Green Tea, Black Tea, Herbal Tea: Healthful Beverage Choices

Even though the claims may be exaggerated, if you're going to drink much of any beverage other than water, tea is probably your best choice. The health benefits of green tea have been trumpeted in the media recently.
Tea is water plus phytochemicals including caffeine, and very little else unless you add a lot of sugar. Both green and black tea come from the same plant, camellia sinensis. To make green tea, the leaves are steamed, rolled and dried. For black tea, the leaves are dried, then fermented and fired.
Both green and black tea contain phytochemicals that have been linked to reduced rates of certain types of cancers. When brewed at normal strength, both contain about half of the caffeine found in a cup of coffee. If caffeine is a concern, de-caffeinated teas are available.
Herbal teas are dried leaves of a wide variety of plants, which you steep in hot water as you would regular tea. They are generally caffeine free. Many claims are made for the phytochemicals found in herbal teas, but all we can safely say is: yes, they do contain phytochemicals, which may be beneficial or harmful, depending on the plant used and the amount you drink. If you have hay fever or other allergies, be aware that herbal teas made from plants in the family you are sensitive to can trigger the same reactions.
If you need to drink more than a few cups of a beverage, make it water. That's true for all foods, not just tea. So enjoy your tea, but remember, what is beneficial in moderation may be harmful in large amounts.

Tea appears to be healthful and may contribute phytochemicals to your diet that you would not otherwise get.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at
http://www.DrMirkin.com
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The Distinctive Flavor of Earl Grey Tea

Many people find the unique flavor of Earl Grey to be their favorite; smoky and fragrant with hints of citrus, it is reputed to be the tea of choice for Captain Picard from Star Trek.
Although many people consider Earl Grey as a type of tea, any black tea with bergamot flavor added is in fact Earl Grey. Some manufacturers will even use their lower quality black tea to make Early Grey in the belief that the strong flavor of bergamot will mask the poor taste of the tea. Mostly taken black with maybe a slice of lemon added, Earl Grey is nevertheless one of the most popular of all the flavored teas in the world.
Origin of Earl Grey
The story of how Earl Grey began is shrouded in mystery and contradiction. The popular myth is that Earl Charles Grey, the prime minister of Britain in 1830, was given the recipe from a mandarin he met while touring China. Versions of the story claim that he had saved the life of the mandarin, and the tea was a special gift of gratitude. Earl Grey was then reputed to have demanded his tea supplier in London recreate the tea for him, and the taste became fashionable, eventually spreading worldwide.
It is a good story, but unlikely to contain much truth. Charles Grey never visited China and the Chinese drink very little black tea in any case, which means the true origin of Earl Grey tea is still a mystery.
What is Bergamot
The bergamot used to flavor Earl Grey comes from a tree that is grown in the south of Italy. A citrus fruit, somewhat like lemon, orange and grapefruit mixed together, the scent is often likened to orange blossom. The oil of the fruit is added to perfume including one of the original Eau de Colognes from Germany. It is sometimes called The Prince's Pear although it is inedible. There is also an herb called bergamot with completely different properties.
Perhaps Earl Grey tea is a good remedy for winter sniffles. Bergamot is used in aromatherapy to treat depression, and also has anti-microbial effects that can strengthen the resistance of the body to colds and illnesses. Specially made cold presses are used to extract the bergamot essence, which is then stored for at least a year. In the winter months, before it ripens, the fruit harvest is picked by hand.
Lady Grey
Lady Grey is still a popular blend today, although it is no longer believed to cause any particular impulses among female drinkers! It was believed that the addition of fruit would calm the effects of tea, so Seville orange, lemon and bergamot extracts were added. When Earl Grey tea was invented, it was considered that tea produced "improper impulses" in women, and thus Lady Grey was invented.
Corinne Waldon enjoys writing many
articles about tea
. To read more of her articles, go to
The Tea Spot
.

Will Drinking Tea Lower Your Cholesterol?

It not only provides the protective coating to the arteries but also produces sex hormones and many fatty acids required by the body. Firstly if we talk about cholesterol, it is a fatty, lipid and waxy substance circulating in the bloodstream. And some how they are successful too but what they never highlight is the side effects attached to it. By seeing this sudden increase many companies are now in a hurry to produce the drug that can reduce the cholesterol level significantly.

Majority of the American population is said to have high level cholesterol and this makes them to suffer from its related diseases. These days cholesterol is creating havoc, as death toll due to this disease is ever rising.
However this theory too is not supported by any evidences. They feel that tea cannot reduce cholesterol but yes can curb the raising the cholesterol. Many experts feel it do but many discard this theory by calling it as a fluke.

But concrete conclusion is still not out. According to the experts tea can also help in reducing the cholesterol level in the body. Among this whole list of medications the new way which has grown immensely is the tea. Nowadays cholesterol reductions medications are selling are like hot cakes in the American market but still many people are unaware of its side effects. But once this fat exceeds its limit it becomes the real threat.
They tend to have some special herbs and shrubs which not only break down the cholesterol. But not an ordinary tea, only green and herbal tea has this feature. According to the myth, tea can reduce cholesterol level in the body as it breaks down the complex and concentrated plaque on the arteries.
So your health is in your hands and takes a wise step in order to have happy and healthy living. That's why despite being so beneficial people still avoid and go in for pills and drugs which are accompanied with array of side effects. But what make people reluctant in drinking it, is the bitter taste of it.

Being in natural state it has many benefits attached to it. Black tea too is of very good use in terms of reducing high cholesterol as it burn the concentrated fat.

The Health Benefits of Drinking Green Tea and Coffee

The Chinese have used green tea to treat disease for many centuries. Today, Western culture is beginning to appreciate the benefits of green tea.
Recent research has revealed some of the health benefits of using green tea including the possible prevention of rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cataracts and even cancer.
Studies have shown that drinking green tea helps you burn more calories. Green tea aids weight loss programs.
Green tea can help fight food poisoning, as well. It also helps kill bacteria that cause plaque and subsequent tooth decay. This gives your immune system a boost.

