That's why most tea experts appreciate its rich earthy flavour and sentimental feelings it brings. But how do you prepare this kind of tea?
The good news is, the process is not that difficult. And this article has the ideal process the tea growers and tea experts use to make Jasmine Tea. The method below can be used with a tea infuser (how does a teapot Infuser work?) for better results. Let's dive right into the details.
Step 1: Invest in Fresh Loose-leaves Jasmine tea.
The rich aroma and flavour of tea depends on the quality leaves. The quickest way to compromise its aroma is to use tea bags, which makes the tea bitter and astringent.
Since the tea leaves have a delicate flavour, it's only fair that you use loose tea leaves. The tea leaves will provide you a robust taste and rich flavour. In other words, you will be advantaged by its flavour.
To experience the Jasmine perfume, you have to mix fresh Jasmine tea leaves from the farm with either green or oolong tea. You can also substitute white oolong. Much will depend on your tea preference. Then you have to let it wait for at least 24 hours. The longer it waits, the stronger the Jasmine scent. Picture it like wine that ages with time. Sometimes you can leave it for three weeks, and it won’t go stale.
If you cannot find the loose-leaves of Jasmine tea, you can buy a whole-leaf tea sachet that has a roomy shape and cloth mesh construction.
Step 2: Prepare the Water
While the quality of tea leaves impacts the delicious flavour you experience. Water also plays a major role in bringing out the authentic taste of this delightful cup.
That means, when you are preparing for this type of tea, you have to get everything right from the get go. The best brewing option for Jasmine tea is spring water and filtered water as the second option.
Tap or chlorinated water won't give you the best taste or flavour. In fact, it will make your tea bitter, and you may not enjoy this tea. Spring water won't alter the flavour. Spring is natural drinking water in its purest form because it is clean, fresh, unprocessed, and free from any chemical treatments. That is why it is advisable you use spring water when you want to prepare Jasmine tea.
Step 3: Heat the water
Jasmine tea is delicate and sensitive to water temperature. That explains why you can't brew it like regular tea. The ideal water temperature should be 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are two ways you can measure this:
Get a thermometer and measureWait for the bubble to appear after the initial tiny bubbles.
If you lack any of those, you can buy a kettle that has thermometer measurements, which will tell you the temperature of the water when it is boiling. If you happen to go beyond the normal temperature range, your tea may be bitter for you to drink. Precise water temperature is what you must aim for if you want the best tea possible.
Step 4: Steep
One teaspoonful of loose-tea Jasmine tea in the infuser is enough for 6 ounces of water. Since too much Jasmine tea is bitter, you need to experiment with a small portion of teaspoonful. You can always test the flavor after every 30 seconds to find your taste preferences.
Jasmine tea is only minutes away. For the best tea flavor, the ideal steep time is 2 to 4 minutes. But first, start with 2 minutes and taste the tea every 30 seconds intervals to find the perfect taste you want. After the tea has steeped, pour the liquid into the teacup. Then drink it while warm!
That is how you prepare the best optimal Jasmine green tea. If you follow every step, I don't see the reason why you won't enjoy the delicate flavour and sweet-scented aroma.
]]>The number of teapots in the market has increased. That means a lot of choices exist for you to choose the best teapots from 2019’s roundup into 2020. We have spent lots of hours researching and interviewing experts to know which teapots to include our list. Let's go through what what makes each teapot so special.
The Tea kettle infuser stovetop is a premium item. It comes with four double-wall caps, green tea, jasmine tea, and blooming tea. You can make over four cups of tea with this tea kettle infuser stovetop.
Unique features you'll find in this teapot kettle is that it is stovetop safe, microwave safe, and dishwasher safe. You'll love its look and sturdiness. Inclusion of the four little cups means you can enjoy it as a group of four. It can be used as a loose leaf tea infuser as well as for blooming tea.
One thing you have to know about the cups is they are double insulated and cool to touch. You'll also note that the glass is elegant but not fragile, which means it can handle a lot of heat without damage. Since it is made from borosilicate glass it is durable and robust for everyday use.
If you adore handcrafted items, then Hiware 1000ml glass is for you. The teapot has heat resistant borosilicate glass and a non-dripping spout. Since it has a borosilicate glass, it is durable and robust for everyday use.
The non-dripping spout is excellent for precise control and effortless pouring. You'll pour your tea without dripping. The good news is, you put this teapot into the dishwasher without cleaning it yourself. To avoid the teapot getting damaged in the washer, you need to rinse after use with soapy water.
The artistry of this kettle is on another level. It has an ergonomic handle that makes it for you to carry the kettle. Besides that, it's cool to touch the handle. Thanks to the straight pour spout, your hands are safe from heat from the spout. This stove from Mueller features a premium quality material. It also comes with a wonderful tea strainer. The strainer is a great size to accommodate with all the water in the kettle. The kettle also produces the perfect whistle that you can hear across from your house bringing the serene feeling with it.
Sweese is a classy teapot. The most attractive feature is the beautiful colours you can choose from. You cannot see the tea inside the teapot as it is made from a solid porcelain material, but the colour and appearance of the teapot comes with its own beauty. Tea from this pot tastes and smells fresh. Its handle is in the right shape to allow easy pouring. Best of all, the spouts don't drip. The premium lid has a silicone gasket that keeps the lid tight when poured. This teapot can hold only two mugs or three cups of tea. What that means is that it is perfect for two or three tea drinkers. You also won't have lots of problem washing it because it is dishwasher safe.
Teapot kettle with a warmer comprises of a teapot and tea infuser. With this teapot, you can make enough tea for your friends. It yields around 3 to 4 cups of tea (depending on the size of the cups).
The most interesting part is that it is made of microwavable glass. That means you can reheat it easily in the microwave and it’s good to go. The teapot also has a brushed silver, stainless steel lid made of premium materials. It is a durable teapot kettle and it will last you for years.
It is not a complete set, only the teapot with a cover to keep the tea warm. It is an easy gift for someone who you are maybe not that close to but want to get them something substantial.
The tea kettle TOP TIER Japanese allows a slow and even heating. The tea kettle is made of durable cast iron that is sturdy and strong. It is better than aluminium and stainless steel. Although the teapot looks smaller, it has a unique design which is its most attractive feature, it looks rustic yet classy and elegant.
One thing you need to be cautious of is cleaning the teapot with dishwasher detergent because it is not allowed. With this tea kettle, you can make 3 to 4 cups of tea. It makes the tea warm compared to a ceramic pot. If you are a regular tea drinker or camper, this is the kettle you'll enjoy using.
Artcome is a family teapot because it holds a maximum capacity of 1,000mp. The teapot has a high-quality borosilicate glass which is resistant to cold, heat, and temperature. The teapot has a removable infuser. That means it is easy to detach and clean. This teapot can serve you in multiple uses. You can either use it to make tea or coffee. The spout of this teapot is well designed so you can pour your tea without spills. The lid is attached to the teapot as part of its design.
This teapot will serve you in two ways. You can either boil or make tea. This Japanese teapot should be used on a small fire on the stove to prevent water from boiling and protect the coat from falling off.
This company claims (TOWA)that its cast iron teapot improves the quality of water you drink. It releases iron ions to absorb chloride ions in water. That's why boiled water is sweet and soft, which is excellent for tea making. TOWA kettle distributes heat and improves flavour extraction in the brewing process.
Do you love a stunning teapot with a few bells and whistles? Willow and Everett's teapot is an attractive glass tea pitcher. It can hold 40 ounces of water which makes approximately 5 cups. The teapot also comes with a rust-free stainless steel infuser where you can fill it with loose tea leaves or tea bags. It's black custom fit cosy zip keeps the water temperature consistent. Like other teapots we have reviewed this one also gives you the option to heat water in a microwave.
Drinking tea is about the experience and the ambience it brings with whom we share it with. As a tea lover, it is vital to have an excellent tea kettle so you can have a perfect blend that keeps you warm. With the choices we have shared with you, we are sure you'll choose something good today.
#kitchenkite #besteapots2019 #whistlingkettle #teapotwithinfuser #teapotinfuser
]]>It is that wonderful time of the year when you are thinking of what gift to whom. We scour our mind try ]]>
Do you have a friend who loves green tea? Then the following gifts will be ideal for them.
It is perhaps one of the best gifts you can give to a friend. This is a subscription box that consists of premium teas your companion can enjoy. Each month, your friend will be send at least 4 premium teas that will match with their profile. Best of all, they will be in a position to make 15 cups of tea. Thus, you provided them with many beautiful unique tea experiences without much effort at all.
Kombucha kit is perfect for anyone who wants to take their tea love to the next level. The starter comes with fermented tea known as Kombucha. The kit consists of a glass brewing jar, the fermentation starter, tea and sugar. Kombucha kit is an excellent gift you can offer your tea companion. They can experiment with Kombucha and decide how they feel about it; this may be more appreciated by the more adventurous personalities.
This holistic tea set consists of an array of nine herbs and three varieties of green tea. The warmth of those nine herbs and three variations of green tea will soothe your body and calm your mind. Besides that, when you get this one for your companion, they will also get a guide on how to make herbal tea. A perfect two in one combination.
KitchenAid 1.25-Litre Electric Kettle
This is a great gift for tea lovers for two reasons. It comes with a classic look of a stovetop kettle and heat-retaining enamel. Second, it also offers the convenience of an electric kettle. One thing you will love about this electric Kettle is that it is made up of metal and not plastic. That means you can have boiling water ready in record time without worry about BPA and phthalates. Also, it looks very rustic and is aesthetically pleasing especially if your companion likes this style.
Complete Matcha Green Tea Gift Set
Drinking matcha tea is an experience in itself that many tea lovers crave to indulge. Matcha consists of finely ground green tea leaves. This ceremonial drink, which is part of Buddist's culture, is a wonderful gift for your tea companion. Best of all, it is a healthy drink for any tea lover who appreciates the ritual and ceremony of Chinese and Japanese.
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle
Do you have a companion that loves fresh tea? Then you can offer them a Fellow Stagg EKG electric pour-over kettle. The Kettle has variable temperature control. Most importantly, it maintains the desired temperature for 60 minutes. When it's toggle is not in HOLD mode, the Kettle goes to sleep after reaching a desired set temperature. Also, it looks very sheek and can double as a decoration piece.
There are those friends who love teapot. What we know from experience is that friends like that love something specific to their taste. Here is what we have for your friend.
This teapot comes from Japan and has a heat resistant glass that can withstand hot temperatures to keep your tea hot and ready. The pot also features a gold plated tea straining mesh which ensures loof leaf tea won't get into your beverage.
Wedgwood Wonderlust Teacup and Saucer
Does your tea companion have teacup sets at home, then the wanderlust teacup and saucer will be an excellent addition for them? Even if they do not have them, some people love to use them as decoration pieces as they have such a personality. The Wanderlust comes from fine bone china material. Most importantly, it is dishwasher safe.
These teas are in the glass tubes and sealed. They include green, black, and herbal variations. The sampler gift is perfect for someone who enjoys taking different kinds of tea. You can also give it to someone who is just starting to test different types of tea, but they have not found their specialty tea. The tea sampler is packaged to resemble a wooden cigar with instructions. Besides that, it also comes with a heart-shaped infuser.
The set is made up of high-quality glass. The set consists of one teapot, a glass infuser, warmer, four double-washed glass and best of all, the 12 unique blowing teas. Consider this to be perfect for someone who has never drunk blooming tea or someone who has never seen flowering tea bloom. It is an experience seeing it bloom.
It is a handcrafted mug with a top lid. The mug comes with a heat-keeping lid which you can also use it as a spoon rest or coaster. The primary purpose of this mug is to keep the tea hot or warm unless it's iced tea. It will save you your tea companion from the cold drinking tea.
The Felt Teapot Purse is meant for someone who loves to attend tea parties. It's cute and practical. It comes with feet at the bottom that keeps it clean and dry. If you have a friend who loves to go to a tea tasting party, this purse will be ideal for them.
Self-care Chamomile Tea Gift Set
It's no secret that Chamomile is one of nature's amazing soothers. What most people don't know about is that this tea can be grown at home. Using a smart hydroponics system, any tea lover will build and steep their chamomile tea. That said, this is a beautiful gift to share with a chamomile tea lover.
With all these beautiful tea gifts, we are 300% confident that you won't miss something to offer your tea companion at home. Well, we will keep updating this article, whenever we find something that's out of the box to provide your tea companion.
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● Material: The material from which your teapot is made plays a crucial role in deciding the taste of the tea. Some substances like ceramic and cast iron are known for their heat retention property, while others like clay help in incorporating more flavours into the beverage. You need to learn about distinct materials to know which one fits best in your choices.
● Steeping Style: A particular steeping style determines how well your tea will taste. If you want to obtain the perfect tea taste, you will have to steep it in a specific method for the required time. Otherwise, your tea won’t taste as good.
Other than this, a suitable teapot can also change the tea preparation experience for you. For example, a bigger teapot will be able to hold your entire day’s tea, and you won’t have to prepare it again and again. Now that you know how crucial teapots are let’s explore their history.
History Of Teapots
Tea gained popularity in the Chinese culture between 618AD-908AD. However, it is still unknown whether people used some pots to steep tea leaves or put them directly into the cup in those times. Even if teapots existed in that era, they must have been simple pots without any beauty appeal to them.
Initially, China had red or purple coloured earthen pots as their official teapots. Each of these vessels was made for specific types of tea. It is also said that Chinese people drink their tea directly from the pots. After this, the Buddhist monks of China took their green tea to Japan. They used the beverage to keep themselves awake during meditation.
When Japanese people developed a liking for Chinese green tea, they asked people from China to teach them the art of making their earthen pots. Following that, they made their own first teapot. The next place to get teapots was India. Indians used tea only for medicinal purposes until the officials of British East India Company asked China to send their teapots.
They requested a unique grate to be put before the spout so that tea leaves could get filtered through it. That is how tea drinking and teapots came to India. The country still holds a big market of tea and the beverage is served throughout the country. Slowly, tea and teapots became popular all over the world with globalisation.
Different Types Of Teapots
Being the first three countries to explore tea, China, Japan, and India have the most historic and unique teapots. Here is what you can find in these places.
-> Chinese Teapots
Chinese were the first to make teapots, and it is said that their inspiration for the vessel came from Chinese wine ewers. They made red and purple earthen pots, as stated earlier. Later they developed teapots with infusers on the demand of East India Company officials. Currently, you can find round teapots to be popular in the country.
-> Japanese Teapots
The teapots are known as Kusu in Japan. When the Japanese asked people from China to teach them teapot making, the concept of Raku pot came up. People made them with hands in the Bizen province of Japan. As time progressed, they started incorporating nature-based themes on these teapots. In today’s time, you can find kettle-shaped teapots in Japan that are used for Sencha and Houjicha teas. These teapots are utilized for more massive tea drinkers’ groups.
-> Indian Teapots
Initially, teapots came to India from China on the demand of British officials. So there was nothing special then. But if you look into the tea market of India now, you will find that it holds some of the best teapots in the world. Plus, there is a considerable variation of teapots used across the country. Some exciting concepts you will see in India are:
● Red Clay Pots: Earthen red clay pots are used widely in rural India. These are also used in urban areas, as they are said to give a distinctive taste to the tea.
● Bone China or Porcelain Pots: Indians use these on special occasions like functions or festivals. You may not find these in the rural areas of the country.
● Glass Pots: Glass teapots are generally used in ceremonies, as people consider them to be something that portrays a “good impression” on guests.
You can also find other types of teapots in India based on places and classes of people.
Some Other Teapots
Other than these three, other countries also hold interesting teapot variations that are worth exploring.
-> Turkish Teapots
Along with the current biggest tea market, Turkey also has a great history of tea making and drinking. People of the country use a stacked teapot known as “caydanlik” to prepare their favourite black tea. They also combine sugar and lemon in the tea to give it a unique taste.
-> European Teapots
Along with India, the East India Company took the Chinese teapots to Europe, as well. Germany was the first country in Europe that tried out developing similar earthen teapots as Asia. But they used soft-paste porcelain as the base material, which broke on pouring hot tea. Then the people of France came up with brilliant pieces that were decorated with Rococo designs. In Russia, the artists prefer to portray daily life images on the teapots.
