October 16th, 2011
People have been drinking tea for thousands of years, whether or not they knew of its benefits for health. Many types of teas have been used as ancient remedies in both Chinese medicine and as folk remedies.
Though science has yet to catch up with proving all of the benefits of drinking tea, there is enough anecdotal evidence that has been collected through the years to encourage everyone to enjoy the beverage.
Herbal tea remedies have a number of valuable uses according to folk medicine and ancient uses. Chamomile tea has been one of the best studied herbal teas in modern medicine, and its use as a sleep remedy is well known to all. It can be ingested or used in the bath to help induce a restful state and prepare the body for sleep. It can also be used for reasons as far reaching as dry skin and for calming upset stomachs.
Licorice root tea has been used for many years to help with sore throats. In Chinese medicine the herb is also used to help with coughs and respiratory problems, reducing pain and as an antidote for over ingestion of other herbs. It is thought to tone the qi and is considered a neutral herb. Folk remedies have used the root to help with menstrual cramps, to improve libido and to help relieve seasonal allergies.
Red clover teas are used for women’s health in alternative medicine. The tea has been used for centuries to help women to deal with the symptoms of menopause and premenstrual syndrome. It can also be used topically for rashes and eczema.
Nettle tea has been used for years to help with respiratory ailments. It has a multitude of other uses in folk remedies as well. Nettle has been used to help with urinary tract infections, digestive problems, joint and muscle problems and pain and for asthma and seasonal allergies. Nettle can also be used on the skin for rashes and eczema outbreaks.
Red raspberry leaf tea has been used in alternative medicine to help women have easier pregnancies and births. It is also said to help with fertility and to help with breastfeeding after the birth. Other uses include relieving menstrual cramps, reducing symptoms of constipation and increasing fertility in women.
Herbal teas can be used in many ways to help improve the health of those that drink them. Science may not yet have caught up with the traditional uses, but there are many health benefits available to those that drink these teas.
Categories: Uncategorized
September 15th, 2011
Tea isn’t just a refreshing beverage that is consumed worldwide, it is also has great importance to European, Middle Eastern and Asian Cultures. In this article, we take a look at some countries that have incorporated tea into their cultures.
United Kingdom
The people of the United Kingdom love their tea so much that the UK is the second highest consumer of tea worldwide per capita. However, it wasn’t always like this as the British are relative newcomers to tea drinking. Their love of all things tea can be traced back to the 19th century. During this period, India was still under the control of the British Empire and they had firm interests in the tea trade worldwide. The variant most popular in the United Kingdom is black tea that is almost always served with milk. 15 cups or more per day is quite common with consumption averaging around 5 cups daily. The tea break takes place in the early afternoons and is of particularly importance as it is observed throughout most of the UK. For all intents and purposes, a tea break is simply a light afternoon meal often accompanied by cake, scones and light sandwiches.
Egypt
Egypt is another country that’s crazy about tea. It is so popular that is the national beverage of choice, which is also known as “shai”. Almost all teas that are consumed in Egypt are imported from Sri Lanka or Kenya. Black tea is the variant that is consumed the most while green tea is widely unpopular among the populace. Because of its popularity, tea is consumed many times a day. It is almost compulsory during breakfast and after lunch. As is the case with certain Asian cultures, tea is the beverage of choice during social meetings and functions.
Malaysia
While coffee has slowly been gaining ground in Malaysia, tea is still a lot more popular among its citizens. The most popular form of tea is called “Teh Tarik”, which literally translates into “pulled tea”. It refers to the way black tea is mixed in with sweetened condensed milk there. The mixing process involves pouring in the mixture into another cup or container from elevated height. This process continues until the tea begins to froth. At that point, it is ready to serve. It should be noted that teh tarik is almost always served in food joints called a “mamak”. A “Mamak” is usually the term used for the hugely popular 24 hour eateries commonly found there. But it is also slang for Muslims of Indian descent in the country. Incidentally, 24 hour eateries in Malaysia are almost always operated by Indian Muslims which may have something to do with the terms used for these eateries. While the teas importance in the home setting has decreased over the years, it is still the drink of choice when meeting up at a Mamak for social gatherings.