One of the best benefits of green tea is its ability to fight bacteria.
In addition, green tea can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol. It even helps slow the aging process!
Why is green tea so beneficial? It has to do with the way it is processed.
Steaming the leaves keeps the antioxidants intact. Fermenting oxidizes the antioxidants in the leaves and renders the antioxidant much less effective. Black tea and oolong tea are fermented, but green tea is steamed.
One thing is certain: more is better, so drink as many cups as you like! Recommendations vary from 3 to 10 cups a day. How much green tea do you need to reap all of the great benefits?
Even though green tea has lots of great benefits, many of us are not about to give up our morning cup of coffee. Guess what? No problem!
You will be glad to hear that new studies have shown there are some healthy benefits of coffee drinking.
Coffee seems to offset some of the damage caused by bad habits such as smoking or heavy drinking. Some smokers who also drink coffee have been shown to have less heart disease than other smokers. Some heavy drinkers who also drink coffee regularly have less incidence of liver damage than expected.
Besides the caffeine in coffee, there are other ingredients that are beneficial to our health.
Coffee contains antioxidants including quinines, chlorogenic acid and tocopherols as well as essential minerals such as magnesium. All of these aid glucose metabolism and may, as a result, reduce the risk of diabetes.
Animal studies published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry suggest coffee antioxidants boost the activity of enzymes which may protect against colon cancer.
Trigonelline is another beneficial ingredient in coffee which may help prevent tooth decay. Other benefits of coffee include reducing the risk of Parkinson's disease, helping relieve asthma symptoms and tension headaches, and inhibiting the formation of gallstones.
Now you can enjoy your morning brew with no sense of guilt!

Green Tea: An Effective Weight Loss Solution

Did you know that Green Tea is one of the most effective weight loss supplements that you can consume to help you lose weight?
According to recent studies, when combined with sensible lifestyle changes green tea can help dieters lose weight, burn fat, increase metabolic rate and suppress their appetites. Well, it is.
Unlike black tea which is highly processed and fermented, green tea is made by slightly steaming the freshly gathered leaves, which prevents them from becoming fermented or changing color. After steaming, the leaves are dried by lightly pan frying them in a wok, baking them in an oven or heating them with hot air until they are crispy. The resulting beverage is a greenish-yellow tea with a slightly astringent flavor.
More and more often you'll find extracts of green tea being included in a lot of popular weight loss products today.
One of the main reasons for this is because of one of green tea's chief ingredients. Polyphenols, which are responsible for the color of the leaves of some plants, are a group of substances found in green tea. These polyphenols benefit weight loss by helping the body to burn fat naturally by increasing body heat and energy expenditure.
Green tea also causes carbohydrates to be released slowly, preventing sharp increases in blood-insulin levels. This promotes the burning of fat.
Another of the main ingredients in green tea is antioxidants. Antioxidants are organic substances, like vitamins A, E and C which are thought to be effective in helping protect the body against the harmful effects of free radicals - which cause the destruction of living cells, cancer, stroke and heart disease.
One of the most extraordinary characteristics about green tea is that studies have shown it is about 200 times more potent an antioxidant than Vitamin A, Vitamin C, E or curcumin in some instances. Additionally, just one cup of green tea has more antioxidant effect than a serving of strawberries, spinach or carrots.
in 8 ounces of coffee. in 8 ounces of tea, compared to more than 100 mg. in 8 ounces of tea, compared to more than 100 mg.

in 8 ounces of tea, compared to more than 100 mg. of caffeine in 8 ounces of tea, compared to more than 100 mg. There are approximately 30 to 60 mg. Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee. Caffeine is another component in green tea which scientists think plays an important role in green tea's ability to help people lose weight.
Combined with Polyphenol compounds, caffeine in green tea acts as a stimulant to the body to help promote fat loss. In a recent study, participants taking green tea extract and still following normal diet experienced a significant increase in their energy expenditure.
The researchers concluded that participants using green tea extract had increased fat oxidation beyond what could be attributed to the caffeine they consumed.
This indicates that green tea may be an excellent alternative to many stimulant-based diet aids.
If helping people to lose weight was not enough, green tea provides additional health benefits far and beyond weight loss, including:
Protects against Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's
Fights cavities and helps stop tooth decay and gum disease
Prevents osteoporosis
Protects against ovarian cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer and prostate cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Helps the body to fight viruses
Controls high blood pressure
Normalizes healthy bacteria in the intestines
Helps prevent heart disease
Thus far, no harmful side effects have been found in drinking green tea or taking green tea extract capsules. This makes green tea one of the best health supplements available for weight loss and overall health.
Patricia has been interested in health and fitness since the early 70's and knows how to seperate hype from fact.

Green Tea & Caffeine

So you've heard that green tea is good for you, and have considered trying some out to see what the big fuss is all about. If you have checked out what is on the typical grocery store shelf, you most likely have seen green tea bags of various descriptions. Sitting amongst these is usually a decaffeinated type as well. If one wants green tea but at the same time does not want the caffeine, most people would assume all they need to do is go for the decaffeinated version. Unfortunately, it's not quite so simple. What most people are not aware of is that the decaffeination process pretty much ruins the major health benefits associated with green tea. There are numerous reasons for this, but to understand why you need to have an idea on how green tea is processed. It all has to do with oxygen.
Decaffeinated green tea is just about unheard of in Japan, home of the world's finest green teas. There really is no place in the processing where a decaffeination process would work and not ruin the tea. This processing involves steaming, rolling, and drying, and takes about three hours start to finish.

Although it comes from the exact same species of plant (Camellia Sinensis) as black tea, it is picked and then process immediately to prevent oxidation of the leaves. Green tea, however, is not like that. This gives black tea its unique taste. When you drink regular English tea, those leaves have been exposed to oxygen and fermented that way on purpose. That is from contact with the air, or more specifically, the oxygen in the air.

