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.

Brewing the Best Tea

There are all kinds of teas on the market right now, but not everyone knows how to brew them correctly. If you use the wrong technique you could end up brewing yourself a hot cup of YUCK instead of a delicious cup of YUMMMM!

Black tea is the most frequently served in the United States. It is bold and rich, with half the caffeine of coffee. Flavored black-teas, like Earl Grey, can be served with lemon, while the plain kinds, like English or Irish Breakfast, are traditionally served with milk and sugar. The decaffeinated versions of these have improved in the past few years, and are usually quite tasty now.

Black-teas consist of dried and cured leaves, so it takes a good amount of effort to get the best flavor out. It should be steeped in boiling water for four to six minutes for the most flavor, or three to four for a slightly milder flavor. To tell if it is done brewing, watch for individual leaves to uncurl (if using loose leaf) or for the water to turn a uniform color without stirring (if using bags).

Green tea has become quite popular lately, probably due to the sheer abundance of flavors readily available. From the smoky, over-the-top Gunpowder, to the delicately floral jasmines, green-teas are a wonderful option for those who want all the depth of flavor but even less caffeine than black.

Green-tea is easily ruined by brewing in water that is too hot. Water should not be more than 160 degrees Fahrenheit in order to preserve the vibrant green color and subtle flavor. Brew no more than three or four minutes, then use the leaves to brew up another pot!

White tea is just recently becoming popular. It has an even more delicate flavor than green, and has almost no caffeine in it. It should be steeped in water just slightly below boiling for between four and six minutes.

Herbal teas come in countless flavors, and many claim to have health benefits. Chamomile is light in flavor and supposedly relieves stress. Mint flavored is said to be good for the stomach. Fruit blends such as lemon or orange purportedly give you a non-caffeine kick and provide vitamin C. Herbal tea should always be brewed according to directions, but in general they should be brewed for a longer time but a lower temperature (below boiling) to unlock the most flavor.

Tea is a delightful way to enjoy something truly good for you. It takes a little practice, but the best cup of tea is brewed when you slow down and take time to do it for yourself.

Brewing Delicious Tea

Everyone knows that there are all kinds of tea on the market. What you may not know is that you need to use specific brewing techniques for each type. If you don't use the right technique with the right type, you may end up brewing yourself a cup of BLEH instead of a cup of AAAAH!

Black tea is the standard coffee-alternative you find in the United States. It's bold, rich, and astringent. You can find flavored black-teas, such as Earl Grey, or go for the more traditional English or Irish Breakfast. These are usually caffeinated (about half the caffeine of coffee), but you can find non-caffeine options.

Black-teas are dried and cured leaves, so it takes boiling water and time (three to six minutes steeping time) to unlock the optimal flavor. Be patient when steeping it: if you are using loose leaf, wait until you see the leaves uncurl. If you're using the bagged sort, wait until the water turns a uniform color without stirring.

Green tea is a wonderful option that has gained popularity in recent years. Flavors range from the bold and smoky Gunpowder to the sweetly subtle jasmines. The caffeine content of most green-teas is less than black-teas, but can vary greatly.

Most people automatically ruin green tea by brewing it in water that is too hot. Water should be 160 degrees Fahrenheit or less, in order to preserve the green color and delicate flavor. Green-teas are often good for brewing multiple pots, but watch carefully and beware of over-steeping: three to four minutes is the maximum steeping time for green teas.

White tea is an option that is relatively new to the market, but the flavors are even more delicate than green-tea, with even less caffeine. It should be steeped in water just below boiling, for four to six minutes.

There are hundreds of varieties of herbal teas. Not only are herbal-teas delicious, but many of them claim to have healing properties. Chamomile has a light floral or grassy flavor and is said to be relaxing. Mint kinds supposedly calm the stomach. Fruity varieties like lemon and orange wake you up (without caffeine) and are a source of vitamin C. Generally speaking, herbal teas should be brewed at a lower temperature than black (slightly less than boiling), but longer than green (four to five minutes).

Tea is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy something that is good for you. Brewing it yourself takes time and a little practice, but it is a great way to connect with a slower and simpler era.

