has been scientific evidence. However, recent studies support a role for tea tree oil in skin care and treatment of various ailments.

Tea tree oil is a known antifungal agent, effective in vitro against multiple dermatophytes found on the skin.[5] In vivo, shampoo with 5% tea tree oil has been shown to be an effective treatment for dandruff due to its ability to treat Malassezia furfur, the most common cause of the condition.

Tea Tree Oil is used medically as well as in cosmetic products.It is advisable to avoid sun after applying tea tree oil to your face. It tends to have a drying and irritating effect when the skin is exposed to sun. It is meant only for topical application, and never to be taken internally.

It is available in most of the beauty products like soaps, shampoos, gels, washes, and other things.

By Richard Bean [ 09/03/2008 ]

Growing Tea at Home

2008-03-17T10:41:00.003+07:00

You might be surprised at how easy it is.
I'm not talking about herbal teas either, but real tea: Camellia sinensis. You don't need a large garden to grow your own tea, a planter on a balcony would work just fine.The tea shrub is hardy to Zone 8 (The country is broken up into 'zones' with similar temperature and weather patterns. Zone 8 is mid-west to southern USA). If you don't live in these areas, don't fret. You could try growing Camellia sinensis in a greenhouse, or in a pot that you can bring indoors during cold winters. The Camellia sinensis plant is a small shrub about 1-2 meters in height, though it will grow taller if you don't prune it. In the fall, your tea shrub will flower with small white blossoms that have a delightful scent.

These plants are often grown as ornamentals. For planting, Camellia sinensis likes well-drained and sandy soil that is on the acidic side. If you are going to grow your tea in a container, add some sphagnum moss to the potting mix. You'll need some patience, too. Your plant should be around 3 years old before you start harvesting leaves. You might be able to get seeds at your local nursary, or try online at Seedrack.com.

Growing tea is only half the battle. Once your tea plant is growing well, you'll need to harvest and process your tea leaves. From your plant, you can make black, green or oolong tea.

Green Tea
· Pluck the very youngest leaves and leaf buds.
· Blot the leaves dry, and let dry in the shade for a few hours.
· Steam the leaves (like you would vegetables) on your stove for about a minute.
· For a different flavour, try roasting them in a skillet for 2 minutes instead of steaming.
· Spread the leaves on a baking sheet and dry in the oven at 250F for 20 minutes.
· Store the dried tea leaves in an air-tight container

Oolong Tea
· Pluck the very youngest leaves and leaf buds.
· Spread them out on a towel under the sun and let them wilt for about 45 minutes.
· Bring your leaves inside and let them sit at room temperature for a few hours.
· Make sure to stir the leaves up every hour.
· The edges of the leaves will start to turn red as they begin to dry.
· Spread the leaves on a baking sheet and dry in the oven at 250F for 20 minutes.
· Store the dried tea leaves in an air-tight container.

Black Tea
· Pluck the very youngest leaves and leaf buds.
· Roll the leaves between your hands, and crush them until the leaves start to darken and turn red.
· Spread them out on a tray, and leave them in a cool location for 2-3 days.
· Dry them in the oven at 250F for about 20 minutes.
· Store in an air-tight container.

Once you get the hang of it, try experimenting with different drying times to get different tastes. Mix your teas with jasmine or hibiscus flowers for a lovely summer tea right from your garden.

From Sean Paajanen,

Tea: What is White Tea?

2008-03-06T15:39:00.006+07:00

Like all teas, white tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. The leaves are picked and harvested before the leaves open fully, when the buds are still covered by fine white hair. This gives the tea its name.. White tea is scarcer than the other traditional teas, but many tea drinkers prefer white tea over all others.

The leaves are steamed or fried to inactivate oxidation, and then dried. White tea therefore retains the high concentrations of catechins which are present in fresh tea leaves. The buds may also be shielded from sunlight during growth to reduce formation of chlorophyll.

White tea is a specialty of the Chinese province Fujian in Southern China.White tea is similar to green tea, in that it has undergone very little processing and no oxidation. But there is a very noticeable difference in taste. The flavor is described as light, sweet and sometimes smoky.

The best way to infuse white tea is to use a high quality tea pot or infuser and then steep white tea in purified water that is below the boiling point. Use of high quality purified, oxygenated water will add to the flavor of the tea.