Conclusion
Teapots have an interesting history, and they have not lost their charm over so many years. They are loved in the current market as much as they were cherished in the period 1600-1700. The only change you will find is in the variety and quality. Several different types of teapots have come to existence now. Materials like clay, cast iron, ceramic, and glass are also used to prepare various kinds of teapots. In case you want to buy one, you will have to look for the alternative that fits best in your tea choices.
]]>One of the coolest ways to prepare iced tea is a sparkling iced tea. Whether it is a pool party or you just want to chill in a summer afternoon in your home, the sparkling iced tea is a perfect beverage companion. There is nothing complicated in the recipe; it is prepared with iced tea and sparkling water making it an ideal summer drink. You can twist the recipe by adding black tea, green tea, pomegranate tea, etc.
In this article, we are going to discuss more about sparkling iced tea and how you can prepare it.
The Basics of Sparkling Iced Tea
It is made like a normal iced tea; all you need to do is make a strong brew which is different from an everyday iced tea. Next, you have to allow the tea to cool down for a bit. Carbonated water is the main ingredient in this recipe. You need to add ice in order to dilute the tea that will subtle the flavours. You need to add both tea and carbonated water in a 50/50 ratio. Carbonated water can be of your choices like club soda, seltzer, or anything citrus. For garnishing purposes, you can use ice cubes and lemon wedges.
You can deviate the recipe by adding fruity elements into it. Some people prefer using different teas to give a different kick to iced tea. It totally depends on your choice of how you want your tea. As it is a summer drink using cooling and watery ingredients is the best way to make this beverage recipe successful.
How To Make It Sparkle?
The reason it is called sparkling iced tea is due to the use of carbonated water. If you want to make the tea more sparkly, you can try making it with green tea that already has creamy vanilla, bergamot, lemon, etc. that makes a perfect potion for a summer drink. Additionally, when you are steeping the tea, you can add honey as a natural sweetener.
It would help if you also concentrated on the choice of carbonate water that brings a difference to the flavour. A lemon seltzer is an acceptable option; be open to the experiments so you can differentiate between the good and the bad. To make it more sparkly and pleasing to the eyes, use a lemon slice and basil leaves for garnishing. You can prepare a summer cocktail with this simple recipe. It all depends on your imagination and expertise to experiment with the drinks.
How To Prepare Sparkling Iced Tea?
You have learned the basics of a sparkling iced tea, now it’s time to get into the recipe and prepare it in your kitchen. The formula is so easy and refreshing, and it hardly takes any time to get ready. Hence, sparkling iced tea makes a go-to drink during the summers. If you want to add colour and refreshment to your summer days, it is the best drink that you can prepare. Without further ado, let’s get started with the recipe:
Ingredients:
● Freshly brewed tea of your choice – 3 cups
● The sparkling water of your choice – 3 cups
● Honey for natural sweetening
Directions:
● The first step is to prepare a healthy tea for the iced tea. If you are choosing green tea, make sure to add more leaves to give a stronger flavour.
● Now steep the tea for a few minutes. Steeping is important to get the flavours of leaves infused. Adding ginger will also give a striking flavour to the tea.
● You also need to add the ice cubes to subtle the flavours of the tea. Make sure to add small ice cubes so that the water does not subdue the tea flavour.
● The next step is to stir the sparkling water with the tea. It is the time where you can add the sweetener (honey).
● Take tall glasses and pour the sparkling iced tea in it. Add some more ice cubes for a chilling effect. You can garnish the beverage with mint leaves, lemon wedges or basil.
Note: You can also create natural syrup sweetener for your iced tea. It is the best way to add a sweetening effect to the beverage. Just heat 8 ounces of water on medium heat, add a cup of granulated sugar and keep stirring until it gets mixed. When the sugar is dissolved completely, you can transfer it to a container and store it in the refrigerator.
The Bottom Line
There are plenty of ways in which you can treat your taste buds and refresh your senses during summer, and iced tea is one of the best means. It is a perfect summer beverage that you will never get enough of. There are different ways in which you can prepare iced tea; sparkling iced tea is one of the tasty versions. It is made with carbonated water; iced tea and you can also add fruity elements to give a twist to the recipe. The flavour of this tea depends on the type of tea leaves and carbonated water you use.
In this article, we have mentioned the details about sparkling iced tea. If you are feeling low and dehydrated in summer noon, it is a go-to drink that you can easily prepare at home. All the ingredients are easily available in your kitchen, and you don’t need to do anything complicated in preparing glasses of this amazing iced tea.
]]>A delicious cup of creamy hot matcha tea is certainly revitalizing. But have you had iced matcha? It is simple to make this beverage and more flavorful and refreshing. If you have just started drinking matcha tea, this is the best way to get used to its earthy flavour. This is because the cold brew cuts down a bit of bitterness that you it holds. And don’t worry, even in the unconscious form you get all the benefits from I-theanine and caffeine. But how do you make cold brew with matcha; let’s find out in this detailed article.
The Basics Of Cold Brew Matcha Tea
As you make cold brew coffee, cold brew matcha is prepared in cold water rather than hot and simply cools down that water with ice cubes. Additionally, it also implies that you get the most flavour since there is no ice cube to water down the flavour. With a few simple steps and ingredients, you can make the perfect matcha tea for a refreshing summer day. Let’s get started.
Get Your Glass Bottle Ready
Before you start blending the ingredients, you will need a glass jar with a lid like a mason jar or peanut butter jar. You can also use matcha flask, which is specially designed to make cold brew matcha tea. Moreover, you can also use a blender ball if you really want that smooth and slushy texture. But if you do not have a blender ball, it will still be fine.
Choose Only High-Quality Matcha For The Best Taste
Another thing that you need to take care of is to get high quality powdered matcha. Not every brand that sells matcha creates a high-quality product. When you use high-quality matcha, this will allow you to get the best flavour without having added any sweetener. Choose a reputable brand that offers tea which is shade-grown in the field of Japan.
Get Unique Flavors From Different Liquids.
This is the time where you choose the liquid to mix your matcha powder with. If you want an unaltered rich flavour of matcha, then go for cold water. But if you are new matcha and still getting used to its bitter taste, then you add liquid with more flavours. Regular milk, coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, etc., are some of the most popular liquid choices to accentuate the flavour of your matcha tea.
Final Step - Mixing It All Up
Now that you have selected all the right ingredients, it is time to bring everything together to make the perfect healthy and refreshing cold brew. All you have to do is blend all the ingredients together that will include
● One and a half cup of your preferred liquid (preferably cold)
● One teaspoon of matcha powder
● Ice is optional
Moreover, you can adjust the proportions of the ingredients depending on the quantity and your taste preferences.
Tips For Blending
● When adding all the ingredients, make sure there is an inch of room left after you have secured the cap. This will make sure that the liquid has enough space to move around.
● If you do not want to start your day with icy cold matcha, avoid the ices and use liquid at your preferred temperature.
● Make sure to secure the bottle tightly and shake the bottle briskly until you get uniformly smooth liquid with a white layer of foam at the top.
● The matcha powder does not dissolve in the liquid. Instead, slowly the particles will start to suspend at the bottom. To avoid this to happen, swirl the liquid with a straw.
Benefits of Drinking Matcha Tea
Matcha tea is loaded with valuable nutrients to enhance your overall health. Some of the prominent benefits that you get from including matcha tea in your diet include -
● Assists In Weight Loss
A majority of weight loss supplements contain green tea extract as one of the ingredients. This is a popular ingredient that helps in improving weight loss. According to studies, it boosts the metabolism, thereby increasing the fat burning process and energy expenditure. Most of the studies centre on green tea extract, the match is derived from the same plan and offers similar benefits.
● Improves Functioning Of Brain
Many researchers show that components found in matcha can help in improving the function of the brain. Additionally, the match team includes more caffeine than green tea. This makes it more effective in enhancing brain function and attention reaction time.
● Beneficial In Promoting Heart Health
Heart issues are among the prominent death causes across the world. And studies have revealed that matcha tea may help in mitigating the risk associated with these diseases. Ingredients found in green tea and matcha tea are known to reduce the level of triglycerides and bad cholesterol level. Additionally, it also assists in preventing the LDL oxidation of cholesterol.
● Rich In Antioxidants
Matcha boasts catechins, which is an excellent natural antioxidant. They help in stabilizing harmful free radicals that are responsible for damaging healthy cells and causing chronic diseases. Including matcha tea in your diet can help in increasing the intake of antioxidants, which can help in preventing cell damage and lowering the risk of chronic diseases.
Final Thoughts
There are just some of the many benefits that a matching tea would provide. Whether you drink it hot or cold, including matcha in your diet would be highly beneficial. For summers, when you want a refreshing cold beverage, you no longer need to reach out for unhealthy sugar beverages. We have shared a simple, delicious and extremely healthy cold brew matcha drink that you can make in 30 seconds. Make sure you invest in good-quality matcha powder to enjoy the maximum flavour and benefits.
* The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and advice is not confirmed to treat, cure or prevent any illness.
]]>You need to understand that tea has its own flavour and sugar may tend to overpower the natural taste of tea. You can enhance the taste of your tea with natural ingredients that are as sweet as sugar yet more healthy.
This is the reason why we have created this post. In this article, we will be discussing the greatest natural tea sweeteners out there that will help you unlock numerous ways of sweetening tea without using sugar.
Let’s get started.
If you are a tea aficionado, then you may have come across teas made from honey, or at least have heard of honey as a natural sweetener. While raw honey is a form of sugar with high calories, you get a lot of flavour from a small amount. So, if the doctor has advised you to consume less sugar, you can switch to honey. The best part about honey is that it is rich in antioxidants and contains a prebiotic known as oligosaccharides. This probiotic is helpful in feeding your gut flora, ensuring that your gut health remains intact, and ultimately strengthens your immune system. Most importantly, raw honey has vitamins C and E, among other minerals in abundance. Depending on the type of tea you are making, you can include raw honey in the mix. Overall, it is a good alternative to sugar and probably less harmful as well.
If you really want to enjoy the true flavour of tea without sugar, then you can consider preparing hot sweet tisanes for yourself. Green tea goes very well with tisanes. All you have to do is infuse boiling water with a mixture of green tea leaves, spearmint leaves, dried rosebuds, fresh ginger roots, and some cinnamon sticks. Now, there are two ways using which you can prepare sweet tisanes. One method is decoction, and the other is infusion.
If you prefer infusion, then simply pour a reasonable amount of boiling water over your tisane mixture (green tea leaves, spearmint leaves, dried rosebuds, fresh ginger roots, and some cinnamon sticks) and let it steep for a couple of minutes. Once all the ingredients have completely infused, you can strain the tea in a cup from the teapot and serve hot. You will love the natural sweet flavour of this tisane tea.
On the other hand, if you prefer decoction, put some tisane mixture in a pot with cold water. Put the pot on the stove and bring the mixture to boil. Once it is boiled perfectly, lower the heat and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes before you remove the pot from the stove. Strain the mixture and serve your hot sweet tisane.
Another sugar alternative you can consider is vanilla pods. Vanilla is a natural sweetener used in a variety of food products. When preparing tea, you can put in some vanilla pods into the warm water to get a flavourful tea without sugar. Vanilla is the most common ingredient in many sweet dishes and even sweeteners out there. And the best part about vanilla is that it blends well with a lot of things, including several varieties of tea as well.
Many tea drinkers are a fan of how well vanilla combines with black tea, in particular. The boldness of black tea and the sweet, creamy flavour of vanilla gives your team a refreshing aroma. This is a tea that you would want to drink first thing in the morning.
Now the thing with using vanilla pods as a sweetener is that it is quite expensive and you may only want to drink it on occasions and not daily. However, when you drink it once, you will never be bored with its taste. While the recipe is quite easy with just three ingredients, it is quite a luxurious one.
You will need good quality black tea, vanilla pods, and some time. Time? Yes, you will need to prepare the mix two weeks ahead to let the aromas of both the ingredients amalgamate together. The result is orchid-infused, dreamy steep that is equally delicious served cold or hot, or without milk.
We recommend that you use loose leaf black tea (probably Darjeeling or Assam) and vanilla beans cut into small pieces. All you have to do is mix the loose black tea leaves with finely chopped vanilla beans together and store the mixture in an ait-tight container for at least two weeks.
Once the ingredients have had a mingle, you can expect the perfect steep. Steep the tea for five minutes and strain (do not use a strainer that is too fine). You can serve it hot or cold and with or without milk.
Honeysuckle flowers have long been used as a natural remedy for numerous diseases and symptoms. What’s interesting is that honeysuckle makes a great herbal tea with a natural sweet flavour. You can also add honeysuckle flowers to your real tea blends and get the most authentic taste and flavour. With that said, honeysuckle flowers match best with green tea and black tea.
To prepare tea with honeysuckle, you will need the complete flower (nectar included). You can steep your tea (black or green) and add a whole honeysuckle flower as you bring it to boil.
You will truly be surprised with the natural sweet taste your honeysuckle tea delivers.
Final Words
There are many other sugar alternatives out there, but they don’t taste as good as the ones we have mentioned in this post. So, give it a try and see which ones are the best.
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Tea is a popular beverage that can help you unwind and relax. However, not all tea induces sleep. Since tea contains caffeine naturally, not all teas are great to help you sleep, especially. Black tea is the most oxidised of all the true teas; hence, it contains the highest level of caffeine. So, if you are looking for teas that can help you sleep (low caffeinated), you may have to do a bit of research as there are multiple varieties of tea available.
But, don't worry, we have got you covered. We have done the research part for you. While doing our research, we found that it wasn't the true teas that are considered to be the great sleep enhancers, but the herbal teas that have little to no caffeine. These teas are considered to be a great supplement that aids sleep.
So, without further ado, let's discuss the best teas that help in sleeping.
#1 Chamomile Tea
The first in our list is chamomile tea. For decades, this tea has been used as a remedy to treat insomnia by reducing anxiety and inflammation. In fact, chamomile tea contains elements that act as a tranquilliser, helping individuals sleep instantly. Chamomile is a natural sleep inducer. Its calming effects are attributed by apigenin, an antioxidant, which is said to bind certain receptors in your brain, helping reduce anxiety and initiate sleep. Apigenin is found in abundance in chamomile. Drinking chamomile tea before you go to bed can help you achieve sleep quickly. The best way to drink chamomile tea is with honey. Honey not only acts as a natural sweetener but also helps in soothing the stomach and throat.
#2 Magnolia Bark Tea
Magnolia tea is one of the most popular Chinese herbal teas that has been consumed for centuries. Magnolia is a flowering plant and has been a crucial part of Chinese medicine for years. The plant itself has been around for over 100 million years. Magnolia is known for its sedative and anti-anxiety effects and has been included in Chinese medicine for treating symptoms like stress, nasal congestion, and abdominal discomfort. Magnolia tea is now regarded as a popular sleep-inducing beverage across the globe. Magnolia bark contains a special compound known as honokiol, which gives Magnolia tea its sedative effect. According to research, honokiol works by influencing the GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) receptors in your brain. This increases sleepiness in individuals. So drinking Magnolia bark tea can help you improve sleep quality.
#3 Valerian Tea
Valerian is a flowering plant that contains natural sedatives, which can help you sleep better. For centuries, valerian root has been used to treat problems like headaches, nervousness, and insomnia. During World War II, the valerian root was used in England to help civilians and soldiers relieve anxiety and stress caused by air raids. Till today, valerian is regarded as a great sleep stimulator all across the globe. Valerian tea is prepared using the leaves or root of the plant. While there is no clear evidence that supports how valerian works in our body, scientists believe that the sedative compounds present in the herb directly influences the GABA receptors in your brain, which ultimately increases sleepiness. Most people think that unlike other herbal teas, valerian tea is not easy to prepare. But that's not true. To make valerian tea, simply pour a cup of boiling water over 2-3 grams of dried valerian root and steep for 5-10 minutes. Add honey if you want sweetness.
#4 Passionflower
The next in our list of best teas for sleep is passionflower tea, which is made from the dried stems, flowers, and leaves of the Passiflora plant. Passionflower is recognised as herbal medicine that can help you improve sleep by alleviating anxiety. As per studies, drinking passionflower tea increases the activity of GABA receptors in the brain that blocks the impulses between the brain and nerve cell, resulting in you feeling sleepy. Moreover, passionflower is also associated with pain relief, enhanced moods, and relaxation, apart from better sleep quality. On the other hand, there are studies that suggest the increased activity of GABA receptors in your brain can actually make you happy, relaxed, and content. This is because GABA has a relaxing effect on the nervous system. As a result, you will fall asleep quickly. According to experts, the best time to consume passionflower tea is an hour before bed.