Perfect Cup of Herbal Tea

There is nothing quite as good as the taste of teas made with fresh picked herbs. However, many herbs may not be available fresh, either because of the season or their growing environment. A perfect cup of tea can still be brewed with quality dried herbs.

Although numerous gadgets exist for tea making, all that is really required is a pot or kettle to boil water in, a teapot or glass canning jar for steeping, and a strainer. It is important to use a glass, porcelain, or glazed earthenware pot for brewing as some metals can react with the herbs. Always warm the teapot or jar to prevent the tea from cooling off too quickly and to prevent the container from breaking. Many types of strainers and tea balls are available but you might want to just use the herbs loose to allow the herbs to float and move around during brewing. If you prefer a tea ball, use a large one. The tea can be strained after brewing with a stainless steel kitchen strainer.

Because herbal teas can be brewed from leaves, roots, bark, seeds or flowers; alone or in combination, a couple of brewing techniques need to be acquired.

Teas made from the leaves or flowers are infused to protect the more delicate oils from evaporating. To make an infusion, place the herbs in the warmed teapot or canning jar, pour gently boiling water over the herbs, cover to prevent evaporation, steep for 10 - 15 minutes, and strain. In general, use one teaspoon of dried or 3 teaspoons of fresh, bruised herb per cup of water.

Teas made from the roots, bark or seeds are decocted to release their properties. A decoction requires the roots or bark to be cut into small pieces and the seeds to be bruised with a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon. Place 1/2 to one ounce of herb into a pot with one pint (2 cups) of cold water, bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat, simmer gently for 10 - 20 minutes, and strain. Teas made with stronger spices such as ginger, clove or cinnamon will need to be adjusted for personal tastes.

To make a tea with both roots/bark/seeds and leaves/flowers follow the directions for making a decoction using just the roots, bark or seeds. Pour the strained decoction over the leaves or flowers and infuse as above.

Herbal iced teas follow the same procedures as above but should be brewed double-strength. After straining, chill for 30 minutes and pour over a glass full of ice. Most herbal teas are delicate enough that sweetening is not necessary but sugar or preferably local honey can be added. There are also naturally sweet herbs that can be added to the teas such as licorice root and stevia (up to 250 times sweeter than sugar! All natural with just a pinch required to sweeten a whole pot of tea).

Unused tea should be refrigerated and used within 24 hours of brewing.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages for Both Diabetics and Others

These drinks are cool, refreshing, and are sure to please the toddlers to grandparents. This Citrus tea recipe is diabetic friendly but can be made with sugar instead of Splenda and regular lemon-lime soda instead of diet for those who enjoy sugary drinks. The Sugar-Free Russian Tea is also for diabetics but can easily be changed to regular by using sugar mixes instead of sugar-free and sugar instead of Splenda. The Raspberry Lemon-Limeade is a special fruity treat that can be made diabetic friendly by substituting Splenda for the sugar.


CITRUS TEA
1/2 cup boiling water
2 regular-size tea bags
2 tbsp Splenda
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 cup unsweetened orange juice
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 can (12-oz) diet lemon-lime carbonated drink
Pour boiling water over tea bags. Cover and let stand 5 minutes to steep. Remove bags and discard. Transfer tea to a medium-size pitcher. Add Splenda and still until dissolved. Add cold water and juices. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. To serve, add the lemon-lime beverage to the tea and stir to mix well. Serve over ice in individual glasses.



SUGAR-FREE RUSSIAN TEA
4 1/2 tsp sugar-free orange drink mix
3 1/2 tsp sugar-free lemonade mix
16 tsp SPLENDA
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in an air-tight container. To make 1 serving, add 1/4 tsp of mixture to 3/4 cup hot water. Stir well and enjoy.


RASPBERRY LEMON-LIMEADE
1 1/2 cup lemon juice (6 large)
1/3 cup lime juice (2)
1 cup sugar
6 cups water
1 cup fresh raspberries
In a 2-quart pitcher, combine the lemon juice, lime juice, sugar, and water. Stir until sugar is totally dissolved. Add the raspberries. Cover the pitcher and chill overnight or for a few hours. Serve over ice with lemon and lime slices for garnish, if desired.