Notice how it starts to turn brown? Think about what an apple looks like after it's been cut and sitting on the counter for an hour.
Quite often, the second infusion is greener than the first, although it won't be quite as aromatic or tasty. Since nearly all of the caffeine is in the first infusion, getting a quality decaf green tea is going to be better than the best decaffeinated green tea out on the market. As much of a shame as it seems to be to dump the first infusion (which has the most taste and best aroma), rest assured that the 2nd infusion of a high quality loose leaf Japanese green tea, preferably from the first harvest. That said, if it's a caffeine free cup of quality green tea is as simple as brewing an infusion, dumping it, and then re-brewing.

That's slightly less than regular black tea just a fraction of the caffeine in coffee. No, it is possible, but first it's important to know that green tea does not have high caffeine content, only about 30mg per cup. So does that mean one cannot drink decaffeinated green tea?
Based out of Japan, in addition to offering a wealth of information on the health benefits of green tea, O-Cha.com offers a large selection of loose leaf green tea, matcha, and tea brewing supplies. Kevin Moore is the founder of O-Cha.com, one of the internet's first and largest websites dedicated to Japanese green tea.
http://www.o-cha.com
Contact him at
kevinrm@o-cha.com

Make the Switch! Coffee to Tea

Research shows that green and black teas have up to 8-10 times the antioxidants as fruits and vegetables which can add significantly to your health. The health benefit of drinking tea is chalked up to one explanation, antioxidants. Evidence shows by switching to tea you can add some significant health benefits. Having a hard time giving up your 4 cups of coffee each day?
Beware of doctoring up your tea with too much milk because this has been found to decrease the antioxidants. You can find these benefits in black, green, oolong and even iced teas! The research has found that regular tea drinkers - people who drink two or more cups per day - have less heart disease and stroke, lower cholesterol levels, and they may recover from heart attacks faster.
Don't despair coffee lovers! There are some teas out there that you may find match up to your love of coffee. For instance, Chai tea uses ginger and cardamom which overpowers the taste of the black tea but offers a rich, full bodied taste which is perfect for coffee consumers! Vanilla nut teas also tend to override the black tea taste for a richer flavor. Try some tea today to better your health!
©, 2005 Meri Raffetto
About the Author

Private Label Loose Teas vs Private Label Tea bags

More choices, options, colors and kinds can make any decision difficult. Though this choice may seem relatively simple as there are a growing list of companies that can supply a line of private label teas, as the number of companies grow, so to does the difficulty. Though this choice may seem relatively simple as there are a growing list of companies that can supply a line of private label teas. Though this choice may seem relatively simple as there are a growing list of companies that can supply a line of private label teas.

In a rapidly growing tea industry, a variety of companies are looking to expand their product base by adding a line of private label teas.
But now with the rise of Gourmet tea bags, where a high quality loose tea is included in the tea bags, all of the sudden this is a very real, and potentially better option. Though originally the choice was private label loose teas, now many companies are looking to add a line of private label tea bags was far lower than the private label loose teas.
This is where a vast majority of competition is. Either high quality loose teas that are green tea, black tea or oolong tea, or regular tea bags with low quality green tea and black teas in them. For those looking to enter into the tea industry, and have done their research have found that there are a vast number of "standard" teas on the market.

One of the reasons that the market is growing so fast however, is the nearly endless number of possibilities; differentiation. An industry such as tea is rapidly growing, which means the number of competitors is also, rapidly growing; a barrier to entry.
And as non tea drinkers are looking to improve their health, but have been turned away by the bitter taste of green teas, your Private Label Herbal Teas will be their to save them. Also high health benefits of the herbal teas and smooth taste makes them a favorite among tea drinkers as well as chunk of the population, non-tea drinkers. The reason is due to a significantly lower number of competitors and a potentially endless number of herbal blend options.

This is where a high percentage of growth in the tea industry can be found. If a company is interested adding Private Label Loose Teas to their product base, the best option would be to have loose Organic Herbal Teas, and Organic Herbal Tea Blends. But now, we can look at the options.
So if we could mix the two, High quality Loose Tea (either herbal or standard) and the easy use of a tea bag, then this would allow the company to differentiate their product whether using "Standard" teas or unique herbal blends, instead of with loose teas where only the unique herbal blends will allow your Private Label Tea to truly stand out. This is large reason why commercial tea bags have become so popular despite their general low quality. Loose tea takes more time to make, special tea utensils, all of which may not work well in this every day reality. But for any tea drinker, and especially non tea drinker, who lives in the modern day reality of a hustling and bustling business world, loose tea may not be the best option.
And overall, which is best for you ? Which part of the industry do you see fits with not only today's market, but also tomorrow's ? Which part of the industry do you see the most growth and most potential?

This is a very important part of the decision tree when looking to either add a new product to your already established company, or looking to start a company from scratch.

