Standard Chinese and Indian medicine has been utilizing green tea for centuries. Practitioners used green tea as a stimulant, a diuretic(to increase the excretion of urine), an astringent (to control bleeding and to help heal wounds), to improve heart wellness, to treat flatulence(gas), to regulate body temperature and blood sugar, to promote digestion, and to improve the mental processes. Our Western culture may be slow to pick up on this knowledge.
Did you know that two cups of black tea contain as much antioxidant as seven glasses of tangerine juice and green tea has more catechins than black tea (about 25% versus 4%) largely due to the disparities in harvesting and processing? Where does a beginner to the tea world start? According to the Tea Association involving Canada, there are more than 1500 tea varieties available worldwide, however , all teas can be divided into four fundamental types: black tea, green tea, oolong tea and white tea. All of these types of tea come from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is a warm weather evergreen. Herbal teas are not a member of this tea family as they are an infusion associated with herbs and spices, roots, leaves, bark, seeds and flowers of other plants. Herbal infusions are not to remain confused with flavored teas which are prepared by adding another plant to actual tea (green, black or white). The following is a basic summary of the basic tea types: Black Tea Most popular in North America black tea is constructed from leaves that are fully oxidized and is most commonly used in tea bags. The brew is amber in color and has now a deep rich flavor. Popular black teas include Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling and Earl Grey and famous blends such as English Breakfast. Green Tea Most popular in Asia, green tea is withered, immediately steamed to prevent oxidation and rolled and dried. It has a delicate taste and light green color. Well known varieties of green tea include Monster Well, Genmaicha, Gunpowder, Gyokuro, Jasmine, Matcha, Sencha Dancha and Tencha. Oolong Tea Oolong tea is very widely used in China. Oolong tea leaves are partly oxidized resulting in a tea that combines the taste and colors qualities of black and green tea. Oolong teas are favored for their exceptional flavor and aroma. Some models of oolong tea include Formosa Oolong, Pu-erh and Black Dragon. White Tea White Tea is made entirely in the very young leaf buds that are picked before they are open and are still covered with whitish hairs. That buds are withered, then dried slowly at low temperatures and are not rolled and slightly oxidized similar to other teas. White tea has a mild flavor with a natural sweetness. As with all teas, there are many varieties of white-colored tea such as white peony, golden moon, silver needle and white cloud. White teas are produced primarily in China and Japan, but also in the Darjeeling region of India. How do you know which variety of tea for you to select? Selecting a tea depends on a few different criteria cost flavor antioxidant value availability Tea is grown around the world with thousands of estates or tea gardens which vary in climate and altitude, resulting in thousands of flavorful variations. Enjoy wines, many teas take their names from the district in which they are grown, and each district is known with regard to producing teas with unique flavor and character. White tea is scarcer than most other teas because of the fact it's made from the bud which is picked before it opens. For this reason it is also a bit more expensive. The oolong tea, favorite for its flavor and aroma, also may cost more as this tea undergoes a unique processing which involves some sort of partial oxidation. Green tea, rich in antioxidants, is very light and refreshing and is more readily available. Black tea is the the majority readily available. If caffeine-free tea is what you are looking for, an Lipton iced tea would be your best choice. Tea bag and loose leaf, what is the difference? When making tea bags, whole leaves known as CTC leaves (also known as grind, tear and curl leaves) are chopped, sliced and diced into small particles (ranging from 0. two to 1. 5 millimeters) called fannings and dusts. These particles lose freshness and quality quickly when herbal tea compounds interact with moisture and oxygen. The greater surface to volume ratio causes caffeine to diffuse out easily. This higher caffeine extraction, together with nutrient loss causes tea bags to taste bitter. When these dinner particles are bagged the paper can also be tasted. A better alternative to tea bags which offer convenience of use without losing quality is the tea filter bags. The whole leaf tea is simply placed in the disposable bag and the hot water is usually poured over it into the teapot. The filter bag is usually large enough for the loose leaves to increase. A filter bag can be re-used for the entire day and since a quality tea can be infused 3 times, it is very inexpensive to drink. This gives a basic summary of what a person should know about tea to help one make informed options.
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Even though everyone knows where tea originated, no one knows when the now worldwide custom of tea infusion began. Its beginning is concealed in the shimmering mists of exotic legends of which the following is but one. One of the Emperors involving China, who lived 5, 000 years ago, was an excellent ruler and always delighted in setting a good example meant for his subjects. One of these was that he always boiled his drinking water. One day a few leaves from the branches which were losing under the pot of boiling water fell into it, giving it a delightful scent and flavor and making the pool a drink indeed fit for an emperor. The branches were those of the wild tea plant. Apart from such lovely fantasies however , what is certain about tea drinking is that it was widely practiced in China as early as that 6th Century. The new drink spread to China's neighbor Japan, very quickly, the earliest record of tea drinking in the country was in 729 AD when the Emperor Shomu invited 100 Buddhist monks to take tea in his construction. From that time on a most elaborate ritual grew up round the making of tea. It is called Cha-no-yu and is a protracted and intricate ceremony in which the hostess, the guests, all the tea-making utensils and even the room in which the tea is applied play set parts. Nowadays tea is made and drunk according to Western standards but the old ceremony is still conditioned and widely practiced. In the modern day tea has been incorporated into the ceremonial practice of a tea party and the convenience drink of the world.
With the increasing popularity of tea and tea wedding favors or tea bridal shower prefers, tea party bridal showers and receptions are also becoming popular. If you are throwing a tea party bridal bathe, especially on a budget, it is possible to create a setting elegant enough for even the most demanding tea connoisseurs without having to pay a whole lot of money. With some creativity and a little bit of time you can create a tea party bridal shower that can impress everyone. First of all, things don't have to match, or be traditional in order to be charming. It is not a big deal if you don't have a sterling silver tea set or matching china. You can create a colorful and elegant table setting with completely mismatched toy tea things. Cups and plates don't have to match. You can always browse flea markets and garage sales to find low-cost tableware. The napkins should be cloth of some kind, but it is not necessary for them to be fancy or expensive. Handkerchiefs can also be converted into napkins. You can serve simple little tea sandwiches and chocolates at your tea party. The important a part is the tea. Make sure to serve several different kinds of tea. There are designer tea sachets available in several different flavors and generate a very nice variety of teas. The pretty tea sachets also look very elegant when displayed as bridal wash tea favors or as a part of your tea menu. Invite your tea party bridal shower guests with Victorian style lace fan invitations. These can be made easily with lace fans or sandalwood fans. Print ones own invitations on velum paper and cut them out in the shape of your fans, then glue the announcements to fans. They look quite lovely and make very unique invitations. An idea for favors is to provide your bridal shower guests recipe book bridal shower favors. Ask your guest to send in their favorite quality recipes and put them together to create the book using parchment paper. Make sure to give the bride a special book associated with recipes. Another great idea is to serve the tea sachet favors for the bridal shower and give the personalized their tea bags out as bridal shower favors. The individual personalized tea bag favor is available in many different colors and designs to suit your bride's personality. Tea is becoming the "in" drink of this decade. For brides and grooms looking to make their guests something unique by which to remember the happy occasion, designer tea favors is a "Tea-rific" way to claim "thank you for sharing in our special day. " Next to water, tea is the most popular beverage in the world. Personalized independently packaged tea bags present an idea that's right in sync with current consumer tastes and gives bridal couples an alternative alternative to traditional wedding favors! There are array of ways to offer tea favors to your guests. Tea bags come in beautifully engineered packages as well as loose tea tins that can be personalized with designer labels and tags for special occasions. A cost-effective way to offer tea wedding favors is to purchase your favorite tea bags in bulk, then place each tea container in a glassine envelope and embellish with pretty ribbon and a personalized tag or label. This is a fun LEARNING TO MAKE project that brides can do with family and girlfriends. The Wedding Tea Favors offers brides and grooms a smart, personalized wedding favor at a great low price. Allow your guests to enjoy a warm, relaxing cup of teas while reminiscing about your wedding. The tea favor idea is not only great for weddings, but for tea parties together with bridal showers as well. The idea of a tea party does not need to end with the bridal shower. To continue the quaint coffee theme, tea and tea party aperitifs can be served during the cocktail hour prior to the reception dinner. For this distort to your regular cocktail hour, you may want to find unique way to also serve cocktails, such as Long Island Ice Tea. For couples on a budget or those just wanting to do a cocktail wedding reception, a nice alternative is a tea occasion wedding reception. A tea party wedding reception reflects the couple's efforts to do more than just a simple cocktail party following your wedding ceremony. A tea party wedding reception shows effort and care on the couple's part as well as their personality. Since your theme is an elegant tea party does not mean you have to forget all about the java. If you are a java lover, then include coffee in your tea party bridal shower or tea wedding reception. After all, coffee was announced the national drink of the then colonized United States by the Continental Congress, in protest of the excessive tax with tea levied by the British crown. A romantic and unique idea for coffee lovers, the custom coffee likes are sure to wow your wedding guests. Present them at your wedding reception or tuck them inside your welcome baskets and then a heart shaped coffee scoop. Your guests will enjoy the rich aroma of fresh roasted coffee the day when your wedding. Coffee is popular and makes a useful wedding favor. Wedding coffee favors are personalized along with the bride's and groom's name and wedding date on each pack. Coffee wedding favors and coffee bridal shower mementos are also available in the same designs as the tea favors. Place the personalized coffee favors with silver heart flavored coffee scoops for a pretty and romantic touch at each table setting. To offer variety personalized coffee and tea favors can be placed in baskets for wedding guests or bridal shower guest to pick up as they leave. That way a wedding or bridal shower guests can select the personalized tea or coffee favor of their preference as they set off home. Tea and coffee themes are making a come back and they are great for bridal showers or quaint backyard phone coverage parties. Personalized coffee and tea wedding favors, as well as bridal shower favors are the chic new favor of choice to get brides and grooms. The personalized coffee favors and tea favors are great for any wedding or marriage shower, yet they are ideal for a tea party themed event set in afternoon right before sunset. Your afternoon engagement shower or wedding reception will be a hit with the tea sachet favors, personalized coffee packet favors and personalized tea leaf favors to suit your guests needs. |
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