#5 Lavender Tea
Lavender is a flowering plant that is touted for its soothing and aromatic scent. In the ancient Roman and Greek era, people added lavender to their baths. The fragrance provided a sense of calm and soothing effect. Lavender tea is prepared using the fresh small purple buds of the flower. Lavender tea is enjoyed all across the globe to aid sleep, settle their nerves, and to relax. Other than this, lavender tea is also associated with decreasing blood pressure and heart rate that puts you in a more relaxed state. On the other hand, lavender contains a compound called polysaccharides, which is considered a natural remedy for pain. So, people drink lavender tea to treat headache, as their post-workout drink, and before they go to bed.
#6 Green Tea
It may surprise you that we have included a 'true' tea in the list, given the fact that it contains caffeine. However, there are different varieties of green tea available, and if you go with the low-caffeinated one, it can help you stimulate quick sleep. Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea (low-caffeinated) daily can help you reduce stress and fatigue, as well as enhance your sleep quality.
Final Words
These are among the best teas that you should be drinking if you are failing to achieve a good night's sleep. There are other herbal teas as well that we haven't mentioned in this list. You are free to look around and go with what you find effective.
References:
https://www.oprahmag.com/life/food/g25604298/best-tea-for-sleep/ https://www.ndtv.com/health/unable-to-fall-asleep-try-these-teas-to-fight-sleeplessness-2204201 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-products/g25858207/best-sleep-tea-reviews/ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/5-benefits-of-chamomile-tea https://thesleepdoctor.com/2018/02/27/magnolia-bark-affects-sleep-health/
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We have created this post to help you understand the art of mixing and blending teas for creating a new flavour. It is not as simple as just taking a small bowl and mixing two or three different types of teas together. The goal is not just to mix different types of teas to create a unique flavour but also to create a flavour that is drinkable and doesn’t taste absurd.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
True Teas:
In order to understand tea blends, it is important that you know about true teas. The true teas are derived from the same Camellia Sinensis Plant. There are basically six different types of true teas and what differentiates them is how they are prepared and processed. Tea processing is something that can lend different flavours to each unique brew. It is quite a challenge to mix true teas together because they all boast distinct flavours of their own. The following are the types of true teas:
#1 Black Tea
Black tea is one of the highly-consumed teas in the world, especially in Asia. Black tea is the strongest of all tea types. The leaves are highly processed. The tea leaves are plucked and withered. After that, they are rolled in enzymes and oxidised. As a result, you get dark tea that has a more strong and malty flavour. Black tea contains the highest caffeine level, and when you brew it with hot water, you get the distinct red colour. This is the reason why it is called red tea in China.
#2 Green Tea
Green tea is another popular true tea known for its health benefits. It is one of the least processed teas and is packed with antioxidants. The tea leaves are withered until they are floppy and loose. The manufacturers use different techniques to dry the leaves. This includes roasting and pan-frying. The taste of green tea varies depending on how they are dried. The flavour ranges from grassy to nutty, earthy, and freshly floral.
#3 White Tea
White tea is made using baby tea leaves and is the least processed. The tea masters let the baby tea leaves dry naturally. Since is it not processed, white tea is considered to be the healthiest of all true teas. White tea has a sweet, delicate flavour that is free of astringent tastes.
#4 Yellow Tea
Yellow tea boasts a liquor-like colour and has bright, sweet, floral taste. Unlike green tea, yellow tea has a flavour that is neither too weak nor too strong. The production of yellow tea is typically time-consuming and complex. This is the reason why it is expensive. It goes through the same process as green tea, but it includes an additional step, known as ‘sealing yellow,’ which is the unique factor.
#5 Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is processed in a way that it boasts the characteristics of both black tea and green tea. It is one of the highest qualities of teas in the world. When brewed with water, oolong tea produces deep amber or medium green colour. The colour will depend on how it is processed. Lighter oolongs have a floral and smoother flavour, whereas dark oolongs boast hints of burnt sugar and chocolate.
#6 Pu’erh Tea
The last of the true teas is the Pu’erh tea. It is a post-oxidised tea and is considered to be a subtype of green tea. The reason why it is popular among the masses is that it tastes like fine wine.
Mixing True Teas
Most people ask whether or not you can mix true teas. Well, it will depend on what types of teas you are planning to mix. For example, you cannot mix black tea and green tea. While practically you can mix both the tea types, the flavour it generates will not be appreciated by your taste buds. So, you are advised not to mix black tea and green tea because both have intense flavours, and it will ruin your taste buds.
The flavour you get mixing two teas depends on the types you use, how long you steep it, and what other ingredients you add to the mix. Since true teas have their own unique flavours, it will be a blunder if you mix two or more of them (but there are exceptions).
But true teas blend well with other ingredients that are not true teas. This includes herbal teas and a variety of spices. The following are some popular blends:
1. Mix green tea with freeze-dried raspberry bits and lemon peel. You will get a citrusy, fruity flavour.
2. Mix black tea with cloves, orange peel and cinnamon. You will get a hot, tasty, and healthy cinnamon spice tea that earthy notes.
3. Mix green tea with some Pu’erh and oolong. Add strawberry, hibiscus, elderberry, and lemon myrtle leaves. Then add some orange, raspberry, blackberry, black currant, and apple oil. The blend you get will be unique. It will be a pungent aromatic tea with a range of notes. This is an exotic tea blend that you can create with other ingredients as well, according to your taste buds.
Final Words
It is not that you cannot mix two teas. You can, but it is important that you know the notes so that it won’t taste bad. Mixing true teas together is an art, and you need to understand that not all true teas blend well. You will have to add other ingredients as well to balance their flavours.
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But blending tea is easier said than done. It is not just about mixing two or more teas. For a blend to be successful, it has to have that typical tea aroma, flavour, and taste that tea lovers would die for. With that being said, blending is not easy, and there are certain rules to it.
This post is all about tea blending for beginners. We will discuss everything you need to know about the basics of blending tea and will share some popular tea blend recipes with you.
Let’s get started.
The Basics of Blending Tea
Each blend is unique and has one ingredient as a base. Essentially, the base ingredient can be either dried herbs or pure real teas. The purpose of the base ingredient is to connect all the flavours together. Green tea blend well with fresh, fruity ingredients, rooibos and black teas are great for sweet ingredients, spices make perfect warming winter teas, and fresh flavours of hibiscus and strawberries, sour lemon and lemongrass, and spearmint and mint, are great for summer teas. Making a perfect blend requires a lot of experimenting, and there are possibilities that you may end up spoiling your teas. But practice and experience make you perfect. There is no harm in trying until you find that perfect blend.
What are the benefits of blending your own tea?
There are only 4-6 varieties of pure teas available. On the other hand, there are hundreds of herbal teas out there, but they are not real tea. The purpose of blending is to allow you to enjoy different tea each day. It only takes one or two pure teas and some herbs, spices, and flowers for creating numerous blends.
Pure teas have their own health benefits, and when combined with herbs, flowers, and spices, you increase the nutritional value of the beverage. By blending a tea, it can go from calming to invigorating in a matter of minutes.
Blending allows you to enhance the flavour of the tea that you don’t essentially enjoy. The ingredients can be easily bought from your local spice stores, health food stores, or you can grow your own herbs. Adding different natural ingredients makes you avoid the addition of any artificial flavours or sweeteners.
DIY Tea Blend Recipes
In this section, we are going to discuss some popular DIY tea blend recipes that you should try. As a beginner, these recipes will be your starting point for tea blending. We have tried to include only those recipes with ingredients that are easy to find and purchase. Our recipes include the most common spices, fruits, and herbs for easy blending.
Please note that every ingredient is different. Therefore, you have to adjust the amounts as per your preference and taste. The intensity of the ingredients relies on the conditions, storing, quality, and type, among other factors. You are advised to start with small amounts and test them first.
The amount of ingredients used in these recipes is adequate for 2-3 infusions. So, let’s jump right into it.
#1 White Spice Tea
White spice tea is a quirky blend with spicy and tangy notes. Since white tea is known for its light flavour, it will give you a nice aroma. For adding a spicy note, peppercorns are used, and for the tangy flavour, dried strawberries are preferred.
Ingredients:
● White tea - 2 teaspoons
● Peppercorns - ½ teaspoon
● Dried strawberries - 1 teaspoon
● A pinch of safflower
This tea contains caffeine and delivers a light and delicate flavour with a pinch of spiciness and tanginess.
#2 Tropical Pu’Erh
Pu’Erh tea is known for its typical health benefits. However, many people refrain it from drinking because of its bitter flavour. But with the right ingredients and mix, you can create a nice blend with Pu’Erh tea.
Ingredients:
● Pu’Erh trea - 2 teaspoons
● Candied pineapple - 1 teaspoon
● Candied mando - 1 teaspoon
● Shredded mango - 1 teaspoons
As you can see from the ingredients, Tropical Pu’Erh is a fruity tea blend. You will not require adding sugar when you brew this tea. The natural sweeteners found in coconut, pineapple, and mango will give this tea a distinct taste.
#3 Rose Breakfast Blend
Breakfast blends are a mix of lighter and stronger teas. This blend is designed to give you an instant boost. The traditional blend uses black teas - Assam team and Darjeeling tea - and is best served with milk rather than water.
Ingredients:
● Assam tea - 3 teaspoons
● Darjeeling tea - 2 teaspoons
● Rose buds - 1 teaspoon
Black tea is the strongest of all teas and contains caffeine in larger concentration.
#4 Minty Sencha
This is a perfect blend for those who are watching their weight. Minty Sencha is an ultimate summer refreshment filled with antioxidants and exfoliating properties. It is best served cold with ice. Yes, Minty Sencha makes the perfect iced tea!
Ingredients:
● Green tea - 2 teaspoons
● Dried mint - 1 teaspoon
● Dried lemongrass - 1 teaspoon
When cold brewing, you can also add a fresh slice of cucumber to the teapot. It will soothe the minty flavour.
Final Words
These are the four easiest tea blend recipes you can try at home. There are many more blends that are left to explore. Try out these blends first and then slowly experiment your way up to more complex blends.
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This post especially talks about the American tea culture, and as a tea aficionado, it is great to know about different tea cultures.
Do Americans like Tea?
People across the world ask will the Americans be able to drink tea with the same devotion and passion as tea. There have been a lot of debates regarding the question with many arguing saying that a historical perspective might be in order.
For instance, some say that in the America model, coffee is largely solitary and speedy. They argue that in regions where tea has a foothold, it tends to slow down people, and in metaphorical and literal senses, tea brings humans together. In other terms, people choose coffee over tea because it helps them to accelerate their day and increase alertness. As a result, they tend to drink several cups of coffee in a day. They love tea, but it is usually in the morning when they are easing into the day and even in the evening when they are winding down.
So is it really that the Americans are fast-paced people, always working, and drinking tea will slow them down? Well, we think that it has more to do with American history rather than some hunches and debates related to the effectiveness of caffeine in increasing alertness.
The History of Tea in America
Before American independence, tea was a way of the United Kingdom enslaving America. The Parliament passed the Townshend Acts in 1767 that imposed duties on tea, along with other commodities, such as tea paper, paint, lead, and glass. The colonists wanted to start manufacturing their own goods instead of paying taxes on imported goods. Tea was among those things that were chosen for taxation since the authorities thought that the colonists would have a challenging time producing their own goods, especially tea. They estimated that the tariffs would increase roughly around £40,000, with the majority of the revenue generating from tea.
In May 1773, the Parliament passed the Tea Act, which granted a tea monopoly on the sales of tea in the colonies. While no new taxes were imposed, it was designed to help the British East India Company. At that time, they were financially struggling, given the fact that they had 18 million pounds of unsold tea sitting in the warehouses.
For radical American leaders, they thought the Tea Act was a strategy of the British to buy support for the taxes that were already being enforced. On the other hand, the sale of tea through British agents would have compromised the businesses of the local merchants.
Eventually, in the colonies, it was the Tea Act that broke the camel’s back, essentially leading to a series of revolutionary movements. This ultimately led to the Boston Tea Party, and then to the Revolutionary War.
Considering the history, it is comprehensible why the country has held back from backing the tea industry for decades. Some historians also say that it is not only the history that prevented the growth of the tea industry in America. In the 18th and 19th centuries, tea was among the most powerful commodities. Americans had so many concerns about it. For starters, it was exotic and not local, and it was insanely expensive, coming from Asia. At that time, Smallpox was a deadly disease killing millions of people in the 18th century. People feared that the products shipping from outside the country might be contaminated with the virus.
Although the consumption of tea in the United States grew post the Revolutionary War, people still preferred coffee. Then President Andrew Jackson put an end to the tax on coffee, and ever since, people have been drinking more coffee.
How to people take their Tea in the United States?
Americans like tea, but not your regular hot tea with spices and all. As per the reports generated from the Tea Association of the USA, 85% of the tea consumed in America is ICED. So, if you tend to visit America and go to a restaurant or a cafe, your waiter will not automatically know that you are longing for a hot cup of chai. In some restaurants, you will be served tea with a small amount of honey or a slice of lemon. And they prefer cream over milk if you take milk in your tea. Cream is served with tea and coffee in America. While the cream is a bit thicker than milk, it tastes absolutely delicious with tea.
On the other hand, you will have to be careful when purchasing tea bags because the majority of them are for preparing iced tea. So, check the labels carefully. For preparing hot cups of tea, Americans prefer loose tea, even though there are some brands that offer teas for brewing.
And when we talk about variety, the Brits may lose their mind because you will find everything from Jasmine Orange to Vanilla Rooibos and Spearmint Green. These are all hot teas that you can easily get from Starbucks!
Final Words
Well, that’s tea for America. Everybody loves their tea differently. Some like it hot, some like it with milk, and some prefer iced. All in all, it tells how flexible tea is as it is being enjoyed in different cultures in different ways.
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If you are an avid tea drinker or an enthusiast obsessed with tea, then you would definitely love to know about this Turkish obsession. This post covers all the aspects of the tea culture in Turkey. And it is always good to know about things you love, especially if it has roots and different histories spread all across the globe.
So, let’s get started.
History of Tea in Turkey
While Turkey is popular around the world as a coffee-drinking nation, known for its thick, creamy, and sweet Turkish coffee, the consumption of tea has grown over the last century, playing a vital role in the country’s social practices. Thanks to the chain of circumstances that occurred in the first quarter of the 20th century, tea truly claimed the significant position it presently holds in the nation. In the aftermath of WW1 when the Ottoman Empire fell, Turkey lost control of its vital coffee-generating territories within its south-eastern provinces. It resulted in coffee becoming insanely expensive to purchase on a massive scale that the Turks previously had no issue with.
So, they started looking for an alternate beverage to quench their thirst with. Ataturk, Turkey’s leader at that time, encouraged the citizens to go with a beverage option that had previously been associated with its neighbouring nations in the West. At that time, Atartuk believed that there are two benefits of adapting to tea. The first one was obviously that tea could be easily grown commercially in the country, and the second one was that it would make Turkey a secularised nation. Ataturk saw a big picture here as he wanted to Westernise Turkey.
As a result, people in Turkey started to embrace their new drink. This was the beginning of Turkey’s love affair with tea. Since then, the love of tea for Turkish people has not lessened a bit.
Tea Production in Turkey
Turkey is among the top five tea-producing countries in the whole world, growing 6-10% of world tea. Surprised? What’s more fascinating is that the majority of tea that the nation produces is consumed within the borders of Turkey itself! This makes Turkey one of the significant tea consumers on the planet, a bit ahead of the UK.
Tea in Turkey is grown at a commercial scale in the north in the Rize province along the Black Sea coastline. The tea gardens stretch eastward along the shoreline and all the way to the Georgia border. Rize experiences a mild climate all throughout the year, having fertile soil and high rainfall levels. As a result, Turkey produces strong, flavourful black tea. Based on the climate, tea is harvested four times a year, starting from the month of May.
Preparation of Turkish Black Tea
The method used to prepare black tea in Turkey appears to be unusual even though they might seem quite similar to the western taste buds. The tea is prepared using a special teapot, known as ‘Caydanlik.’ It is a stacked, double teapot where the tea leaves are steeped in the smaller upper teapot, as the water boils in the lower teapot.