Ten Facts You Did not Know about Tea

There are only three basic types of Asian tea; Green, Black
and Oolong. All three come from the same tea plant --
Camelia sinensis. The differences between the teas result
from the way the tea leaves are plucked and processed.
Although there are three basic types of tea, there are over
3,000 varieties to choose from. Despite their name, herbal
teas are not tea at all because they do not come from the
tea plant, but from herb and spice plants.
This occurs when our arteries become clogged and are unable to work as they should because of them becoming narrow. In recent Dutch studies it was found that men who drink black tea which contains catechins are fifty percent less likely to die of ischemic heart disease.
In a recent test 250 women drank as little as half a cup of tea per day and their pregnancy rates were double those who did not. We now know that drinking a half to two cups of tea per day may promote fertility by inhibiting abnormalities in our chromosomes.
The puffiness around the eyes will amazingly vanish and your eyes will look and feel brand new. A remedy for puffy eyes is to lie in a horizontal position and place either a tea compress or wet teabag over both eyes and leave for about 20 minutes.
One way to rid your refrigerator of unpleasant smells is to
place one or two used tea bags somewhere within the fridge.
The next day any bad smell will be gone!
Apply a wet tea bag to the infected area for about 15 minutes three times daily and the wart will slowly begin to shrink until it eventually disappears. A substance called Tannic acid which naturally occurs in tea is said to help in the battle against warts.
Many prominent researchers are convinced that this is due to green tea containing many powerful antioxidants and preventative anti-cancer agents. It is known that men in Asian countries who consume green tea have very low instances of prostate cancer.
It is thought that polyphenols which are very strong antioxidants and are contained in the tea are the most likely reason for this phenomenon. In recent Australian studies CSIRO scientists found that the occurrence of skin cancer in laboratory mice was greatly reduced when they were given black tea.
The costliest teabag ever was created for the 75'th
anniversary of the PG TIPS tea company. The bag was filled
with two hundred and eighty diamonds and expensive limited
edition tea leaves. The tea bag cost 7,500 pounds and would
be auctioned in aid of a Children's hospital in Great
Britain.
The total annual consumption of tea in Turkey is approximately 120 thousand tons whereas that of coffee is only 8 thousand tons. Turks drink more tea per head than any other nation, even more than the British and they are now the world's biggest tea drinkers. Contrary to what one might expect, Turkey is a land of tea drinkers.
Lorraine Bevere is the webmaster and operator of
FOG Tea, Inc.
For questions or comments about this article, please visit: which is a premier source of information about tea.
http://fogtea.com

Unique Wedding Favors Series: Personalized Tea Favors and Sweet Honey

The perfect wedding favor will engage as many senses as possible while recreating the sweet memories and emotions of your wedding for your guests. Wedding tea favors and sweet honey delights, personalized with your name and unique message, are an ideal wedding favor choice. Gifts rich with sensory joys like beautifully packaged teas are the latest trend in favor gift giving as they evoke a feeling of warmth and comfort symbolic to your marriage itself.
Tea favors bring depth and culture to your choice of wedding favor. Tea has been enjoyed by mankind since 3,000 BC and is rich with tradition and meaning. The distinctive wedding tea favor is a robust blend of black tea, created from the leaves of the
Camellia sinensis
Many scientists and naturalists believe that teas promote a long healthy life, a symbolism of a wonderful marriage. , a beautiful white flowering plant known for its medicinal qualities.
In many cultures, sharing tea with guests, friends, and family is a sign of ultimate respect and gratitude. In China, guests sip sweet tea as a symbolic wish for a sweet marriage between the newlywed couple. Tea has been an important part of wedding traditions all over the world for centuries.
Wedding tea favors are becoming a popular wedding favor choice and can be customized with gorgeous prints, lettering, and packaging to match the theme of your wedding. Try packaging the glossy white foil packs with aromatic cinnamon sticks and an elegant tea cup, bound with flowing ribbons. For an even richer gift surprise, add a matching personalized honey favor jar to further enhance the sweet warmth of the wedding tea favors.
The most wonderful way to reward the friends and family that made your day special is to send them home with invigorating tea favors and an opportunity to enjoy a moment of warm comfort. Sensory rich wedding favors have a way of bringing the romance and splendor of your wedding back to your guests long after your last dance.
Tea favors and hearty sweet honey jars are perfect items on which to print your name and your sweetheart's names and the date of your wedding. The shiny packaging of the tea favor and the charm of the honey jar are fit for display and invite your guests to relive the memory of your union with each glance.
The hopes, dreams, and romance that create a perfect wedding are emotions that are difficult to capture with objects in the physical world. Warm, invigorating tea favors sipped from a delicate cup and sweetened with rich honey offer a way to recreate the magical moments of peace and joy that form a beautiful wedding.
Author is a small business internet marketing consultant and the cofounder of nGenuity Solutions.

Drinking Tea Can Actually Help You Lose Weight

The following are the ones that have some scientific research behind them. Although experts are divided on exactly how healthy green tea, there is no doubt that it has some health benefits.
Tea can help reduce your chances of getting heart disease by up to half, as well as fight dental plaque and cavities (although it will also stain your teeth if you don't make sure to drink plenty of water and brush regularly, so watch out). Firstly, green tea shares all the health benefits that are thought to come from black tea, except in a more effective form, as the tea is fresher.
Drinking tea also burns more calories than it contains, meaning that could potentially help you to lose weight if you drink enough of it.
Black tea will make it a little redder - it sounds too far-fetched to be true, but many women swear by it, particularly in India. Strangely enough, tea is also thought to affect the colour of your hair if you drink it in sufficient quantities.
Unfortunately, there is also no shortage of people willing to claim that green tea will help you with whatever condition is fashionable at the moment. For that reason, read this list with some scepticism - it's up to you if you want to believe in green tea, or if it makes you personally feel better, but little has been proven scientifically either way. Green tea has been mooted as a cure for cancer, Alzheimer's, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, cardiovascular disease and HIV. But if it worked, surely we'd all be drinking it by now?

Types Of Chinese Tea

Probably you are familiar with the Chinese saying, "Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea are the seven necessities to begin a day." Though tea is last on the list, we can still see how important the tea is for the Chinese.
These include green tea, oolong, black, red, white, yellow, flower, and compressed tea. However, if we will consider tea in terms of quality, there are actually eight classes of Chinese tea. These are usually classified by procedure, quality, and preparation methods and so on.

