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

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.

The Perfect Pot of Tea

There is, in fact, an art form and a science to bringing the brew to perfection. The perfect pot of tea is far more than just pouring boiling water over some leaves.
The first step is to fill your tea kettle with cold water. Always use fresh water, and don't rely on old water that has stayed in the kettle from the last time. Turn the kettle on to boil. Make sure your kettle is a stainless steel, non-reactive vessel.
While the kettle is heating, fill your clean teapot with hot water. (Since the polyphenols in tea can go rancid if they are left in the pot, making your tea taste bitter, it's important to wash your teapot thoroughly after each use….unless, of course, you're using a Yixing teapot!)
Essentially, you are pre-heating the teapot, a process which helps keep the tea warm and allows the leaves to open fully. Dry the teapot out after it has been warmed with the hot water.
Pick your pleasure and select the tea leaves you are going to use. In general, use 1 teaspoon of loose tea for each cup, placing the leaves into your infuser. If you're making tea for more than six people, add one extra teaspoon of leaves for the pot.
Bring the teapot to the kettle so that heat is not lost, and then pour the boiling water over the tea leaves in the pot. Use the teapot's lid to hold in the steam and properly steep the tea. For black teas, the proper steeping is three to five minutes.
Allowing the tea leaves to steep for more than five minutes, or pressing or squeezing the wet tea leaves can result in a bitter taste because too many of the polyphenols are released. Stick to the time-honored formula of a teaspoon per cup. You can't make a perfect pot of tea by using poor quality leaves and increasing the amount of time it steeps, or by using more tea and steeping it less time.
Herbal tisanes and green teas require five to ten minutes of steeping.
In England, and for many tea lovers, making tea by the cup instead of in the pot - is improper and taboo.
While you may never earn a perfect 10.0 at the Olympics, or find the absolute perfect match-made-in-heaven, it's easy to make the perfect pot of tea.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lady Dawnya Sasse, is author of the world's first online tea business programs entitled "Start a Tea Business" and "Start A Children's Tea Party Business." To learn more about her online classes and to sign up for her FREE Tea Radio Broadcasts visit her site at
http://www.TeaEvents.com
.
This article may be distributed freely on your website, as long as this entire article, including links and this resource box are unchanged.
Copyright 2005 Dawnya Sasse All Rights Reserved. Tea Events

http://www.TeaEvents.com

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.

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.

Drink 10 Tea Cups Per Day to Keep Doctor Away

Many previous laboratory researches have demonstrated the inhibitory power of components of black and green teas not only against cancer but also against tumerogenesis in lung, colon and skin.
Green tea is made from the a plant named Camellia Sinensis...as is black tea. The only difference is that green tea is left unfermented, which means that the high antioxidant actions remain fully intact.
So, drinking how much is too much? Regarding tea daily consumption there are serious concerns related to its caffeine.
Experts say total fluid intake in adults might be about 2.5 liters, of which tea can contribute six to ten cups, that means 0.7 to 1.4 liters.
The question has for long baffled tea lovers but experts say six to 10 cups per day can help in lowering the risk of a number of chronic diseases, claims a book.
Besides regular cups of tea, this healthy diet must contain adequate vegetables and fruits, bran cereal insoluble fibers as well as sources of soluble fibers. Green and/or black tea daily consumption could be a part of a health promoting nutritional diet low in total fat and salt. Six to ten cups per day may be a beneficial dietary habit to help in reducing the risk of a number of chronic diseases.

A Presentation Tea Chest For An Elegant Tea Service

The hardwood chests are simple, yet elegant, and the presentation process dignifies the traditions of the tea ceremony that have evolved throughout history. With the wide range of whole-leaf teas available today, the Tea Butler Presentation Chest makes it possible for individuals to examine and select teas based on color, texture, and aroma. In most tea services today, a tea box or menu is used for presenting tea, but the consumer's tea selection is often made by name recognition only.
Tea Butler Presentation Chest:
This allows the patron or guest to easily open the tea jar to examine the tea's texture, color, make-up, and scent. The chest has an attractive velour faced foam insert with octagonal cutouts that hold the tea jars, while allowing them to be easily removed for closer viewing. Each chest contains one set of loose-leaf tea selections.