Brew the Perfect Cup of Tea

Just as brewing the perfect cup of coffee there are simple rules to follow to steep the perfect cup of tea. Steeping the perfect cup of tea has been turned into an art form in many cultures. In fact the perfect tea service in the Japanese culture is a practice that takes many years to master. Steeping the perfect cup of tea is in part a science and is also part of an art form for individual preferences.

To steep the perfect cup of tea you must first begin with high quality water. Artisan water is preferred for the perfect cup of tea but is not necessary. If you use tap water be sure to allow the water to run for at least 30 to 45 seconds before filling the tea kettle. This will ensure that the water is fresh. It is also important to begin with cold water. Even though you will be heating the water in the tea kettle for the perfectly steeped tea you will need the freshest, coldest water possible. You will also always want to begin with a clean, empty tea kettle, never use water that has been sitting around in a tea kettle.

While you are waiting for your tea kettle to come to a boil you will want to preheat your tea pot. You can preheat your tea pot by adding hot water to the tea pot. Preheating the tea pot does two things, first it will prevent your tea pot from cracking when the boiling hot water is added to it. This can occasionally occur when a room temperature tea pot has boiling water added to it. This process is especially important if your tea pot is stored where it is below room temperature. This is also an important process to ensure that the tea is kept at the perfect temperature. Putting the boiling water into a colder tea pot will cool the water too fast not allowing the tea leaves to properly steep. If you are only making a single cup of tea this process should be applied to your tea cup prior to steeping your tea.

Once your water has come to a boil, remove the water heating your tea pot or cup. You will need to measure out your tea leaves. The amount of tea to use per cup depends on the type of tea you are using and your personal preference. For a stronger cup of tea you will use more tea leaves or tea bags for a weaker cup of tea you will use less tea leaves or tea bags. This is the art form that must be perfected by the drinker for their own perfectly steeped tea. The average tea drinker will use one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup. If you are using loose tea leaves you can add them directly to the pot or use an infuser that can be placed directly in the tea pot. If you are using tea bags you will want to use one tea bag for one to two cups of tea. This will also depend on the size of tea bags you are using.

Once your tea kettle has come to boil, you will want to immediately remove it from the heat. Over boiling your water can cause your tea to taste flat. You will want to immediately pour the water into the tea pot and cover allowing it to steep. If you are using green or white tea you will want your water to cool slightly before pouring it over your tea bags or tea leaves.

The time your tea is required to steep depends on how strong you want your tea. Typically smaller leaves steep faster only requiring two to three minutes, medium leaves should steep for three to five minutes and larger leaves no longer than six minutes. No tea should steep longer than six minutes. If a tea is allowed to steep longer than six minutes it will taste bitter.

Once your tea has steeped to the desired strength then it is time to remove the tea bags or tea leaves. If they are allowed to remain in the pot, the tea will continue to steep and will become bitter. Use a tea cozy or other device to keep your tea at the desired temperature. A tea cozy works well to keep the tea warm while you are enjoying it.

Following these secrets will allow you to brew a perfect cup of tea every time. To add sugar and lemon always add the sugar first and the lemon second. In English tradition you should always add the milk to the glass first before pouring the tea. You will be able to provide yourself and your company the perfectly steeped cup of tea every time.

Making a Cup of English Tea

Since the rise of the humble teabag which was introduced to the UK by Tetley Tea in 1953, the art of making a real cup of English tea has been on the decline, with many ‘tea drinkers’ choosing to mash their tea in a mug. Of course back in the Victorian times, taking tea was more of an event; with the ‘tea maker’ even mixing a blend of tea leaves themselves. Interestingly, the first tea bag recorded was in around 1908. It was introduced by a gentleman called Thomas Sullivan, from the USA. The Victorian connoisseurs of tea must have rejected the idea. After all, the Victorians enjoyed the whole event of tea drinking and chattering – why would they want to speed up the process?


To make a real cup of tea you will need…

A quality blend of tea leaves. Loose tea is best, however a good brand of tea bags will suffice. (Remember if the tealeaves were cheap – the tea will taste accordingly) If you choose to use leaves you will also need a tea strainer.