There are actually thousand of Chinese tea varieties.
Now, let's take a look at these classes one by one.
Green Tea
Green tea is said to be the most natural type of Chinese tea. It is usually picked, naturally dried and fried briefly to get rid of its grassy smell. Unlike the other types, green tea skipped fermentation process.
Today, about 50% of China's tea is green tea. The aroma of this type of Chinese type range from medium to high, while the flavor is usually light to medium. According to some experts, green tea has the most medicinal value and the least caffeine content of all Chinese tea classes.
Oolong Tea
Chinese also call it "Qing Cha" and its typical leaves are green in the middle and red on the edges as a result of the process to soften tea leaves. This type of Chinese tea is halfway between green tea and black tea in a sense that it is half fermented.
Then, it is fried, rolled and roasted. Oolong tea leaves are basically withered and spread before undergoing a brief fermentation process.
Black Tea
The leaves of this variety become completely oxidized after processing. Also, this type of Chinese tea undergoes withering, then left to ferment for a long while, and then roasted. The Chinese black tea produces full-bodied amber when brewed.
Red Tea
It is also considered that red tea has low aroma and medium flavor and it is now divided into three subclasses: Kung Fu Red Tea, Ted Tea Bits, and Small Species Red Tea. This color is strongly highlighted during the fermentation process. As the name implies, this type of Chinese tea has red leaves and red tea color.
White Tea
This type of Chinese tea is sometimes considered as subclass of green tea. Perhaps it is for the fact that it is only withered and then roasted. Just like green tea, white tea escaped fermentation process. And, it has low caffeine content.
Yellow Tea
Apparently, yellow tea has yellow leaves and yellow tea color. According to some experts, this type of Chinese tea is an uncommon class of Chinese tea. The flavor of yellow tea is usually mild and refreshing.
Flower Tea
Generally, this class has light to medium flavor and medium to strong aroma. The Scented Tea, on the other hand, uses green tea and red tea as base and mix with scent of flowers. Well, the Flower Tea is just based on a simple concept that dried flowers are used, without much processing, to make tea. It actually subdivides into Flower Tea and Scented Tea.

Here is a unique type of Chinese tea - the Flower tea.
Compressed Tea
The final type of Chinese tea is the compressed tea. This class uses black tea as base tea. It is steamed and compressed into bricks, cakes, columns, and other shapes. Also, compressed tea has all the characteristics of black tea. It can be stored for years and decades.
Improve your health dramatically with the use of chinese tea -
http://www.chinese-tea-today.info

Basic Steps To Make Great Tasting Tea

Tea can be made many different ways but there are some guidelines you can follow to insure you get a great tasting cup. Some people learn by trial and error and others have the information passed down from their parents or other relatives. Not everyone knows how to make tea the correct way.
Some people even add a little sugar or other sweetener but this is all up to preference. Believe it or not this can greatly affect the flavor and overall enjoyment of the tea. You also want to use fresh, high quality water.

Try to get it as fresh as possible for the richest flavor. Before beginning make sure you have a high quality tea from a reputable source.
These are some basic guidelines to follow but always refer to the recommendations set forth by the tea manufacturer. Popular green teas should be steeped at a temperature of 160 to 180 degrees for a lesser time of 2 to 3 minutes. Popular green teas should be steeped at a temperature of 160 to 180 degrees for a period of 3 to 5 minutes.

Oolong tea is recommended for approximately 190 to 203 degrees for a period of 3 to 5 minutes. Black tea usually requires boiling water of around 212 degrees for a period of 4 to 6 minutes. This occurs when the tea is placed in the water for a period of time, but this will vary greatly with the type of tea you are making. Steeping is an important process that allows the tea to flow into the water.
It is a good idea for the tea to be brewed in a large deep pan, to give ample room for expansion of up to 5 times the leafs' original size. The best way is to just brew the leaves loose in the pot as the ancient cultures once did. Plus you get the full experience of brewing tea, not just the enjoyment of the cup. To get the leaves out when steeping is done you can strain them or use a tea infuser. These are products designed to remove every excess leaf from the water at the right time.
Drinking tea is a terrific way to relax with your friends. Now you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
James McDonald writes for findteaonline.com where you can find
flavored tea products
Read our related articles for tea information and even find a teapot or fun gifts for the tea lover in your family. including green, black, white, and other delicious teas.

Oolong Tea - A Healthy Refreshing Drink

Green tea is often touted as a wonder drink providing all sorts of health benefits. Studies have shown that green tea can prevent cancer, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system and reduce hypertension. Although green tea gets the spotlight, many of these same health benefits can be attributed to all sorts of tea including oolong.
Tea is, after all, tea. The only difference between green, oolong, and black tea is the way it has been processed after harvesting. White tea is a little bit different because of the way it is grown, but all tea is from the same plant - Camelia sinensis. And this plant has naturally occurring antioxidants that are beneficial to human health.
Antioxidants are also present in other types of food such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, and wines. They are good for disease prevention by combating free radicals - substances in the body linked to cancer, Parkinson's disease, senile and drug-induced deafness, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's.
There are several components in tea that act as antioxidants including catechins, flavanoids, and polyphenols.
White, Green or Oolong?
Oolong tea is produced by allowing the tea leaves to oxidize for a short time after picking. Oxidation is the process which makes the leaves turn dark on exposure to oxygen. Oolong is semi-oxidized; black tea is fully oxidized; and green tea is un-oxidized.
Fresh tea leaves are high in catechins. Processing the tea reduces these levels, so the more the tea is oxidized the lower the catechin levels. This means that white tea has the highest levels of catechins closely followed by green tea.
Catechins are the media darling of green tea promoters and usually receive the most coverage when discussing the health benefits of tea. There is one point, however, which is often overlooked: As the levels of catechins decrease during oxidation, the levels of theaflavins and thearubigins increase.
These two substances are found in higher concentrations in oolong and black tea than in green tea and have anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. A 2001 Chinese study indicated that the antioxidant properties of green tea and black tea are equal.
So it appears that oxidation does not eliminate the health properties of tea, but simply reduces one type of antioxidant while increasing other health-promoting compounds.
So is Oolong Good for You?
It is safe to say that all tea is good for you, but since we are particularly interested in oolong, let's see what the medical literature has to say.
Diabetes - Oolong tea may be an effective adjunct to oral hypoglycemic agents in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Eczema - Japanese researchers reported that patients with a form of eczema improved after drinking a liter of oolong tea daily.
Allergies - Two catechin derivatives (C-1 and C-2) with potent antiallergic activity were isolated from Taiwanese oolong tea.
Bacterial infections - Oolong tea polyphenols strongly inhibited the enzyme activities of some types of streptococci.
Cavities - Oolong tea polyphenolic compounds could be useful for controlling dental caries.
Obesity - Consumption of oolong tea stimulates both EE and fat oxidation in normal weight men.
Cancer - Oolong tea extract has a chemopreventive action against hepatocarcinogenesis.
Great stuff! Drinking oolong tea will make you healthier, live longer, be more beautiful and have great teeth!
The Bottom Line
Drink oolong tea for your health, but don't lose sight of this simple fact - people have been drinking tea for thousands of years because it is a great tasting beverage. Sit back, relax, and savour the sensations as you sip this wonderful drink. It's good for the soul, and what's good for the soul is certainly good for the body.
__________________________________
References:
J. Agric. Food Chem., 47 (5), 1906 -1910, 1999. 10.1021/jf981114l S0021-8561(98)01114-5
Archives of Dermatology, January 2001
Diabetes Care 26:1714-1718, 2003
Appl Environ Microbiol. 1993 April; 59(4): 968-973.
131:2848-2852, November 2001 Nutr. The American Society for Nutritional Sciences J.
Caries Res. 1993;27(2):124-9.
Jpn J Cancer Res. 1996 Oct;87(10):1034-8.
Journal of Nutrition. 2001;131:2248-2251.
Copyright © 2006 by Ross MacIver
TeaFromTaiwan.com
This article may be redistributed freely on the Internet or in ezines as long as the resource box and hyperlinks remain intact.
Ross MacIver is the webmaster of
Tea From Taiwan
, a Taiwan-based merchant of high-quality oolong tea. Taiwan produces the best oolong tea in the world. All the tea carried by
Tea From Taiwan
is hand picked and hand processed. The tea is shipped worldwide by Taiwan air post.