Categories: Uncategorized
August 15th, 2011
Have you ever wonder what can tea have in common with a bubble? The cool bubble’ thing’ that I mean is a tapioca pearl that added to tea make Bubble Tea drink (also named Boba Tea). Tapioca pearls are produced from the root of a plant named cassava (also called yuca or manioc). Those black balls floating near the bottom of a cup make the drink so special.
The beverage originated in Taiwan in 1980 as an experiment: the clever guy – Liu Han Chie came up with the idea combining milk tea with fruits, syrup, chewy yams and tapioca pearls. After showing those ‘snowballs’ on Japanese TV, the boba tea has been gaining popularity among the whole teataster’s world. Why? The answer is a special taste and the look. So get ready for the boba test!
Bubble tea is commonly available in two categories: fruit-flavored tea and milk one. There are also hybrids e.g. fruit milk teas.
A standard features of the bubble drink are: liquid, flavor, sweetener, creamer and the texture.
When you see the Bubble Tea for the first time black balls are floating near the bottom of the cup. That unique texture of the drink is created by famous tapioca pearls. You can find them online in two forms: semi-cooked and raw. Instead of tapioca pearls you may also use a jelly de coco, konjac, grass jelly or beans (Azuki bean, mung been (green been)).
Bubble tea is sweet beverage. If you like it to be even more tasty, you can add white or brown sugar or honey.
To make Boba drink you just need a tea ( black or green) or water, some fruits, milk and the bubble pearls of course. There are various types of the bubble tea, depending on the tea house. So that you can find recipes which recommend serving the beverage with fruits and fruit syrup or ice. This tea can be prepared in many different ways. There is a possibility to create a unique recipe. Do the favorite Bubble drink yourself – just follow your own sense and taste of preferred ingredients and… go with the punch!
Beside spiritual feast the Bubble Tea offers something for our body. A tapioca ball contains some vitamins (thiamin B6) and minerals ( calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium); ingredients that help you to keep a good health condition.
Remember that if you come across the names: Boba Tea, Foam Tea or Frubble you are dealing with ‘the bubble issue’.
Categories: Uncategorized
August 2nd, 2011
Many previous laboratory researches have demonstrated the inhibitory power of components of black and green teas not only against cancer but also against tumerogenesis in lung, colon and skin.
Green tea is made from the a plant named Camellia Sinensis…as is black tea. The only difference is that green tea is left unfermented, which means that the high antioxidant actions remain fully intact. Regarding tea daily consumption there are serious concerns related to its caffeine. So, drinking how much is too much?
Experts say total fluid intake in adults might be about 2.5 liters, of which tea can contribute six to ten cups, that means 0.7 to 1.4 liters. The question has for long baffled tea lovers but experts say six to 10 cups per day can help in lowering the risk of a number of chronic diseases, claims a book.
Six to ten cups per day may be a beneficial dietary habit to help in reducing the risk of a number of chronic diseases. Green and/or black tea daily consumption could be a part of a health promoting nutritional diet low in total fat and salt. Besides regular cups of tea, this healthy diet must contain adequate vegetables and fruits, bran cereal insoluble fibers as well as sources of soluble fibers.
According to previous studies that have been reported in the December 14/28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, those individuals who drink more tea appear to have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Categories: Uncategorized
July 16th, 2011
Green tea has taken hold of health-minded individuals around the world because of its proven benefits inside the human body. You can now walk into any store and pick up bottled green teas or go to the grocery store and purchase a wide variety of dried green teas to brew at home. Among the most delicious and satisfying green teas available today is Japanese tea known as Sencha tea.
This tea is extremely popular in Japan and has a noticeable rolled or curled shape which comes from the way it is processed and dried. The tea leaves are steamed before being rolled up, shaped correctly, and then dried out. This creates the curled appearance that many people associate with this particular variety of tea. This process is quite different from green teas produced elsewhere and has a lot to do with the delicious flavor that comes from Sencha tea.