You will also need a kettle full of boiling water, a teapot, a teaspoon, a china mug or cup and saucer, milk and sugar to taste.

First pour around a quarter of a pint of the boiling water into the teapot. Put the lid on the teapot and swill the hot water around inside the teapot before pouring the water out of the spout and down the sink. This is called ‘Warming the Pot’.

Warming the teapot ensures that when the teapot is filled with water for making tea that the water will remain hot and wont loose any heat tot he teapot. Keeping the tea water hot not only keeps the finished tea at an optimum temperature for drinking, but also helps with the tea brewing itself. Piping hot water aids the tealeaves to effuse.

One the teapot is hot, you should add the tealeaves. The general rule is to add a teaspoon of loose tea or a teabag for every person who will be taking tea, plus ‘One for the Pot’. Therefore, if five people are taking tea, you should add six teaspoons of tealeaves or six teabags to the teapot.

Now pour on the boiling water. You should add enough water to fill everyone’s teacup. Put the lid on the teapot to retain the heat. Leave the teapot to stand for two minutes.

Then remove the teapot lid and stir the tea with a spoon. Replace the lid and again leave it to stand two more minutes. The tea is now ready for pouring.

China cups are best for drinking tea from, which is why the Victorians chose to drink from beautiful china tea sets. It just makes the tea taste better.

Controversy has arisen as to when the milk should be added to tea. Some people saying that the milk should be poured in first and others say that the tea is poured first. Obviously as a nation we have got used to brewing tea in a mug. This way the tea is always added first. However, to make a real cup of English tea the milk is always added to the cup first, followed by the tea.

Sugar is than added last to taste. A sugar bowl is necessary because it largely depends on the size of the cup as to how much sugar you will take in your tea. The larger the cup or mug the more sugar you may need. Of course with just a small china cup you need far less sugar.

When the tea has been poured, the teapot should be again filled with boiling water in readiness for a second serving. Stir the tea and replace the lid and cover the teapot with a tea cozy to keep the tea piping hot. By the time you have drunk your first cup of tea, the second batch of tea will be ready for pouring.

We should bring back the art of tea making. It’s a relaxing social event that everyone young and old can enjoy. Funny isn’t it how we buy little girls pretty little tea sets to make imaginary tea for their dollies, and yet as adults we have removed the fun and we just sling a teabag in a mug. Join the campaign and dig out your teapot and treat yourself and your friends and family to a real English cup of tea and a chat, today.

Make Your Own Red Raspberry Leaf Iced Tea

Are you tired of the usual high sugar and caffeinated drinks for your afternoon pick-me-up? Do you want a refreshing drink that is good for you? Red raspberry leaf tea is nourishing for the whole body and good for everyone at any age.

This tea is good for the reproductive system for both men and women. For men it's a good tonic for prostate health. For women, it is especially good to drink before and during pregnancy. This herb is the one you want to strengthen and tone the uterus for childbirth.

It even helps prevent osteoporosis. It's a good tea for children to drink because it gives them strong healthy teeth. And you can even use this tea as a mouthwash and a gargle for a throat that's irritated!

Red Raspberry tea is rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and the vitamins B, C, A and E, so be sure to drink it regularly.
Here's a good recipe for Red Raspberry Leaf Tea:

Pour 1 quart boiling water over 1 ounce of dried red raspberry leaf. Cap with a lid and set this out to infuse for 4 to 8 hours. Strain off the herb and store the tea in the refrigerator.

Serve iced with a sprig of peppermint and a little sweetener if desired. Sweeteners include honey, maple syrup, and dehydrated cane sugar. Some find they like it better if the sweetener is made into a thin syrup. To make this just dissolve the sweetener with a bit of hot water before adding it to your tea. If you don't want any sweetener, you can use apple juice instead.

3 Simple Tips to Make a Cup of Tea

Tired of brewing tea that tastes horrible and bitter? There's nothing worse than going through the effort of brewing a whole pot of tea and having it turn out un-drinkable. Here's some simple tips and steps to follow to ensure that every cup of tea you brew tastes great.

Use Good Water
Your regular tap water could be fouling the taste of your tea. The minerals and chemicals found in tap water can play a part in altering the taste of your tea and in making it bitter. You should always try to use filtered water when brewing tea. This doesn't mean that you need to use expensive glacier filtered water! A simple water filter such as a Brita can do the trick.

