Green Tea for Weight Loss

It is amazing to know that you don't have to go through the hassle of popping up chemicals into your body just to assist you to potentially eradicate some excess pounds. There are natural products which can give you the same result minus the damage that they may bring to your body. One of those is the green tea, which is why the topic of green tea and weight loss is becoming very popular among people nowadays. Here are some of the reasons why:

1. This tea is known to suppress appetite

Some people claimed that they were able to experience fewer cravings because of a suppressed appetite just by taking green tea. There was once a study conducted among rats which proves the fact that these animals started to eat lesser the moment when they were injected with green tea and not actually when they drank it. In view of this, the tea should be consumed in high amount in order to see any effect.

2. The topic of green tea and weight loss is also popular because of the belief that it can help augment the amount of hours of exercise

Because exercise can potentially help someone to burn more calories and help boost metabolism, then taking up this tea is something worth considering. This will also help increase muscle mass since it is obvious that people will develop lean muscle the moment when they indulge into a healthy exercise.

3. The tea supplement is cheaper compared to other weight loss products in the market

Since you can have tea bags or the tea itself anytime, you will realize that this is a whole lot cheaper compared to availing expensive products which will promote sexier and leaner body in no time. Because of this, it is just wise to have one for your own. See the effect of green tea and weight loss on your own.

Now that you know the importance of green tea in your weight loss goal, don't you think this is the best time to have this natural supplement a part of your diet? As it was stated above, this product comes at a cheap cost thus you will have no reason why you will not go for this option. You can also find it from your trusted medicine store both from online world and in your local area. Get yours right now and see the difference!

The France’s Limoges Teapot

The answer to this question is likely what in the world is a Limoges teapot! Not a lot of people are familiar with this city in France or what the big deal is. Limoges has been known for their fine porcelain creations since the 18th century and their dedication to quality remains as strong today. This is the one place in the world you can find gorgeous teapots and other similar items.

Whenever you see the term Limoges porcelain you should know it refers to a particular type of pottery made by manufacturers in and around the town. It was late in the 1700's when the factories began and the process continues now. If a piece is labeled as Limoges porcelain you can rest assured that it was made in or around the city in France. However, the phrase does not point to any particular manufacturer.

In the early to mid 1700's Limoges was already producing plain earthenware but they were not a major supplier. It would take the discovery of kaolin clay and another material petuntse both necessary for the creation of porcelain to bring this manufacturing opportunity to Limoges. It could not have come at a better time as the area was severely impoverished. The people began quarrying the porcelain materials around 1768.

A progressive economist by the name of Anne Robert Jacques Turgot helped to establish the production of Limoges teapots and other similar wares in 1771. Soon the manufacturing would be placed under the Comte D'Artois, a brother of Louis XVI, until around 1784. Later the king himself would become interested in the ceramics being manufactured and purchased the location. Things did not work out as planned however as the Revolution would change ownership of the manufacturing plant.

Once the dust had settled from the revolution private porcelain factories were built. Havilland and Company as well as Bernardaud were some of the first and are still in operation today. Throughout France and much of the world Limoges tea pots as well as other pieces were in high demand. The city was thought to be the best porcelain manufacturing in the world, a reputation well deserved and still in place today. Unbelievably many of the original post revolution factories are still in operation to this day. You can enjoy a small piece of French history on your table today by purchasing a Limoges teapot.

One of these Limoges teapots could be the final decorative piece your home needs. You can use it to brew a perfect cup of tea or simply display it as art, either way it is a wonderful addition. You may be able to locate an actual antique Limoges teapot but be aware they will cost you a good deal of money, especially if they are in good condition. Take your time and shop around until you find the perfect teapot for your home. Unfortunately, there are many imitators on the market today. Limoges teapots will have a quality that shines past the rest.

Chantal Tea Kettle for Brewing the Perfect Cup of Tea

When it comes to brewing the perfect cup of tea, a Chantal tea kettle is one of the most favorite and popular of recent times. The company was begun in 1979 and quickly became known for both tea kettles and cookware that was made with high-quality, German-engineered enamel-on-steel and featured bright colors and beautiful style.

With a full line of styles, shapes, and features, a kettle manufactured by Chantal is a wonderful addition to any kitchen. In fact, you may want to start with a new tea kettle placed proudly atop your stove and develop a decorating scheme based on its color and form.

Let's start with the Copper Classic tea kettle, quality crafted of gleaming copper and accented by stainless steel with a traditional whistle. This is the same kind of kettle you may remember at grandma's house. It makes the perfect addition to an old-fashioned kitchen with warm wood cabinetry, country decorations, and, of course, a rack of copper-bottomed pots hanging from the ceiling.

If you prefer a more modern style, a loop or ball shaped kettle is perfect. Brushed stainless steel, seen so often on today's appliances, is also ideal for your Chantal tea kettle. If your kitchen features white cabinets accented by bright bursts of color, you will find that Chantal offers a tea kettle in nearly any hue from mustard yellow to fire engine red. Along with your stovetop kettle, a T Fal electric kettle ensures that you will always have hot tea freshly brewed and ready to serve.

For a retro-style kitchen based on the ever-popular 50s diner theme, an enamel-on-steel kettle in bright red or black or a classic silhouette of gleaming stainless steel would blend perfectly with kitschy décor. If your kitchen is a bit more modern and uses furnishings reminiscent of the 1960s or 1970s, an olive green teakettle provides the ideal bit of color to stay true to the era.

With timeless styling and beautiful design, you cannot go wrong by choosing a Chantal tea kettle for your kitchen - no matter the type of décor you prefer.

Using Stainless Steel Tea Kettle

When it comes to tea kettles, many traditionalists prefer one made of ceramic, copper or granite wear. This may be the type of kettle you remember taking pride of place atop the old cook stove during your childhood. But while these are perfectly fine, they do not have the same advantages of a modern stainless steel tea kettle.

A very beneficial feature of stainless steel is that it does not discolor, and it does not retain the taste or odor of anything prepared in it. This means that not only will your electric tea pot made of stainless steel remain perpetually beautiful, there is no reason you can't use it for other beverages or foods, too, such as instant soup, cocoa, or a hot toddy to warm the tummy on a cold winter's night. And unlike that copper-bottomed kettle that can make boiled water taste like an old penny, this is similar to surgical steel and only very minute amounts of trace metals used to make these products will ever leach into the substance heated inside.

Using an electric kettle also saves energy because it bypasses the need to heat up an entire burner on the stove. This is both economical and eco-friendly. 

Another advantage of it is its extreme durability. A tea kettle of good quality is made in one piece and resistant to dents. Of course, they will never chip like a ceramic or granite wear variety.

The kettle's one-piece structure also makes it very easy to keep impeccably clean. There are no cracks or crevices where substances can accumulate. When you do need to give it a thorough cleansing, it easily withstands scrubbing. Stainless steel can scratch, however, so refrain from using harsh powdered cleansers. While those copper-bottomed kettles are lovely to look at, they are difficult to prevent oxidization from ruining their beauty.

