Sunday, January 23, 2011

A Cup of Jasmine Flower Tea and Its Benefits

Jasmine flower tea is usually made of green tea and is flavored with aromatic jasmine flowers. The full bodied floral scent and its combination with the flowers make them very attractive to tea enthusiasts. The savory taste makes it very satisfying to the person's palate. Jasmine teas are usually available in Chinese markets because it was the Chinese people who started the aromatic teas. When you visit some restaurants, you will find these jasmine teas being served hot.

Jasmine flowering tea has different varieties. The most common varieties are green tea and oolong tea. Oolong teas originated in China. They are flavorful and fragrant, and with a complex flavor. This tea is an herbal tea because it has the capacity to settle the stomach. They are perfect drinks after eating because it helps in the fast digestion of the food. This tea is a semi-fermented tea which crosses between green and black teas. The black tea's flavor has the ability to overcome the jasmine, but it tends to be tannic. It can be consumed plain, but others have the alternative of adding sugar to enjoy a sweeter tea.

There are many health benefits that jasmine teas offer. These are:
  • Jasmine is good for digestion. Most people encounter digestion problems that may lead to constipation and diarrhea. With the help of this amazing tea, one can say goodbye to these digestion issues.
    Most green teas consist of polyphenols that are rich with antioxidants, and antiviral properties. This means it delays the process of aging, keeping a person look younger and vibrant.
    Jasmine flower tea reduces the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol. 
  • It is an effective prevention for respiratory problems like heart attacks, arterial sclerosis and strokes. 
  • It helps maintain good intestine by blocking the growth of bad bacteria. 
  • It then produces good bacteria that are good for the body. 
  • Jasmine reduces the risk of blood clotting and aneurism. 
  • It boosts the immune system, making the body free from any ailments or diseases. 
  • It fights bacteria and viruses that could cause certain diseases. 
  • It prevents different types of allergies 
  • It protects the teeth from tooth decay and cavities. 
  • It provides proper oral care that our teeth needed. 
  • Jasmine tea is a wonderful anxiety and stress relief. 
  • Lastly, jasmine tea is an effective treatment for food poisoning like cholera, piccolo and dysentery.
Jasmine flower tea is an amazing tea that offers many health benefits to people. It is also an effective anti-depressant that helps people to calm and relax. This tea is useful for pregnant women to relieve them from nausea during their pregnancy. They can also utilize it to fight post-natal depression. It also relieves muscle and back pains, so they could be use for body massages to relax the body.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

How Many Cups of Green Tea Should You Have in a Day

By now all of us know that there are various health benefits associated with Green tea. The question is how much tea should one consume? First of all there are no side effects of green tea however, excess of anything is bad. Thus to make sure that you have just the right quantity, here are a few things that you can keep in mind:

Experts suggest that if you are trying to lose weight with the help of green tea, then at least 3 cups of tea is recommended in a day. A cup of tea usually has 9 to 20 mg of caffeine on the other hand regular Black tea has somewhere around 40-60 mg of caffeine. Which if you notice is actually double the amount. So you can do the math here and see for yourself that green tea has just the appropriate quantity of caffeine in it.

Consuming over 6 cups of coffee can increase the heart rate. This happens because of the high intake of caffeine. Caffeine does provide you with extra energy but at the same time it directly affects the CNS (central Nervous system). So it is important to make sure that you consume the right amount of tea. It is said that the use of this tea originated in Asia and the reason it is really helpful is because it is high on anti-oxidants. Researches in Japan show that drinking more than 2 cups of tea can increase mental sharpness.

All of the researches state the health benefits of this tea. Some state that consuming at-least 2 cups of tea a day will keep you free of arthritis, diabetes etc. Hence consuming Green Tea on a regular basis ensures that you would stay in good health. Just make sure you are having it in the right amount.

How to Brew Green Tea

Green tea is one of the most popular teas around and for several good reasons. It is well-known to boost health. Several tea drinkers discover that green tea can help soothe the senses, get rid of stress and improve their appetite. It is also a great way to get rid of waste products from your body. There are a number of tips that can help you brew the best green tea, without having to spend much on hi-tech gadgets. Here are some guidelines for you.

About Water Temperature
Water temperature is one of the most important elements that you should control when making green tea. If the water temperature is very hot, you will find that the tea will have a more bitter taste and most of the aroma will disappear. If you don't bring the water up to boiling point, you will also avoid the full flavor of the tea leaves, thereby giving you bland tea. You have to invest in the right kettle that will bring out the full flavors of the leaves, even if you only have to boil the water using traditional methods.

Lower is Better
Most experts recommend that you have to lower the temperature when brewing, compared to brewing other flavors. Some substances found in green tea leaves give it extra flavor and goodness. You will also notice that the smell gets better and will get enhanced flavor and sweetness, that is only triggered by the different amino acids and natural sugars present in it. The astringency and bitterness are highly related to tannins or polyphenols. The amino acids can dissolve at 60 degrees Celsius, while tannins should be dissolved at 80 degrees Celsius. This concludes that you will improve flavor and aroma when brewed at lower temperatures. It will avoid giving you bitter taste.

The Temperature and Materials
You do not need to get the most expensive gadgets and items to brew green tea the right way. All you truly need is a thermometer, a kettle and stove. Heat the water in the kettle then pour into a tea pot. You can also boil the water then allow it to cool for a few seconds before you pour it into your tea pot. Once you pour everything into the tea pot, add your green tea leaves and check until the temperature reaches 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This usually takes only about 3 to 5 minutes. Pour the contents into a ceramic cup then pour everything back into the pot. Repeat the pouring process 3 to 5 more times.

Consider the Source
According to studies, Japanese teas extract faster compared to Chinese teas and others that come from other places like Brazil or Puerto Rico. The rule in brewing green tea is, the lower the temperature, the longer you can steep the green tea. Steeping for too long will give you a bitter taste and fewer flavors. You should try steeping for only 1 to 3 minutes.

Is It Safe to Drink Tea during Pregnancy?

Tea, whether green tea, black tea, oolong, white, or other varieties, is a healthy drink. Many women ask the question of whether or not it is safe to drink tea, such as green tea, during pregnancy. The main matter of concern is the caffeine content of tea, as there is some evidence that high doses of caffeine can be.

Is it safe to drink tea during pregnancy?
Yes, but in moderation. The answer to this question is essentially the same as for the general population. For most people, caffeine is safe, but only in moderation.

How much tea or caffeine is safe for a pregnant woman to drink?
The official stance of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as of July 2010, is that it is completely safe for pregnant women to consume less than 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine daily. Although the caffeine content of tea varies widely, the amount in a single 8 ounce cup of tea is almost always under 75mg, usually under 60mg, with most teas somewhere in the 30-40mg / cup range. Coffee, by contrast, contains much more caffeine. It is thus totally safe for a pregnant woman to drink a few cups of tea a day. The studies on higher doses of caffeine are conflicting and unclear; although there is some evidence that higher doses of caffeine increase the risk of miscarriage, there is still a lot of uncertainty to these results, and there are several studies which found no effect.

It also must be emphasized that there is not really that large a difference between the guidelines for caffeine intake for pregnant women and those for the population as a whole. The Mayo Clinic's recommendation for safe caffeine intake is up to 300mg daily, and emphasized that even in non-pregnant adults, amounts of caffeine greater than 500mg daily can be associated with a number of health problems.

Drinking herbal teas during pregnancy:
Since herbal teas encompass any hot water infusion made from any plant other than the tea plant, it's hard to generalize about the safety of herbal teas during pregnancy. Since some herbs can act as potent medicines, it is best to consult a professional herbalist or other healthcare professional before consuming a potent medicinal herb, or any herbal tea in high doses. Just like with anything, moderation is the key.

There are some herbs which are thought to be beneficial during pregnancy. One such herb is red raspberry leaf, which is used extensively in traditional medicine in association with pregnancy. Some herbalists have recommended ginger to treat morning sickness, as ginger can be effective at treating nausea.

Don't worry and don't think too much:
Stress always has a negative impact on the body, and with all the messages in the media and other information sources about what a woman should or should not do during pregnancy, it's easy for pregnant women to become stressed out by worrying too much about what they should or shouldn't be eating or drinking.

As with a lot of things in life, it's best to not think too hard about it, and to use moderation and common sense. Whether you're pregnant or not, an excess or extreme of anything, whether tea, caffeine, or any food, drink, or medication, is going to be detrimental to your health, even when more moderate amounts are totally safe. Practice moderation and stop thinking about your diet: listen to your body and stay relaxed.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

You Must Try Orange and Cinnamon Tea


People that are drinking a cup of tea are almost everywhere. These types of tea are served in numerous coffee shops or coffeehouses across the globe. It is a great way for people to start their day right. As other may claim, they can't simply start their day without taking in their favorite cup of tea. Funny, isn't it? It is because before, people utilize coffee instead of tea on their daily lives. But the table just turned towards tea and it has been embraced by many people now.


And the wonderful thing with it is that the demand of tea is continuous. It gradually grows larger and larger as people drink them. This beverage has a calming, soothing and warming effect that has turn out to be the most well-liked form of drink over the past decades. The fragrance and aroma itself are huge reasons to get pleasure from a cup of tea. Truly, it is a cup in hand that is worth your while.

In addition it has been loved by people because of its mega health benefits which geared up wonders to the lives of people especially those with ailments. There is completely no doubt that it could be a great replacement to coffee. Even though coffee has health gains too, teas are more packed out with benefits. It has been universally used as an antidote for many diseases and illness conditions.