Also make sure that the water you are boiling starts off cold. Warm water is no good. You also definitely don't want to re-boil any day old water that is sitting in your tea kettle. Always use fresh, cold water in your tea kettle. This alone can go a long way in brewing a great tasting pot of tea.

Temperature is Important
The temperature of the water you pour over your tea is also important. Freshly boiled water is often too hot and can burn the tea leaves. This is one of the major causes of bitter tea. There are two easy ways to prevent this. The first way is to let the boiled water sit a couple of minutes before pouring. The second way is to shut off your kettle just before the water reaches boiling. Either of these methods will do the trick and will prevent the tea leaves from being burned, resulting in a poor tasting cup.

Correct Steeping Time
The third important factor in brewing a great cup of tea is the steeping time. Letting the tea steep for two long can also lead to bitterness. 2-3 minutes is usually a good baseline to follow. Some teas such as rooibos do well with a longer steeping time. It can be a good idea to test out different steeping times and note the results. Different people have different tastes. Experimenting is the only way to brew tea that matches your unique tastes.

Follow these three simple tips and you'll notice the difference in the quality of tea you brew. No more dumping ruined pots down the drain! Enjoy.

Diet Iced Tea Recipe

When we think of refreshing and relaxing drinks especially on a hot summer day we always think of lemonade but there is also a way to refresh and relax with diet iced tea. Just imagine having your tea the way you like it and still be able to lose weight with it! They say that when you drink hot tea it is soothing and has a calming and relaxing effect on you. Do you know that even if you drink your tea iced it still has the same effect aside from being a very refreshing drink at that?

The basic recipe for diet iced tea is very simple. You only need your loose leaf tea or tea bags, honey or sugar syrup, a slice of lemon and lots and lots of ice. Simple and you can add a hint of flavor that will add freshness to your tea. Here are the exact measurements for the simple tea recipe I just described above - this recipe is good for 2 quarts or approximately 8 cups.

Basic Iced Tea Recipe

1. 8 cups cold water
2. 4 tea bags (2:1 ratio of boiled water to 1 tea bag)
3. 1 cup sugar (lessen or take out the sugar for a diet friendly tea)

Optional: Lemon slices, fresh mint leaves
Syrup : 2 cups sugar, 1 cup water

Procedure:

1. Bring the 8 cups of cold water to a boil.
2. Pour the boiling water over the 4 tea bags.
3. Let the water-tea mixture to steep for about 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Remove the tea bags and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
5. After the mixture has cooled down, add 1 cup sugar and stir until dissolved.
6. Refrigerate before serving to chill.
7. Serve with lots of ice, lemon slices, fresh mint leaves and syrup, if desired.

Refreshing Tea Suggestions:

• Set aside some of the mixture or make a separate batch with lemon and without sugar and make them into ice cubes. You can use these ice cubes when serving your tea. These ice cubes can also be added to serve cold water during meals for a refreshing drink.
• To make your tea frothy, you can put the mixture in a blender and blend it with some ice cubes before pouring into tall glasses with a slice of lemon on the side a small mint leaf floating on the froth.
• You can also place a slice of lemon in each glass and place these glasses in the freezer to chill before serving your tea. This will add to the cool and refreshing effect to your tea.
• You can add other hints of flavor to your tea for a distinctive taste, like peach, peppermint, jasmine, etc.
• You can also use flavored tea or mix two different flavors instead of just the standard green, black or oolong teas for a unique iced tea concoction. Using green or oolong tea will also be good for your diet iced tea mix.
• To make your tea diet friendly, replace sugar with honey or take out the sugar syrup.

Delicious Iced Tea for You

Many people savor drinking iced tea, especially on a warm summer day. Iced tea can trace its' roots back to the heat wave in the year 1904. A tea merchant by the name of Richard Blechynden decided to serve tea over some ice during a St. Louis expo. It was so refreshing that people realized you could enjoy tea served cold instead of the common hot methods. It quickly became a drink for all types of weather.