When shopping for Sencha tea you will see terms like “first flush” and “second flush” quite often. This actually becomes an advertising point for many Sencha tea manufacturers because it directly affects the coloring and flavor of the tea. This term comes from the fact that the tea plants used to make Sencha tea can be harvested at different times of the year. In Japan, it is believed that the most delicious teas come from the first flush of the year, so those teas will become marked as “first flush” teas.
Around the world you can find Sencha tea products being marketed with the first and second flush as major selling points. These early harvested tea leaves should produce a more golden green color and the delicious flavor for which this type of tea has become known.
Besides intense flavor that is tantalizing on the taste buds and remarkably delicious with chocolate, what does Sencha tea have to offer? The biggest benefit is its rich concentration of antioxidants. Green teas in general are noted for having exceptionally high antioxidant levels. This is beneficial to the body because it helps fight off inflammation, infection, and disease.
Many people prize antioxidants because they can help reduce or prevent common signs of aging as well. This includes lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. No wonder you see so many skin care products advertising the inclusion of antioxidants today! Sencha tea is not a beauty aid, but it is packed with antioxidants that do amazing things for the body when consumed on a routine basis.
Green teas like Sencha also have high concentrations of polyphenols, which are also proving to be very beneficial inside the body. They work along with antioxidants to rid the body of free radicals that cause disease and to fight off deadly diseases including cancer.
The great thing about Sencha tea is that it’s completely natural and safe. You can drink Sencha tea in your home as often as you like without worrying about dangerous side effects. This tea is delicious and can easily be found online from a variety of different manufacturers.
When comparing different Sencha tea products online consider the reputation of the manufacturer, when the tea leaves were harvested, and where the tea originally came from. Remember this is the most popular tea consumed in Japan and those produced from the first and second flushes of the year are viewed as the most valuable.
Categories: Uncategorized
June 3rd, 2011
Compost Tea is a microbial solution that improves soil structure, adds beneficial organisms to the soil to sustain plants, builds organic matter in the soil, and aids in nutrient uptake.
A mature, finished compost contains millions of beneficial organisms. That is why gardeners spread compost on their crops. This is beneficial to the soil, but very labor intensive.
Compost Tea, on the other hand, contains BILLIONS of beneficial organisms, doing in one application what spreading compost onto crops does in multiple applications. A true actively aerated tea is brewed in one of the many commercial brewers on the market. It is not a ‘steeped’ or leachate product. Many gardeners soak their compost in a bucket and pour it into the soil. While this will add a small amount of organisms to the soil, chances are that this product will not significantly improve soil health and may be anaerobic as well.
A good rule of thumb in making compost tea is: if it stinks, it is not an actively aerated product. This product should have a rich, earthly smell, like duff from under trees and shrubs.
Brewing compost tea needs to include aeration and food sources for the organisms to multiply and grow during the brewing cycle. While many gardeners build their own brewers, it’s best to stick with commercial systems. These manufacturers test their end result, showing what organisms are in the tea.
If you are thinking of purchasing a brewer, ask to see lab test results!
While there are many commercial compost tea brewers on the market, my favorite is the Growing Solutions System. These are available in large sizes for growers, as well as 25 gallon, and their newer 10 gallon homeowner size. Tea brewed using these systems is often diluted at a rate of 5:1. A 10 gallon unit would yield 50 gallons of tea.
Any true compost tea product must be applied to the soil within 5-7 hours. Because the solution contains microbes, food sources are depleted quickly as soon as the tea is finished brewing. Do not purchase a pre-bottled compost tea product – these are not worth the price and you are not getting a true benefit by using them. Microorganisms cannot be ‘bottled’ – they would die off.
Applications should be made in spring, summer, and fall for best results. This is especially true if you have used conventional methods for fertilization, which leaves chemical residue in the soil and depletes beneficial organisms. Once you are on a program using compost tea, soil health will be re-established over time.
Compost Tea is not a quick fix, and not a stand-alone product. Think of it as building soil health over time – adding beneficial organisms that aid in plant health and growth. This product does not offer NPK and is not a fertilizer or pesticide.
Article submitted and written by Gina Mullendore, Eagle Rock Organics, Wenatchee, WA.