White tea is excellent for your health. White tea is full of anti-oxidants that help ensure a healthy lifestyle. There is also much less caffeine in white tea than in other teas. (15mg per serving, compared to 40mg for black tea, and 20mg for green). Studies have also shown that white tea contains more active cancer-fighting antioxidants than even green tea.

A 2004 study at Pace University determined that white tea can help the body’s immune system fight off viruses and dangerous infection-causing bacteria. The same study concluded that fluoride-rich white tea helps prevent the growth of dental plaque, the chief cause of tooth decay.

There are many varieties of white tea, with beautiful and descriptive names such as: white Persian melon, white ginger, golden moon, silver needle and white cloud. White teas are produced mainly in China and Japan, but the Darjeeling region of India (noted for its high quality Black Teas) also produces fine white teas.

White tea has a long history in China. In hard or troubled times, very poor Chinese people would serve guests boiled water if they could not afford tea. Host and guest would refer to the water as "white tea" and act as if the tradition of serving guests tea had been carried out as usual. (This usage is related to plain boiled water being called "white boiled water" in Chinese.)

This was especially true in China during World War II and the Japanese Occupation as well as during the later Great Leap Forward (during which over 20 Million Chinese starved because of relocation) and the Cultural Revolution. But as soon as better times returned the Chinese saw real white tea reappear.

White tea is growing in popularity outside of Asia. Until recently white tea was virtually unknown in the United States. But recently the popularity of white tea has increased. Today, many tea drinkers from chefs to medical researchers are praising white tea’s delicate flavor and purported health benefits. Market researchers predict consumers will soon discover the tea, turning white tea into a very popular drink.

White tea has an exceptional taste that is smooth and silky with a hint of smokiness that has a remarkable effect on the tea drinker’s pallet.

One nice feature of white tea is its compatibility with other flavors and it is easily combined with memorable flavors like melon, licorice and ginger for truly exceptional drinks served hot or iced.

By Jon Stout

Pyramid Tea Bags Give You Best Quality Tea With No Hassle

2008-02-27T14:23:00.004+07:00

If you're a serious tea drinker, then you would no doubt want to use tea leaves. Not only are they fresher, but when you put them into the teapot, they have lots of room to swirl and unfold when the boiling water is poured over them. The downside of this is having to get rid of soggy tea leaves in your sink and having to use a strainer (another thing to wash up)! With pyramid tea bags you can have quality tea leaves and have a great cup of tea with none of the disadvantages of using tea leaves.

Many tea bags on the market (round or square) area basically 'tea dust'. This is what remains after the quality leaves have been taken to be sold as premium quality tea. The 'tea dust' contains tiny crushed leaves and often bits of twigs of the tea plant. This is then packed into tea bags, packaged and sent off to your local supermarket. The majority of tea drinkers use this 'tea dust' without actually knowing it! To think they could get a great quality cuppa with little effort.
Pyramid tea bags contain the best quality leaves and they are loosely packed into the tea bag, so they have room to expand to their full size, thus releasing the best taste and aroma - i.e. just like loose leaf tea. Can you understand how exciting this is? You can now have the great convenience of a tea bag whilst getting the best quality flavor and aroma of the tea. Most tea bags are made of paper but some companies now manufacture tea bags made of gauze, cotton and even silk, taking that cheap old tea bag to great new heights.

Please check out these special tea bags as they will give you the very best tea experience without the hassle of loose tea leaves. They are incredibly convenient and once people catch on and use them, they'll realize that pyramid tea bags give you a very convenient cup of great quality tea. In fact you can buy empty tea bags and fill them yourself. Of course you can use ANY sort of loose leaf tea, whether it is black, green or herbal. You'll be surprised to find that loose tea lasts a long time as you don't need to pack the tea into your tea bag - in fact the leaves must have room to 'grow' - so it really is a good investment. Give pyramid tea bags a try - you'll be happy you did.

by Sandra Fierling

Importance of Green Tea

2008-02-20T15:54:00.003+07:00

Green tea is found out to be a good drink. It has anti cancer nutrients and it is better than coca cola, coffee or other black teas. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant found in green tea, is at least 100 more times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E at protecting cells and DNA from damage believed to be linked to cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses. This antioxidant has twice the benefits of resveratrol, found in red wine.