Iced tea can be sweetened by adding sugar. Many of the bottled iced teas you purchase already have these in them for extra flavoring. Simply open the bottle and enjoy. It is a refreshing drink when the temperatures are rising. Some of the popular flavors are peach, mango, strawberry, and raspberry iced tea. You can drink these either decaffeinated or not for a little boost in energy when you need it.

If you are more inclined to make your iced tea there are two methods to try. The first way is called the cold steeping method. With this method, a dry tea leaf should be placed in a clean container that has the right amount of cold water. It should be refrigerated for six or seven hours, then strained into a second clean container. Sugar and lemon can be alternatively added to sweeten it up even more.

The second method of making iced tea is the hot steeping method. One favorite way of doing this is to double the amount of dry tea leaves you would typically use for hot tea, infuse it for approximately 5 minutes, and then pour over a full glass of ice. For the optimum results, let the tea cool down before pouring it over the ice. Alternatively you can try to steep it for approximately 5 minutes in hot water, then pour into a container with a matching amount of cold water. This method will dilute the strong tea flavor and help avoid clouding.

Iced tea can be mixed with lemonade or your favorite fruit juices to create a fruity flavored drink. Bear in mind that by doing this you should make sure that the juice does not overwhelm the flavor of the tea, but complement it instead. Experiment with the mixing ratios for the most desired results. Once you get it right you will be enjoying your iced drink while soaking up the warm sun.

How To Make Great Tasting Tea

Not everyone knows how to make tea the correct way. Some people learn by trial and error and others have the information passed down from their parents or other relatives. Tea can be made many different ways but there are some guidelines you can follow to insure you get a great tasting cup.

Before beginning make sure you have a high quality tea from a reputable source. Try to get it as fresh as possible for the richest flavor. You also want to use fresh, high quality water. Believe it or not this can greatly affect the flavor and overall enjoyment of the tea. Some people even add a little sugar or other sweetener but this is all up to preference.

Steeping is an important process that allows the tea to flow into the water. This occurs when the tea is placed in the water for a period of time, but this will vary greatly with the type of tea you are making. Black tea usually requires boiling water of around 212 degrees for a period of 4 to 6 minutes. Oolong tea is recommended for approximately 190 to 203 degrees for a period of 3 to 5 minutes. Popular green teas should be steeped at a temperature of 160 to 180 degrees for a lesser time of 2 to 3 minutes. And finally white teas taste best when steeping occurs at 150 to 160 degrees for around 2 to 3 minutes. These are some basic guidelines to follow but always refer to the recommendations set forth by the tea manufacturer.

It is a good idea for the tea to be brewed in a large deep pan, to give ample room for expansion of up to 5 times the leafs' original size. The best way is to just brew the leaves loose in the pot as the ancient cultures once did. Plus you get the full experience of brewing tea, not just the enjoyment of the cup. To get the leaves out when steeping is done you can strain them or use a tea infuser. These are products designed to remove every excess leaf from the water at the right time.

Now you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Drinking tea is a terrific way to relax with your friends.

Spectacular Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea is a real tradition and not only in Great Britain but in many places around the globe. In fact it is available at most five star hotels all over the world.

Originally afternoon tea came into being in the mid nineteenth century when dinner was served between 8.30pm onwards (even later in the summer months). Afternoon tea nicely filled the gap between lunch and dinner - people got hungry around 4 or 5pm but didn't want a lot of food as that would spoil their dinner later.

Today it's even a great treat when kids come home from school between 3 and 4pm. At least in Britain, it's common for them to have a cup of tea and a small sandwich or treat to go with the tea. Not only is this something they can look forward to when arriving home, but it again 'nicely fills the gap' until supper.

Afternoon tea is really easy to prepare. First of all tea is the main centerpiece so make sure it is hot and looking good in a teapot. Black tea is usually served with milk. You can make afternoon tea as easy or complicated as you like. In fact a visit to your local supermarket can get you more than you need. Tea with biscuits is simple to do. Buy an assortment of good biscuits and arrange them nicely on a plate and you're all set to go. You can also buy a cake at the supermarket (even a bakery would have great cakes and pastries you can use). Pound cake, Victoria sandwich, tea breads like raisin bread (which would be great toasted with jam and butter), Swiss roll, shortbread are all great accompaniments to a pot of tea.