With over 10 years experience in organic gardening, we have developed a website to help gardeners find the right products. We are in the process of setting up an online forum to answer questions, troubleshoot gardening problems, and offer our support.
We offer a full line of organic lawn and garden products. We are located in Wenatchee, Washington, deliver locally, and ship nationwide.
Categories: Uncategorized
May 21st, 2011
The leaves of the tea tree have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. In today’s times it has been noted that people may occasionally have an allergic reaction to undiluted tea tree oil and may present with itching, rashes, redness, blisters or contact dermatitis. This oil should not be used by pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers. The oil from it should not be ingested as it can cause central nervous system depression, confusion, coma, sleepiness, diarrhea and impaired immune function.
However, nowadays certain toothpastes as well as mouthwashes contain the oil from tea tree and this is accepted as these products are not ingested or swallowed. Any mouthwashes that are homemade should be avoided. If you experience symptoms from an overdose one should seek medical assistance immediately. It should be kept out of reach from pets and children.
Tea tree oil originated in New South Wales Australia and the leaves were used for healing by the aboriginal people for decades. Crushed leaves were applied to wound or the leaves were boiled and the liquid drunk. In order to heal their bodies the aboriginal people would bathe in the lagoons where the leaves of the tea tree had fallen.
The Melaleuca Alternifolia was named tea tree by Captain Cook. In the early 1900′s this plant was studies by Dr Penfold who discovered that by distilling the leaves oil was obtained and the antimicrobial was ten times stronger than any other antiseptic that was available at the time. Besides having such a powerful antimicrobial the oil was also found to be non toxic. All first aid kits during the Second World War contained this oil and was issued to Australian soldiers. After the war this oil seemed to have disappeared as antibiotics then took the lead.
It was only during the late seventies that people started to rear towards more natural products and once again the oil from the Melaleuca oil became popular. Melaleuca is also now being tested as a potential for curing antibiotic resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Minimum requirements have been laid out by the Australian Government with regards to the purity of the oil. Nowadays the oil from this kind of tree can be found in many products from cleaning agents to shampoos as well as dental floss.
The Australian Tea Tree Industry Association has set standards for the oil which should contain the two components such as Cineol and Terpinen-4-ol and the levels of Terinen-4-ol must be around thirty to forty eight percent and the Cineol should be below fifteen percent. The lower the Cineol levels are and the higher the Terpinen-4-ol the better.
When purchasing tea tree oil and the bottle contains more than fifteen ml and does not come packed in a ribbed dark bottle then the product is not one hundred percent pure. Oil from then tea tree is light sensitive and has to be bottled in a dark bottle. Even if the bottle states that it is pure, it does not mean it’s true.
Categories: Uncategorized
April 1st, 2011
If you are involved in the regular drinking of tea in any way, you’ve likely heard the term ‘tea connoisseur.’ I’m sure the meaning of this term can vary quite a bit from person to person, but most will agree that a tea connoisseur is someone who is really into tea. They will know about the different types, and processes, and and subtleties….and of course they will love to drink tea.
If you love tea, but don’t feel you are quite there yet and want to become a tea connoisseur, here are a few things to keep in mind as you make the transition.
First, ditch those tea bags and start drinking loose leaf. Any real connoisseur or expert will never let you into the club if you aren’t drinking it as it was meant to be enjoyed. Loose leaf tea produces a much more flavorful cup, and it is a must if you are ever to obtain connoisseur status. When the water circulates around the leaves it creates a flavor that just can’t be matched in bag form. Not to mention, the health benefits are dramatically increased when it is left in its natural state.
Second, learn a lot about tea. You can’t really be considered a connoisseur of anything if you don’t know a lot about the topic. Read as much as you can about the history and cultiivation of tea leaves. Learn about how it is processed. Learn about all the different tea producing parts of the world. Learn about all of the different varieties and sub-varieties. Learn about the best ways to prepare each different type. In short, learn all there is to know about the world of tea.
Third, keep in mind that to be a real connoisseur, you have to enjoy yourself. You may have an image of the snobby, nose in the air tea drinker, but you don’t have to be that way. People have been drinking tea for thousands of years. It is a way of life in many cultures, and there are thousands upon thousands of tea drinkers who came before you who are very down to earth.