This way of making tea allows you to serve it in varying strengths. For example, if you prefer your tea to be less diluted and strong, you can sip a dark brew, poured from the upper teapot. And if you prefer a more subtle flavour with a less intense aroma, you can dilute your tea to varying levels by simply adding hot water from the lower teapot.
If you visit a Turkish restaurant, you can see how they prepare their tea.
How do Turks take their Tea?
This is where things get exciting. Unlike your traditional teapot and cup, Turks prefer small, tulip-shaped glasses. They are not only beautiful-looking glass cups, but you can actually see your hot red tea through the glass. So much tea is consumed through these delicate yet beautiful glass vessels that annually 400 million of such glasses are sold in Turkey. And not only tea, but these tea glasses have also become a symbol of perfection that people use them as a tool of measurement for different cooking recipes.
The origin of these tulip-shaped tea glasses is yet to be discovered, but the reason why they are made of glass is that it allows the drinkers to appreciate the rich, reddish-brown colour of Turkish tea.
Another thing that makes Turkish tea different from other nations’ tea is that the Turks prefer their tea without milk. Nevertheless, they add some sugar for sweetness. What’s interesting is that some people do not add sugar directly into their teacups. Instead, they place the sugar cube between their cheek and tongue. And with each hot sip, the sugar gets dissolved. This is a unique way of drinking tea that is only practised in Turkey.
On the other hand, you will also see the teahouses in Turkey, serving lemon with tea. The zing of lemon adds a distinct punch to the strong crimson tea.
Final Words
For Turkish people, tea is a valued part of life, and they take their tea seriously. What starts with breakfast is continued throughout the day. Drinking tea together is considered a token of friendship in the country. And the best part is that tea breaks in office workplaces are legally mandated. This tells the importance of tea in Turkish culture.
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As avid tea drinkers, people may not look into these aspects. But, as you know, there are pros and cons to everything, even if it is a good thing. And tea is no different. While you might not be counting your daily cups of tea, it is important to know how much quantity is right for you. For example, if you prefer your tea with sugar and suppose you consume 8 cups in a day, you can only imagine how much sugar you are consuming. So, as said, there are two sides of a story, and it is important to know both the sides.
We have created this post to help you understand the importance of drinking tea in a controlled manner, and we will also suggest the number of cups you should drink in a day.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
How many cups of tea should you drink each day?
Well, there is no specific number for this. It all depends on your current health, the quality of the tea leaves, how you prepare it, and how you take your tea. All these aspects play a crucial role in how much tea you should drink in a day.
However, according to experts, if you already drink a cup of tea daily, consider having two. Dr John Weisburger, the former President of the Research of American Health Foundation, says that he drinks eight cups of green tea daily. So, it is basically how much your body can tolerate the beverage. But on average, an individual should drink 3-4 cups (710-950 millilitres) a day to enjoy the maximum benefits of the tea.
But you need to understand that the quantity of the intake is proportional to how you are likely to benefit from the beverage. However, experts say that it is rather the amount of tea leaves a person consumes that matters. This is because the proportion of salutary substances in tea leaves, like L-theanine and polyphenols, are related to the amount as well as the quality of tea leaves, rather than how many cups of tea.
There are studies that suggest the health benefits of tea is directly proportional to the natural quantity consumption. That is, the more, the merrier. And on the other hand, if you are mixing your tea with additives like sugar milk, etc., it may degrade or increase the quality of your tea. With that said, if you love to consume lots of tea in a day, make sure that you consume it in its natural quality and refrain from adding additives like sugar and milk. And if you like your tea with milk and sugar, make sure you reduce your consumption to 3-4 cups per day.
The reports of severe effects of high tea consumption are linked with the use of low-quality tea mixes and instant tea mixes that have been looming with the issues of fluorides. Apart from fluorides, caffeine is another major aspect that should concern tea drinkers. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine, and they don’t know, but it is adversely affecting their health. Moreover, pregnant ladies should consume tea with constraints.
All of this deducts the fact that the upper limits of consuming tea are associated with the safe amount of fluorides and caffeine your body condition allows. In order to escape the fluorides issue, make sure that you are using loose tea leaves that are finer in the structure instead of using instant mixes, ready-to-drinks, low-quality compressed tea, and even your regular tea bags.
Excessive caffeine can have adverse effects on the baby if you are pregnant. It can cause underweight issues in your baby. On the contrary, if you love drinking tea, you should avoid excessive consumption of other items with similar properties as tea.
We assume that you are now able to understand the science behind how much tea you should consume in a day.
Side Effects of Drinking too much tea
We know that most tea aficionados won’t like this part. But it is important that you remain informed about the adverse side effects of drinking too much tea. We have prepared a list here. And if you are experiencing any of the side effects from this list, it could mean that you might be drinking too much tea.
1. Reduced iron absorption: Tea contains huge amounts of tannins that can bind to iron, making it unavailable for absorption. This can cause iron deficiency.
2. Increased restlessness and anxiety: Tea leaves naturally contain caffeine. Overconsumption of caffeine can lead to feelings of restlessness, stress, and anxiety.
3. Poor sleep: As tea leaves contain caffeine, excessive consumption may result in disruption of your sleep cycle.
4. Nausea: Tannins and other compounds in tea leaves may cause nausea, especially when consumed on an empty stomach or in large amounts.
5. Heartburn: Caffeine content in tea may irk pre-existing acid reflux symptoms or may cause heartburn.
6. Pregnancy complications: Pregnant women are always at the risk of experiencing miscarriage or deliver an underweight baby due to high intake of caffeine.
7. Headaches: While caffeine is helpful in relieving certain types of headaches when used chronically, it may reverse the effect.
8. Dizziness: Consuming too much caffeine from tea might make you feel dizzy or light-headed.
Final Words
So, what do you guys think? Will you be now cutting down your tea consumption? Always research before you do anything in excess.
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There has been a lot of debate going among the tea aficionados whether herbal tea is real tea or not. If you are an avid tea drinker, then you must have come across different types of teas such as black tea, green tea, oolong tea, yellow tea, etc. These tend to dominate the conversation when talking about tea. However, herbal teas are slowly taking over due to their endless health benefits. They have never been so popular with tea enthusiasts increasingly switching to herbs as they are looking to reduce their caffeine intake. But, are they actually tea?
Don’t worry, we are here to put light on the subject matter. Considering the growing confusion among people, we have created this post where we will discuss everything you need to know about herbal teas, and is it the same thing as real tea.
Let’s get started.
The Short Answer
No, herbal tea is not actually a tea! There’s tea, and there is herbal tea, and they are not the same. And herbal tea is not a type of tea as well. We will get into the details of it in the upcoming sections.
Why aren’t herbal teas considered real tea?
Simply put, real tea is made from the leaves of a single plant, known as Camellia Sinensis. Oolong tea, white tea, black tea, green tea, Pu-erh tea, and yellow tea are considered to be real teas. They are all made from the same Camellia Sinensis. The only difference between the six types is how they are processed.
● Green tea is harvested, withered, and rolled but not oxidised. Fresh tea leaves are pan-fried or steamed to a temperature hot enough to prevent enzymes from browning the leaves.
● White tea is recently opened buds that are simply plucked and allowed to wither dry.
● Black tea utilises the five basic steps of tea processing - rolling, steaming, hot, dry, withering, and oxidation. Black tea is the strongest of all tea types.
● Oolong tea is a complex category that can be described as half-way between green tea and black tea. Hence, the processes involved are different.
● Yellow tea is similar to green tea, but the leaves are slightly oxidised, which gives the tea its natural yellow colour.
● Pu’erh/Post fermented tea is a totally different art of tea processing. The tea leaves undergo the process, which is the same as green tea. However, before the leaves are dried, they are aged. In simple terms, pu’erh tea is fermented tea.
All these types of teas are processed using the same Camellia Sinensis leaves of a single plant.
Herbal teas, on the other hand, are produced from a variety of herbs or a combination of herbs, which doesn’t include tea leaves. So, it cannot be considered tea. The real tea is only brewed using tea leaves.
We hope that now you understand the difference here.
What is herbal tea?
Herbal tea is not derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Instead, it is a blend or infusion of numerous types of herbal leaves, flowers, seeds, shells, roots, bark, or fruits, belonging to almost any edible, non-tea plant. In Europe, herbal teas are popularly known as Tisanes.
Herbal teas have been in the picture for quite long now. But over the past couple of decades, their popularity has surged dramatically thanks to their vibrant flavours, as well as a plethora of physical, emotional, and mental health benefits.
The reason why herbal tea has gained immense popularity among the tea aficionados is that it allows people to go back to the fundamentals and focus on health and wellbeing through a holistic approach, which is the need of the hour in an increasingly chaotic and stressful world.
On the other hand, herbal tea can be prepared from almost any combination of natural ingredients, as long as it tastes good. You will be surprised to know that there are hundreds of varieties of herbal teas available, each with their own health benefits and flavour qualities.
Some of the most popular types of herbal teas, including their health benefits, are mentioned below:
● Patchouli Tea - increases sexual drive
● Ginger Tea - heartburn
● Spearmint Tea - anti-bacterial and anti-nausea
● Turmeric Tea
● Kava Herbal Tea - fights depression
● Peppermint Tea - antispasmodic
● Hibiscus Tea - lowers anxiety
● Chamomile Tea - for a sense of calmness
● Cinnamon Herbal Tea - for immune system boost
● Lemongrass Tea - lowers cholesterol
● Dandelion Tea - for digestion and weight loss
● Eucalyptus Tea - blood circulation
● Fennel Herbal Tea - muscle enhancer
● Violet Tea - inflammation and headaches
● Uva Ursi (bearberry) Tea - for healthy bladder
● Thyme Tea - stomach distress
● Yarrow Herbal Tea - menstrual relief
● Rosemary Tea - aids brain functioning
● Jasmine Tea - metabolism booster
● Ginseng - anti-carcinogenic
● Feverfew - for migraines and vomiting
● Amacha - for urinary troubles
● Catnip Tea - induces a relaxed mind
● Echinacea Herbal Tea - for bronchitis
● Marjoram Tea - improves insulin tolerance in diabetic patients
● Oregano tea - prevent wrinkles, age spots, and blemishes
● Hyssop - controls blood sugar level
● Hawthorn - energy booster
● Juniper Berry Tea - for skin health
As you can see from the above list, any plant, herb, fruit, seeds, anything that is edible to humans, one can prepare herbal tea out of it. And what’s interesting is that, in order to enhance the flavour and aromatic properties of their herbal tea, people tend to mix a combination of herbs when preparing their tea. It is your choice how you make your tea.
As compared to real tea, herbal tea gives you more options in terms of colours, flavours, and is beneficial for your health as well.
Preparing Herbal Tea
There are basically two different ways to prepare your herbal teas. They are:
1. Decoction: It is a process in which you combine the woody parts of the herb, such as the bark or the roots, with water and bring it to boil. Many tea drinkers prefer decoction as it is the best way to extract minerals and nutrients from denser parts of the herb.
2. Infusion: It is the most common process of preparing herbal tea. In infusion, you only use the non-woody parts of the herb, such as stems, flowers, and leaves. And instead of boiling the mixture, the ingredients are put directly into boiled water.
Final Words
This is everything you need to know about herbal tea. We hope that it will help you clear out the confusion regarding whether herbal tea is real tea or not.
]]>Tea has played a crucial role in bringing nations together and enjoying a long-form friendship. This post is all about tea, and as an avid tea drinker, you would definitely want to know how just a mere beverage changed the whole world.
Keep reading on.
A brief history of tea
In the ancient times in the Mediterranean, when a civilisation realised the amazing benefits of olive and grapes, people from the other side of the world from a much different civilisation were making their own remarkable discovery. They realised that the leaves of a particular plant had flavourful and aromatic properties that became magic when mixed with water.
It was China, and that plant was Camellia Sinensis. According to historians, it was a fortuitous accident that led to the discovery of Camellia Sinensis leaves. As legend has it, the leaves of camellia turned normal water into a fragrant aromatic beverage so refreshing that it aided Buddhist monks to ward off fatigue and sleep during long hours of meditation. That beverage later went on to become the world’s most popular drink that we call tea. However, tea took centuries to escape China’s popularly closed society.
Apart from China, tea has also roots from India. The ancient Ayurvedic scriptures show that Camellia Sinensis leaves were already in use for centuries for medicinal purposes. Before the British rule in India, tea was merely a medicinal plant. It was the British who commercialised tea and popularised it as a beverage
According to historians, Buddhist monks took camellia Sinensis seeds to Japan. Moreover, Chinese merchants started exporting tea leaves to Iran and Japan as early as the Han Dynasty in 206-220 CE. In the 1600s, finally, tea was introduced in Europe as the Dutch merchants started importing tea leaves to the Netherlands.
In the 1840s, it is said that an undercover British botanist posed as a tea merchant brought Chinese workers along with thousands of tea plants to British-ruled India. Those Chinese workers knew the art of growing tea plants.
Today, tea is the most consumed drink in the world, second to water. It is available in so many different flavours, with the likes of black tea, oolong tea, green tea, white tea, and yellow tea. All these different types are derived from the same Camellia Sinensis plant. What makes them different is how the tea leaves are processed once they are plucked from the plant.
How tea changed the world?
In numerous instances, tea has posed as a catalyst for historic change. While many people think of it as an absurd idea, in the book, A History of the World in 6 Glasses, the author has outlined the many reasons why it is true. The Boston Tea Party, was, of course, the most apparent historical change caused by tea. However, there was another instance that made the tea a respected beverage that it is today.
In 1662, when tea was just introduced to Great Britain, only the wealthier class was allowed to have it. The high tax was imposed on the export of tea to Britain. Therefore, lower class and middle-class families weren’t able to afford tea. The cost was way too high for them. As a result, they turned to alternative sources to acquire tea at lower rates. This led to tea smuggling, and over the years, it became a popular trade. Tea was a popular commodity, which is incredibly light and easy to store. Most of the tea smugglers were Chinese. Their actions resulted in the authentic tea merchants in Britain losing hundreds and thousands of that time’s money to black market tea trade. What doubled their pain was the fact that China already had made restrictions on the trade of opium. This led them to lose more money.
The British government wasn’t able to deal with so many restrictions and impositions. As a result, the British East India Company decided to educate themselves on how to make their own tea. It was a hardy process. The government decided to send spies to China so that they can learn the mysterious process of how to grow and harvest Camellia Sinensis plants. Since the Chinese weren’t welcoming foreigners to their land at that time, the spies entered through the ports of China dressed in Chinese attire. They had translators with them. While the spies successfully mastered the art of tea-producing, the long trek back to Great Britain was too harsh for the delicate leaves.
The British government was dealing with two miseries at that time. The first one was to provide protection to the spies as they snuck around the Chinese territories. The second one was to deal with their own population, which was highly addicted to opium. The consequence of this was Britain entering into a war with China. They were losing money. But thanks to the sale of tea, it kept the country from going bankrupt, and it also funded their military.
On the other hand, their tea spies turned to military spies in China that greatly helped Great Britain in fighting long enough to win the war against China. During the Second Opium War, it was France who formed a legion with Great Britain that forced China to open the ports and allow for more significant ventures for trade to export the classic tea to the upper classes of Europe.
Tea played a crucial role in the outcome of the Opium War between Britain and China. However, the country wasn’t too pleased when Camellia Sinensis made its appearance in the United States in Boston.
Final Words
What do you think of it? Amazing, isn’t it? Today, tea has become more commercial than ever, with a variety of types produced commercially.
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For tea lovers, tea is not a beverage but an emotion. Whether it is green tea, black tea, or milk tea, this aromatic beverage is savoured across the world from Asia to California. Did you know that there are thousands of tea types and numerous regions that produce flowers, spices, and flowers that are go into a cup of tea?
The entire process of growing tea is tailored and carefully controlled to produce high-quality tea with particular flavour profiles. Tea artisans monitor the complete tea process from the time when tea seeds are sown in the farm to the instant its aroma hits you. Doing so is necessary so that you get the best experience with the tea.
What Is Tea?
Tea can be divided into two main categories – herbal tisanes and true teas. While true teas are produced using the leaves of Camellia sinensis (the tea plant), herbal teas are produced using a variety of herbs, spices, and flowers. Herbal teas do not contain any tea plant leaves. Flavoured teas are made by combining true tea leaves and herbal tisanes.