If you want to make cakes, biscuits or scones yourself, then I would suggest you save some each time and put them in the freezer.

For example, if you make a pound cake, cut off a few slices and put in the freezer. If you do that each time you bake, in no time you will have quite an assortment of homemade goodies you can offer your guests. This way you can make afternoon tea with no extra effort as everything is already sitting in your freezer!

Tea and sandwiches also go hand in hand. Here the golden rule is less is more.

Afternoon tea is really just an in between snack so only serve a small variety of sandwiches and cut them in quarters. You can also cut the crusts off if you want to. Sandwich fillings can be many and varied - egg salad; cucumber with dill mayonnaise, cream cheese and radish or cream cheese and smoked salmon to name but a few. It's easy to get creative.

I thought I'd include a scone recipe as these are just so delicious with a pot of tea - anytime really but they are mostly served in the afternoon.

Basic Scone Recipe:

• 1 cup self raising flour
• a pinch of salt
• 1-2 tablespoons of sugar to taste (shouldn't be very sweet)
• 2 oz butter (traditionally salted butter is used)
• 3/4 cup cold milk

Heat oven to 425F

• Combine dry ingredients. Mix in butter. If it's very cold you can grate it into the flour mix for fast results.
• Rub butter into the flour mixture with your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Don't over mix.
• Add enough milk to get soft dough.
• Turn onto a floured surface and knead gently (again do this quickly). Pat or use a rolling pin to form a round 3/4 inch thick.
• Use a cutter (or upside down glass) to cut out the scones - they can be big or small. 2 inch diameter is normal.
• Put the cutter or glass in flour before cutting.
• Knead the left over dough bits lightly to form a circle and cut out more scones.
• Put them on a lightly greased baking sheet.
• Brush tops with milk.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until done.
Cool and serve with a good quality jam and whipped cream or double cream. Personally I like sour cream the best - the consistency is perfect!

For a savory scone:
You could also use the above recipe, leave out the sugar and add a cup of grated cheddar cheese. Serve with butter. This is one of the many reasons you can make a spectacular afternoon tea with little effort!

Chai Spiced Tiramisu

Contrast to the Asian way of drinking tea without added ingredients, the European, India, and now American are drinking Chai, a creamy tea with many spices. Originate from India, the main ingredients are inexpensive black tea with cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ginger powder, and black pepper. Sugar and milk are added before serving.

There are endless ways to make this tea. With the verity of tea choices today, this drink can now be decaffeinated using Rooibos or decaf breakfast blend. Black teas have changed over the years. The best tea in India comes from Darjeeling, Northeastern India. Due to top soil and high elevation, Darjeeling tea can stand on its own without any added ingredients.

Other Chai I have seen in the market are Pumpkin Spice Chai and Green Tea Chai. Sometime Latte is added to Chai referring to a creamy drink. Latte is an Italian word that describes a drink made of steamed milk. Listed below is a recipe calling for Chai tea. Try it and let me know how you like this Chai Spiced Tiramisu. If you are a tea connoisseur, why not make Chai with all of the best ingredients and add some spices to your life!

Chai Spiced Tiramisu

• 2 egg yolks
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 3 drops of vanilla extract
• 1 cup marscapone cheese
• 3/4 cup water
• 5 bags Chai Tea
• 1 tsp. spiced rum
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 12 ladyfingers

Cinnamon/Sugar Mix:
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Beat egg yolks with sugar until creamy. Add vanilla extract. Fold in cheese until mixture is smooth and velvety. Bring water to a boil. Pour over Chai tea in a small bowl. Let steep for 2-3 minutes. Set aside to cool. Add spiced rum and 2 teaspoons of sugar. In a clear bowl, spread butter on bottom and sides of bowl. Sprinkle some of cinnamon/sugar mixture on top of the butter. Carefully dip ladyfingers in Chai tea. Place on bottom of clear bowl. Add 1/3 of cheese mixture. Sprinkle cinnamon/sugar mixture. Repeat this step two times until leftover cheese mixture is the top layer. Sprinkle rest of cinnamon/sugar mixture on top. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving.