A Little Note of Williamson Tea

For connoisseurs of English Tea, Williamson is a special name. Williamson is one of the only companies that grow, produce, market and sell tea.

The company has been growing and selling quality tea since 1869, when Captain James H Williamson, who was involved in the management of estates in India, met Richard B Magor, an assistant with the Great Eastern Hotel in Calcutta. Recently, the company changed its name from Williamson & Magor to Williamson Tea.

Today, the company grows solely in 4 farms in Kenya, Africa, in the areas of Changoi, Kapchorua, Kaimosi and Tinderet. Williamson's farms are set in the rolling hills of the Kenyan Highlands, which produce some of the world’s finest teas. With rain falling almost every afternoon, the climate is ideal for producing high-quality plants. Williamson farms are based in Nandi and Kericho districts of the country.

Committed to workers and the environment, Williamson is the world's only tea company to have all its farms Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance accredited.

According to the company, England-native and Oscar winner Emma Thompson is devoted to Williamson. She told an English newspaper, "I always start my day in the same way. I am devoted to tea; it's something I've always loved ever since I was really quite little." Thompson then said, "I am absolutely fanatic about how my tea is made. I only use Williamson Tea, which has been running since 1869."

Williamson has a range of teas including Assam, Camomile, Darjeeling, Decaffeinated, Forest Berries, Green, Peppermint and White. The company consistently produces award-winning products. Recently, Williamson won 6 Gold Medals at the 2008 Great Taste Awards, from the Guild of Fine Foods.

However, the company is most regarded for its English Breakfast and Earl Grey teas. Williamson Earl Grey uses only the finest leaves scented with natural oil of bergamot (a citrus fruit), which produces an authentic and distinctive flavor.

An award-winner, Williamson Earl Grey won a 3-star award from the International Taste and Quality Institute, which consists of top professional chefs and sommeliers from all over Europe. Less than 8% of all products sampled obtained awards. Williamson English Breakfast gained a 2-star award from the same organization.

Red Rooibos Tea as an Alternative to Black Tea

This wonderful herbal tea is often known as red tea because of its color and the cool fact that 'rooibos' is Afrikaans (spoken in South Africa as well as English) for red bush. This is a small shrub with thin leaves, more like needles really than leaves. Although the leaves are green, they turn red after being picked and fermented for rooibos tea.

The plant is only grown in South West Africa. The tea was first properly marketed at the beginning of the twentieth century. In South Africa (where many people are of English origin), people are asked if they want 'normal' (black) tea or 'bush' tea - meaning rooibos tea.

The tea itself has a lovely red color and is a bit sweet and has a nutty flavor. The fact is that it's also a great substitute for black tea. You can drink it on its own, it tastes great with milk or lemon and because it is an herbal tea, it has no caffeine and lots of properties that are good for you. Pregnant moms who like tea, but don't want to drink it because of the caffeine content, can easily switch to rooibos and reap added health benefits. Added to the fact it is now so popular, that you can purchase it in most supermarkets.

Here are just a few of the benefits to drinking rooibos tea:

• Great for the skin - you can put it on your skin directly to slow down the aging process. It's good for eczema. Mothers in South Africa use it on their baby's skin too.
• Used to help relieve cramps in the stomach and colic in babies.
• Can also help with asthma and hay fever.
• Good for headaches and nervous tension.
• Also helps with insomnia.
• Very importantly it boosts the immune system.
• Has no oxalic acid which makes it safe for people inclined to suffer from kidney stones.
• Contains many minerals, including calcium, iron, copper, potassium, zinc, alpha-hydroxy, manganese and magnesium.

This is a great herbal tea and is really good for you. Give it a try. You can also get 'Honeybush' which, as the name suggests, has a honey flavor. You can also buy it with a vanilla flavor.

Information about Organic and Natural Tea

Organic and natural teas are quite simply, fantastic. Not only do they taste wonderful but also help you heal any ailments you might have such as the flu of even the common cold. I doubt there is a person who can say they felt worse after drinking a hot cup of natural or organic tea. Organic and natural tea has the power to help you in so many ways that are beneficial to your health. Not everyone is a tea drinker which is a shame because teas will improve the quality of your life.

For example, if you are feeling stressed out from the daily grind of work and school, teas can help you reach calm and relaxed state. If you are having trouble sleeping because you have so much on your mind, a cup of natural and organic tea will ease you into a good night rest. If you are experiencing a sore throat, I have the answer for you, a cup of tea a few times a day and you will say adios to your sore throat. There are even natural and organic teas for the mothers to be which help a new mother adapt to the changing properties in her body.

By no means are organic and natural teas the solution to every single problem you have, these are merely options to help you deal with stress and ailments. I would recommend natural and organic tea for everyone one to drink, and not just when you feel something is wrong either, everyday.

Non-Organic Tea

How convenient it is for tea manufacturers to transport first-rate organic merchandise to consumers? The yearly quantity of organically grown tea is merely 6 percent of the traditional. While the demand for an organically grown tea constantly increases, there are considerable restrictions upon manufacturers who are interested in venturing to this industry.

Huge manufacturers in certain encounter substantial challenges in adjusting to the new class of agricultural constraints. The shift to holistic administration necessitates significant preparation and time. By keeping away chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, organic manufacturers must honestly face up to the challenge of creating accepted substitutes. These comprise natural soil conditioners such as manure, substitute host species, botanical insect repellents and manual weeding. Reasonably, several huge manufacturers are disheartened by revenue failure which is possibly to happen throughout their shift to holistic administration.

At the reverse side of the spectrum, small level organic tea manufacturers appear to have an ever more complicated time. This is basically the reason why tea is commercially dispersed. Specialty teas are normally disregarded by main distributors who insist standardized merchandise which make quick shift possible and elevated volume sales.

With around 20,000 plants maintained on each land hectare, commercial tea generation puts high demands compared to natural and human supplies. The standard annual yield is around 2,000 kilograms of dried tea each hectare.

Similar to other concentrated farmed harvests, tea is regularly treated with a wide variety of agricultural chemicals. Because their latest growth is constantly reaped, tea plants must acquire adequate nitrogen from the ground. A lot of commercial manufacturers rely on manmade fertilizer to substitute soil nitrogen. Organic cultivators substitute soil nitrogen by means of natural substances such as green manure crops, compost, seaweed and animal mucks.

Unsurprisingly, commercially farmed tea is prone to damage because of fungal infection and various insect species. Once more, several tea plantations rely on chemical treatments that are repeatedly employed, usually in greater concentrations than what is recommended. This has negative impacts with the value of life benefited by plantation workers as well as ends up in merchandise that is possibly hazardous to consumers.

Traditional tea manufacturers function within constricted margins and cannot regularly hold the swift to organic approach, because in most instances, their harvests would be considerably declined. It has been also accounted that workers who maintain and gathers tea bushes favor traditional spraying because it can get rid of natural prey like snakes, spiders and scorpions. The odds of getting bitten or eradicated by these creatures are obviously much higher on organic plantations. Traditional manufacturers regularly advertise these figures to achieve approval for their methods. Since most of these workforces are children, it appears pessimistic to address temporary safety without thinking about the long-term implications or frequent chemical exposure.

To guarantee the health and welfare of people who drink dried tea, there is minimal uncertainty that organically specialized products contain less chemical deposit compared with traditionally grown substitutes. The tricky part is determining the tea pesticide levels as the approaches differ with each passing season.