Bottled green tea has alot of sugar and if you make it on your own then you know how much sugar you put in so brewed by yourself is better than bottled. Lipton Green Tea has a label claiming its powerful antioxidents 190 to be exact it proves it potency in delivering what Green Tea is and why its good for your body.

Decaffeinated brewed green tea contains only 56 milligrams, less than half of the catechins found in an original brew. Flavored brewed green tea has 43 milligrams. Disappointingly, instant green tea has only 12 milligrams.

Here are just a few known health benefits of drinking green tea:

Lowers cholesterol

Aids in weight loss by burning calories

Reduces high blood pressure

Prevents arthritis

Boosts your immune system

Lowers blood sugar

Helps prevent cavities and tooth decay

Slows the aging process

Reduces the risk of heart disease

Reduces the risk of stroke

Lowers the risk of blood clot

You can use either tea bag or dried leaves. greentea smoothens our skin, it helps in our body's elimination of wastes and body toxins which promotes prolong life with less entire body complications. Oolong tea is good for blood circulation and skin. Green tea may be fine for preventing aging in skin, but will do nothing to help your acne. Green tea has antioxidents which will slow down collogen breakdown, hence it will help to keep skin young looking and delay the onset of wrinkles.

The caffeine in the tea perks up your skin and tightens the skin so it does appear for a few hours that the wrinkles are diminished. However if you want to treat fine lines I would suggest you always use a moisturizer and use a mild anti wrinkle cream at night to prevent further lines and to treat existing lines. It calms the vessels around the eyes and makes them look less tired and worn out. Just heat up the tea bags in water and squeeze them out. Make sure they are not too hot to apply to the eyelid by testing them on the inside of your arm. Make sure the tea bags are cold and just put them over your eyes like you would a cucumber. you should feel a soothing sensation over your eyes.

It is believed that the health benefits of jasmine tea may surpass those of green tea. Several studies have found jasmine tea lowers cholesterol levels. Other studies found that fruit flies lived 20% longer when jasmine tea was added to their drinking water.

The tea is a natural antiseptic that relieves itching and swelling. Try it on inflamed breakouts and blemishes, sunburns, even puffy eyelids. And that's not all. In the lab, green tea helps block sun-triggered skin cancer, whether you drink it or apply it directly to the skin - which is why you're seeing green tea in more and more sunscreens and moisturizers.

By Rachel Broune

What to Drink with What You Eat

2008-02-15T11:05:00.008+07:00

The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food with Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea - Even Water - Based on Expert Advice from America's Best Sommeliers

The most comprehensive guide to matching food and drink ever compiled, by the James Beard Award winning author team of Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, with practical advice from more than seventy of America's leading pairing experts In a great meal, what you drink is just as important as what you eat.This groundbreaking food and beverage pairing reference allows food lovers to learn to think like a sommelier, and to transform every meal- breakfast, lunch, and dinner - from ordinary to extraordinary. Exceptional in its depth and scope - with over fifteen hundred entries - What to Drink with What You Eat is based on the collective wisdom of experts at dozens of America's best restaurants, including Alinea, Babbo, Bern's, Blue Hill, Chanterelle, Daniel, Emeril's, French Laundry, Frontera Grill, Inn at Little Washington, Jean Georges, Masa's, The Modern, Per Se, Rubicon, Tru, and Valentino. You'll find authoritative recommendations for stocking your cellar and kitchen with must-have beverages, from wines to waters.You'll also learn what to drink with everything from French toast to Chinese food, and what to eat with everything from Pinot Noir to green tea, to create mouthwatering matches.Follow the authors three simple Rules to Remember when making a match - or just dive into the wide-ranging listings in chapters 5 and 6. This incisive, hip writing team (Publisher's Weekly) distills history, geography, science, expert technique, and original insight to create a remarkably user-friendly and engaging reference.Lavishly illustrated with gorgeous four-color photographs, What to Drink with What You Eat is an instant classic essential to every connoisseur's bookshelf.

By Andrew Dornenburg, Karen Page

See More Click http://astore.amazon.com/teatime4you-20/detail/0821257188/104-7367018-1356700