When it comes to attractiveness, longevity, and ease of use, a stainless steel tea kettle is difficult to top. Even the most diehard tea purist will agree that using an electric tea pot made of stainless steel is the easiest way to make a great pot of tea.

Different Types of Chinese Tea Sets

In China and Japan, tea is not just a beverage, but an art form. The process of growing, drying and processing tea is a long and arduous one in the modern age, so it must have been even more labor intensive centuries ago. Such a drink needed to be graced with fine cups, saucers, pots and spoons. This also showed respect to any guest that came to drink tea. As a result, many types of Chinese tea sets were developed and are now catching on in the West.

Usual Utensils

Chinese tea sets, no matter what their size, style or color, should have the following - at least two cups or bowls, saucers, a pot and a tray to hold everything. Some other sets may have matching scoop-like spoons for stirring the tea or removing any leaves. Most Chinese tea cups or bowls are very small and without handles. In this way, the tea can be savored at the best temperature and it warms up the hands.

But some types of Chinese tea sets are not made to have the cup be picked up. Tea drinkers place the tiny cup on a saucer or metal frame and pick the whole apparatus up. In this way, there is no risk of burning the fingers. A classic style is called Gong Fu, which originated in what is now the Guangdong province. Its clay pot has a very long handle that sticks out to the side.

Unusual Features

Some Chinese tea sets will have long, narrow cups without saucers. These are called aroma cups, where some tea is poured just for the guests to smell. This practice is similar, but possibly older than sniffing the pulled cork from a bottle of wine. Gong Fu sets will also include a tall wooden cup to hold wooden utensils such as spoons and tongs.

The tea set style called Yixing often includes kettles and teapots with handles but handleless cups. They also may include ornately carved wooden scoops for placing the tea leaves into the pot. This style is still made today. Yixing sets may be made of clay, wood, bamboo or a combination of all three.

The Gaiwan style is made with porcelain and can be ornately painted. Each teacup consists of a saucer, the sup and a lid with a small knob that can be used as a handle. The lid not only keeps the tea hot, but can be overturned and sniffed like an aroma cup.

Adding Your Green Tea with Hoodia, Ginseng or Brown Rice

You must have heard people talking about special benefits of certain health drinks. Have you ever thought of getting health benefits from a different type of drink? Try green tea!

A chat with any fitness expert will let you identify the type of benefits you get from green tea. For instance, if you drink on a regular basis, you can see it offering some benefits related to different medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, heart diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases. It is crucial to mention that several other benefits come your way when you drink it. However, the fascinating thing is that you can have this tea with other specific plants or extracts to further enhance its effectiveness. For instance, there are certain green tea products that also include Hoodia, ginseng, or brown rice. When you combine one of these things with it you see it offering outstanding benefits. For instance:

• When you mix green tea with brown rice, you get combined benefits of the two. Some people use it with wheat or powdered rice, but this is not as beneficial as the combination with brown rice. As this kind of rice used is unpolished and whole, you provide your body with a variety of nutrients that remain in tact in brown rice. This beverage is also quite beneficial for weight loss. Alone can help you lose weight, but it becomes more effective when used with brown rice. It is mainly due to the availability of bran in brown rice that consists of iron, phosphorous, fiber, niacin and thiamin. The presence of these nutrients triggers the weight loss process.
• When you mix green tea with ginseng, you again find a beverage that is full of amazing benefits. Antioxidants are essential to deal with diseases like macular degeneration, glaucoma, etc. The beverage containing both of these provides your body with right antioxidants. Moreover, this drink is also anti-allergic, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory.
• If you have weight related issues and nothing seems to work for you, then you should try green tea with hoodia. It is true that many companies using hoodia to make diet supplement, but it has now become extremely beneficial. This beverage suppresses appetite and boosts metabolism to help you reduce weight effectively and efficiently.

 These are the most important benefits associated with the supplement you make by combining green tea with ginseng, brown rice, or hoodia. The simple thing to understand is that they have their own set of benefits, which is mainly due to the presence of certain nutrients and compounds. Now, you can imagine how beneficial the beverage will become when you mix any of these things. So, if you are interested in losing weight, or you just want good fitness, try green tea with hoodia, ginseng, or brown rice.

How and Where You Can Buy the Best Teas

Most people have strong opinions on how they like their tea, but fewer people know how or where to buy the teas they enjoy the most. With hundreds of tea companies, some of which offer staggering catalogs, how does one know what to buy? Even going to the supermarket to purchase teabags, one is presented with a huge variety, and when ordering loose tea by mail-order, the selection can be even more overwhelming.

Learn styles and varieties of tea

Tea comes in many different varieties, and learning which of these styles you enjoy most is a good starting point to finding out what you like best. Tea is broadly broken into the categories of black, green, oolong, white, and pu-erh. A few popular black teas include English breakfast, Irish breakfast, Assam, Ceylon, Keemun, and Darjeeling. Pu-erh is available in ripe (black) and raw (green) forms. Similarly, gunpowder, dragon well, and sencha are a few popular green teas. Tie Guan Yin (Iron goddess of mercy) and Bai Hao (Oriental beauty) are two popular oolong teas. White teas include silver needle, white peony, and shou mei. These are only a few of the hundreds of named varieties of tea. Pay attention to what you are drinking - the particular style you are drinking can often be more important than brand, in terms of how much you enjoy a tea.

Learn tea-producing regions

The flavor, aroma, and overall quality of tea is greatly influenced by where it is grown. Even within a country like India, different regions (such as Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri, or Sikkim) produce teas with broadly different characters. China's provinces are similarly diverse; Yunnan, Zhejiang, Fujian and Anhui are only a few of the major tea-producing provinces. Other important countries include Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Japan, Kenya, and Taiwan (Formosa).

When you find a company you like, try many of its teas

Tea companies are not created equal. Different brands sell similar teas at vastly different prices, and most companies do a better job of sourcing certain types of teas than others. Shop around a bit to get a sense of prices, but when you find a company whose products and prices you like, consider trying more teas from that company.

Form your own opinions by trying as much tea as possible

Many companies offer sample sizes: buy them. Trade teas with your friends, and whenever you are served tea, ask what it is that you are drinking. Keep a journal, create a tea blog, or use an interactive website to keep track of what you are drinking. Read online reviews and look at ratings, but take them with a grain of salt: each person has unique taste; just because a tea is someone else's favorite doesn't mean you will enjoy it.

The Relationship between Green Tea and Fertility

Do you enjoy the taste of green tea? Do you drink more than a couple of cups of it a day? If so, you may want to keep it at those two cups if you are trying to get pregnant.

This is due to the caffeine content in green tea. While it isn't as high as coffee, it still might have an effect on you being able to get pregnant. Here are a few things you need to know about green tea and fertility.