A Little Note of Chinese Green Tea

Green tea plant has its origin and is native to the land of Asia. Green tea plant is indigenous to both India and China. Science of green tea plants was well known to Indians and Chinese was known since 5000 years. The history of green tea started as wild plants until they were cultivated as agricultural products. Tea was used as medicinal plants by our ancestors until they realized its effect and calmness on body for good health. Later it was started to be used as daily beverage and taken in many forms and varieties. Green tea plants when grown in wild were like trees and grew up to the height of around 90 feet and were fit enough to be called as green trees rather than plants. They got the present form of plant growing up to 3 to 5 feet after they were cultivated as plantation crop.

Green tea leaves when grew in wild as they grew up to the heights of trees, it was a tough job to pick the leaves early man used trained monkeys to pick the leaves and collected down. There are three main categories of tea plants oolong, black and green. These categories have further many varieties within as per the way they are processed. But all the three categories and their respective variants come from the same tea plant. They are categorized and made into different types through the science of processing and tastes man has invented. The process of these varieties vary in such a way that black tea undergoes several hours accelerated in heat and humidity and is oxidized. As oxidized it loses all the antioxidant properties came naturally and is not that effective on health as green tea.

Methods of processing of Chinese tea are endless and vary from region to region depending on the traditionally evolved concepts.

Types of Tisane and Tea

The great appeal of tea reveals itself through the vast array of options available to you in your local grocery store or any online distributor. Although many hot beverages call themselves tea, there are in fact several variations and not all of them are based on the true tea plant.

True tea is created from the leaves of a plant called Camellia sinensis. These teas include white, green, oolong, and black tea. The list may seem longer because there are different varieties of these teas and sometimes they are flavored by adding other plants, spices or oils to them.

Flavored teas include Earl Grey, which is made of black tea and bergamot, and Jasmine, which is usually green tea and jasmine flowers. Other types of teas include Assam and Ceylon, which are black teas and Matcha and Sencha, which are green teas. These, of course, are just a few of the several varieties available on the market.

Herbal tea and tisane, on the other hand, happen to be one in the same but completely different than true teas from the tea plant. They originate from dried leaves, flowers or roots that are not from the Camellia sinensis plant. It seems almost any leaf or flower that is steeped in hot water is called tea. Although in some countries the word tea is legally restricted to beverages that are made using the true tea plant.

Whether it is a true tea or an herbal tea most "teas" appear to have health benefits. Real teas, like oolong and green, have been included in more research studies and appear to offer the biggest health gain, although herbal teas have shown benefits too.

The herbal tea that seems to be showing the most studied benefit seems to be rooibos. It has a high level of antioxidants, somewhat similar to green tea, but because it isn't made with tea leaves it doesn't contain the caffeine. In recent studies rooibos, also known as red tea has shown liver protecting abilities as well.

Aside from the question of tea or tisane you may also ask tea bag or loose leaf? Tea bags are great for convenience and the triangular tea bags are great for convenience with a little better flavor; but to truly enjoy the flavor a quality loose leaf tea is the best. The loose tea allows water to circulate around the leaves better to help draw out the flavor.

White Tea versus Black Tea

White Tea
White tea is a rare type of tea, because it is produced only in some areas of China. For centuries known as the magic ingredient of which is becoming younger and even is deemed to be the main ingredient of "elixir of youth. For him, the selection of only the finest, youngest leaves and buds are still covered with short white hairs. These hairs, dried leaves are silver-white and from here derives the name white tea. Tender leaves are minimally processed, so that it evaporates immediately and dried, when it does not come up fade rolling, or fermentation. Due to minimal processing and detailed selection of the youngest leaves, white tea is even richer antioxidants of the green tea, but unlike it in tastes no little acerbity. Obtained beverage is mild gold color and delicate refreshing taste.

Black Tea
The best known and most expanded type of tea is black tea. After picking leaves, the scatter a thin layer and allowed to Vein 12 to 18 hours. Thus, soft sheets wailing when it lives cell membrane are crumbling, and juices and essential oils out of them. In the process of fermentation, under the influence of enzymes, leaves lose primary acerbity and develop the characteristic color and flavor. At the time when the aroma and taste of tea, fully developed, further fermentation stops frying ballots in large furnaces. This fermented juices full of aromas drying on the surface of leaves and remain there until they do not plunge into the cup of boiling water. At the end of the process, dividing the whole leaves of braking from dust, and tea is sorting according to quality. During the preparation, he becomes a dark, sometimes reddish.

Research has shown that people who drink black tea with 50% lower risk of coronary heart disease. Japanese scientists believe that drinking black tea rich in flavonoids antioksidansima and increase the ability of blood vessels, which leads to better blood flow. Numerous investigations pointed to the positive effects of consumption of black tea, such as lowering cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of the appearance of blood clot and repair the blood vessels.

Green Tea Side Effects

According to research on the side effects of green tea, it was found out that it is all related to the caffeine that naturally occurs in the tea. The majority of the side effects are something to look out for if you have issues with caffeine or are just concerned about the amount of caffeine you are being exposed to while drinking it.

Tea contains about half the amount of caffeine found in coffee. This is good for people wanting to begin with moderate consumption of tea. If you are sensitive to caffeine there are some symptoms to be aware of in case they do elevate.

The symptoms to look out for are restlessness, irritability, issues sleeping, tremors, heart palpitations, loss of appetite, upset stomach, nausea, and skin rash. This tea is a diuretic and one should experience some frequent urination.

The side effects of green tea can have minimal impact on your body if you pay attention to your body and look for any signs of trouble. Something also very important is the quality of the tea you choose.

When talking about quality of tea, you want 98% polyphenols and 80% catechins from the Camellia Sinensis plant as a minimum. This ensures that the quality is high and that you are getting as much of the health benefits as possible in each cup that you are drinking.

Scientists have already determined a way to get this tea in an extract form with or without caffeine. This is awesome for anyone with a busy lifestyle, which is most of us these days. In conclusion, the green tea side effects are minimal but definitely something to be aware of when starting to add this to your diet.

Tips for Buying Herbs for Herbal Tea Blending

Tea herbs are used to infuse loose leaf tea, or brew up some herbal tea. Typically herbal teas are made for one of their medicinal attributes making them medicinal tea. There are many recipes for different herbal teas on the internet today. What is more difficult to find is a great supplier of herbs once you have begun to make your own blends.

Here are the top things we look for when buying herbs for herbal tea blending:
1. Is the herb Certified Organic?
2. Are different quantities of the herb available?
3. Do I get a discount for ordering in bulk?
4. What are your shipping rates?
5. How long for my tea herbs to arrive?

These are our top 5 questions and we have found a couple of suppliers that have been able to meet our criteria. However none of them turned out to be the local health food store! So if you are looking to make the best herbal tea you can our advice to you is to do your research. There are some pretty shotty suppliers of herbs out there. One product we had purchased was over 50% filler.... needless to say we asked for a refund.

Remember to store your herbs in a sealed container in a dark place. Sunlight and moisture will destroy the integrity and medicinal properties of your herbs.

Organic Yerba Mate Tea, One of Delicious Beverages

Those who never heard of organic Yerba Mate tea should look into it. This delicious beverage is an exceptional tea because it promotes mental alertness. How it is produced is by shade growing it, handpicked, wood dried and cedar aged. Since the beverage is organic no harmful pesticides and fertilizers are used during the production process, which makes the tea tastes even better.