To know how tea is grown as well as produced, it is the easiest to begin with true teas, which are of four types – oolong tea, black tea, green tea, and white tea. All of these types are extracted from the exact same leaves. The difference in these four teas arises during production process.
The minor differences in tea result in fragrance, colour and flavour differences. Tea, similar to wine, also varies according to the terroir, and the notion is that soil, climate, region, and growing conditions affect the flavour.
Tea is mostly grown in 30 countries but the biggest producers of tea are India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, China. There are two main varieties of tea plants used in cultivation are – Camellia sinensis var assamica and Camellia sinensis var sinensis. The former type is more popular in the Indian teas while the latter one is typical in Japanese and Chinese teas.
How Is Tea Grown?
The ideal location for growing tea is the one that has cooler climate and receives rainfall of a minimum of 40 inches a year. The tea plants prefer acidic soils, as well as can be cultivated at varying altitudes starting from sea level to 7,000 feet. It is noteworthy that although tea plants at higher altitudes grow slowly, the flavour profile they yield is complex.
Before a tea plant is harvested, it must reach the age of 3 years. Tea is harvested by hand because picking tea leaves by hands preserves the quality of the leaves. Earlier, machines were used but tea growers discovered that machines were too rough and caused damage to the delicate tea leaves. Tea harvests occur twice in a year and the first harvest, which happens in spring, is known as the first flush. On the other hand, the second harvest occurs in summer and is called the second flush.
Tea plants are constantly pruned by picking only two top leaves and buds. Doing so keeps the plants in their early growth stage, promotes new shoots, as well as maximise the harvest outcomes. Harvesters of tea work by hand to pluck tea leaves and put them in big wicker baskets. After the basket is full, the leaves are transferred to a tea processing factory located on the tea plantation.
It is important to keep minimum distance between the tea gardens and tea processing centres, which are generally located on site. This is because as soon as the leaves are harvested, they begin to oxidise. And as mentioned above, different oxidation levels are responsible for varying types of tea.
Production Process Of Tea
Oxidation is crucial in the true tea production. Oxygen reacts with organic matter on a cellular level and causes changes in taste and appearance. It is the same process which causes metal to rust or bananas to turn brown.
· White Tea- It is the least processed type of true teas. Once the leaves are harvested, they are simply sun-dried for 72 hours on big bamboo mats. This not only preserves chemical compounds in leaves but also keeps the colour and flavour light and delicate. Leaves can be dried directly under the sun, in sun shades, using the steaming process, or through blasts of hot air.
· Green Tea- It is partially processed and is green or yellow in colour. Two popular varieties of green tea are matcha green tea and sencha green tea. It gives grassy or nutty taste depending on production process. Green tea flavour is controlled by employing different drying methods (pan-firing method, steaming) to prevent oxidation. Then, tea leaves are rolled into different shapes like small pellets, cakes, and long twigs. After that, they are not allowed to oxidise any further to preserve their earthy flavour and green colour. Finally, they are packed for selling.
· Oolong Tea- The basic production process of black tea and oolong tea is same but oolong tea is semi-oxidised, which means it is oxidised only for a short time. After withering them like white tea leaves, the leaves are rolled for releasing more enzymes. Oolong tea comes in a wide variety of flavours because the oxidation levels vary from 8-80%. The next step after oxidation is pan-firing or roasting the leaves to end oxidation process. Then, they are sold.
· Black Tea- This is highly popular and includes Earl Grey, breakfast teas. Amongst the true tea varieties, black teas are the most oxidised. They have a maroon black or dark brown colour and give a bold taste. The process of making black tea is similar – withering, rolling, oxidising, and drying. The only difference is that black tea is oxidised for a longer duration.
So, the next time you are savouring a cup of tea, remember how much hard work goes into the process. The entire production process is monitored right from the beginning until the end just to offer you the best tasting teas.
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‘Chai’ is a distinct style of milk-based tea consumed throughout the Indian subcontinent. What makes it special is its warm spice note in conjunction with the soothing properties from boiled milk. Almost every Indian household has chai for breakfast and with evening snacks. The ingredients and the way it is prepared makes it very relaxing to consume at any time and during any weather. The best part is that it is not only consumed in households in India but as a welcoming drink as well when you visit someone’s house or any shop. It is a tradition to welcome guests with chai in India, Pakistan and many other parts of the Asian subcontinent. So, it only fits that much importance and attention in detail is given when preparing it.
The primary ingredient used is black tea, which is known for its strong flavour. It is combined with a mixture of a variety of Indian spices and herbs, including milk and sugar, to give the beverage its aromatic and soothing taste. Today, Indian Tea is widely featured in restaurants and tea houses all across the globe.
In this post, we will discuss everything you need to know about Indian Tea, from its history to the ingredients used, how it is prepared, and more. Let’s get started.
History of Indian Tea
In India, since the beginning of civilisation, tea was viewed as a herbal medicine rather than a recreational beverage. The Camellia Sinensis plant is native to India and grew in the wild long before its true worth was realised. It is only after when tea was commercially produced in India that it became a daily beverage. Before that, tea was considered an ayurvedic medicine used for treating different health complications. These tea plants have grown wild in the north-east region of India since antiquity. ‘Karha,’ a masala chai spice mixture that is still in use today, is taken from age-old ayurvedic texts.
In the 1830s, the Chinese monopoly on tea made the British East India Company concerned with the import and export of tea. Commercial tea production in China established the majority of British trade. It also supported the vast popularity and enormous consumption of tea in the United Kingdom. During that time, the British colonists came to know about the existence of tea plantations in Assam. Now since the Brits wanted to look for an alternative source for their tea trades, they found Assamese tea plants as a great opportunity. The British East India Company started cultivating tea locally in India.
At first, the Indian Tea Association owned by the British disapproved of independent vendors preparing tea with spices and herbs. But with time, as it is in its present form, masala chai established itself firmly as a popular beverage in India.
Today, there is no fixed preparation method or recipe for masala chai. It greatly depends on personal preference and differs from family to family. This makes masala chai the most versatile beverage in the whole world. Many families have their own versions of the chai. With that said, masala chai can be considered a type of tea rather than a particular kind.
What is Masala Chai Made of?
In particular, all types of masala chai consists of five primary components:
1. Black Tea
2. Milk
3. Ginger
4. Cardamom
5. Sugar
Tea:
The base tea used is a strong black tea. The reason why black tea is preferred for the preparation of masala chai is that the sweeteners and spices do not overpower it. And instead of leaves, tea granules are used.
Spices:
The traditional masala chai is brewed with several proportions of warming spices. The masala chai spice mixture is called ‘Karha’, and the spices used in it varies from family to family. However, the base of the spice mix includes green cardamom pods and ground ginger. Other spices and herbs are added to the mix based on one’s preference. They include:
● Vanilla
● Honey
● Ginger root
● Cardamom seeds
● Cloves
● Nutmeg
● Peppercorn
● Fennel seeds
● Star anise
● Cinnamon
These spices and herbs are not used in powdered form or paste, but as it is. Ginger and cardamom are the dominant notes. Black pepper and cloves add certain heat for the flavour.
The traditional composition of masala chai spices differs by region and climate. Other possible ingredients may include rose flavouring, coriander, chilli, black cardamom, mace, and nutmeg. Cumin and liquorice root are also preferred by some people.
Milk:
In India, traditionally, buffalo milk is used to make chai. Essentially, one part of milk is mixed with two or three parts of water. Those who don’t prefer milk, replace it with water.
Sweetener:
In the majority of the cases, white sugar is used as a sweetener. Those who don’t prefer sweetener or those who have diabetes take their masala chai without any sweetener. Sugar helps in enhancing the flavour of the spices.
How to Make Masala Chai?
The traditional method of making masala chai is through decoction. It is a process of extraction by boiling the black tea granules along with all the spices to dissolve the flavour and enzymes into the liquid.
It can be made in so many different flavours all to suit one’s liking.
For making 1 cup masala chai, you will need -
Ingredients: (masala chai spice mix)
● Green cardamoms - 3-4 (skinned)
● Cloves - 3
● Cinnamon - ½ to ¾ inch
● Fennel seeds - ¼ teaspoon
● Peppercorn - ¼ to ½ teaspoon
● Nutmeg - ½ teaspoon
● Star anise - 2 petals
NOTE: you can customise your masala chai spice mix with the spices you want.
For making tea
● Tea granules or tea leaves - 1 teaspoon
● Water - 2 cups
● Milk - ½ cup
● Ginger - freshly crushed (1 teaspoon)
● Sugar - as needed (2-3 teaspoons)
Preparation:
● Mix two cups water with ½ cup milk
● Bring the mixture to a boil
● Crush the spices and add to the mixture
● Add Tea and crushed ginger along with that
● Boil for about 2-3 minutes on medium heat
● Wait for the tea to turn thick
● Strain the tea and serve hot with biscuits or snack
Final Words
Masala chai is one of the best-tasting teas in the world. It contains many spices and is enriched with flavour. If you are an avid tea drinker, masala chai is certainly worth trying, and it most definitely will not be your last.
]]>While these terms are used interchangeably, they are actually quite different. Both High Tea and Afternoon Tea traditions are steeped British history, and the dissimilarities, are a consequence of their ancestries.
Keep on reading as we decipher British tea time and discuss the dissimilarities between High Tea and Afternoon Tea.
Is High Tea same as the Afternoon Tea?
Not at all! The majority of people confuse high tea and afternoon tea to be the same thing. However, according to the ancient British history, high tea was for the lower class, whereas afternoon tea was for the upper class.
What is Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon tea is a food tradition in the UK that contains light meal composed of three courses – tea, sandwiches, and savouries like cake, scones, biscuits, and sweet pastries. No crockery is used, as everything is bite-sized and consumed with fingers.
In the United Kingdom, 4 PM means afternoon tea. It is the time amid lunch and dinner. You can consider afternoon tea as snack time to keep yourself satiated before you take your dinner. It is not intended to replace your dinner, which Brits usually take around 8 PM.
It all started in the 1840s in England when Duchess of Bedford, Georgiana Russell, wanted to munch between lunch and dinner. In the beginning, it was just tea and some snacks. It gained popularity when the Duchess started inviting people over. As years passed, it became a sort of social get-together for the rich social class. New and delicious snacks were introduced that people loved over the cup of tea.
Afternoon tea is also known as ‘low tea’ since it is enjoyed on low tables with cushiony sofas and comfortable chairs in the drawing room.
The Duchess of Bedford never intended to skip her dinner by having tea and snacks in the afternoon, a couple of hours later lunch. She enjoyed it so much so that she started inviting her friends and dedicated an hour or two for gossips and meetings.
Today, however, with the change in lifestyle of people, afternoon tea has become more of a treat now, rather than a stop-gap between lunch and dinner.
It was meant for the wealthy upper class since the working class were still in the factories, fields, and offices doing their chores. They were not allowed the time to sit back, relax, and enjoy some tea and savoury scones.
In the present scenario, the busy lifestyle doesn’t allow people to enjoy afternoon tea with their friends and family. This is the reason it is not saved for special treat and holidays. But, the tradition is still quintessential to the British, as they take time to gather around a table and enjoy small conversations over a cup of tea with some savoury food items. But it is not practised on a daily basis as it used to be. While people do love hosting afternoon tea parties at their homes, they prefer hiring afternoon tea service in restaurants and hotels where everything is taken care of from the type of tea you want to sip to the snacks you want at the table.
If you have never experienced the afternoon tea party, you can consider visiting the Ritz in London. The place is famous for hosting afternoon tea parties. The bookings are in such high demand that if you don’t book early, you may not be able to find a seat. Moreover, Bettys Tea Rooms in Yorkshire is also popular for hosting afternoon tea parties. It was opened in 1919, and things have barely changed there. So, if you want to experience an afternoon tea party to its fullest, you can visit this place.
What is High Tea?
High tea was a working class family supper or evening meal that was consumed around 5-7 PM after they came home from work. High tea consisted of hearty dishes that were meant to give you energy and nourishment after a long day at work. Instead of soft scones and finger sandwiches, it consisted of meat dishes, beans, potatoes, and other heavy dishes.
High tea was not about living a life of luxury, and it was named this way people used to eat their supper on high and large dining tables. Workers in the newly industrialised Britain weren’t allowed the time during the odd hours to have snack time. And they needed sustenance after a hard day of labour. So, the meal they consumed after work was often hot and filling that was accompanied by a cup of strong tea.
In the present scenario, the evening meal in the working class families is still called high tea. However, with the working patterns changing and the change in lifestyle, people now refer to the evening meal as ‘supper.’
So, what’s your take on it? We can say that the word ‘high’ in the phrase ‘high tea’ is the primary differentiator between afternoon tea. However, the table on which both meals are served is also different. As you know, the table used for afternoon tea is quite low in height with enough space to accommodate teapot, cups, and savoury items. The table used in high tea is quite large and high (your traditional dining table that can easily accommodate big pots, pans, and other crockeries).
Both high tea and afternoon tea was just a way for people to enjoy a cup of tea over snacks and make daily life conversations. Today, it is practised less, afternoon tea, in particular. High tea can be considered your normal dinner accompanied by a cup of strong tea.
]]>While you may be an avid tea drinker and doing it all your life, what if we were to say that you are tasting your tea wrong! There is a certain importance in knowing how to taste your tea. It takes skills to recognise the key flavours, different aromas, and recognise different tea combinations to get the most from your tea.
Many of us taste tea every day, and several times a day. But tasting tea and describing what meets your tongue is an entirely different experience. Tea tasters across the globe use several methods to taste their teas - carefully noting subtle differences in aroma, texture, colour, and flavour profiles.
The Tea Test
The first thing to do is to inspect the dry tea. First impressions count and surprisingly, a lot of it is based on how the tea looks.
· Can you see any tea buds?
· Is the texture sticky? Crumbly? Or ground like dust?
· Are the leaves of the same colour? If the colours are different it means it is a blend
· What are the bits of tea like? Large? Small?
What are the signs of a good loose tea?
· It includes ‘buds’
· It easily crunches between your fingers (no moisture)
· In green, black, and white tea, presence of bronze or gold flecks. These flecks are young tea leaves
Preparing the Brew
Now that you have inspected your tea, it is time that you make the perfect brew. There are specific standards set while preparing the brew to ensure that every tasting is consistent. So, let’s take a look at them.
· Always follow the standard approach (which is distinct for every tea taster)
· Use 2-3 grams of tea for brewing a cup (in the United Kingdom, it measures to a heaped teaspoon)
· The amount of water to use is what you usually drink
· Crockery is the main. Get the whitest crockery set you can find. It allows you to see the depths and colours of tea
· The preferred ‘brew time’ is three-and-a-half-minutes. It is the right amount of time for the goodness, flavour, and colour to come out.
Note: do not over squeeze the tea while straining as this could release tannins that may hinder the taste.
What the Brew Looks Like?
After the straining the tea in the cup, determine:
· The colour of the liquid. Here, you will be looking for a bright, sparkly-like colour
· The physical appearance. Here, you will be looking for bright, oily, and shiny appearance. It is okay if little fragments are floating around the cup
· Consider the colour, texture, aroma, and appearance of the tea leaves as well, after brewing. This shows the clarity of the tea you are about to taste
It’s Time to Taste Your Tea!
We know you are dying to taste your tea. But before you do that, you need to understand the science behind it.
According to studies and experts, 90% of the flavour of the tea you are about to taste is perceived through smell. And our tongue detects five essential tastes that give you an initial impression of the tea.
These five tastes include umami (pleasant savoury taste in Japanese), bitter, acidic, salty, and sweet. Tea tasters say that the initial perception of something can throw you off the taste. Thus, it is essential to first take the aroma in before tasting.
The taste buds in our tongue forms an intricate system, allowing our brain to decide the taste. Our olfactory gland, along with the gustatory receptors and taste buds, allows our brain to quickly decide on whether we recognise the flavour and what we are about to consume.
The olfactory gland has fine hairs on its surface and is located behind the back of our nose and eyes. It captures the tiny molecules of what we are smelling and put it in our mouth.
This is the reason why experts recommend slurping the tea so that the molecules mix with the air.