So in many varieties of tea, we have come up to another kind. This kind is a multipurpose mix together that includes orange and cinnamon, which makes it ideal as a winter tea. It can also be used in events like holidays and any thanksgiving parties.

If this is paired with a hot and fresh apple pie in the winter, it is just simply divine. You can also dish it up in ice as a warm-day refresher for each member of the family. So here are some steps in making you Orange and Cinnamon tea.

Initially, create your own cinnamon chips by pounding at a cinnamon stick by the use of rubber mallet or the bottom part of a powerful glass. Then, mingle tea leaves, cinnamon chips and compacted orange peel in your bowl. After which shift it up to the airtight container and stock it up in a cool, dry place to avoid moisture. When you want to prepare a cup of your tea, all you have to do is use 1 tablespoon for every cup of hot water. Leave it for about five minutes and decorate with cinnamon stick. And there you have it. However, to make it more beautiful, pour it out on a glass teapot.

Drinking Tea Regularly and Get the Advantages


Drinking tea is loved by the people of China and they believe it can benefit the health of the body. Green tea is even used as a kind of medicine in the ancient China. Today many researches and reports have showed that drinking some tea everyday can be good for your health.

Drinking tea can help you to lose weight. Since the tea contains many kinds of ingredients such as caffeine, cholestenone, and pantothenic acid and so on they can prevent and suppress the obese effect. Oolong tea from China has the best effect in decomposing the fat and making you feel less greasy. It can also help you have a good digestion but keep less fat into your body. Therefore, drinking some tea after the three meals can reduce the amount of acids glycoside and cholesterol and have obvious effect in losing weight.

Drinking some tea or brush your teeth with tea will not only remove bad breath, but also protect your teeth from being destroyed by acid. Tea contains different forms of fluoride which can form into calcium fluoride which is antacid and become a protective layer to protect the teeth from decaying. And 10 grams of tea per person per day for drinking or brewing will meet the fluoride need of the body.

Nowadays, some researches confirmed that the tea is good for the curing of the intestinal tract disease, because the polyphenols in the tea can enhance the coagulation of the protein. And they can even kill the bacterium during the process of the coagulation with the protein. And drinking tea can also be able to slow the process of growing old and help the human to prolong the life. It is found that the anti-aging effect of tea is above Vitamin E 18 times.

Generally speaking, drinking some tea not only help you keep many diseases away but also make you be healthier and young. The tea can also promote the hematopoietic function and the anti-radiation materials can reduce the harm of radiation, so, you can feel much safer to watch TV or surf on the Internet. Since there are so many benefits, why not make some changes on your drinking?

Sunday, June 13, 2010

What is Tea Tasting?

Wine tasting is a popular party, social or other get-together idea, but not everyone can take part. Some have physical issues with alcohol and others don't want to drink for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, there are alternatives. 

There are many ways you can do this. The leaves of the tea tree come in many varieties, and even among these varieties there are flavor variations. It would be easy to develop a range of flavors from mild to very robust. These variations are almost endless and it may take many such gatherings to taste them all.

There is another idea that has occurred to me. Herbal teas may also make good tasting party themes. Bear in mind that while the phrase herbal tea is commonly accepted, it is not exactly the right term. You may find yourself using a variety of methods to prepare the teas, but that can make the idea more interesting.

If you choose to use herbs, you will have to select the ones you use very carefully. Some have major interactions or can cause problems for medical conditions. It might also be wise to have a list of possible problem teas ready for your guests. That will allow them a way to safely choose which to taste without having to explain the various problems to all and sundry.

The best place to start with herbal teas is the GRAS list. The acronym stands for "generally regarded as safe." These herbs have the least amount of interactions, which will help protect your guests. A sampling of these include allspice, bergamot, chamomile, cinnamon, ginger, hibiscus, lavender, lemon balm, licorice and the various mints. You may have to be careful with the cinnamon and the licorice, as they can cause problems, especially for diabetics or those with high blood pressure.

When planning your party, you may want to consider food, especially those that can cleanse the palate. The best choice may be sliced apples, as it should not interfere with the ability to taste the delicate flavors of the milder herbs. Crackers and very mild cheeses may also be helpful.

A question that comes up every now and again is that of adding other things to the tea cup. I suggest that this is a personal choice, so you could benefit by having some of the expected companions ready. Sugar, cream and milk may be useful if you are tasting from the tea tree. For the herbal teas, you may want to add honey and stevia.

You may be able to boost the enjoyment of your guests with a subtle use of essential oils. These won't be for consumption, rather to scent the room. Lavender and chamomile are good choices as they are gently soothing. Peppermint may be helpful, but the scent may be too strong.

A tea tasting may be the very thing to meet your neighbors, for a church get together or just to have a bunch of friends over for a pleasant afternoon. It is less likely to cause problems, as alcohol is not involved and the teas mentioned usually do not impair driving.