Many of us drink coffee in the morning because we need the energy from the caffeine to start the day. Yerba Mate tea may be the solution to an alternative to the typical cup of coffee in the morning. I know when I wake up in the morning I can't begin the day without some sort of boost. I started drinking this delicious beverage and it does give you energy to be productive throughout the day with no crash later. I wasn't ever a tea drinker until someone introduced me to the tea and I'm glad they did because I feel healthier overall.

Since this comes in a variety of flavors you should find something you will enjoy. When looking for your tea, be sure you are getting it from a certified company to ensure your tea is organic. I still drink coffee sometimes but it has taken a back seat ever since I started drinking the Yerba Mate tea. I would recommend everyone at least give it a try because you might like it, plus it's good for your health. Organic Yerba Mate tea is something I wish I knew about sooner.

How to Use Herbs as Teas

Facts about teas can be quite interesting. Did you know that herbal teas used for med purposes are really not teas? Any infusion that is not made from the leaves of the tea bush, Camellia sinensis is considered to be a tisane. The term "herbal tea" is really a misnomer Sen Rikyu, a 16th century Oriental Tea Master once said, "Tea is nothing other than this: Heat the water, prepare the tea and drink it with propriety. That is all you need to know."

Herbal infusions can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots. Boiling water is generally by poured over the plant parts and they steeped for a few minutes. The herbal infusion is then strained and sweetened to taste. It is known that the medicinal benefits of the herbs are released into the hot water. When the herbal infusion is consumed the drinker will benefit from the results, such as calmness or settling an upset stomach. Many popular herbal teas on the market today are a mixture of teas (black, green, white and oolong) and plants to provide a variety of flavors.

An old Chinese proverb says, "Drinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecary." This is just another way of saying drinking tea will keep you from going to the pharmacy. Many individuals today drink tea for its health benefits. The drinking of tea and herbal teas for med purposes has long been viewed to promote and enhance good health. Many countries, especially Japan, China, and India use herbal teas as remedies for ailments. Some common illnesses or sickness may respond well to the treatment by drinking herbal teas, but must not be seen as a replacement for conventional medicine.

More interesting facts about teas
If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you. ~Gladstone, 1865
Let's explore a variety of herbal teas that are consumed for different ailments.

Chamomile tea is probably the most familiar of herbal teas. It has long been given to bring a sense of calmness to the drinker and help with a good night's sleep. Another benefit, which is most beneficial to gardeners, is the antifungal effect spritzing chamomile tea on your seedlings can help to benefit your garden. In a green and eco conscientious world, this is a great natural remedy!

Dandelion tea was used by the Chinese to help with digestive disorders and increase the flow of breast milk of lactating mothers. The colonists fell in love with the dandelion when they came to America and even shared their discovery with the various Indian tribes. Dandelion tea is also known to increase energy levels and is an alternative for those that cannot tolerate the effects of caffeine.

For every aliment or sickness, there is a variety of herbal teas that has benefits to promote improved health. It is also important to be aware that every individual is different and the response to the herbal tea may not be the expected or wanted response. If you are on any kind of medication or have a known allergy to a food, the environment or a medication this factor may alter your response.

The body functions with constant and ongoing chemical reactions and interactions. These chemical reactions are going on inside the body as we go along with our daily activities. The things that we eat and drink influence those chemical reactions. Herbal teas, just like any other food or drink we consume can enhance or decrease the effectiveness of a medication that you are presently taking. It is important to make your health care provider aware if you enjoy an herbal tea on a regular basis.

The straight facts about teas are they do warm the body and comfort the soul. Drinking tea gives pleasure and refreshes the palate. Herbal teas for med purposes are a benefit of enjoying a centuries old ritual of brewing a pot of hot water, preparing the tea and drinking it with propriety. It does not get any better that.

All about Herbal Teas

"They made a good deal of camomile tea, which they drunk freely to ward off colds, to soothe nerves, and as a general tonic. A large jug of this was always prepared and stood ready for heating up after confinements. The horehound was used with honey in a preparation to be taken for sore throats and colds on the chest. Peppermint tea was made rather as a luxury than a medicine. Iit was brought out on special occasions and drunk from wine-glasses..." Flora Thompson - Lark Rise to Candleford.

Herbal infusions have been drunk throughout the centuries - both for their medicinal and culinary properties - after all, our common ol' cuppa [the black tea which came over from the Far East] is just a herb infused in water. Herbal infusions can consist of just one herb, or can be blended with a number of different herbs to produce a range of tantalizing tastes.

So you've tried the herb tea-bags from the supermarket....and weren't that impressed.... try using loose dried herbs, preferably organic, or fresh herbs [you'll need to double the quantity of herb used if using fresh] and discover a myriad of new herbal remedies and refreshing drinks.

How to make a Herbal Tea: To make your own delicious cup of herbal tea simply place a teaspoon of dried herb [or herbs if you're using a blend of herbs] into a tea-pot, caffetiere, or suitable loose-tea holder and pour on freshly boiled water. Infuse covered for 5 minutes or so [roots and tough herbs may need to infuse for longer], strain and serve. If you're making herbal tea for more than one person, add more dried herb just as you would with loose tea or tea-bags. For medicinal brews you may need to double the amount of herb and leave to infuse for longer - generally at least 5 - 10 minutes.

There are number of ways you can sweeten your herbal tea - why not try honey or maple syrup instead of sugar; or a shot of apple juice; dried orange or lemon peel; a bruised clove [particularly effective when a cold or sore throat threatens - cloves are wonderfully antiseptic] or add a cinnamon or liquorices stick.

Not all herbs lend themselves to teas - Feverfew is so strong it is not suitable for infusions - whilst others, although suitable, should only be consumed in small quantities, such as Yarrow. Others, like Chamomile, can be safely consumed in quantities of 5 or 6 cups a day. Obviously poisonous herbs should be avoided completely, and your health condition and any medications you are on should be taken into account - Rosemary and Sage, for example, should not be taken by epileptics, persons suffering from high blood-pressure, or during pregnancy or breast-feeding; Valerian root should not be combined with sleep-inducing medicines; and Hops should be avoided by anyone suffering from depression. Always check up on any herb you're thinking of using, if in doubt ask your doctor or health professional - and remember that even the safest herbs should, like most things in life, be taken in moderation.

Ready for that cuppa yet? Here's a small selection of herbal teas to tempt you.

Balm or Lemon Balm Tea
A delicious lemon scented tea, refreshing and calming, and a tonic for mind and body. Soothing for stomach upsets and spasms, especially those connected with emotional worries or stress. A cup of Balm tea can calm palpitations and is a soothing remedy for 'butterflies' and nerves. It is also a gentle herb suitable for children, where it can be used to calm anxious or excitable children and soothe headaches. Balm is also a useful remedy for chicken pox and shingles - not only as a tea but also as a wash to soothe irritated or inflamed skin.

Blackcurrant Tea
A refreshing tea which counters acidity and helps cleanse the system. Dried Blackcurrant leaves need to be soaked for an hour or so in cold water before making an infusion, they will also need to infuse for slightly longer than some herbs - at least 10 minutes, and you may prefer to use 2 teaspoons for one cup.

Calendula / Marigold Tea
The bright orange petals of the Marigold flower can be drunk as a tea to help remedy nettle rash and skin problems. It is also useful for remedying digestive infections and fungal problems such as thrush.