As a result, we are quickly able to build a profile of the tea, thanks to the combination of neural messages from the gustatory receptors, olfactory gland, and the tongue.
Now, there are two prominent techniques when it comes to sniffing tea:
1. Deep inhalations, where you hold the warm cup of tea close to your nose and take a deep breath
2. Dog action, where you take shallow yet rapid inhalations through the nose
By doing this, you will start getting the first perception of the flavour you are about to taste.
· Take a spoon and scoop the tea a bit
· Take a deep breath and slurp the tea into your mouth from the spoon (the louder the slurp, the better)
· By slurping, you will be mixing oxygen with the liquid.
· Next, breathe out from your nose while keeping your mouth closed. Then swallow the tea
· At the time when the tea is still in your mouth, pay attention to the sensations created on your tongue. The impression may be anything from savoury and sweetness.
Enough with slurping, it is time to determine what’s the flavour like. You need to understand that there will be different complex layers of taste. However, you have to look into three
different notes. They are:
· Head
· Body
· Tail
The head note is the first impression that gives you the first perception of what you are about to taste. Make sure you quickly catch the head note as it comes thick and fast.
The body note is something that gives an overall lasting impression of the flavour.
Finally, the tail note is the one that lingers and stays with you after you swallow the tea.
That’s it! This is how you taste tea. Try out with your friends or loved ones, and share the experience.
]]>In this article, we will give you the information about what the competition involves, how to prepare yourself, and the categories you can take part in. Okay, let's get started.
This is a unique international system of tea competition that involves tea professionals in four different categories:
At the moment, only 22 countries are required to hold the National Tea Competition. The international final of this event is held annually following a series of other qualifying championships in different taking part countries. The last Tea Master's Cup final took place on November 23, 2018, in Vietnam.
Previous finals took place in Turkey, South Korea, and China. The TMC competition started because there was a demand for the professional growth of tea specialists in the world.
Like we have stated earlier, they are four categories. To take part, you must be competent, at least in two of those categories. The organizing committee will choose eight contestants for each of the four categories. Once you are selected, you'll be required to pay a $75 fee to enter the competition.
In the tea preparation category, contestants take part in the skills of preparing and serving pure tea. As a contestant, you must make your tea and serve the judges two teas: The master's and organiser's tea.
The Master's tea is any pure tea you have prepared, and you should know how to serve it.
Organisers tea is based on a set of conditions and instruction judges have set forward for anyone to make the tea.
Here judges will set the terms and conditions so you follow them when you are preparing a particular taste of tea. Judges at the Tea Masters Cup will analyse your final tea outcome based on the following criteria:
1. Brewing techniques and serving manner- They will examine the brewing techniques you choose, confidence in the tea preparation, service, and convenience.
2. Presentation- Judges here will analyse your knowledge of the tea, the description of your brewing process, the accuracy of the taste, aroma, and visual appeal of your tea.
3. Aroma- They will check on the purity and aroma expectation.
Here are also the things that will make you disqualify:
Using flavoured and additive tea (sugar, milk)
Blended samples to make an organizer's tea.
In this category, contestants compete in creating and serving gastronomic composition with tea.
In the competition, a participant must serve and present two compositions to the judges: The Master and organisers.
A master's competition is any tea in its present composition.
Organiser's composition has to be prepared and served following the condition set forth by tournament judges will test the tea pairing with the following criteria:
Neatness and cleanliness-Neatness and cleanliness during the composition, neatness in the presentation and safety of the composition.
The appeal-visuals appeal-visual appeal of the tea composition
Presentation- Knowledge of the tea composition, accuracy of taste, artistry and appeal of the tea.
Taste- taste prediction and expectation, evaluation of taste.
Organizer’s Composition - The organisers will give them a set of teas, food, and tea-ware to master before the composition and set requirements for the organiser's composition.
Each Master prepares their composition based on tea and food from the organisers set and serves it during their performance. This part of performance allows judges to appreciate how well the Master can improvise with any tea and any food.
Master's composition
Each tea master prepares services and present's tea and food composition. It may be any composition served in any style. This part of performance allows judges to appreciate how well the masters make tea and food pairing with known ingredients.
In this category, contestants come and compete in the skill of preparing and serving tea based on mixes. In the competition, the participants have to serve the judges two mixes (masters and organizers mixology).
Master's mixology is any tea or your favourite tea that you want to impress the judges with.
The organizer’s mixology is prepared and served following a condition set forward by the tournament organizers. The following criteria are used to make the tea:
Techniques-involves preparation and presentation techniques someone uses, cleanliness, neatness.
Appeal- The visual appeal of the beverage and its attractiveness
Presentation- Accuracy of the mix, taste, and artistry of the mixology
Tea Synergy- Degree of synergy tea and other ingredients
Organoleptic qualities- Distinctiveness of the final taste of tea mixology.
In this category, contestants take part in the art of memorising and recognising different tastes of tea and its ingredients. This competition is held in two categories:
Pure Tea Subcategory- Here, contestants work with pure tea samples that have no additives or flavours. During the open tasting, contestants taste and memorise tasting notes of teas. In the blind tasting competition, participants identify the five tastes of beverages.
Multi-component blend subcategory- Contestants work with only pure tea and additives. In the competition, the contestants taste the tea and nine brewed ingredients that are used as additives. In the control tasting, contestants taste the infusion of the tea and the ingredients.
The key here is to recognise the tea and its ingredients. The winner is determined based on the results in both subcategories. The outcome of both categories form a single result. Any person with no formal training can take part in the tasting. If you feel like perhaps tea is a specialty of yours, why not give this competition a try? You can apply for the contest here.
]]>So, how exactly tea bags came into existence? Don’t worry, we will clear all your doubts. In this post, we are going to discuss the history of tea bags and how they become so popular all across the globe.
The Humble Tea Bag
There’s nothing more easy and convenient than using tea bags for making your favourite beverage. Convenience is the reason why tea bags are so popular. Dipping the tea bag in hot water or milk ensures to give you the delicious, natural taster without losing any of the tea’s beneficial aroma and nutrients.
Another benefit of preparing tea using tea bag is that it keeps the flavour of the tea as you want. Preparing tea using loose leaves makes it unfurling in the tea pot, and if not careful and the leaves steep for too long, it can hinder the taste.
While some people use an infuser or you can say a holed metal container to brew loose tea leaves, it is easier to use a tea bag.
A tea bag is a small, absorbent bag used to steep tea. The tea bags are filled with tea leaves and sealed. Some tea bags are open, allowing the brewer to fill it with the preferred tea.
The Origin of Tea Bags
The concept of tea bags originated in the belief that for tea to taste at its best, the leaves must be removed from the water after steeping. Convenience is another benefit that tea bags boast. With a tea bag, one can prepare tea directly in the drinking mug or cup, without the need of a strainer.
According to some historians, in 1908, Thomas Sullivan, a New York-based tea merchant began sending samples of the beverage to his consumers in small silk bags. Some of his customers assumed that just like the metal infusers, they have to put the entire bag into the pot, instead of emptying the content. This is when the idea of tea bags clicked.
Thomas Sullivan thought it would be great to sell tea in tea bags that could be easily dipped inside a mug or pot and thrown away without any hassle. He went on to make tea bags better. He replaced silk bags with gauze bags to allow the flavour and aroma to escape more easily. This was when the first purpose-made tea bags came into existence.
In the 1920s, tea bags were designed for commercial production, and it quickly raised in popularity in the United States. Merchants started producing tea bags in two sizes – a smaller bag for one cup and a larger one for a pot.
In a short time, manufacturers started producing tea bags from paper with strings attached, adding to the convenience of the brewers and drinkers. Over the years, tea sellers have experimented with different types of tea bags, from rectangular shapes to circular ones, different materials for the bag. They also ended up developing self-squeezing tea bags as well!
While the Americans were enjoying tea bags, the Brits, of all people, were suspicious of such a radical change in the tea-brewing process.
However, according to experts, WWII played a significant role in delaying the popularity of tea bags since there was a scarcity of materials. So, it was only after 1950 that tea bags really took off among the world.
It was an era of elimination of manual household chores. There was a surge in the production and promotion of household gadgets and appliances that would assist with the tedious household chores like washing clothes, mopping floor, drying clothes, etc.
When tea bags were introduced among the whole world, there was this all convenience factor tailing around it since people no longer had to clean the leaves from the pot.
So, basically, this convenience factor was really what furthered the aspiration for tea bags in the united kingdom.
Different Types of Tea Bags
At the time when the concept of tea bag was introduced by Thomas Sullivan, many tea merchants started experimenting with different materials for producing efficient tea bags. The materials included perforated and cellophane paper, gauze, and cheesecloth. It was the paper fibre that was concluded as the best material for packing tea. Before long, machine-sewn tea bags replaced hand-sewn tea ones as the industrial revolution kicked off.
Later, William Hermanson invented and patented heat-sealed paper tea bags, which he sold to the Salada Tea Company in 1930.
Previously, tea bags came in a ‘sack’ style of a paper bag. It was replaced by the rectangular style, which is still the preferred shape. Lipton Tea Company, in 1952, invented and patented the popular ‘flo-thru’ paper tea bag that has four sides intended for tea drinkers who love brewing their tea in mugs.
Tea Bags Today
Today, tea in tea bags comes in different flavours and aromas. Manufacturers have started introducing new flavours and types of teas in tea bags, giving brewers and drinkers more option to drink tea on the go.
These tea bags are bio-degradable, meaning they cause no harm to the environment when disposed. With that said, there are many diverse styles and types of tea bags being offered today, with a new one coming up on the market all the time.
]]>With that said, are you drinking tea the right way? You might be wondering what the heck is wrong with how I consume my tea! Well, for you, it might be just another drink, but for tea lovers, you are insulting the privilege.
If you don’t take your tea seriously, this article is something worth paying attention to.
How to drink tea – because you are doing it wrong
First things first, you need to understand that all tea comes from the same “Camellia Sinensis” plant and there are only six kinds of tea. They include:
· Pu-erh tea
· Black tea
· Oolong tea
· Yellow tea
· Green tea
· White tea
Now, when you give the title ‘green tea’ or ‘oolong tea,’ you are, in fact, describing the process of how the tea is made or processed. It is important that you understand the difference.
It is a delicious brewed beverage enjoyed all across the globe as a comforting treat. Before you know how to drink tea, you need to choose the type of tea you want to drink. As we have already mentioned the six kinds of tea available, they all have different flavours and health benefits. Also, the way you prepare them is also different.
Know your tea
Black tea is a popular afternoon tea in which you are likely to dunk a biscuit in or add milk
to. It is the most common type of tea, and you will find it in every household. Black tea is known for its caffeine content (highest level all teas). And this is the reason why it is consumed as an ‘afternoon pick me up’ beverage.
White tea is processed using the young buds of the Camellia Sinensis plant. Unlike black tea, white tea is left to wither naturally. White tea is known for its antioxidant-rich properties. The way it is processed makes it a bit more expensive than other teas. According to tea lovers, the taste of white tea is ‘delicate and mild.’ It is a healthy beverage that people love drinking.
Green tea is globally renowned for its detox properties. It is processed using fresh leaves that are steamed without being fermented. Green tea has been linked to decreased blood pressure and weight loss. most people don’t like green tea and describe its taste as ‘cow poo.’ Well, boy, you are only preparing it wrong!
Oolong tea is similar to black tea; however, it goes through a shorter fermentation process. You can say it is a mix of black and green tea. Oolong tea has links to improved skin and weight loss.
Pu-erh tea is processed in two stages. In the first stage, the leaves are prepared similar to green tea (without fermentation). In the second stage, the steamed leaves undergo fermentation followed by prolonged storage. Pu-erh tea tastes stale and smells musty. It is known for improving sharp thinking and mental alertness.
Yellow tea is a rare, expensive variety that gained immense popularity due to its delicious, silky taste. It is processed similar to green tea; however, it undergoes another procedure called ‘sealed yellowing’ where the tea is encased and steamed. Yellow tea is much less studied but recent research suggests it has many health benefits.
There is another variety of tea called ‘herbal tea.’ However, they aren’t technically tea since they don’t have any tea in them. Herbal tea is made from bark, seeds, plant leaves, and flowers. People who can’t tolerate caffeine prefer herbal tea as a delicious warm beverage.
How to drink tea - with water
When you are drinking tea with water, it is important that you understand the water temperature. This is because different kinds of tea taste better at different water temperature. That is:
· For white tea, the water temperature should be around 65°C-75°C
· For green tea, the water temperature should be around 75°C-85°C
· For black tea, the water temperature should be around 85°C-95°C
· For infusions (a mixture of two or more teas), the water temperature should be around 95°C-100°C
Directions: preparing a cup of tea with water
· Always use filtered water to make tea
· Based on the tea you want to drink, boil the water to the right temperature (use an electric kettle with temperature setting - recommended)
· Use one heaped teaspoon of tea
· Steep for the correct amount of time – say 3-5 minutes based on the tea you are having
· Warm the teapot by pouring some hot water. Swirl the hot water around the teapot and throw out the water
· Strain the leaves and pour the tea in a teapot
With milk
One of the popular ways to consume tea is with milk. Black tea is the most preferred type of tea to consume with milk. Black tea can brew in milk properly and gives a different flavour and experience.
Directions: preparing a cup of tea with milk
· Take a small pot and pour one cup of milk
· Add one teaspoon of black tea directly to the milk
· Add crushed ginger, cardamom, and cloves into the milk
· Add some sugar
· Let it boil
· Once boiled, lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes
· Strain and enjoy your tea with milk!
It is important to protect the freshness, flavour, and goodness in tea. So, transfer the tea into an airtight, dry, clean, and odour-free container (preferably glass) and store it in a dry, cool place. Always buy tea that is made in the artisanal, traditional way and packed at the source.
]]>According to Chinese legend, people came to know about tea when the Emperor Shen Nong accidentally brewed tea when he was purifying water in the shelter of a tea tree. People say that when he was purifying water, several leaves blew into the boiling pot. The emperor was amazed by the superb taste, colour, and fragrance of the resulting brew. Soon, tea became a daily drink in Chinese culture.
Want to discover more of these exciting stories about tea? You are at the right place. In this post, we are going to tell you about the different tea-drinking traditions and cultures that made tea the most desired beverage in the world.
Let’s get started.
Tea Culture Around the World
You probably know that Ireland is among the world’s largest tea-consuming nations. The people in Ireland love tea so much so that they love to offer the beverage to anyone who comes to their home. The tea culture in Ireland is such that if you visit someone’s house and they offer you tea, you can casually say ‘no’ to them. But in reply, they will say that they were going to get themselves some anyway, so it is no trouble for them if they make a cup for you. In short, you will end up sipping tea and chatting.
On the contrary, in America, if you say ‘no’ to someone who offers you tea, then there is no going back. That individual will not pursue you like the Irish people and you will not get any damned tea. Thinking that the Irish culture is much better? Yes, I agree! Always want a cuppa!
In many cultures, tea is more than just a beverage. It is a ritual with both social and personal significance.
According to a legend, Prince Dharma (Bodi Dharma) from India vowed not to sleep during his nine-year mission as he embarked on a journey to China to preach Buddhism. During his third year, Prince Dharma started to crumble with tiredness. He was overtaken by fatigue. This is when he chewed a few fresh tea leaves. The tea leaves gave him the energy to stay awake for the rest six years.
In Japanese culture, the history of tea is told in a different manner. According to a Japanese legend, Prince Dharma fell asleep due to exhaustion. He woke up with so much disappointment that he tore off his eyelids and threw them on the ground. Japanese believe that the place where the eyelids of Bodi Dharma fell grew enchanted tea shrubs.
Tea was never considered a leisure drink. In China and India, tea was used for medicinal purposes only. Tea leaves were used for gift giving, imperial tribute taxes, ancestor worship, and courtship rituals. Till the 9thcentury, China was the sole exporter of tea. It was after the 9thcentury, the culture of drinking tea spread beyond China.
In Japan, tea was only served in the Buddhist temples to the ruling class, priests, and Buddhist monks. In the mid-1500s, priest Sen Rikyu codified the tea ceremonies in Japan. He is the founder of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Soon, tea became an alternative to alcohol and many shops and salons started offering tea as a ‘beverage.’ Eventually, something that was considered as a luxury became regarded as a necessity.