Introducing White Tea

White tea has only about 200 years of history and is the youngest among major tea types such as Green, Oolong and Black tea. Even though tea has been enjoyed for about 5000 years since its serendipitous discovery by Chinese Emperor and "Divine Healer" Shen-Nung in 2737 B.C, White tea did not come to existence until at much later time.
For her kindness and courage, people honored her with the name of Mother Taimu and named the mountain Taimu Mountain. While taking refuge up in a cave in the mountain, Lan Gu found a special tea tree to help cure them. According to a legend, White tea tree varietal was discovered by a girl named Lan Gu from Fuding county of Fujian Province in China where the beautiful Taimu Mountain is located.
This legend parallels the same divine healing spirit of tea discovery by Shen-Nung, only more than 2000 years later.
According to the history, White tea was first produced in Fuding in 1796 and later spread to two other counties (Zhenhe and Jianyang) in Fujian.
There are three different cultivars of White tea tree - Big White, Narcissus White and Vegetable White with the Big White as the finest and most popular. There are also three different types of White tea based on different ways of plucking - Silver Needle (only one bud is plucked), White Peony (one bud together with one leave down) and Longevity Eyebrow (one bud with two to three leaves down). Silver Needle is also known as its original Chinese name "Bai Hao Yin zhen" and is the most precious and exotic.
Due to the minimal processing, White tea preserves most natural compounds and potentially has the most health benefits. White tea is also called a lightly fermented tea positioning itself between the unfermented Green and semi-fermented Oolong tea. White tea brews to a pale yellow color and has a slightly sweet flavor.

During the process, there is light oxidation occurring. The leaves are withered and then dried. The process only consists of two steps. White tea is the least processed among all types of teas.
In 2002, a research paper by Oregon State University scholar Roderick H. Dashwood published in Foods and Food Ingredients Journal of Japan "White Tea - A New Cancer Inhibitor" provides insight into the anticancer and anti-mutagenic properties of White Tea.
They also found that the anti-viral and anti-bacterial effect of white tea might be greater than that of green tea. In 2004, at the 104th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Researchers at Pace University presented their finding that White Tea Extract (WTE) may have prophylactic applications in retarding growth of bacteria that cause Staphylococcus infections, Streptococcus infections, pneumonia and dental caries.
In addition, several companies started marketing White tea flavored "Ready to Drink" (RTD) bottled beverages. Recently, White tea has found itself used in anti-aging skin care and beauty products.
If you find the price for White tea is generally higher than that of Green and Oolong teas, you now know why. If you find the price for White tea is most exotic and rare due to the rare White tea tree varietals and short harvest time (high grade Silver Needle is only made from the youngest bugs plucked during only a couple of days of spring). White tea is most exotic and rare due to the rare White tea tree varietals and short harvest time (high grade Silver Needle is only made from the youngest bugs plucked during only a couple of days of spring).
White tea could be the tea of the future with its legendary spirit, exotic nature and wide applications of health benefits.
Jay is a tea lover and the owner of
Taimu Tea
- a premium Chinese tea store that focuses on tea knowledge, news and education in addition to providing quality fresh teas from Taimu Mountain and its surrounding areas in Fujian province of China.
http://www.taimutea.com
tea@taimutea.com

Reduce Heart Disease, Strokes, and Cancer by Drinking Oolong Tea

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There is a Chinese proverb - A daily cup of tea or more, keeps you out of the pharmacy. As you will shortly see, there is a lot of truth in this proverb. So, what is oolong tea? It is related to green tea and black tea -- they are all produced from the same plant. Green tea is made from the dried leaves, whereas black tea is made by fermentation of the leaves. Oolong tea is made by partly fermenting the leaves prior to drying.
There is also evidence that they may decrease the blood's tendency to form thrombi, or unwanted blood clots. It is thought that the polyphenols in tea inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract, thus decreasing the cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Studies in several countries have found many kinds of tea have some effect in reducing cholesterol in blood fats, though oolong seems to get the best results. This can lead to several problems including coronary thrombosis (a heart attack) and strokes, so high cholesterol levels are not a good thing.