Catnip Tea
As long as your cats don't get to this one before you... Catnip tea was apparently a favorite country tea long before the black tea [which is now the nation's common cuppa] arrived from the Far East. A nerve-tonic, useful for keeping colds at bay, as well as ensuring a restful sleep. It is useful tea for soothing nervous headaches and is a good digestive aide, nerve relaxant, cold preventative, and hiccup remedy. Catnip is a gentle herb and makes a suitable drink for children and will help soothe feverish chills.

Chamomile Tea
Perhaps one of the most well known of the herbal teas - Chamomile is a wonderful boon to hay fever and asthma sufferers, being markedly anti-allergenic - leave to infuse covered and inhale the steam before drinking. It is also useful for calming stomach spasms, relieving morning sickness, easing indigestion, bloating and hiccups. A cup of Chamomile tea last thing at night can ensure a good night's sleep. Another gentle herb Chamomile is useful for relaxing over-tired children and offers a gentle remedy for teething.

Dandelion Tea
The leaves and petals of the humble Dandelion make a diuretic tea for treating fluid retention and urinary infections. Unlike most diuretics, which leach potassium from the body, Dandelion is rich in potassium. It is also a valuable liver tonic.

Elderflower Tea
A delicious, cooling tea, and one of my first choices for warding off colds and 'flu. Elderflower is also a popular folk remedy for hay fever sufferers and should be drunk a couple of months before and throughout the hay fever season - preferably sweetened with local honey. Particularly tasty blended with Raspberry Leaf.

Fennel Seed Tea
A spicy tea useful for relieving windy digestive systems. Fennel Seed tea was reputedly drunk (and the seeds eaten) by the Anglo-Saxons to dampen the appetite and ward off hunger-pangs, it is also a folk remedy for relieving the aches and pains of flu. Crush 1 teaspoon of seeds and infuse covered for 10 mins.

Hawthorn Tea
Good for headaches, poor circulation, and lapses of memory. Hawthorn was widely used in the past to bulk out more expensive teas - the following recipe for a popular country tea mix is taken from Barbara Griggs' The GreenWitch : "2 parts of dried Hawthorn leaves to 1 part each of Sage and Balm; or equal parts of Hawthorn, Sage, Balm and Blackcurrant leaves"

Hops Tea
A sleepy brew most useful for insomnia relief. Hops are not recommended to be taken internally by anyone feeling low or suffering from depression.

Lavender Tea
If you've over indulged on the alcohol the night before, an infusion of Lavender flowers makes an ideal cuppa for calming the throbbing pain of a hangover. It also soothes the digestive system and assists the liver.

Lime Flower Tea
A mild-flavored, delicate tea widely drunk all over Europe and valuable as an anti-spasmodic and sedative to the nerves and digestive system. A soothing remedy for headaches, particularly those caused by nervous tension. Drink in the evening to relax, or after a meal as a digestive.

Nettle Tea
Nettles really are one of Nature's little gems, they have so much to offer us and are full of vitamins and minerals. Nettle tea is a superb detoxifying, cleansing tonic for the whole body, and is particularly beneficial to the liver and kidneys, and can help sooth eczema and irritated or inflamed rashes and skin conditions. Nettles are anti-allergenic - try blending them with chamomile for a hay-fever remedy - and the anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties make it an ideal regular cuppa for sufferers of arthritis. Nettle tea is also a valuable remedy for anemia caused by heavy menstrual bleeding. Some people find Nettle tea rather bland in flavor, but nothing a dash of honey or lemon can't solve, or try blending it with a more aromatic herb such as Lemon Balm.

Peppermint Tea
A refreshing cuppa which will soothe stomach cramps, spasms and bloating, calm nausea and headaches, and makes an excellent after dinner digestive. Maurice Messegue, a French herbalist, proclaims it is as "a balm for the entire digestive tract." Peppermint tea works well as an iced drink, decorate with a sprig of fresh mint - or add a fresh Peppermint leaf to ice-cubes before freezing. Peppermint tea should not be drunk too often - and should not to be given to children under the age of 5.

Raspberry Leaf Tea
Another personal favorite, raspberry leaf is a refreshing and soothing tea, which blends well with elderflower. Raspberry Leaf is commonly recommended during the last 8 - 10 weeks of pregnancy to strengthen the uterus muscles and encourage easy labor. For this reason it should not be drunk before the last 8 - 10 weeks of pregnancy (please seek advice from your midwife or healthcare practitioner). Raspberry Leaf can also be drunk to relieve diarrhea.

Red Clover Tea
A mild and sweet-like-honey flavor tea which is high in calcium and has a demulcent quality making it useful for acid indigestion relief. Reputedly soothing for asthma and respiratory problems. Red Clover has an age-old reputation as a cancer preventing herb. (The flowers contain the anti-cancer compound genistein). Blends well with Raspberry Leaf.

Rosemary Tea
A light and clean tasting cuppa for getting you going in the morning. Rosemary is a great herb to refresh a lagging mind and keep your memory sharp, it also makes a pleasant migraine remedy.
Rosemary tea should not be drunk too often and is not suitable for epileptics. Do not use during pregnancy or if breast-feeding.

Sage Tea
Quite an acquired taste! Good for warding off colds and 'flu, but if you can't bring yourself to drink it a Sage infusion makes an excellent gargle for sore throats. Also useful for menopausal women suffering from night sweats and hot flushes. Sage tea should not be drunk too often and not more than 3 cups a day. Sage is not suitable for epileptics and should not be used during pregnancy or if breast-feeding - Sage tea is a traditional folk remedy for labor and is also used to encourage the milk flow to dry-up after breast-feeding.

Thyme Tea
Makes a good tonic for exhaustion, and drunk as a cold tea can help relieve headaches. Thyme tea is also useful at relieving urinary infections and water retention and is a popular folk remedy for flu with muscle aches and pains. Good for chest problems and for treating asthma - for the wheeziness, and shortness of breath symptoms, Andrew Chevallier [Encylopedia of Medicinal Plants] suggests an infusion of 15g thyme and 15g nettles to 750ml of water - which should be sipped throughout the day. Thyme tea can also provide relief for hay fever sufferers and is considered to helpful in maintaining vitality, particularly in old / third age.

Valerian Tea
A natural sedative, and an excellent remedy for insomnia...but very pungent! I would suggest blending this herb with other relaxing [and pleasantly aromatic] herbs such as Passion Flower, Lime flower, Chamomile, or Lemon Balm, and a good teaspoon or two of honey! Valerian Tea is also good for relieving nervous irritability, tension headaches, and menopausal problems, or to relieve bronchial spasms and smoker’s cough. Valerian should not be taken if already using sleep-inducing medication.

You may like to blend two or more herbs together - here are a few tried and tested favorites at Gaia's Garden :

Lemon Balm & Chamomile
A refreshing and calming blend, and a tonic for mind and body. Soothing for stomach upsets and spasms, especially those connected with emotional worries and indigestion.

Red Clover & Raspberry Leaf
A soothing, pleasant tasting blend. [*Raspberry Leaf is commonly recommended during the last 8 - 10 weeks of pregnancy to strengthen the uterus muscles and encourage easy labor. For this reason it should not be drunk before the last 10 weeks of pregnancy].

Mintea
A refreshing and soothing blend of Peppermint and Catnip (rich in antioxidants). A soothing after-dinner cuppa which may help ease headaches (particularly those associated with digestive problems). Not for children under 5.

Nettle & Lemon Balm
Just the thing to throw of Winter's shadow and bounce into Spring. A detoxifying, cleansing, tonic brew! The Lemon Balm is soothing on the stomach and uplifting for your emotions

7 Benefits of Green Tea Extract

Green Tea Extracts for thousands of years have been known for the all round effects on the health of the person in eastern countries like- China and India. After going through the benefits of the green tea extracts we have listed the top seven benefits. It is really incredible to know about these benefits.

1. Green tea extracts are exemplary in the fact that they may trigger cell regeneration and helps to slow down the cell degradation. They are 18 times more potent than vitamin K. It also fights lesions, acne and other skin wounds.
2. Green tea Extracts help to stop the accumulation of the plaque in the heart veins, arteries and in the other body parts, especially circulatory mechanism.
3. It helps to increase the HDL content of the body and lowers LDL content to prevent heart attacks.
4. Tannic acid prevents stomatitis, pharyngitis, enteritis & dysentery. This tannic acid also helps to get rid of body odor and even breath. It also helps to prevent tooth decay.
5. Reduces the mental fatigue, promotes the memory, and increases the metabolic rate of the body. This is very important for the well being of all the body parts including heart, lungs and the whole digestive systems.
6. It increases the body's metabolism rates and also triggers the thermogenesis process which helps to lower down the body's fat content.
7. It has antioxidants that can fight the cancer cells of breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, blood cancer, esophageal cancer. Other than this green tea extracts can also help to fight the Alzheimer's disease and the growth of the cells in that disease.

Green Tea and Its Benefits

Have you recently found that as the inception of springtime arrives you are inclined to catch more colds and virus then you normally would? This may conceivably be due to the brisk changes that we are experiencing with the weather. In my region of the country we undergo warm daytime temperatures while our evenings abruptly plunge to the 30's or 40's. This kind of shifting temperature changes are likely to bring about cold symptoms rather hastily.

As they say there is nothing that we can do about the weather conversely there is plenty that we can accomplish towards improving our immune system. Green tea has been reputed to combat virus in the plants grown by the tobacco farmers of the south. It appears that one of the active constituent found in the green tea averts crop damage that results from the tobacco mosaic virus. This component of the tea is none other than catechin which provides us with the antioxidant for which the tea has become synonymous with.

During research tests it was revealed that the catechin has a very strapping effect upon the influenza virus as well. It seems to attach and deactivate the virus causing it to appear dormant. For us it means we are quickly over the dreaded flu or virus that we inadvertently caught. By merely drinking a daily cup or two of green tea we can drastically improve our immune system to the point where we are virtually virus free.

It was an encouraging situation when this virus fighting attribute was discovered for it tended to unlock several additional avenues towards possibly resolving the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS virus. By all indications this much feared infectious disease may perchance be heading to in the direction of many other previously conquered diseases.

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is a highly caffeinated tea that seems like the type of thing that would be popular in parts of South America or maybe Nepal. Guayaki is marketing it here as a tea-slash-energy drink. It is rich in polyphenols such as caffeine, caffeic acid, catechin, epicatechin gallate and quercetin. These polyphenols have antioxidant activity, the ability to scavenge oxidative stress causing free radicals. It can be used for weight loss, physical and mental fatigue, nervous depression, rheumatic pains and psychogenic and fatigue related headaches. In Germany it has become popular as a weight-loss aid and appetite suppressant. It is a South American shrub, which is cultivated so that its tender shoots and leaves can be harvested.

The dried shoots and leaves are used to create a beverage called mate, which is one of the most popular beverages in South America. It is an evergreen tree that reaches a height of 60 to 90 feet, although the cultivated versions are kept at 12 to 18 feet. This finicky shrub grows only in locations with iron-rich, acidic soil and a semi tropical climate with at least 57 inches of rain per year. It is a member of the holly family, evident by its leathery leaves. It grows wild in the rainforests of Paraguay (where it is cultivated). Yerba mate is generating a buzz in Hollywood. Alicia Silverstone swears by the organic version to help give her healthy energy to get through long days of filming on the set. It is a drink native to South America, considered similar to green tea in both composition and taste. Although it is not a typical tea, it is called a tea for its similarities to other drinks and due to the fact that it also contains nutrients and chemicals associated with very few side effects.

This herb is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this product. It is enjoyed by people throughout South America and it's a very social activity. Take a sip from the bombilla and pass it on to your companions; it's much more social and pleasant to share it with your friends, unless you're germaphobic. Yerba Mate is reputed to induce mental clarity, sustain energy levels, improve mood and increase libido. It is known as the national drink of these countries and is consumed by millions of South Americans as a healthful alternative to coffee. This stimulating herbal beverage has the unique ability to wake up the mind without the nervousness and jitters associated with coffee. The mate is traditionally prepared in a gourd, filtered through a bombilla and enjoyed in a communal ritual passing the gourd from one person to the next.

It is known for its effects of sustained energy, mood elevation, mental clarity and appetite control. The plant contains 196 active compounds, including 24 vitamins and minerals and 15 amino acids. Yerba mate is a dioecious plant, meaning that the male and female flowers are born on separate plants. The fruit is a very small globular double berry that is green when new, turning a brilliant red-purple with maturity. Yerba mate is a totally unique blend of flavors that is often compared to a combination of green tea and coffee. There is a distinctively leafy flavor to mate that I've yet to find anywhere else. It is judged very good when it consists of a mild, earthy, woody, and long lasting taste with only a hint of bite. Yerba Mate is an invigorating tonic to the body and mind. It is more than just good for the body; it's good for the soul. Drinking it can be a form of meditation or reflection - allowing the goodness to infuse into the body while stimulating and resting the mind.

Wu Long Tea for Getting Back Into a Trim and Fit Shape

Wu Long Green Tea or Oolong Tea is the traditional Chinese tea which has immense health enhancing properties. Wu Long Diet Tea is full of anti oxidants which very effectively strengthens your immune system and detoxifies your body to a great extent. So, if you wish to get in shape, look radiant and young and at the same time get more energetic than ever, do make it point to have Wu long green tea at least twice a day.

Another special property of the Wu long diet tea is its slimming property. The Weight loss tea or Wu Long Diet tea are the same, as Wu Long green tea makes the body absorb less fat while it can also burn the accumulated body fat into energy which undoubtedly makes you feel immensely energetic all day long. This weight loss tea especially works wonders around at the mid riff section of the body where most of the body fat has a tendency to get accumulated. With progressing age or due to body constrains, certain people find it difficult to engage in heavy physical exercises in order to obtain the ideal body weight, for them having Wu Long diet tea is probably the best solution to lose weight and get back in shape.

Wu Long EGCG capsules are made out of all natural Wu Long diet tea which contain Polyphenol, the active ingredient which is works in burning off the extra fat and increase the metabolic rate of your body too. A Wu Long EGCG capsules contain 30 grams of tea leaves while a single capsule can be mixed in 300 – 600 ml cold water, add in the sugar as per your taste and enjoy the drink.

Simply forget the other slimming programs and schedules which have a strict diet regime and exercise pattern, Switch over to Wu Long Diet Tea, relax and enjoy your normal lifestyle. Let the Wu Long Diet Tea works detoxify, oxidize and work upon your body making you look in shape, young, radiant and glowing more than ever.

Other Type of Tea

Herbal teas
Herbal teas produced from flowers, bark and seeds. Since do not contain the plant Camellia sinensis, in its composition do not have caffeine. This makes them a suitable drink for children and adults at any time of day. During preparations, herbal tea should be allowed longer to hot water, and filtering after ten minutes.


Fruit teas
Fruit teas produced from flowers, seeds, bark and various fruits. Since newspapers do not contain the plant Camellia sinensis, in their composition is not caffeine. This makes them a suitable drink for children and adults at any time of day. During preparations, fruit tea should be allowed longer to hot water, and filtering after ten minutes. Can you drink and completely cold.


Oolong tea
Somewhere halfway between red and green is Oolong tea. This half fermenting tea is produced mainly in China and Taiwan. Tea leaves should not be too young or too old, and immediately after pick exhibited direct sunlight and allow it to fade. So tender leaves shaking in bamboo baskets while their peaks do not shoot. After that, the tea is drought in the shade. Process shaking repeatedly and drying is repeated several times, whereby contusion margins of leaves due to fermentation become red, while the central part of leaves remain green. The procedure is repeated until you fermenting 20% of list, the so-called green Oolong, or 60%, for classic Oolong tea. When you reached the desired level of fermentation, the process is immediately stopped annealing sheets at high temperature. Due to the positive effect on metabolism, this type of tea is known as "aromatic killer fat".

Organic Green Tea from Japan

Is Japanese organic green tea the best tea in the world? That might be a stretch but all in all it's a great tea that will help your health. There is couple Japanese organic green tea's such as Tombo Tea - Sencha and Tombo Tea Genmai. One of the factors when considering organic green teas of any sort is finding out of they are certified and actually organic and not just labeled organic.

Green tea has many benefits and just plain makes you feel good physically and mentally. It is also said the Japanese on average live over eighty years old which is a very long life expectancy. They might be onto something drink great tea every day. Instead of drinking soda with a meal, it’s better to have green tea in place of soda. One of the better quotes regarding tea is "Better to be deprived of food for three days then tea for one." Some people would agree with that I think when it comes to Japanese organic green tea, put that on a bumper sticker.

Olive Leaf Tea and Its Benefits

Olive Leaf Tea has been consumed by ancient civilizations in Greece and the Middle East for as long as Olives have been cultivated. It is great, at last, to be able to share this health giving drink.

In 2005 an Australian study found olive leaves have five times the antioxidant capacity of vitamin C and almost double that of green tea or grape-seed extract. The study also discovered that extract of olive leaf was more powerful at getting rid of damaging free radicals than such acclaimed antioxidants as grape-seed extract and vitamin E. Plus, the study said olive leaf extract could help to fight some inflammatory conditions too!

Olive leaf extract is available to buy at health food stores but personally I favor a more natural approach. Rather than pay for the processing of leaves and the packaging of extract, I like to steep some sun-dried olive leaves in boiling water. This simple process extracts the goodness from the leaves in a more economical way.

Olive leaf tea is a smooth, golden drink with a very mildly bitter delicious taste. You can add a few slivers of ginger or a slice of lemon to add some variety to your tea drinking experience. Drinking two cups a day can give your body a boost.

The olive leaf is full of anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial compounds. This means people use it helps fight a huge variety of problems. Some swear by olive leaf tea in the fight against even the common cold!

Drinking olive leaf tea is a great way to get the benefits of the Mediterranean diet especially if you are trying not to consume too much fat for dietary reasons. We all know olive oil is a fantastic health food but it is still oil and therefore is still high in fat. Olive leaves contain the same chemical compounds as olive oil (in differing quantities) but without all the calories!

Natural Green Tea for Boosting Your Metabolism and Losing Pounds Fast

Being fat can mean that you are interested in losing weight. Weight-loss products sell like hot cakes even with the ones whose claims are ridiculous. One product that has been discovered to be an effective weight loss product is the natural green tea. It is guaranteed to make you lose pounds of fat.

Green tea contains caffeine. Caffeine can boost up the metabolic rate of a person. What makes the caffeine in green tea unique is that it does not raise the heart rate and the blood pressure, unlike that of coffee. Caffeine-sensitive people need not worry about side effects.

Green tea contains antioxidants. The antioxidants in it tea make it an even more potent substance for weight loss. The polyphenols in green tea offers many health benefits, and one of these is combating free radicals that cause cell damage. They also work with the other chemicals in the body to increase fat oxidation and thermogenesis, thus promoting fat burning in the body. It is also helpful in decreasing the production of leptin in the body. Leptin is a kind of protein hormone which is responsible for regulating our appetite and fat storage. A lower level of leptin means that you will have a weaker appetite. Overweight people often have a high level of leptin which is the reason why they eat more than what's necessary. A lower leptin level will mean you are more likely to eat less.

Many studies support the claims above. But take into account that taking green tea alone is not enough. You must make some major changes in the way you eat. Combining a healthy diet and a fitness regimen with green tea will assure you that you will lose pounds.

Removing Caffeine from Green Tea

If you are like me and want to get the health benefits of green tea without having to remember to boil water and drink the recommended daily amount of tea, then you are in luck because you can get these benefits without caffeine in green tea.

I began looking into green tea after I started to notice that it was getting more attention on the television, newspaper, and radio. So, I decided to do some research and find out what I can about this thing that they were saying was so good for you.

It was nice to know that there was a long list health benefits for green tea and that there are even more and more studies being done on it. I soon found out why it was so popular, for starters it has been around for thousands of years in Asia and India.

Green Tea has been used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine to control bleeding, heal wounds, stimulant, regulating body temperature, and improve heart health. It has gained so much attention that it is being extensively studied in animals, people, and the laboratory.

Tea contains powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. The green version contains the highest concentration of polyphenols. These antioxidants attack the free radicals that are in our bodies. Free radicals are in our bodies naturally and from environmental conditions such as toxins, sun, radiation, smoke, and air pollution.

I learned that scientists have also been able to remove the caffeine in green tea and make an extract form of the tea. This is great for people with a busy lifestyle who simply do not have the time to drink tea. In short, you do not need caffeine in green tea to get all the health benefits.

The extract can then be put into capsule form and you take it once a day like a vitamin. In fact, it has been added to multivitamins which can remove the need to take a separate pill to get these health benefits.
In my research, I found out that the higher the concentration of polyphenols the better the product. There are many different companies on the market with a wide range of concentrations of polyphenols. In fact, my multivitamin is labeled as 98% Polyphenols.

My advice is to find a well known company that has the high quality polyphenols on the label. I love the product that me and my family use and would tell anyone to use it as well. Do yourself a favor a visit my webpage to find out more about improving your lifestyle.

A Little Note of Rooibos tea

Rooibos tea or "mother's miracle" has been known for more than 300 years the inhabitants of southern Africa on the plateaus of Good Hope, who organized the beverage needle leaves growing on the red bushes, known as "mountain tea" or "African red tea Gained fame thanks to its beneficial effect on infant body. Rooibos plant is specific in that it can grow only in South Africa, since it requires a temperature between 40 and 45 degrees during the day and 20 degrees at night, and clean air without the dust and industrial waste. Root of the plant is up to two meters in the country, while the stem reaches a height of 1 to 1.5 meters. Leaves like a small needle. Food value of Rooibos tea is based on the presence of iron, potassium, sodium, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, fluorite, and manganese, which are essential for preserving the health of the human organism it is important to also note that the utilization of nutrients, especially iron, is not inhibited by tannin, because of his representation in this tea negligible.

Unlike black tea, Rooibos contains no caffeine, which makes it suitable for consumption during the entire day to all age groups, especially people who suffer from insomnia, sleep disorders, stress and tension. It also helps against allergies, free radicals, with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and poor digestion, prevents cancer, helps to control blood pressure and treated depression. It has been proved that a small child helps the spasms. Rooibos tea is being successfully used on the skin against acne, eczema, sun burn, and with inflamed gums. Since it is rich in vitamin C, two cups of tea Rooibos contains the necessary daily dose of vitamin C. It is also good against flu and colds. On the dark and dry place, rooibos tea can be stored for up to one year. It can be cold and drink, agitate with orange juice, and some even use it for cocktails.

L-Theanin, Uniquely Amino Acid from Green Tea

For a long time, green tea is believed to provide relaxation effect. Chemical content of green tea that can provide relaxation effect is L-theanin. L-theanin also gives exotic and uniquely flavor of green tea. It is a uniquely amino acid that only can be found in tea leaves.

Here are some functions of L-theanin:
1. L-theanin for relaxation and preventing stress
When it is absorbed by brain, L-theanin gives many positive impacts for brain cells physiology. Drinking green tea routinely can prevent stress and give a relax condition for the body.
2. L-theanin can decrease blood pressure
A research conducted by Yokogoshi et al in 1995 shows that L-theanin can decrease blood pressure.
3. L-theanin can improve memory
Based on some research, L-theanin also can improve memory.
4. L-theanin can decrease negative effect of caffeine
5. L-theanin can improve concentration
6. L-theanin can decrease cholesterol level
7. L-theanin can improve immune system

Losing Your Weight with Chinese Green Tea

Chinese green tea is studied by many researchers. Based on researches that have been done, it is known that Chinese green tea can lose weight. Here are some research summaries:

People drink more green tea lost more weight rather than those who have oolong tea. Why green tea is better than other tea variants for losing weight? Catechin is the answer of that question. Catechin is a substance that can increase metabolism of fat and inhibit fat digestion by preventing some digestive enzymes to be released. This "fat fighter" prevents fat build-up in the body, thus weight gain is prevented. Concentration of catechin in green tea is greater than oolong tea. That is why green tea can lose more weight rather than other tea variants.

Another important substance contained in green tea is polyphenol. Polyphenol takes part to help regulate appetite due to certain hormones and leptin. Leptin is a type of protein aiding in managing fat storage. Higher level of leptin can increase appetite, while lower level of leptin can decrease appetite. Polyphenol, especially ECGG type contained in green tea helps in minimizing leptin level in the body. The effect of lower level leptin is the body can lead to natural weight loss.

One of the most important properties contained in green tea is noradrenaline. Noradrenaline is a neurotransmitter that is known to affect the activation of BAT or brown fat tissue, type of fat that is known to have metabolic activities. BAT can burn fats around the waist, thighs and hips.

Other benefits of Chinese green tea are helping in improving the condition of heart and bone density. Because there are many benefits provided by Chinese green tea, I think it’s a good time to start drink a cup of Chinese green tea daily.

Green Tea and Ginkgo Biloba, the Most Powerful Antioxidant Resources

Green tea and ginkgo biloba are two resources of antioxidant. There are many health benefits provided by both green tea and ginkgo biloba. Here are some benefits of them:
• Enhance circulation
• Increase metabolism
• Induce a whole range of health beneficiary
• Lowering blood pressure and sugar.
Ginkgo biloba is also known to make a clearer blood flow as it lessens the stickiness in blood.

Both green tea and ginkgo biloba are the most important herbal medicine. Green tea keeps the mood stable while ginkgo biloba elevates mood condition. Both reduce hypertension and calm the nerves while keeping them agile. Other benefits provided by both of them are inhibiting blood clogging, extending anti aging benefits, reducing blood coagulation, headaches and cramps.

For a long time, ginkgo biloba is used to treat depression. Ginkgo biloba can also effectively cure mood swings, hormonal imbalance as well as male or female sterile or infertility issues. It also increases brain functioning as well as oxidation of blood. Consuming ginkgo biloba in your routine can also cure eczema, asthma, kidney, and heart disorders. Although there are many benefits provided by ginkgo biloba, you have to be sure about the dosage. Over dosage of ginkgo biloba will cause a gastro intestinal upsetting.

Tea for Diabetes Treatment

Diabetes is one of many diseases that need special attention. There are many researches have been developed to find medicines for diabetes. You can also approach alternative and herbal remedies in keeping the disease under control. One of herbal treatment that has commonly known is Chinese tea. It is proved to be very useful in controlling and preventing diabetes.

Commonly, green tea is associated with tea for diabetes treatment. That is true, because green tea is the best natural diabetes solution. Anti oxidants, polyphenols, and catechins work relentlessly to regulate the blood sugar. That is way green tea is very effective in keeping sugar levels under control. When it consumes regularly, it makes you reduce weight and burn the excess body fat as well.

Consuming green tea proves to be a time tested natural diabetes solution which very keeps at bay or under control the sugar level and hence diabetes too. Green Tea has an inherent property of burning body fat and converting it into energy which leaves you feel active all day long. Apart from that the wrinkles and blemishes will soon disappear leaving you looking radiant and glowing.

Okinawa tea, a tea from Japan which is full of remedial properties, is full of antioxidants. It is very well work against ageing skin and cancerous cells in the body. Two cups of Okinawa tea daily can solve healthy problems, including heart disease, high cholesterol level, and lower blood pressure. By consuming Okinawa tea twice daily, you also don’t need to be careful about your food habits, just enjoy your day. The tea also boosts immunity and energy levels in the body.

To stay young and healthy, all you need is consuming two cups of green tea or Okinawa tea daily. If you are suffering from diabetes, you need to consume diabetes treatment tea daily. Tea treatment is a natural diabetes solution. You are suggested to take regular medicines which keep your sugar levels under limits.

The Differences between Tea and Coffee

Tea and coffee are the two-most popular beverages in the world. They also have many differences. The satisfaction when someone drinks a cup of tea is different with a cup of coffee. A fresh tea leave contains caffeine and tannin, while a coffee grain contains caffeine and chlorogenic acid.

Tea doesn’t increase fat level of blood. In the other side, coffee can cause increasing of lipid acid proportion of blood.

That two beverages cause different insomnia. The combination of caffeine contained in coffee has impact to hearth and blood circulation, while caffeine contained in tea can impact to neural system. Green tea has smoother effect rather than black tea.

Some types of black tea are drunk just for pleasure, while green tea is commonly consumed for not only pleasure, but also healthy. Black tea is easier to digest rather than coffee.

Caffeine contained in coffee has a faster effect rather than caffeine contained in tea. In the other side, caffeine contained in coffee has a shorter effect rather than in tea. In daily live, drinking tea is the correct answer for preventing stress and another mentally fatigue activities.

Tea and Zinc Absorption

Zinc is a trace mineral needed by human to transport oxygen and help the enzyme system. Insufficient of zinc can cause anemia.

There are two types of zinc, i.e. heme zinc and non-heme zinc. Heme zinc contained in food comes from animals, while non-heme zinc contained in food comes from plants. Heme zinc is easier to be absorbed by the body rather than non-heme zinc.

Many researchers explain that consuming tea can interrupt the absorption of zinc. Don’t worry about it. By consuming tea in the right way, you can avoid that bad effect. Here is some suggestion:
1. Consume tea between eating time.
2. Consume enough of vitamin C.
3. Milk is suggested as associate of tea.

Gevalia Green Tea, Emeralds of the Orient

Gevalia green tea known as “emerald of the orient” is green tea with uniquely smooth and delicate flavor. No other teas could equal the quality, which is complemented by its natural refreshing characteristics aside from being delicious in its own way.

These teas are not just for soothing the taste, but also good source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are the properties needed by the body to process and eliminate toxins. Because medical studies have proved that their high level can have a positive impact on the human body, green tea is prized so high in the West. Gevalia is very careful not to destroy these properties with its green tea products.

The tea leaves used to produce green tea are not allowed to oxide, not like black tea’s leaves. This preserves the pale green color, the distinctive flavor and the natural antioxidant properties. Processing of Gevalia green tea is all natural and no other substances are added, so it can preserve freshness and does not alter unique properties.

Gevalia green tea is produced with very carefully attention to keep the quality. Gevalia handpicks their tea leaves from the finest tea bushes. After that, women twine carriers are carry the leaves carefully to preserve the delicacy and its green color. The tea leaves are weighed, and then they are taken to the factory for drying. The processes have to be done with no waste time, because the natural properties of the tea leaves will be lost if they are too long staying under direct sunlight. Now we know why Gevalia green tea is the number one green tea all over the world in all aspect.

Everything about Chai Tea

Have you heard about Chai tea? Here are some informations about Chai tea:

1. “Chai” is the Indian word for tea
“Chai” means tea in Indian. But in the West, the word refers it spiced Indian-style-tea, tea with traditional Indian spices and milk. Because the popularity of Chai tea is spreading rapidly to the rest of the world, it has taken on some change. In America for example, Chai tea combined with creamer is known as Chai latte.

2. Caffeine contained in Chai tea
Forty milligrams of caffeine are contained in a cup of Chai tea. However, the amount is less than caffeine contained in a cup of coffee which reaches 120 milligrams. Because there is an interaction between caffeine and tannin contained in tea, tea has a calming effect on the nervous system. This causes the caffeine is absorbed more slowly and avoiding it shock and inducing calm. So, we can enjoy a few cups of tea.

3. Chai tea is better for environment
To produce a cup of coffee, it is estimated to require 1,100 cups of water. Compare the amount with amount of water to produce a cup of tea. To produce a cup of tea, we just need one-tenth of that amount.

4. Chai tea can be a coffee substitute
Unlike standard tea, Chai tea has substantially more body and flavor, so it is an ideal substitution for coffee. Chai tea tends to be stronger and bolder, enhanced by the spices.

5. Chai tea is typically made with black tea, but also available with green tea, Rooibos (or red tea) and yerba mate.
Green tea has less caffeine than black tea, and larger amounts of EGCg, a powerful anti-oxidant. It was first assumed that green tea had higher health benefits, but new research is finding that the theaflavins and thearubigens of black tea actually carry similar health benefits. Rooibos is a caffeine-free variety of tea sought for its additional health benefits. It is widely believed that it is the synergistic combination of tea and spices that make Chai tea such a beneficial and healthy drink. Yerba mate is another tea variation sought for its additional health benefits, but it also carries a stronger, slightly bitter taste.

6. Chai tea’s benefits
According to researches, Chai tea has numerous health benefits. Polyphenol contained in Chai tea can increase attention and focus. It also can keep cardiovascular health and as protection against Alzheimer’s and Parkison’s.

Wu Long Tea, Chinese Traditional Tea for Losing Weight

Wulong tea is a traditional Chinese tea. It is somewhere between green tea and black tea that is usually used for losing weight. It ranges from 10% to 70% in oxidation. Polyphenol which is found in this tea is believed to have a role in activating the enzymes in the body that breaks down body fat. There are more than two phenol-based hydroxyl groups inside the molecule of polyphenol.

The word Wulong means “black dragon” in Chinese. There are several legends show the origin of this strange name. One of them tells there is an owner of tea plantation scared away from his drying tea leaves by the appearance of a black snake. The tea had been oxidized by the sun when he went back after a few days. Because of that oxidation process, the tea has wonderful brew.

Another legend tells a man named Wu Liang found about Wulong tea accidentally when his attention was diverted by a deer after an exhausting day of picking tea. He almost forgot about it that the tea had already started to oxidize.

Another version says that the word Wulong is used to name the tea because the leaves look like little dragons awaken when hot water is poured on them.

Semi-oxidized of Wulong tea that is merged in groups is called Blue green tea. The taste is more close to green tea rather than black tea. It does not possess the rosy, sweet aroma of black tea, and it does not have the bitter grassy vegetal quality that distinguishes green tea. The best Wulong tea has a nuance flavor profile. It is commonly brewed to become strong, with the bitterness leaving a sweet and pleasant taste on the tongue.

Wuyi Mountain in the province of Fujian in China and Central Mountain in Taiwan are places where the original Wulongs are created. They are commonly processed and rolled into elongated coiled leaves or into a ball-like form to gunpowder tea. Wulong tea is usually offered to go with dimsum and other Chinese food in Chinese restaurants.

There are several customaruy mixes of Wulong tea that marries the wonderful outcome of Wuyi’s Wulang tea with another Wulong tea from the province of Anxi and Formosa’s Wulong tea. Although each of them is unique in flavor, they are good for health. There are many benefits when we consume Wulong tea. It wards off hunger, burns calories, excesses fat resulting to weight loss, lessens signs of aging, boosts energy, fortifies teeth, lessens hair fall, improves immune system, lessens eczema and may treat type 2 diabetes as well.

Make Your Own Kombucha

You can make your own Kombucha in a simple way. Try this:

Ingredients
1. Kombu “fungus”.
2. One (1) liter of mineral water.
3. 70 – 100 grams of sugar (10% of water volume).
4. Four (4) sachets of black tea/green tea.

Tools and Equipments
1. Stainless steel bowl
2. Jar
3. Cloth for covering the jar
4. Plastic or glass bottle
5. Funnel

How to Make Kombucha?
1. Boil one (1) liter of water until boiling.
2. After boiling, put four (4) sachets of black tea/green tea.
3. Wait for 15 minutes.
4. Separate the tea sachets from the water.
5. Put 70 – 100 gram of sugar and stir it.
6. Let the tea solvent until it reaches 20 – 25 °C.
7. Put the solvent into a jar made of glass. Don’t use any jar made of other metal.
8. Put the Kombu “fungus” into the jar.
9. Cover the jar with cloth, bundle it using rubber band. When covering the jar, be sure that the covering is tight enough and the air can flow normally into the jar.
10. The fermentation process occurs between 7 – 10 days (depends on the room temperature used to put the jar). The higher the temperature, the faster the process. The ideal room temperature should be on range between 23 – 27 °C. More better if the room is in the dark condition.
11. Don’t move and shake the jar.
12. After tea solvent has reached the right level of acid (pH 3 – 5.5), lift the Kombu “fungus”.
13. Pour the Kombu tea solvent into the glass bottle by using funnel without filtering it. After that, close the bottle tighly.
14. Let the Kombu tea (Kombucha) for five (5) days.
15. After five (5) days, store the Kombucha in refrigerator. Your Kombucha is ready to drink.