Tea in India
India is the second-largest exporter of tea in the world after China, accounting for 12% of total tea production in the world. In India, the majority of people consume tea at home. Thus, tea is a major part of Indian culture as well as the economy. However, it was only after the British intervened and started producing tea commercially that tea became a part of the Indian diet. The world-renowned Darjeeling tea, also known as “the champagne of teas” is a black tea cultivated in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is best taken with milk, sugar, and rich, savoury spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom. In India, it is commonly known as chai or ‘masala chai,’ which translates to spice tea.
Tea in Iran
The story of how tea was brought to Iran feels nothing short of a movie storyline. Before the 1900s, tea was non-existent in Iran. Kashef Al Saltaneh, an Iranian diplomat in 1895, decided to bring tea production in Iran. During that time, the British had strict control over tea production in India. For non-Europeans engaging in the tea trade, it was almost difficult since there were rigid rules against them. Kashef, who had studied in Paris, came to India posing as a French businessman. He learned the trade and started smuggling tea seeds and saplings to Iran. Today, he is known as the father of Iranian Tea.
Tea in the United Kingdom
In the 17th Century, the famous Dutch East India Company introduced tea to the western world when beverages like hot chocolate and coffee were considered drinks of the upper class. Soon, tea became an integral part of the British culture with ‘Tea Time’ becoming a much-awaited part of the day. Black tea is the most preferred by the Brits, and their popular brands include English Breakfast and Earl Grey.
Tea Today
Tea is revolutionary, and the histories and drinking rituals remind us of that. It is not just a beverage that quenches our thirst or keeps up warm. Lifestyle trends and health research have given tea new importance. Today, it is consumed as an ideal health beverage that has the power to prevent deadly diseases like cancer.
]]>Tea is native to Asia with China and India being the world’
While there are hundreds and thousands of varieties of tea available, tea can be divided into six basic categories. They include white, green, yellow, oolong, pu-erh, and black. As said before, all these tea types are derived from the same Camellia Sinensis plant. But it is the way they are processed gives them a different appearance, different taste, and various properties.
With that said, we are going to introduce you to the different types of tea and tell you everything about how they are made and the best way to consume them, among other aspects.
So, let’s jump right into it.
What are the different types of tea?
With good weather conditions, fertile soil, and proper care, a tea master can coax a fantastic blend of flavours from tea leaves. The following are the major categories of tea produced:
1. White Tea
2. Green Tea
3. Yellow Tea
4. Oolong Tea
5. Pu-erh Tea
6. Black Tea
Let’s discuss each of the tea types in detail.
#1 White Tea
White tea is one of the most popular varieties known for its rare, delicate, and beautiful flavour and aroma. White tea is handpicked and hand processed before the plant’s leaves are fully open when the buds are still covered with thin white hairs.
That is, the newest growth (leaves) on the tea plant are quickly plucked and meticulously dried, not allowing the leaves to oxidise. The tea leaves, to become white tea, go through minimal processing.
Oxidation plays a crucial role in how teas are produced. The more time tea leaves are exposed to oxygen, the darker the leaves will become, and hence, the flavour will change. White tea is not allowed to oxidise properly, or you can say, it is essentially non-oxidised. The leaves are left to dry and wither in a carefully controlled environment.
#2 Green Tea
When we talk about green tea, the leaves are collected from the same Camellia Sinensis plant, which is heated and dried by steaming or pan-frying to avoid further oxidation from happening. If oxidation occurs, the green leaves become brown. It will change their fresh-picked flavour. Now, the flavour and taste of green tea vary based on how the leaves are processed. For example, if the leaves are pan fried, the tea will taste grass-like and toasted. On the other hand, if the leaves are steamed, the flavour palette can range from sweet, vegetal, and seaweed-like.
The leaves are rolled several times before the final drying to give its unique texture and flavour when brewed. Since the leaves are prevented from experiencing oxidation, the tea preserves its natural properties.
#3 Yellow Tea
Yellow tea goes through the same process as green tea; however, there is one unique additional step called ‘sealing yellow’ that gives the tea its unique yellow colour. The leaves are pan fried and wrapped in a special cloth. The process is repeated numerous times for up to three days before the final slow charcoal drying. This ensures that the leaves are gently oxidised.
It offers the same grassy taste and astringency of green tea but with a more aromatic flavour. The reason why yellow tea is rare is that the process is quite tricky. Hence, you have to be vigilant when buying yellow tea as weak quality tea is sold as yellow tea in many regions.
#4 Oolong Tea
People say oolong tea is a combination of green tea and black tea. However, according to experts, it falls into its own category of tea. Depending on the tea master, oolong tea may end up with more green tea characteristics or more black tea characteristics.
When processing oolong tea, the leaves are partially oxidised – 8%-80%. This is the reason why the flavour profile of oolong tea lean towards either black tea (more oxidised) or green tea (less oxidised). Oolong tea is traditionally rolled, curled, or twisted into thin strands or tight balls. With that said, the taste of oolong tea can range from light to full bodied.
#5 Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is a fermented tea that goes through a microbial fermentation process after the leaves are rolled and dried. The fermentation process makes the leaves dark and gives a slightly sharp flavour. One of the main reasons why Pu-erh tea expensive is the fact that its taste only improves with age, like wine.
According to experts, Pu-erh tea can maintain its freshness for up to 50 years. This type of tea is typically compressed into brick form. However, you will also find loose leaves as well.
#6 Black Tea
Black tea is the most popular of all teas and probably the highly consumed as well. Black tea is often consumed with milk and sugar, with spices like cardamom, ginger, and clove. Upon harvesting, the leaves are allowed to completely oxidise before they are dried and heat-processed.
The process turns the leaves to dark brown or black in colour with a strong flavour. Full oxidation gives the tea smoky, fruity, and malty notes. Black tea comes in that category where the leaves are completely processed. Darjeeling tea is the most popular black tea in the world.
Final Words
Each category of tea has different taste and aroma, allowing tea-drinkers across the globe to try out new varieties and flavours. It is important that you choose your tea wisely because there are manufacturers selling fake tea in the market. Always buy from a trusted source.
]]>Any tea connoisseur will tell you that picking the best teapot can be challenging. It involves finding the right teapot with the best combination of size, pour, aesthetic and heat retention.
All these factors and many more affect the flavour and taste of your brew. One way to narrow down the search for the perfect teapot is by focusing on the material used to make them.
Once you have the material in mind, then your buying decision will boil down further and make it easier to choose. (pun intended!) Let's look at each material in turn to learn more about the impact it can have on your drink.
Cast Iron Teapot
Cast iron teapots are the most durable teapots on the market because of the cast iron material. Unlike other teapots such as porcelain and a glass teapot, cast iron teapot lasts for years. That's why they are pricier on the market. Cast iron teapots are famous in the western world because they are large and keep heat.
One advantage of brewing tea on cast iron is that material distributes heat evenly in the pot. What that means is, it extracts all the flavours from the tea.
The second thing is, it will keep the tea warm for almost an hour. That is what makes it perfect for big social gatherings or parties. Today's cast iron teapots are designed after the traditional Japanese tetsubin. Japanese tetsubins are unique cast iron teapots you can place on a stove to warm water.
Most tea drinkers in Asia still value the Japanese tetsubin, although they are challenging to use and maintain. When these Japanese teapots are continuously used, they develop rust. Also, changes in temperature stress fractures. Additional enamel on the interior of these pots protects them from rusting, but it makes them unsuitable for high temperatures.
That said, modern cast-iron pots are for brewing tea when the water has been heated in a different kettle. Most cast iron pot is designed with a wire mesh infuser. This design is common in traditional European black tea styles because it brews tea on a high heat and has small leave pieces that don't require lots of space to expand.
Ceramic Teapot
Ceramic teapots have been used in Asia and the Middle East in over 11,000 years ago. Clay and earthenware pots back then had a natural heat-retention property, low seepage, and brew leaves. The spout on the ceramic pot is usually narrow at the end for better pouring.
Ceramic teapots are endless. They come in different varieties and from various traditions such as Asia to Europe. The craftsmanship and firing techniques impact the heat retention and brewing performance of a ceramic pot.
Chinese tea drinkers use small pots so they have control over the temperature and taste of the tea. They also do multiple infusions. Most high-quality ceramic pots will have an in-built strainer and spout.
Ceramic pots are easier to maintain than a cast iron teapot. Most tea aficionados favor using ceramic teapots for precise pours and excellent balance.
The difference between cast iron and the ceramic teapot is about heat capacity. Cast iron
has a lower heat capacity. What that means is, it heats fast and releases heat quickly. That said, when you are infusing delicate tea leaves, the cast iron will absorb heat and release it
back into the tea causing a bitter taste or infusion.
In other words:
It will take a lot of learning and experience to preheat cast-iron pots and ensure the water maintains the right temperature so you have the desired infusion. If you will use tea leaves, you need ones that are sturdy and durable. And they should not be Japanese tea.
Ceramic teapots have a high heat capacity. They take time to warm the tea, but they keep the heat without releasing it back to the heat quickly. What that means is, you control the water temperature and control of your infusion results. What this tells you is, the ceramic teapot is unique for preparing delicate teas.
If you want to brew black tea, you better use ceramic teapot because of low heat transformations, and these teas are brewed at high temperatures. Ceramic tea will ensure no
temperature loss and will allow any liquid to keep warm for a long time.
Glass Teapot
Glass teapots are attractive and beautiful. They don't change their tea's flavour or absorb them. The glass teapot is excellent if you are serving them in a place where visual appreciation is vital-like blossoming tea and herbal tisanes.
Most glass teapots are used to brew green and white tea since they allow one to admire the gorgeous leaves. Since glass disperses fast, it means you can only brew lightly oxidized tea with them. Glass teapot is fragile, and you need to be careful when cleaning or transporting them. Glass teapot can stain but also can be cleaned easily with soaking with mild soap and sponge. When soap is used, you must rinse in warm water to remove soap residue.
Glass teapots are made using heat-resistant borosilicate glass, which has 5% of boric oxide. That makes the glass more robust and able to withstand extreme temperatures without cracking or shattering. The difference between glass teapot and ceramic is that they don't keep heat like ceramic pot or cast-iron pot. And they will need a bit more time when you want to brew black and herbal teas.
The fact that it has a robust heat-resistant borosilicate glass means you can use it to boil-water on a gas, electric or ceramic stovetop, and you can get it in a microwave. Since it is glass, you'll monitor the boiling water. The advantage of using a glass teapot is that you know the colour and texture of the leaves when the tea is ready.
]]>Tea is an all-weather beverage enjoyed all across the globe. Over centuries, drinking tea has remained a tradition, deep rooted in different cultures of the world. Originated in China in the early 2737 BC, drinking tea spread to India and other Asian countries, and eventually throughout Europe.
In India, tea was used for medicinal purposes long before the British introduced it as a recreational drink in the country. Today, China and India are the largest exporters of tea in the world. The demand for tea has surged over the years, thanks to the research and studies conducted regarding the health benefits of drinking tea. There are a number of scientific evidence that states drinking tea is good for your overall health.
Studies suggest that drinking 3 or more cups of tea in a day is good for your health. The antioxidants present in tea helps boost health, at the same time rehydrating it.
If you are a non-drinker (tea) and have doubts regarding introducing tea in your lifestyle, we will help you understand the health benefits of drinking tea and why people are so obsessed with it.
Let’s get started.
The following are the health benefits of drinking tea.
#1 Tea is filled with antioxidants
Antioxidants are the essential components that help in removing free radicals from the body and reducing cell damage. Tea has antioxidant properties in abundance that can help you decrease the risk of chronic diseases. Black tea, for instance, is a rich source of polyphenols, which is a type of antioxidant that helps in promoting overall health.
According to an animal study, polyphenols in black tea helped elevate the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cholesterol in rats. Black tea is also rich in theaflavins that can help reduce blood sugar levels and cholesterol.
On the other hand, catechins, antioxidant components found in green tea can help reduce the overall body fat. There are many health supplements that contain antioxidants, but the best way to consume them is through natural food sources.
#2 Tea may help lower LDL cholesterol
Our body contains two types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol throughout the body. One is HDL or high-density lipoprotein, and the second is LDL or low-density lipoprotein. HDL is considered good for your health as it carries cholesterol to the liver to be excreted. LDL, on the other hand, is considered bad for your health as it carries cholesterol to the cells throughout the body. This can lead to blockage of arteries and veins, causing severe health problems. People who consume tea on a daily basis found to have low levels of LDL cholesterol in their body. Drinking tea potentially improves the blood flow around the body, widening the key arteries and veins that ultimately reduce the risk of clots. As per a study published in 2016, it was found that people who consumed four or more cups of green tea at regular intervals had lower levels of LDL cholesterol and a 32% reduction in the risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
#3 Drinking tea may boost heart health
Tea contains another group of antioxidants known as ‘flavonoids’ that can benefit heart health, according to studies. Flavonoids are responsible for keeping the arteries clean, allowing the blood to travel to and from the heart more effectively. Consuming tea daily can help reduce several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including obesity, elevated triglyceride levels, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
During a study, a group of people were told to drink black tea for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, it was found that the people had significantly reduced the level of triglyceride by 36%, lowered HDL/LDL plasma ratio by 17%, and reduced blood sugar levels by 18%.
Another study stated that people who drank black tea on a daily basis had an 11% reduction in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
So, if you are concerned about you and your loved ones’ health, you better add tea to into your diet.
#4 Drinking tea can help improve gut health
Your gut health is directly related to your immune system. If your gut health is compromised, it means your immune system will also be affected. The bacteria found in your gut play a crucial role in keeping your gut health intact. However, there are trillions of bacteria found in your gut – some are good while some are bad. Thus, it is important that you maintain the health of the good bacteria in your gut as they are responsible for reducing the risk of certain health issues like cancer, obesity, cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease.
The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of tea can help you maintain a healthy gut. It can help promote the growth of good bacteria and inhibits the growth of bad bacteria. The antimicrobial properties kill harmful substances from your gut and improve immunity, boosting the health of the digestive tract.
#5 Tea may help stop cancer-causing cells from generation
There are different types of cancer that exists. It becomes difficult to prevent cancer when you are diagnosed later. Tea is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols that can help prevent the cancer-causing cells from surviving in the first place.
A test-tube study was conducted to analyse the effects of the antioxidants in tea on cancer cells. It was found that green tea can play a significant role in regulating the growth of cancer cell and reduce the development of new cells.
On the other hand, another study scrutinised the effects of antioxidants found in tea on breast cancer. It was found that polyphenols can help overcome the growth of hormone-dependent breast tumours in women. While tea is not an ultimate solution to treat cancer, it can be used to help the development of cancer-causing cells in the body.
Final Words
There are a plethora of health benefits when it comes to drinking tea. It is important that you know your tea well. Since there are different types of tea available, preparing one can be somewhat overwhelming. Consult your doctor to know more about how to consume tea and the right amount to drink in a day.
]]>Kombucha tea has existed for a thousand years in Chinese, Japan, and Russian history. It is a sweetened fermented tea similar to cultural yogurt and cheese. It takes three weeks to ferment the tea. If you have always wanted to know more about this tea, you have come to the right place. Let's look at it in detail:
Kombucha History
Kombucha originates from Northeast China. It was known as Manchuria in 220 B. C, and they praised it for its healing properties. The name Kombucha is derived from Dr. Kombu, who was a Korean physician that brought fermented tea to Japan. The tea found its way to Europe because of trade in the early 20th century. From then, the tea spread to different parts of the world like Russia (as Kambucha) and Germany (as Kombuchaschwamm).
Kombucha’s Sugar and Alcohol Content
Kombucha is a mixture of sugar and alcohol. During the fermentation process, sugar gets used, leaving about 2 to 6 grams per 8-ounce serving. That's too much sugar, but it's more likely to help.
If you don't like fizzy drinks, swapping Kombucha for a soda will reduce your sugar intake and boosts probiotics in your body. Natural sweet kombucha tea is more fun to drink than a probiotic pill. In fact, it's more healthy than a coke, which has 39 grams of sugar per serving.
So how does Alcohol Come About?
During fermentation, yeast consumes the sugar to create carbon dioxide and a little amount of alcohol. The alcohol content is a preservative. A well-fermented Kombucha will contain less than 0.5% alcohol. Besides that, the antimicrobial properties make these production processes clean and safe.