Categories: Uncategorized
March 8th, 2011
If you are having troubles with your figure and your weight, I assume you have researched ways of losing weight without breaking too much sweat. Maybe you, like many other people all over the world, have stupidly tried any weight loss pill they could get your hands on which are dangerous. Some people had negative side effects and some people even died because of this stupidity. Don’t get frustrated, don’t be desperate. There is always room for those who work hard to achieve their dream body. Also, I would like to share to you a pill that is known to be effective. Green tea pills are herbal weight loss pills that have worked wonders already.
The green tea leaves are definitely proven and tested by time. You can’t go wrong with it because ancient Chinese people have been using it not just for weight loss and slimming, but for many health benefits too.
However, the taste of this tea is not that pleasant. But that was before. You don’t have to worry now because manufacturers have took that into consideration and that is why we have these pills made out of green tea leaves. So you don’t have to taste it. Just pop it up your mouth and it’s all over. The pill is a dietary supplement that you have to take every day. Also, the pills have more benefits compared to the tea version and doesn’t taste that bad.
Did you know that green tea has also other beneficial effects? When you include it in your diet, you are also including anti oxidants in it so you can be sure that you are detoxifying yourself and you don’t have to worry at all. However, like any other health products, the benefits are not instant, it takes to gradually do its part in your body, but that would not take too long. Soon, you will be enjoying the effects of this tea in your body and you can have a healthy and happy lifestyle.
However, you should also be careful. Not all green tea products are genuine. Some manufacturers add some additive substances on their green tea product to make it much more plenty. This would lessen the potency of the effect of green tea and sometimes, it also has a bad side effect. So be careful. Real green tea products are harvested from the finest tea farm, carefully selected and is made from one hundred percent pure green tea leaves. This makes the product so potent and this also means that it would be effective.
So regardless of what purpose you are drinking it, whether you wanted to lose some weight, or you wanted it as a drink before you workout to maximize the burning of calories in your body or just a daily supplement to detoxify your body, you can be sure that you would have a healthier body, a healthier and longer life full of happiness because nothing could stop you from having good, clean fun.
Categories: Uncategorized
February 24th, 2011
Herbs have proven themselves time and again when it comes to promoting health and well being. For the longest time, people have depended on herbs and other natural supplements in provide them with the daily essential nutrients that their body needs as well as eliminate harmful toxins. This is the reason why teas have become more and more popular not only in the United States but also the world over.
Of course, it would be reckless to say that all manufactured teas are effective in terms of cleansing your body; some might actually be even dangerous to your health. So, how do you make sure that you’re getting the best value for the price that you pay? Simple – you need to get the best green tea product in the market. And to do that, here are a few tips you can follow:
Fresh or bagged: Before you can start locating the best green tea in the market you should first decide early whether you’d like to prepare your very own tea from the leaves or would prefer those that are already placed in individual bags. It’s not just a matter of convenience of course as most discerning tea lovers’ claim that nothing will still be able to compare to the taste, aroma and unique texture that tea leaves can bring.
Research: There are many advantages that the internet can bring and finding high quality teas is one of them. Try visiting one of the more popular shopping sites like Amazon.com and see for yourself which tea comes highly recommended by hundreds or maybe even thousands of previous customers. You can find that Kombucha Green Tea for example is highly popular among many individuals due to its unique taste as well as health benefits.
Choose the country: While many countries do produce high quality green teas, two are still at the top of the list when it comes to general authority – China and Japan. Some of the best green teas usually never leave their shores and can only be purchased through online sites. Each country will of course have their own particular brand of tea that comes highly recommended by many. There are ways that you will be able to purchase this as well, if you are willing to spend a bit for it that is. Myou-Kou for example which originates from Japan is known to be one of the country’s best and finest teas due to its thicker and bolder flavor.
The best green tea doesn’t have to be that expensive though. With the right amount of research and trusted sources, you’ll be able to get high quality teas without having to create a hole in your pocket.
Categories: Uncategorized