You won't have to completely cut it out if you are trying to conceive. Studies have shown than in great amounts, usually more than what the average person consumes daily, it is a factor in limiting fertility in women. Taking it easy on how much you consume is the key to being able to still enjoy your cup of tea.

The studies are conflicting as to whether green leaf tea boosts fertility or decreases it. However, if you are worried about it, then you should also know that caffeine in any beverage should be taken into consideration as well. The best thing for any woman that is trying to get pregnant is to limit caffeine intake altogether, no matter what its source is.

If you would like to be able to glean from green tea its health benefits without the excess intake of caffeine, then you should choose to get those benefits from a multivitamin supplement that contains a green tea extract. In this way, you won't have the caffeine and you will get a healthy amount everyday.

Your choice of this kind of supplement matters a lot. Make sure you choose one that has all the essential vitamins and minerals in it that you need while also including herbal extracts, specialty nutrients as well as amino acids and trace minerals.

As far as green tea and fertility goes, you should remember that maintaining complete and overall good health means a lot in getting pregnant.

A Simple Recipe of Astragalus Tea

Astragalus Tea is the primary beverage mixture that is used in conventional Asian medication for energy. The tea is made from the root of the astragalus which is a beautiful plant that has long stems and purple flowers. The tea beverage is very beneficial for many health conditions. It may help in hepatitis, liver damage, immune problems, viral infections, influenza, hypertension, damaged tissue and other health conditions.

There are several ways that are recommended in the use of the drink. One way that is highly recommended is by using the infused method. First, put one tea bag into a mug, then add up to six ounces of boiling water. Let the tea steep for around three minutes. Squeeze or use a spoon to press the tea bag to improve the taste of the tea. Remove the bag from the cup. Many people will add honey to sweeten the flavor.

Here is another great astragalus tea recipe. You will need the following ingredients:

• A ginger root - one inch piece is a perfect size
• Four tablespoons of lemon juice
• Four tablespoons of honey
• Two to three slices of astragalus root

Start with enough boiling water to fill a quart size thermos. Grate the ginger and astragalus root and then add it to the thermos. Put the remaining ingredients into the thermos as well as the boiling water. Cover the thermos and let it sit for around 20 to 25 minutes. Strain the mixture into a cup and you will have a tasty and healthy tea. Put the lid on the thermos and put into the refrigerator for future use. When you get ready for another cup of tea, just heat it and use the same straining process. Hope you enjoy these flavorful astragalus tea recipes.

The Relationship among Tea, Zen, the Art and Ceremony of Tea

Zen Buddhism is an offshoot of Chinese Buddhism, which developed in the 7th century AD. Zen is a philosophic school, which teaches one how to transcend human suffering through meditation. Its primary principles are non-violence and non-attachment. It is believed that the development of the Japanese tea ceremony called the Way of Tea was extensively influenced and perhaps even introduced by Zen Buddhism. The Way of Tea uses powdered green tea called matcha in an elaborate presentation and preparation, which is a center of the Japanese culture. There are two types of ceremonies. Chakai is a simple and light presentation with thin tea, and Chaji is much more formal with more food and the offering of thick tea.

A Buddhist monk first introduced tea to Japan during the 9th century, using unground Japanese green tea. Also in the 9th century, a writer Lu Yu who was heavily influenced by Zen Buddhism wrote the first book on tea, summarizing its preparation and cultivation. Lu Yu's writings would later profess a great influence of the Japanese tea ceremony. The actual founder of the Way of Tea did so in the 15th century. He was student of Zen philosophy.

During tea ceremonies, special scrolls or writings are hung on the tearoom walls. These scrolls are a focal point of the Japanese tea ceremony and often associated with Buddhism or written by Zen Buddhist monks. Buddhist priests may depict certain key features or foundations of the Buddhist belief system on their scrolls such as harmony, tranquility, respect and purity. These founding principles are also the four key elements of the Way of the Tea. Even the entire tearoom is an ultimate symbol of Buddhism, expressing the transitory nature of everything. Most items in a tearoom will be asymmetrical, which is also a key feature of Buddhism and symbolizes the "ever becoming" nature of all things.

Tea ceremonies focus on the art of presentation and the beauty that can be conveyed. During the ritual, all movements are choreographed, and each display is specifically arranged. As Zen purports the oneness of the universe and all that inhabit it, "the universe can be experienced in a bowl of tea". The simple act of drinking tea brings one to the present moment and provides the ability to be fully present, experiencing the current moment. The corresponding Zen principle states that if one is fully here in the present moment, attachments can be relapsed and human suffering can be transcended.

The Benefits of Drinking Chinese Green Tea

Chinese green tea has many great benefits and unique uses that are used around the world. There are many different styles of Chinese green leaf tea including Dragon, which is a light pan fired tea with a delicate flavor. Dragon is one of the most expensive teas on the market. Gun Powder is a popular green tea that is made with tightly curled leaves and has a very strong smoky aroma. Another one that is not only popular, but refreshing is Bi Luo Chun. Bi Luo Chun is made from tea leaves that are picked in the spring, which gives the tea that delicious, refreshing taste we all desire. Every style and flavor of tea is extremely unique and satisfying to our taste buds, with the great taste comes a variety of amazing benefits.

Green leaf tea is well known for its many benefits to the human body. The most commonly known being the reduced risk of heart disease. Green tea contains ECGC. ECGC is 100 times more powerful an antioxidant as vitamin C.

Chinese green leaf tea has many uses to the human body including the improvement of metal processes. Green tea is also used as a stimulant and an astringent to control bleeding and help heal wounds. A popular use of green leaf tea that many elderly individuals use tea for is the improvement of heart health. A recent study showed that green leaf tea reduced the flow mediated dilation of the major blood vessels in the upper arms. This allows the heart to do less work to circulate blood. Green leaf tea has many more unique uses that are beneficial to our body and mind.

For the past 3,000 years green tea has risen to the top in popularity and helped thousands of individuals with many health aliments. Individuals that consume tea on a daily basis is preventing their body from under going a variety of aliments and diseases. Whatever style of tea you may choose to drink, you are also choosing to bring health and wellness into your life as well.

Why You Should Include Black Tea into Your Home: The Benefits of Black Tea

Do you like tea? If you are asked that question, it usually refers to black tea. This is because in the Western world, this is the most popular tea. There are many black tea benefits, whether you add milk to your beverage or not.

Did you know that black tea started out green? Well, that's because when it was shipped from China to England, it often arrived moldy. This was because the leaves were simply plucked and dried (green tea). However, some enterprising person decided to ferment these leaves one day and they turned black. The fermenting process really helped to preserve it and from thereon it was no big deal to ship it to anywhere in the world. So, in England, where most tea was shipped, the English soon enjoyed this fragrant drink and often added milk to round off the taste.

This also means that black tea is fermented whilst green tea is not and Oolong is somewhat in between and this means that when fermented, it usually has a stronger flavor and has more caffeine.

There are various health benefits if you drink black tea and various studies have concluded that it is a very healthy drink.

Here is a list of some of the black tea benefits:

• It can help prevent heart attacks and strokes because of better functioning blood vessels (Boston University School of Medicine)
• It can also help prevent tooth decay and strengthens tooth enamel as it contains natural fluoride
• It is helpful if you have arthritis
• It can lower cholesterol and
• Help burn excess fat in the body by enhancing metabolism
• It is rich in antioxidants which helps feed your body's immune system and thus prevent disease
• Cold sores do not like it
• When cold, it is also great to put on burns on your skin

Thank goodness it is becoming more and more popular in North America and hopefully we can now appreciate this drink even more because of its benefits.

Rooibos Tea is Good for You

You are likely familiar with black and green tea, but there is another tea, not quite as well known as black and green tea, which nonetheless has remarkable health benefits. While rooibos might not be as ubiquitous as green and black tea, it has the ability to positively impact your health in a variety of concrete and substantial ways.

Rooibos comes from the Rooibos shrub and is primarily grown in South African where the plant is widely used. In South Africa rooibos has been used for generations to treat a wide-variety of medical conditions and aliments. Outside of South Africa the tea has really only been traded for roughly the last one-hundred years, but in that short period of time it has earned a reputation as a valuable tea that has the ability to improve overall health and even improve specific medical issues.

Rooibos and Caffeine

Those looking of a tea that has little or no caffeine will certainly be intrigued by rooibos. Rooibos has zero caffeine, whereas green and black teas of course have varying levels of caffeine. Many tea drinkers find that rooibos is a welcome change of pace and a good alternative tea for late in the day or before bedtime.

Rooibos is High in Antioxidants and Vitamin C

Tea, in general, has antioxidants. While many people are aware of green tea's antioxidants most people are unaware of the fact that rooibos has considerable levels of antioxidants as well. One of the antioxidants found in rooibos is aspalathin, which in addition to having antioxidant properties is also an antimutagenic. If you are wondering why this is a good thing, the reason is simple. Antimutagenic compounds help the body combat damage that is occurring to DNA.

Rooibos is also a source of vitamin C. Considering that the tea has no calories, it is definitely an easy way for anyone to increase the quality of their diet. Since Rooibos is high in vitamin C and has no calories, it is a great choice for dieters in particular.

Rooibos and Safety

Rooibos is considered to be extremely safe and is even given to infants and nursing mothers. It is this safety that has also garnered rooibos a good deal of attention as well. Often the tea is prescribed as a treatment for allergic reactions as well as other conditions. Of course, you should consult with your doctor before using rooibos to treat a medical issue.

The Future of Rooibos

Rooibos is the subject of considerable research. Currently, it is being examined for its ability to treat many different medical conditions.

Three Types of Japanese Green Tea: Gyokuro, Sencha, and Matcha

Today, Japan produces both loose leaf and powdered forms of green tea. Tea is mostly grown in Uji, Shizouka, Kagoshima regions and Kyoto Prefectures. Uji, just south of Kyoto, is the most famous tea-growing region in Japan. Even though it produces only 4 % of Japan's tea, most of the finest teas come from this region.

There are three main types produced in Japan: Gyokuro, Sencha and Matcha.

Gyokuro or "Jade Dew" is known to be the best quality green tea in Japan, thus sold at highest price. Tea bushes that are meant to produce Gyokuro are kept under 90% shaded conditions for two to three weeks before harvesting. Because of this, growth of leaves is slow and they turn to darker shade of green. These growing conditions encourage the production of Theanine in the leaves. The younger the leaves, the lesser the Caffeine content of the leaves. Only the tippy buds are used to produce the best Gyokuro. Both these facts are the reasons behind the delicate sweet taste of Gyokuro, which other green teas normally do not have.

Sencha is the most common type of Japanese tea and it is cheaper than Gyokuro. In contrast to Gyokuro, tea bushes that are meant to produce Sencha are exposed to sun light. This has a lightly astringent taste along with a slight sweetness. The best Sencha is known to be produced from the first crop. (From the harvest of April and May). Bancha is a class of Sencha. It is made from the Sencha bushes but from the harvest of summer and autumn. Some Bancha is made from the coarser leaves or twigs. It does not have the delicate sweetness of Sencha, but is valued for refreshing deep flavor with sweet aftertaste. It is cheaper, milder and known to be containing less caffeine than other teas.

Matcha green tea is a type of powdered tea and traditionally used for Japanese tea ceremonies. Tea bushes that are meant to produce Matcha are also grown in shade like Gyokura. Matcha has a bitter-sweet (sweet but with a hint of astringency) taste. But it is highly valued for having maximum green tea benefits as the body receives more chemicals from the talc like consistency (when brewed) of Matcha. There are two types of Matcha; Koicha(thick tea) and Usucha(thin tea). Koicha is produced from the leaves of older bushes and it has a milder taste. Because of this more powder can be added to have a thicker consistency, without having a bitter taste. Usucha is typical Matcha. Generally Koicha is more expensive than Usucha.

Genmaicha green tea is a mix of Bancha and roasted brown rice. Because of the addition of brown rice, the unique bitterness of green tea is enhanced further giving popcorn like taste.

Houjicha green tea is also a type of Bancha and made from baked tea leaves. It is slightly brown in color and has a refreshing savory taste. This is also known to have very low caffeine content as the baking process removes caffeine.

Using Senna Tea for Colon Cleanse

Senna tea is a wonderful way to do a colon cleanse. The senna herb is grown in tropical areas of the world and the leaves from the plant are used in teas and other items as a stimulant laxative.

The senna herb was first consumed in Asia by Arabian doctors to treat indigestion, infections and fevers. It is currently made into tea or put into laxatives. It can also be used for a great colon cleanse.

What causes someone to lose weight by using senna tea is the natural stimulant laxative property of this herb. By drinking too much or a strong tea too often you will have rapid bowel movements. This will have a weight loss effect but it can also be dangerous to your health. It should be used as a colon cleanse which is not done very often.

It seems that colon cleanse products are everywhere these days. Since senna is the main ingredient in most colon cleanses sold why not just drink senna tea which has a good flavor and you will get the same results. Senna has a history dating back thousands of years as being a great digestive aid, so you can count on it being safe. Doing a colon cleanse is a terrific way to get rid of the toxins in your body.

Senna tea is great for people who have hemorrhoids and for those who have had rectal surgery. Senna works so quickly that your body doesn't have time to absorb liquid. This causes your stool to be softer, and eases any pain you may have when trying to go to the bathroom. Ballerina tea also has senna and can be used for the same reason.

To avoid the cramps that may happen with senna you have to make sure that you use it correctly. Less is always better when you first try this tea. See how your body reacts to it. If you steep the tea bags in cold water for about ten hours it will lessen the resin in the tea. It is the resin which causes the cramps.

Senna tea is very helpful for constipation as long as you follow the above suggestions. If you are going to do a colon cleanse you would want the tea to be stronger. But again this is not something you would do very often.

You might not want to drink senna tea every day as a weight loss product but it is great to use when you are constipated or for detoxing your system.

Knowing More about Ballerina Tea, the Terrific Colon Cleanse

Ballerina tea is a terrific colon cleanse. Although it is normally sold as a diet tea the ingredients are used as a laxative and a diuretic. The pounds that you will drop are the result of this. But if you are searching for the perfect detoxifying tea you have found it.

There are two herbs in Ballerina tea one is Senna which is the stimulant laxative ingredient. Used the correct way this is good for anyone who suffers with constipation, bloating or gas. The other herb is Chinese Mallow which is the diuretic herb. You might be surprised to hear that it is also an anti inflammatory. It is commonly used for excessive mucous, gastritis or urinary tract infections. So I bet this is different than what you thought. This tea can do many things when used correctly. See more of the wonders of Ballerina Tea below.

Two thousand five hundred years ago a Chinese herbalist put together the Senna herb and the Chinese Mallow and made this herbal tea. The Chinese Mallow leaves were put into teas in China to settle the digestive system, soothe sore throats and relieve bronchitis. When the two were combined it began to be used as a tea that would clean out the urinary tract and the intestines. There you have it the first colon cleansing tea.

Because Ballerina tea is an herbal tea it also has naturally occurring antioxidants that are well known to break down free radicals that hurt are bodies and increase the aging process. Frequently referred to as 3 Ballerina tea you can drink this and know that you naturally helping your body to slow the aging process, help with constipation, and relieve gas and bloating. All with no chemicals added like the diet aids or detox items you find in your pharmacy.

If you drink too much Ballerina tea you will lose weight because you will be going to the bathroom a lot. That will be how you shed pounds. The drawback is that you will also be losing any vitamins that you may receive from the foods you eat. The Senna in this tea works quickly and your body cannot absorb any benefits of what you eat is it comes back out too fast. If you use this as a regular tea you will see the benefits of its real purpose. If you are going to do a colon cleanse this is perfect for you.

Be careful about making a too strong tea if you are skinny. Peoples' systems are different depending on the person and their weight. When having this tea for its intended reasons you need to consider if you're are heavier or thinner and the strength of the tea. If you make it too strong be close to a bathroom because you will need it.

You will find this tea more in health food or herbal stores than in your pharmacy. Remember Ballerina tea is also sold as 3 Ballerina tea, but they are the same thing. You will also find it online at any herbal tea site. If you are on any medications talk to your doctor to make sure the tea will not have a negative effect on any other medications.

The Benefits of Drinking Bamboo Tea

The benefits of drinking tea are becoming more widely known with the rest of the world learning what Asian countries have known for years. While ancient Chinese doctors prescribed tea as a cure for headaches and even an elixir for immortality, modern science today tells us more about the benefits of tea drinking:

• Tea contains numerous antioxidants. These help slow down the aging process and can help cells regenerate and repair themselves.
• Tea helps keep our mouths healthy. Compounds found in tea can fight cavities and help reduce plaque by killing or suppressing growth and acid production of cavity causing bacteria in our mouths.
• Tea keeps you hydrated. Every cup of tea you drink (especially those lower in caffeine) counts as a cup of water towards your daily intake.
• Tea may reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack by preventing the formation of dangerous blood clots in the arteries.
• Tea can lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that drinking green tea daily can reduce your risk of hypertension by up to 50%.
• Tea aids your digestive system. Used for thousands of years as an after-meal digestive aid, tea can also help relieve stomach cramps.
• Tea may help prevent diabetes. There is some evidence to suggest that green tea might help lower the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes.
• Tea boosts your immune system. A study comparing the immune activity levels of coffee drinkers vs. tea drinkers found that the tea drinkers have levels of up to five times higher.

Bamboo Bath Towels

Take advantage of the soothing qualities of Bamboo tea by brewing up a cup tonight and enjoying it with a long relaxing bath. Be sure to wrap yourself in these luxurious bamboo bath towels when finished. Or enjoy your cup of hot tea with a good book and snuggle up with this incredibly soft bamboo blanket. Prefer waking up with tea? Brew up a pot in the morning and enjoy while easing into the day in your comfortable bamboo robe.

Herbal Laxative Tea for Your Health

Herbal laxative tea is very well known for a detoxification process or colon cleanse. It is different than other teas because this one is made from herbs not tea leaves. One of the herbs used here is Senna, it is also used in the well known Ballerina tea which is used as a weight loss tea.

The herb senna is actually a stimulant laxative used in many products. It causes you to have quick bowel movements or diarrhea. Herbal laxative tea adds anise, fennel, ginger and licorice root for assisting the senna in working better.

Each additive has a value to it. Ginger can help lessen cramps that may happen if you drink too much tea, fennel and anise help balance the action of the stomach and ease the cramps and licorice root reinforces a healthy liver.

Present day people seem to be turning to alternative cures for problems they may be having with their health. In China people have been using herbal laxative tea for regularity and complete balance for the body.

As a weight loss product herbal laxative tea has become quite popular. It is best if used as a colon cleanse though. When used for shedding weight many people use way too much or make a very strong tea. This can have a serious effect on your health. Your body will not have a chance to absorb any vitamins that you eat because everything will come right back out in the bathroom. Also the cramps and diarrhea can become severe which will not help in losing weight, it will just make you feel sick.

Drinking herbal laxative tea the right way can help you lose weight. It will keep your stomach regular and you can lose weight the natural way. If you consume too much and you are not detoxing your bodily functions can stop working. If this happens too often the regular functions of your body will not return.

If you use herbal laxative tea as it was intended to be used it can have tremendous health benefits. You will be able to keep your blood sugar levels low, get your bad cholesterol down to an acceptable level and keep your liver functioning properly. But if not used as intended for weight loss only drinking too much can hurt your body.

Herbal laxative tea is definitely a great tea when used for the occasional colon cleanse but other herbal teas are better for weight loss.

Review of The Le Creuset Kettle

Le Creuset is a well known brand trusted for quality, performance, durability and looks. This line up of stove top kettles remain true to its branding.

Build quality: Since 1925 when Le Creuset began producing its first porcelain enameled cast iron pots, the hand-crafted forging and casting techniques have remained essentially the same. In 1991, the company introduced the Enamel on Steel product line - this is when post casting, multiple layers of strong, chip-resistant enamel are applied. The enameling process gives these products their characteristic beauty and tough non-reactive surface that does not require future treating.

Le Creuset Kettle Design: These stove top kettles are made of enamel-on-steel with a wide choice of colours. These kettles come in traditional styling combined with 21st century technology. A recent improvement is the fixed whistle. Aside from good looks and build craftsmanship, these stove top kettles conduct heat efficiently and evenly, boiling water quickly. Furthermore, the kettle is long lasting as the durable porcelain enamel coated stainless steel construct will not corrode easily.

Safety Features: These kettles have dual handles which lock securely into place for safe pouring and transport. Also, the fixed whistle of these stove top kettles help ensure that you will never let your Le Creuset kettle boil dry. Both the lid and the handle are made from heatproof phenolic plastic for a stay-cool grip.

Le Creuset Kettle Styles: A number of different designed whistling stove top kettles are available (models may vary by market) including:

• Traditional Whistling (1.8 qts)
• Zen (1.6 qts)
• Halo (1.5 qts)
• Demi (1.25 qts)
• Ogive (1.8 qts)
• Kone (1.6 qts)

Two Types of Chinese Teapot

The Chinese have been enjoying tea for 5000 years. Tea was accidentally discovered by a Chinese emperor when some tea leaves fell into his glass of boiling water. Chinese culture has since been influenced greatly by tea. Tea is a popular drink, which had been served on special occasions. To cite a few examples, younger generations serve older people tea to show respect. In offices, tea is served by the employees of lower rank to higher ranking officials. According to tradition, a newly married couple must serve tea to their parents.

Since the Chinese set so much in store by tea, Chinese teapot is also a big part of their tea culture. Chinese teapot is said to be the first teapots used in civilization. The varieties of teapots as seen today all over the world are all derived from the Chinese teapot which was first made by the Ming dynasty.

Genuine Chinese teapot is handcrafted by experts and is famed for being durable and exquisite. These teapots are usually made from glazed earthenware. They are free from lead and other toxic elements. The natural sediment that lies at the bottom of the teapot adds to the flavor of tea. It is, however, important to remember that these teapots should not be washed with soap or dishwashing liquid. They must only be rinsed with warm water and put to dry.

Chinese teapots are of two types

Yixing: Pronounces as E-Shing, these teapots come from the city of Yixing known for its purple colored clay. Such clay does not break easily, has a beautiful colour, is good at retaining heat and is porous. When tea is brewed in clay that is porous, it absorbs its flavour. Unlike regular teapots that lose their shine with time, the Yixing teapots get better with age. Yixing teapots are also collected for decorative purposes. Though these teapots are mainly used to make oolong and black tea, they can also be used for green tea.

Gaiwan: Gaiwan literally means "covered bowl". Gaiwan teapots consist of three parts: bowl, lid and saucer. They come without handles. The lid acts as a strainer. One can directly from the bowl or pour the tea into another cup. Gaiwan teapots are made from porcelain, glass or clay. Some are even made from jade. The inside of a Gawain teapot is always glazed unlike an Yixing teapot. Check for a tightly fitting lid and a wide brim when buying a Gawain teapot.

Pomegranate Tea will Help to Maintain Your Healthy

With today's rising health care costs, the need for taking care of your health is more and more important. The use of natures pharmacy for your preventative health care needs is cost effective, has added health when compared with many over the counter products, and is readily available.

One product that is a very valuable supplement you should consider using regularly is Pomegranate Tea. Pomegranate Tea is as tasty as it is helpful in maintaining a healthy you.

Pomegranate Tea is made by adding Pomegranate Juice to your favorite tea blend. The Juice from the Pomegranate is a delightful addition to virtually any tea blend, making a very tasty, and extremely healthy drink.

The Pomegranate is a fruit that is loaded with health benefits, as well as terrific taste. Originally from the Middle East, the Pomegranate is now found growing in California and many other parts of the U.S.

Studies have found that the Pomegranate is helpful in fighting Heart Disease and aiding in maintaining a healthy Heart. Chock full of Antioxidants which are known to fight the aging process as well as maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, the Pomegranate is one of the healthiest fruits in the world.

Also known for fighting hardening of the arteries, and it's blood thinning qualities, it has been found to fight the build up of dangerous plaques in the arteries, thus lowering your risk of Heart Attack and Stroke.

Pomegranate Tea, can be made with the mixing of your favorite tea blends with the juice of the Pomegranate. One of the healthiest mixtures is to mix Pomegranate Juice with Green Tea. The excellent taste is second only to the excellent health benefits of blending two of the most powerful natural nutritional supplements.

If you are serious about maintaining your health, and want the benefits of powerful antioxidants, want a healthy Heart and reduced risk of Heart Attack, Stroke, then you should seriously look to Pomegranate Tea. Making it a part of your everyday routine will give you that extra boost in health that you need.

Get Trimmer Waistline by Drinking Tea

Men looking for a way to slim down at the waistline might have an added, though unexpected, weapon. Drinking Tea. A study presented at the First International Congress on Abdominal Obesity finds that men who drink over 2 cups of tea a day have slimmer waistlines than those who drink coffee or nothing at all.

It's not the same for women.

Earlier research had examined coffee and tea drinking habits and obesity, but not much is known about what beverage we choose and how this contributes to the weight we carry around the belly.

This latest study involved 3,823 adults who were part of the 2003-04 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a program of studies created to assess the health and nutrition of adults and children in the U.S. The unique thing about this survey is that it combines interviews and physical exams.

The researchers found that coffee drinking wasn't related to abdominal obesity in either men or women, even after adjusting for other risk factors. Using sugar instead of artificial sweeteners did appear to have a role in fat in this area.

In men, the use of sugar in tea was linked to a nearly 1 inch smaller waistline - the use of artificial sweeteners was associated to a nearly 2 inch larger waist measurement. In women, using milk in tea was linked to a 2/3-inch smaller waistline - but those who used artificial sweeteners had a 1-inch larger, on average, waist measurement.

"The potential association between coffee/tea and abdominal obesity is not trivial considering that more than 60% of the adult population drinks coffee/tea, that these beverages can be consumed as frequently as 10 times per day, and that a high percentage of coffee and tea drinkers use additives in these beverages," explains D. R. Bouchard of the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.

Fat at the waistline, beyond making you look and feel bad, has also been tied to more than a few serious health risks, conditions like heart disease and diabetes, as well as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and degenerative diseases like arthritis and spondylosis.

Known to your doctor as visceral fat, fat in this area has been shown to be more biologically active, bringing on inflammation and affecting the liver. Worse yet, large belly fat cells release more toxins and waste products that can get tucked in between internal organs, turning on the immune system.

The link between tea drinking and a slim waist calls for more study. In the meantime, men especially might benefit from replacing a cup (or two) of coffee with tea, or adding tea to your beverage intake and watching what happens to your waistline.

You might also want to up your intake of unprocessed, natural foods and make sure you're getting regular exercise to make a more serious dent in any fat you're carrying around the middle.

Remember too that in the end, it doesn't matter where your fat is located - carrying more than you should is not good for your heart. You should take steps to reduce the demands you're placing on this very vital organ by giving your body good for you nutrients and also making healthier lifestyle choices. Drinking tea is an easy change to incorporate.

All about Black Tea

Black tea is the most popular tea in the Western world. It is a favored choice whether served hot and over ice. The brew features a deep reddish-brown liquor and full-bodied taste with notes that range from flowery to fruity and from spicy to nutty. The tea may also come infused with fruits, flower petals, and natural flavorings to add a unique taste and sipping variety.

To satisfy each individual's palate, black tea can be enjoyed straight from the teapot, blended with spices, complemented with lemon, sweetened with honey or sugar, and/or mixed with milk or cream. It also serves as the tea base for traditional Indian Chai tea recipes and other enticing tea blends.

Processing

Black tea is the most extensively processed of all teas, which are derived from the Camillia sinensus bush. After picking, the leaves of the plant go through a withering process where they are dried on racks for up to 18 hours until all excess moisture is removed and the leaves become supple enough to roll.

They are then rolled and cooled, which breaks down the membranes of the leaves and creates a chemical change that allows the natural juices to emerge - and the leaves to darken. Finally, the tea leaves are "fired" and heat is applied to halt further oxidation and seal in the distinctive flavor and aroma.

Types and Taste

Following are some common types of black teas and the tastes with which they are associated.

• Assam -- rich, dark, slightly malty
• Ceylon -- medium-strength
• Darjeeling -- light, with a slightly flowery aroma; also made with green blends
• Earl Grey -- light with a slight fruity flavor
• English Breakfast -- medium classic blend
• Irish Breakfast -- more robust than English Breakfast
• Keemun - smooth Chinese black blend
• Jasmine tea -- scented with Jasmine flowers
• Lady Grey -- like Earl Grey with added lemon and orange oils
• Lapsang Souchong -- infused with pine smoke
• Nilgri -- robust flavor
• Russian Caravan -- rich, hearty taste
• Yunnan -- peppery flavored variety

Health Benefits

Flavonoids, which are highly concentrated in the tea, have been associated with a number of health benefits that include reduced the risk of stroke and heart disease.

There are research studies that link flavanoids, which are present in all blends, to lowering cholesterol levels, reducing inflammations, improving blood flow, and even helping the body maintain proper blood sugar levels. According to the USDA flavonoid database, both black and green contain 150 to 190 milligrams of flavonoids per cup. They also provide trace amounts of healthful minerals such as potassium and fluoride.

Popularity

More than 90% of the world's black teas can be found on grocery store shelves, specialty tea shops, restaurants, and gourmet food outlets.

The invention of the tea bag in the early 1900s is said to contribute significantly to the tea's popularity and consumption.

Red Clover Tea and Its Benefits

By now most people recognize the benefits of herbal supplements. These can have a great impact on your body though the effects vary by the herb you are taking and what it is intended for. Red Clover tea has a long medicinal history and is still in use today to treat a variety of illnesses and prevent illness as well.

This tea has been used for many years to treat respiratory infections and cough. It is also said to speed the healing of wounds and help with water retention. In helping to heal wounds it may also help to fight infections that often hinder the healing process. This has been used for many years as an herbal supplement and now is available in the form of tea.

Today it is believed that there may be many other benefits as well. Some other diseases it may help to cure or fight include heart disease, diabetes, and may help relieve menopausal symptoms. It has not yet been proven how much effect, if any, this herb may have on these illnesses. This should never be used as a substitute for physician's orders or other prescriptions.

This herb is even included in some supplements sold for the purpose of natural breast enhancement. It should be noted that this may be due to the hormones contained in the herb and that is also why it may be effective in treating menopausal symptoms.

Some believe that this may even be used in combination with other medications to treat illnesses. This is highly debated and you should never depend solely on herbal medicines to treat any disease unless specified by your doctor. Herbs should be used in combination with medications prescribed by a physician.

Your physician should also always be aware of any medications, including herbs that you take on a regular basis. These are better as preventative medicines in most cases. Always seek medical advice before taking any new medications, including herbs. Keep in mind that herbs may not be appropriate to take with some medications. This, like any other medication, has some possible side effects.

Red Clover may be the next big thing in herbal teas. If you are a big fan of Green tea then this is something you will want to try. Millions of people have already discovered the benefits of Green tea and other herbal teas. They have a huge potential to help heal your body and keep you healthy.

Information about Tea

Tea is such an English thing and many of us now prefer adding nutritional honey to our tea which makes this a great healthy beverage.

Even though tea originated in China the British have a former King, Charles 11, who married a passionate tea drinker who in turn helped this popular beverage become very fashionable. She was called Catharine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess.

A bit of a trendsetter in her day she soon introduced her passion of drinking tea to the Royal court and visitors. This popularity quickly spread amongst the wealthy and the East India Tea Company, quick to spot an ever increasing market started to export their tea.

Coffee shops were becoming quite established at this time and introduced this new exciting drink to their menus. Little did they realize the benefits of drinking tea which include the many vital minerals, essential vitamins, and zinc properties it contains.

Honey nutrition enhances this beverage further and as it is sweeter than sugar we use less of it to sweeten our tea whilst doing nothing to harm the taste or health benefits.

The history of tea however begins in China. Legends tell us in 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled some drinking water. The wind was blowing leaves around and a tea leaf landed in the water.

Hmmm, thought Shen Nung when he tasted this, "this is rather nice" he was an herbalist who dabbled in plants and herbs and by sheer accident they had invented what was probably the first ever cup of tea.

Under the Tang dynasty (618-906 AD), tea became established as the national drink of China. This does appear strange to those who enjoy their great British cuppa because we have been drinking this for more than 350 years.

In the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) tea was also popular as tea containers have been discovered buried for hundreds of years in tombs. However, in the eight century a book was written called the Tea Classic or Ch'a Ching when the writer Lu Yu realized that tea had indeed become a firm favorite.

Legend also has it that an Indian Prince who converted to Buddhism in the sixth century decided to go to China spreading the word about his religion, much as I do about spreading the word about the benefits of honey. He didn't believe that you should sleep for too long and was furious with himself when upon wakening he had done just that.

In a rage he cut off his eyelids and threw them to the ground, they supposedly became the first tea bush. However this is only legend! If he had been drinking tea in high quantities (not recommended) the caffeine it contains would probably have helped him stay awake a little longer.

Not long after this tea was first introduced to Japan. Japanese Buddhist monks stated to travel to China to study. They discovered tea drinking there and introduced tea into Japan where their tea drinking habits are now a vital part of Japanese culture, as seen in the development of the Tea Ceremony.

We in the Western world have the Dutch to thank mainly for our now widespread tasty drink, the cup of tea. The Portuguese in the sixteenth century had already established trading in the East and the Dutch jumped on the band-wagon so to speak.

They established tea trading to Western cultures after it had become an extremely popular drink in Holland. It was still considered to be a drink that only the wealthy could enjoy because of the high taxation on tea. 

Britain, who has always been a little suspicious of continental trends still had a long way to go before they became known as a tea drinking country.

The great British Cuppa had not yet been born! It is assumed that weary sailors would bring gifts of tea back with them from their travels around the 1600s.