Kombucha drink or tea has ethanol. The amount of ethanol varies from brand to brand. In recent years, the sales number of Kombucha drinks has gone up rapidly. The surge in price isn't because of too much alcohol. It's because the more the fermented kombucha tea stays on the shelf, the more the alcoholic content in the drink increases.
That explains why there are lots of complaints from customers who felt tipsy when they drank Kombucha tea. A lot of companies market Kombucha tea as a non-alcoholicethanol
drink which means, it's below the 0.5% federal threshold for alcohol.
Any drink above that percentage becomes regulated as an alcoholic beverage such as beer or wine. One thing you need to remember is alcoholic content can increase even when the product is stocked in the supermarket shelves. That tells you why customers felt tipsy when they bought the Kombucha drink.
What Does Kombucha Tea Do?
We are glad you asked. Kombucha is advertised as a tea or drink that improves the digestive system, boosts the immune system, lowers high blood pressure, and detoxifies the body. Experts also say it helps in rheumatism, gout, haemorrhoids, nervousness, and liver function.
Any evidence to support this?
Howard Telford, the head of soft drinks research for Euromonitor International, said that there's a healthy halo if anyone drinks Kombucha. The drinks increase microbiomes and probiotics. Food rich in probiotics boosts the number of good bacteria in the body, and it balances out the bad ones.
Probiotics are microscopic organisms that defend microbiomes. Many experts credit Kombucha tea to weight loss and stress relief. The most comprehensive study about its wellness comes from the University Of Latvia, where fermentation is part of their culture.
The study reveals Kombucha’s benefits in four counts:
Another study published by Journal Annals of Epidemiology found that the benefits of Kombucha to the human body. According to the study, 24 adults with diabetes took kombucha tea for three months. Their blood sugar level stabilized within the normal range.
This study was not controlled or randomized. Animal research states that tea has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Similar to Olive oil, Kombucha has antioxidants too, which have lots of health benefits.
One thing that remains clear is, there is little research and studies about the benefit of Kombucha. What this means is that some claims you read on the internet about the tea are unverified. Only a few verified studies exist.
How Much Kombucha Tea Should You Take?
Everyone knows that too much of something good can be harmful. It then begs the question, how much Kombucha should you take per day?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends one to take at least 4ounches of Kombucha, which translates to one to 3 times per day. In other words, 12 ounces of Kombucha is the recommended intake.
Unfortunately, the average Kombucha drink has 16 ounces of servings. It would help if you were careful not to drink too much of it in a single day. Too much of Kombucha cause headaches or nausea.
Does Kombucha have negative effects?
Every product you use must be safe. If you have a kidney problem, lung disease, or acidosis (where you have too much acid in the blood), Kombucha is not advised.
In 1995, CDC reported that two women fell ill when they drank homemade Kombucha tea, and one of them died. The sugar content in Kombucha can also cause infection for people watching their sugar levels.
If you are a pregnant woman, the alcohol content can cause you a problem. Given that alcohol can cause harm, it is a clear statement that children should not take Kombucha, people with liver or pancreatitis conditions.
Conclusion
One thing you have to remember is, there aren't a lot of excellent studies to support Kombucha's hype. But the compounds it has been associated with has lots of health benefits such as reducing cholesterol, blood sugar level, and many more. We strongly feel that more studies need to be done.
]]>Oolong tea is made from the Camellia Sinensis plant. It is the same plant that is associated with green and black tea. The name differs depending on how the teas are processed.
Camellia Sinensis leaves go through an oxidation process that turns green tea leaves into a deep dark colour. The Oolong tea is partly oxidized and somewhere between Green and Black tea.
In other words, the partly oxidized state of the leaves is what is responsible for Oolong tea's colour and characteristics. The colour of the tea will vary depending on different brands.
The appearance, taste, and shape of this tea vary depending on the origin and how it was processed. China and Taiwan are the mother country of Oolong tea. The difference between China's and Taiwan's Oolong tea is that tea from Taiwan is less oxidized.
That means it's more green in colour and light in flavour than Oolong tea from China.
The oxidation process of this tea varies, which means even the taste will be different. You can expect the tea flavour to range from light to full-bodied, sweet to toasty, and floral to grassy.
But that's not all.
It's colour too changes; sometimes, you may find a light green, other times golden or brown. There are so many factors that affect their growth and processing, which makes it tastes different.
Picture Oolong tea like the different tastes you experience with fine wine. All wines come from grapes, but they are a variety of grapes, grown at different places, and different artisan winemaker, makes the final product have different tastes.
The same thing happens with Oolong tea. For starters looking to have an enjoyable mouthful experience with oolong tea. It is recommended that you taste only three varieties of this tea.
1. Sightly oxidized oolong tea (Alishan)- It is a Taiwanese light oxidized oolong tea that has a comforting creamy flavour and green notes2. Medium oxidized oolong tea (Jun Chiyabari)- An unusual medium oxidized Nepali oolong tea which is light and warm3. Dark Oxidized oolong tea (Da Hong Pao)- The famous Chinese dark oxidized tea having roasted honey.
You will have an enjoyable experience when you start tasting either of that Oolong tea before moving on to other flavours.
Oolong tea is rich in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial antioxidants. An excellent cup of oolong tea will have approximately.
Fluoride: 5 to 24% of RDI(Reference Daily Intake)Manganese: 26% of RDIPotassium: 1% of RDISodium: 1% of RDIMagnesium: 1% of RDINiacin: 1% of RDICaffeine: 36mg
The main antioxidant you'll find in green tea are polyphenols, theaflavins, thearubigins, and EGCG. All these antioxidants are beneficial for your health.
There are two ways to steep Oolong tea. You can either steep using the Asian-style (gaiwan or clay Yixing teapot) or the western style using a teapot.
The general rule is to use 6 ounces of water for every one teaspoon of tea balls. When steeping the tea, it is recommended that you avoid distilled water because it will taste flat.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Get fresh spring or filtered water. With the water, you are guaranteed to get the best flavours from the tea
Step 2: You'll need to fill your teapot or tea infuser with a decent amount of leaves. One teaspoon if the oolong tea is rolled into balls and two teaspoon if you have oolong tea leaves.
Step 3: In a separate teapot, boil or heat the water. Water used to prepare the oolong tea is heated between 185F to 205 F degrees. If you have a thermometer at home, you can get the exact measurement of the temperature.
Step 4: Steeping methods do vary. First, you'll want to read the oolong tea label to find out the steeping time, which can be between 1 to 2 minutes. Any leafy-style oolong tea will infuse more quickly than the ball or rolled-style oolong tea. You also need to taste the tea every 30 seconds.
A population study done by the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health in 2011 found out that drinking oolong tea is linked to a reduction in mortality rate from patients with heart ailments.
The study composed of 76 979 adults from 46 years of age and above. The members who were surveyed were free from strokes, heart diseases, and cancer at the start of the study. From the survey, it turned out that those who drank coffee, green tea, and oolong tea daily had a low risk of developing heart diseases.
According to the book, the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, consumption of oolong tea improves fat metabolism, therefore reducing the body weight. In the study of 102 obese people, it was discovered that 66% of the participant who took oolong tea lost more than 2.2 pounds in 6 weeks. Overall, 22% of the people lost more than 6.6kg.
From these evidence-based studies, it is clear that drinking oolong tea is beneficial to our health.
]]>If you are a tea lover or know any tea lovers, you will be aware how finding a gift for tea fans or connoisseurs can be a daunting task. Chances are, they probably already may have their favourite tea kettles, ceramic cup, or a stock of their favorite tea or loose tea leaves.
That said, there is always something new and exciting that will dazzle and awaken their senses as tea lovers. Thus, without further ado, let's explore the unique gifts you can give your tea buddy.
A better way you can make them test the love they have for tea is by making them bathe in it. In the bathroom, they can relax and let the aroma of the tea to wash and cleanse the stress they may have. An excellent product you can give to tea or bath lovers is the lemon chamomile tub tea. What it does is, calm the spirit while reviving the skin to limit the redness and itchiness. It is an easy gift that any tea lover will be happy to receive as long as they like taking baths.
Not every gift needs to be elaborate and sophisticated. If you have gone to your tea lover's home and noticed they don't have a squeezer tong or they are using spoons. You can get one for them because they will use it for grabbing tea bags and squeezing the juice out of it, without hurting their fingers. This is something they may not have even realised is on the market and did not even realise they have a need for it until they start using it.
Does your friend use disposable cups or travel a lot and need to take their tea on the go? Then it is a sign that they could make good use of the Eco cup. What the Eco cup does is to combine the ceramic mug which also has a lid and sleeve. That way, they keep the inside warm and their hands cool. The Eco cup maintains the temperature of the tea, whether hot or cool.
What's more is the item is microwave and dishwasher safe. It is a beautiful gift for tea lovers.
If you have a tea lover, who appreciate a taste of fine wine, the wine-inspired tea is a beautiful gift for them. This one of a kind hybrid drink is fun and unique and you will make your loved one taste their favourite wine without the price point and the health risks. It would be a wonderful premium feeling gift for your family or friend and above all it is unisex. You can help them explore a delightful taste and aroma in every sip.
This mug was designed to hold your tea in place, especially when you are moving from one point to another. Carrying a hot cup of tea presents many mishaps that happen. That said if you notice that your friend likes holding their drink while walking around most of the time. The No-spill mug holder is an excellent gift you can offer them because you will save them from burning themselves and not spill the tea.
It's no secret that most tea lovers love tea because of the mood it sets for either in the morning or in the evening. Tea gives people a certain mood to experience when they take it. That said, Numi organic tea, Tea by Mood Gift set will allow your tea buddy to select their favourite drink based on how they are feeling. Numi teas are organic, sugar-free, and fragrance-free
This is a perfect gift for tea lovers that appreciate the warm cuppa. It has a genuine tea leaves processed together with tea and raw sugar. Best of all, it has no additives. This tea has a total of eight drops such as two energizing matcha green teas, two calming rose earl grey, two refreshing citrus ginger, and two cooling sweet peppermints.
It is a 35 oz affordable glass pot you can give out to any tea lover. The glass pot is not thick like others, but it serves its function well. You can use the teapot directly in a microwave. What's more, the glass teapot is also dishwasher safe. It's incredible spout pour effortless and precise.
If you have ever been in a drinker's kitchen and noticed that their teas are all disorganised and are piled on top of one another and they cannot find the right tea when they want to, then it only makes sense for you to give them a gift they can use to store the tea bags or loose tea leaves. The mind reader loose-leaf organizer is one such toolbox-styled tea organizer. It's six free leaf tea holders are airtight, and you can use them to store all your favourite teas. Also, you can use them for tea bags if your friend is more of a tea bag type.
A tea sampler is one of those gifts you can give to impress your tea buddy. One thing you need to keep in mind is that they all contain quality loose leaf tea except for matcha kit. The VAHDAM 10 tea sampler comes with 50 serving of 10 amazing teas such as black, green, and oolong varieties. It is an excellent sampler for someone who enjoys tea, or they are just getting started.
It is the best and most stylish tumbler on the market. Its glass is doubled walled to make your tea hot or cold for sometimes. Most importantly, its screw on the lid won't leak. When you want to take a sip, you'll have to screw the lid off. This is a beautiful and aesthetic way for anyone to take their favourite brew on the go.
Do you have a tea buddy that loves to travel to new locations a lot? The tea and honey traveller will be the perfect gift for them. The tea will come with a bedtime tea that consists of chamomile, spearmint, lemon balm, and lavender honey lollipops. The set also has a strainer. That means your friend will only need a mug and hot water to use it.
When the weather starts getting warmer, a lot of people will start drinking their morning cuppa iced tea. Do you have a tea buddy who likes iced tea? Then this is the perfect gift for them. They will appreciate the design and functional iced tea making set. What's more, it also comes with five iced tea flavours giving them a lot of options to try.
This is an all rounder gift set which includes a glass teapot with a removable stainless steel and four double wall cups and a loose leaf tea sampler set. The appeal of this product is that it looks like an extravagant gift with a very reasonable price point for everything you get, includes beautiful packaging, so you can just place a bow on top and it is stunning.
]]>Blooming tea has so many names such as flowering tea, hand-tied tea, display tea, artisan tea, crafted tea or china tea.
Although blooming tea has a striking appearance that has made it a Youtube phenomenon, it has a lot of health benefits. Before I reveal the benefits, let's look at:
The type of tea that blooms to create an eye-catching visual masterpiece when hot water is poured into it. The visual presentation gives it a magnificent display.
Blooming tea is a mixture of different teas and Tisanes. Tea is the leaves from one plant while Tisanes are herbs but not tea. Tisanes are infusions made from spices, seeds, berries, roots and bark. Example of commonly used Tisanes are mint, chamomile, hibiscus, lavender, cardamom, carraway, fennel, rooibos, and cinnamon.
This tea is made using a variety of flowers like Osmanthus, Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, and globe amaranth. The flowers are then wrapped in either black or green tea leaves to create bulb shapes.
Chinese Artisans make blooming tea. The artisan will create blooming tea in various shapes and sizes depending on the type of flower they will use. The flowering tea is served in clear glass teapot such as this one https://www.amazon.com/Stovetop-Removable-Stainless-Microwave-Dishwasher/dp/B06XKGB4D6/
Disclaimer: The benefits below maybe based on very weak evidence as there has not been any clear scientific study on this. The information is a starting point in your tea research and journey. We encourage you to check the facts for yourself before deciding.
Tea is known for antioxidants. That's why lots of people associate it with the ability to get rid of harmful toxins out of the body. Besides that, blooming tea has a unique and pleasing look and taste. It has rare antioxidants called catechins and flavonoids you can't get it any one tea.
That is because blooming tea is a combination of different teas; each of those teas will provide the body with a variety of beneficial antioxidants..
Blooming tea is rich in a special compound called Polyphenols. Consumption of this compound which is present makes the skin healthy and beautiful. Not only does it make your skin attractive from the outside but also the inside. Thanks to its antioxidant effect, it will protect the skin from the UV radiation.
It also ensures that the skin's cells and tissue are maintained and repaired if necessary. Drinking blooming tea also reduces enzyme reaction, which causes collagen and elastin breakdown. If you want to have young and beautiful skin, then you need to drink blooming tea.
Taking blooming tea boosts brain function by improving cognitive and motor skills. The tea contains catechin, which is a strong bioactive compound that protects neurons. This makes one smarter, alert, and mentally stable, and free from diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Blooming tea is known to increase the metabolic rate. Since it has a strong antioxidant, it is useful in burning fats. It may help in reducing fat storage in the body which would in turn prevent the onset of obesity.
That said, a healthy level of fats in the body is useful as a source of energy. Blooming tea encourages your body in the right direction but there are other major factors which affect fat level in the body such as exercise and diet.
Drinking blooming tea is a wonderful way to reduce stress. It has a unique and pleasant smell that's so therapeutic. The tea also has theanine and amino acids as ingredients, which means it has a calming and stabilizing effects which are essential to avoiding depression anxiety, and stress management.
Lilies found in blooming tea promotes a good night’s sleep and also soothes the nerves. Hence, if you drink a cup of blooming tea when you are stressed, it may help you more in relaxing your mind and staying productive.
There are antibacterial and antiviral compound called Jasmine present in the blooming tea. They cleanse the mouth from bacteria which cause infection and bad breath. Bacteria infections in the mouth can cause oral cancer.
Blooming tea reduces cholesterol to its normal level. It regulates the LDL (low-density lipoproteins). It is essential to control the LDL because an excessive amount of LDL cholesterol triggers heart ailments.
Blooming tea is suggestive that it may help in preventing cholesterol oxidation which causes the arterial walls to weaken, causing improper blood circulation. Effects like this, lead to blood clots and heart attack.
Blooming tea has a marigold ingredient. The beauty of the marigold is that it boosts the digestive system of the body. It relieves the pain and tightness in the stomach. Besides that, it improves nutrient uptake and soothes the symptoms of constipation, flatulence and bloating.
Blooming tea has anti-inflammatory elements which help in the treatment of arthritis. Research reveals that the intake of such foods and drinks that have polyphenols prevent the development of osteoarthritis by 50%.
Blooming tea is a combination of different teas, including green tea. And the different kinds of tea in the mixture have a lot of health benefits. That said, it is worth giving this tea a try as there are a lot of anecdotal benefits and some weak scientific suggestion.
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