These are essential for many things in your body but cholesterol also builds up on the wall of the arteries, causing them to narrow and restrict blood flow. Triglycerides and cholesterol are two important fatty substances in the bloodstream.
Obesity is an increasing problem these days, it is well documented that overweight people are more likely to suffer heart problems. In the hustle-bustle of modern living, it is easy to resort to a junk diet. This is bad news for your body because it hangs on to the extra fat and lacks many of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are vital for your well-being. The Chinese claim that tea can actually help reduce the amount of fat in the tissues. Oolong tea seems to get the most publicity here, although any tea probably has some benefits. Chinese sources cite numerous cases of people who have lost weight while regularly drinking two or three cups of oolong a day. Oolong mixed with other herbal ingredients is the basis for a number of teas marketed especially for slimming. A Chinese ad for Slimming Tea claims that drinking it for three months can help you drop up to 15 pounds off your weight. I am not convinced that tea alone can achieve this but it seems that it can contribute as tactic in your weight-loss strategy.
Much research is being carried out on the role of tea drinking in preventing cancer. For example, out of 25 papers related to health presented at the Hangzhou Symposium, almost one third reported on cancer research. Research has found that oolong has some effect against cancer because it inhibits the formation or action of cancer-causing substances. It seems to be the epigallo catechin gallate (EGCC) that reduces the occurrence of uncontrolled DNA replication. Vitamin E is regarded as an excellent antioxidant; EGCC is supposedly 200 times more effective for neutralizing free radicals in the body. Another way oolong tea may help fight cancer is through preventing cell mutation. The antioxidant properties of the polyphenols in oolong tea may inhibit mutation of the DNA in healthy cells, which can cause them to become cancer cells.
Cured meats often contain nitrates which can be converted to nitrosamines in the digestive process. Nitrosamines are known to be carcinogenic. Tea may block the action of nitrosamines which can cause cancer, said Dr. Han Chi, an associate professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene under the Chinese Academy of Preventative Medicine. In a test of 145 types of tea, she and her colleagues rated green tea highest, with a blocking rate of 90 percent. Oolong and black tea followed in that order as the fermentation process destroys the EGCC. The partial fermentation of the leaves during the production of oolong tea reduces the EGCC level by approximately fifteen percent.
The fluoride in tea can strengthen bones and help ward off osteoporosis in the same way that it strengthens dental enamel. While it is no magic fountain of youth, some of its benefits can be said to contribute to longevity (stimulation of bodily functions, strengthening the immune system, reducing the chance of heart disease and improving stomach functions). Still today, perhaps as an echo of those beliefs, claims are made that tea drinking helps one to live to a ripe old age.

Long ago in China, tea was an ingredient in immortality potions favored by the Taoists.
When pregnant or nursing only small amounts of oolong tea should be used, it can also interfere with MAO inhibitors and blood thinning medication. Also the consumption of oolong tea may interfere with the absorption of medicines. This article is intended to be for information about the nutritional benefits of oolong tea only and should not be regarded as medical advice in its own right. You should seek the assistance of a qualified physician if you require medical advice on any condition mentioned in this article.

Some Tea Brewing Tips For Anyone To Enjoy

Here is a list of tea brewing tips that can be used to add some additional flavor to your favorite cup of tea:
The first thing you should do is purchase a high quality tea. You will receive far more pleasure by purchasing teas that have the quality ingredients that you love. Try to find a reputable supplier, one who preferably has many glowing reviews from other consumers.
It is recommended to steep your tea in water that is not quite to the boiling point. You will also want to avoid boiling the water as this will expel oxygen and makes the water taste flat, believe it or not. You can use fresh water if you have a good supply yourself, or even buy bottled water from a well-known company.

Also try to use a high quality water when making your tea.
Many say to use between 2.5 to 3 grams of leaves per 5-6 ounces of water. You can accomplish this by using a tea balance. Try to measure out the correct weight of tea leaves for the amount you are making.
The following are some generally accepted steeping temperatures: Black and Herbal teas should actually use water at a full boil or around 212 degrees, Oolong tea should be steeped between 190 and 203 degrees, Green tea between 160 and 180 degrees, and White tea is brewed best in a cooler water with a range of 150 to 160 degrees. This is best accomplished by using a thermometer to get the water just right. Use the correct steeping temperature for the type of tea you are steeping.
Using the correct steeping time is another important consideration to brewing the perfect cup. Use the following recommendations for the type of tea you enjoy the most: Black tea should be steeped for 4-6 minutes, Puerh teas are known as hard teas and should be steeped for a minimum of 7-8 minutes, Oolong teas have a wider variety of steeping times from as little as 3-4 minutes to upwards of 6-8 minutes, Green teas are ready to go in a brief 2 to 3 minutes, and White teas are the most sensitive and should not be steeped for more than 2 minutes.
It is best to infuse tea in a kettle since the tealeaves can quickly expand to three times their starting size as they release the stored flavor and aroma. Try to make sure that there is enough space in the infuser for the teas to fully expand. You should provide plenty of space during infusion and avoid cramping the tea leaves.
Any dark colored or tightly rolled teas can stay fresh for more than six months if stored this way. To enjoy your tea completely make sure that you keep it in an airtight container. Your tea will lose its flavor if it is exposed to oxygen or light. And lastly let's not overlook storage.
About the author:
James McDonald writes for
findteaonline.com
, a
flavored tea
resource site. You can find some popular tea offerings as well as informative articles on a variety of topics about this terrific beverage.

Arthritis - New Hope from Green Tea

As anyone who has -- or knows someone who has -- Rheumatoid Arthritis, it can prevent the sufferer from leading a normal life. It is a condition of unknown cause that can vary in intensity from a short, self-limiting illness to a long term, progressively worsening illness. Initially, treatments are light, aiming to remedy joint stiffness and inflammation. In the chronic cases, the inflammation can become worse, requiring a whole range of treatments including steroids, joint replacement and fusion ok bones. The joints of the body can become deformed and strength dwindles, leaving the sufferer unable to open even a bottle of milk or turn on a tap. You have good days and you have bad days.
So keeping a diary of foods may help to pinpoint what triggers the bad days. Even if someone is only mildly allergic to dairy, this can cause antioxidant levels to fall, antibodies are produced in response and these, for whatever reason, attack the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs predominantly in developed countries where a large part of the diet is animal and the aforementioned dairy produce. Certain foods are thought to exacerbate Rheumatoid Arthritis, for example, dairy produce.

"You are what you eat" is a cliché, but very true.
So, if food seems to be the trigger, reducing dairy foods and increasing antioxidants in your diet may help. But how to get more antioxidants? The tastiest ways are probably to eat plenty of fresh vegetables and drink a few cups of green tea each day. Why is green tea better than 'normal' tea? The tea that most westerners are used to is black tea. Whilst that is a better for you than coffee, it is not as beneficial as green tea. The reason? Black tea has been fermented; green tea has not, thus leaving the key chemicals intact.
The study indicated that the mice who had been given the Each of the mice was then injected with collagen, making them vulnerable to a condition very similar to human Rheumatoid Arthritis. The doses were about equivalent to a human drinking 3-4 cups of green tea per day. Mice studied by the Cleveland researchers were fed either plain water or water enriched with green tea polyphenols.

A research team from Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio has focused on the effect of these polyphenols in Rheumatoid arthritis. Polyphenols (antioxidants found in green tea) possess much more potent antioxidant activity than well-known antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. Studies in mice suggest that green tea antioxidants may have a powerful effect in reducing the incidence and severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Studies in mice suggest that green tea can actually benefit Arthritis sufferers? Studies in mice suggest that green tea can actually benefit Arthritis sufferers?

Studies in mice suggest that green tea can actually benefit Arthritis sufferers? Studies in mice suggest that green tea can actually benefit Arthritis sufferers? Studies in mice suggest that green tea can actually benefit Arthritis sufferers? But what evidence is there that green tea can actually benefit Arthritis sufferers?
"An increase of just one cup a day could prove invaluable in the fight against gum disease," said the British Dental Health Foundation Tea contains tannin fluoride which appears to help prevent plaque. In a Japanese study, tea without sugar has been found to be good for teeth and gums. In 1991 there were just 153 studies on tea, while in 1998 there were 625 published papers. A previous Dutch investigation of more than 800 men between 65 and 84 showed that drinking even more tea - between three and four cups a day - decreased risk of death from coronary heart disease by 58%.

Flavanoids are thought to neutralise the effect of free radicals, highly reactive molecules that travel round the body causing damaging chemical reactions to cells, including those in the heart tissues. This health benefit is thought to come from flavanoids, a type of antioxidant found in all types of tea. There are other benefits too - in another study in the US it has been shown that drinking at least one cup of green tea per day can reduce the risk of heart attack by 44%.

Tea Bags

They are very popular in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Tea bags are also known for their stylish packaging of tea for brewing. A tea bag is a small bag or pouch that holds tea leaves to brew a single cup of tea.
An American tea importer, Thomas Sullivan, invented tea bags in 1908. He used tea bags to send samples to his customers in New York City, so he wouldn't have to use more expensive tins. He sent tea samples packaged in silk bags. His customers put the entire bag into the pot, and this is how the tea bags came to be used. However, the first commercial appearance of tea bags was in 1920, by the United States.
The properly infused tea bags provide a wider choice to consumers to choose tea leaves. These pouches are filled with appropriate amounts of tea leaves of a consumer's choice. These bags are pouches with open ended flaps.

Empty tea bags are also available for consumers to fill them with tea leaves.
Biodegredable tea bags are the latest offering by many companies. There is huge range of tea bags such as heat sealable tea bags, organic energy herbal tea bags and many more. Biodegredable tea bags are also available in varied flavours.

There is huge range of tea bags such as heat sealable tea bags, organic energy herbal tea bags and many more. Biodegredable tea bags are also available in varied flavours. There is huge range of tea bags such as heat sealable tea bags, organic black tea bags, organic energy herbal tea bags and many more. The tea bags are also available in varied flavours. As a result decorative tea bags have become collector's items for many tea lovers.

However, circular and pyramidal are also among the many decorative shapes tea bags available. Usually, tea bags come in square or rectangular shapes.
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Black Tea

Black tea is stronger in taste and contains more caffeine as compared to other oxidized teas. Black tea is one of three varieties of commonly known teas that are black, green and oolong tea. Black tea is one of three varieties of commonly known teas that are black, green and oolong tea.

Black tea made from leaves more heavily oxidized than other varieties of tea. Black tea is also referred to as a cup of a tea without milk. Black tea is one of three varieties of commonly known teas that are black, green and oolong tea.
Black teas are available in bricks and tea bags. As a result, it has also been used as compressed bricks. Black tea is known for retaining its flavor for several years. Black teas are distinctive in flavors and can be sweet, spicy or with a hint of chocolate.
Black tea is also used in promoting the body's ability to natural heal itself. Black tea is full of various nutrients such as amino acid theanine, the minerals calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium, and the vitamins C and K. Black tea is full of various nutrients such as amino acid theanine, the minerals calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium, and the vitamins C and K. Regular consumption of black tea reduces the risk of strokes.

Researches have shown that black tea is very beneficial for health. Both contribute to its distinctive flavor and dark color. Black tea contains the compounds theaflavins and thearubigens.
Different regions are known for producing teas with characteristic flavors. In America it is known as "Black tea," but in China it often referred as "Red Tea." Unblended Black teas are usually named by the country where they are produced. Black tea is famous in all parts of the world and has names in different regions.
Tea lovers can also get their favorite Black tea from all part of the worlds using these websites. The varieties of black teas are also imported to markets with the help of many dedicated tea websites. Consumers can find several choices of Black tea at most teashops or restaurants. Millions of people enjoy black tea as a dietary supplement.

Black teas are taste delicious and have lived up to the potential of being a healthy beverage.
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