It seems the first dated reference to tea in Great Britain is from an advert in a London newspaper, Mercurius Politicus, from September 1658. It was announced that 'China Drink, called by the Chinese, Tcha, alias "Tee" was on sale at a coffee house.

The first coffee house had been established in London in 1652, and tea was still very unfamiliar to most people, in fact it was seen as something of a curiosity. Little did they know then how the Great British Cuppa would become an institution. "Put the kettle on" would be heard in just about every household!

There was a huge debate in the eighteenth century concerning the taxation of tea, and furious arguments as to whether drinking tea was good or bad for people's health. Luckily for us medical and scientific research means we now know that drinking three to four cups of tea a day helps maintain our health. But this information was not available to tea drinkers 250 years ago.

Wealthy "speakers" in particular started rumors that tea drinking among the working classes would lead to weakness and a couldn't care less attitude! Hmmm, they wouldn't get away with that today!

During the First World War, when the British government took over the importation of tea to Britain in order to ensure it be available at an affordable price the taxes which were high were considered to be unreasonable as tea had become a mood enhancer. Unfortunately during the Second World War, tea was rationed from 1940 until 1952.

Now the Great British Cuppa is enjoyed freely in just about every country and corner of the world. From Bone China tea cups in posh London hotels to mugs and tea bags in everyday kitchens and huge metal flasks on many a building site.

The health benefits of tea and the nutrition of honey as a sweetener is just an every day occurrence even though their combined history is rich and varied their prices today are quite reasonable and an essential on just about every British food shopping list.

Who would have thought it, a Portuguese princess started the tradition of the Great British Cuppa!

The Benefits of Herbal Tea

If you want to know why herbal tea is becoming popular by the day, then you would want to read this article. Herbal teas have become the in-thing and not without a reason. With exceptional medicinal properties and several flavors to choose from, they have become the preferred beverage for hundreds and thousands of health conscious people across the world. Let's see some of the benefits of this wonder drink and why you too should switch over.

• Herbal tea contains certain herbs which immediately rejuvenates and relaxes the body. So if you come home tired from work, it is all you need to get you alive and kicking.
• Herbal tea reduces cholesterol and keeps your heart healthy. That's why, so many cardiologists swear by its benefits.
• It also contains antioxidants which help protect the body against free radicals, thus fighting the effects of aging.
• Regular intake of Herbal tea also keeps the metabolism high which helps people in reducing their body fat and slimming down.
• It also strengthens the immune system and keeps common diseases such as cold and indigestion away.
• It promotes sound sleep at night, so if you suffer from sleep disorder or usually feel difficult to sleep, it will help you get a good night's sleep.
• Unlike regular tea and coffee, this drink is free from caffeine. Now you can drink several cups of herbal tea and not worry about the ill-effects of caffeine.

Unlike most things which are beneficial for health but do not taste good, this tea is available in many exciting flavors and varieties. Some of its popular varieties are Agrimony Tea, Barley Tea, Cardamom Tea and Ginkgo Biloba Tea. These are widely available in retail shops and tea houses.

There you have it. Herbal tea is not only immensely beneficial for health, it also tastes great. Regardless of your state of health, you will reap the rewards for years to come by regular drinking of this healthy tea. Moreover, once you switch over to it, you will never go back to your regular tea or coffee.

Information about Tea Infuser

As people are more health conscious today, many people are very concerned of taking too much caffeine in their daily diet. As such many people are changing to take decaf green tea to avoid the unfavorable effect of the caffeine. Beside the characteristic of lesser caffeine in green tea, it is also widely accepted that green tea has many health benefits if drink it everyday according to years of study by some experts. This is because green tea consists of a lot of antioxidants. Making a cup of tea using traditional way could be a very tedious process. However, with the invention of tea infuser, brewing a cup of excellent decaf green tea is considerably simplified.

Tea infuser is a kitchen tool that is used for filtering the loose tea leaf from the brewed drink when making a cup of tea. It has gained widespread acceptance in the 19th century, where every honorable British household would have one. Today, it is not only used for family tea making purpose, but it is also chosen as a present that is given away to friends and relatives in certain occasions like house warming.

If you are looking for a present for a family who are very health conscious and having tea drinking as a way to keep their health, tea infuser could be the best choice. There are numerous types of infusers available on market today, depends on the customer need as well as the creativity of the designers.

As tea infuser is so popular today, it can be located at many places. Some teapots with built in infuser are very widely accepted as a gift, and it could be located at some large gifts shop. It could be located at certain shops which are selling general kitchenware too. A very good place to search for some very special design teapot or infusers is on the internet, where you may find a unique design and excellent tea infuser that could be your best gift to your friend or relative. Do a search using popular search engine and you could come across the best infuser that fits your requirement. It is that simple.

Removing Caffeine from Tea

Decaffeinated tea, also known as decaf tea, is tea that has had most of its caffeine removed. Decaffeination processes are diverse, ranging from ones that are dangerous and have been made illegal, to ones that are totally safe and pose no health risks. At least one of the processes in use today involves a probable carcinogen, and the different processes also have different impacts on flavor, so it is important to know about each process if you are interested in buying decaffeinated tea.

Different decaffeination processes used on tea:

• CO2 / Carbon Dioxide - CO2 decaffeination uses highly compressed carbon dioxide gas, which becomes a fluid under pressure. CO2 is totally safe and is effective at removing caffeine. The CO2 process is good at preserving flavor; its main downside is that it is expensive.
• Ethyl Acetate - Ethyl acetate is a naturally occurring compound, common in fruit (and also occurring in small concentration in tea leaf). It is completely safe at the levels in which it remains in the tea after decaffeination. The ethyl acetate process is inexpensive, but it has the disadvantage of removing more flavor than other methods.
• Methylene Chloride / Dichloromethane - Methylene chloride, also called dichloromethane, is effective at extracting caffeine while leaving other flavors intact. However, it is a probable carcinogen and is toxic in large concentrations. Its use in decaffeination is legal in the U.S., but regulated by the FDA. Methylene chloride probably does not pose a large health risk in the low concentrations left in most decaf tea, but teas analyzed in the past have been found to have levels exceeding the legal limit. Companies using this process generally do not announce it due to the negative public perception of this chemical.
• Benzene - The original decaffeination processes used benzene as a solvent. Benzene is a dangerous chemical and can cause numerous health problems. It is not safe for use in decaffeination, and fortunately, its use for this process has been banned and discontinued long ago.
• Trichloroethylene - Another organic solvent that has been banned and discontinued for use in decaffeination.

In summary:

Of the most common methods for decaffeinating tea, CO2 decaffeination is generally the preferred method as it is safe and does a decent job at preserving flavor, but it is more expensive. Ethyl acetate decaffeination is safe and less expensive, but results in a greater loss of flavor. Methylene chloride is legal but regulated for use in decaffeination of tea, but is more marginal in terms of its safety. Other processes involving trichloroethylene and benzene were used in the past but pose serious health hazards and have been banned and discontinued.