The Tea Butler presentation chest is made of beautiful hardwood and has a series of see-through sparkling clear octagonal acrylic tea jars.
The plaque can easily be customized for each tea blend selection and can include individual or organization names and/or logos. For example, herbal caffeine-free teas are located on the left, black and flavored black teas are in the middle, and green and flavored green teas are located on the left, black and flavored black teas are in the middle, and green and flavored green teas are located on the left, black and flavored black teas are in the middle, and green and flavored green teas are located on the right. The teas are organized by tea type to simplify the presentation. A tea plaque, located in the tea chest cover, has a detailed description of each tea, and each block is aligned with its corresponding tea jar.
Tea Butler Presentation Process:
In a restaurant table service, for example, the server brings the Tea Butler to the table, describes how the teas are organized on the tea plaque, and then goes about other tasks while the patron takes a few minutes to read the descriptions, examine the teas, and make their choice. There is no need for extensive training about the individual teas.
Tea Butler Benefits:
The added benefit for owners is that their Restaurant owners like it because the Tea Butler can be brought to the table with the dessert menu, thus encouraging patrons to have dessert, after dinner beverages, or both. Servers like it because it's simple to use and their patrons enjoy it. Restaurant owners like it because it is interesting and informative, and adds a pleasurable dimension to their dining experience.

Servers like it because it's simple to use and their patrons enjoy it. Servers like it because it is interesting and informative, and adds a pleasurable dimension to their dining experience. Restaurant owners like it because it is interesting and informative, and adds a pleasurable dimension to their dining experience. Restaurant owners like it because it's simple to use and their patrons enjoy it. Restaurant owners like it because it's simple to use and their patrons enjoy it.

Servers like it because it's simple to use and their patrons enjoy it. Past experience has shown that patrons like it because it is interesting and informative, and adds a pleasurable dimension to their dining experience. The Tea Butler offers patrons an opportunity to explore new teas and make an informed decision about their tea selection.
Tea Butler Series Presentation Chests and Trays:
The Tea Butler chests and trays come in a variety of sizes in either maple or cherry. The beautiful hardwood products are stained mahogany and varnished to produce an attractive display product. The presentation chests are available in 6 or 8 count maple; and 9 or 12 count cherry. The presentation tray is available in 6 or 8 count maple. There are 12 standard plaques and tea sets for the maple and cherry chests, and 3 standard plaques and tea sets for the tea trays. Custom plaques and tea sets versions can be implemented. Each of these products can be viewed with graphic detail on our website.
Specialty Teas and the Silken Tea Sachet:
As interest in tea has grown, consumers are looking for even more variety. Specialty teas are now the most interesting and fastest growing sector of tea, and its growth is poised to continue over the next decade, according to the Tea Association of the USA. A fitting definition of specialty tea is tea that has been specially cared for in ways that allow the teas to achieve their highest level of quality. This care starts with the planting, cultivating, and careful timing of when and how the tea is harvested, processed, packaged, and shipped. This produces teas which are wonderful to taste, have great sensory appeal, are interesting to the eye, and are soothing and relaxing to drink. This tea deserves a presentation that is as carefully prepared as the tea it presents.
In the presence of such fine specialty teas, it became apparent that the ordinary tea bag, because of its limited space for steeping, would not allow the full-leaf tea to brew to its full potential. To meet this need, tea vendors began looking for alternative ways to package these full-leaf teas that would be easy to use and attractive to consumers. Harney & Sons, one of the finest tea companies in the world, offers a broad range of silken tea sachets that contains a generous amount of pre-portioned loose leaf tea that provides a full two-cup teapot with a single sachet, taking the guesswork out of brewing a wonderful pot of tea. The Tea Butler has partnered with Harney & Sons to offer their fine teas to restaurants, resorts, and hotels, as well as for retail customers at its online store.
Tea Butler Trays in Coffee Shops and Retail Locations:
In recent years, however, there has been a growing demand for healthier beverages and the interest in tea, especially high-end specialty teas, has caught the interest of well known coffee chains such as the West Coast chain, formerly known as the Coffee Bean, now renamed the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Traditionally, coffee shops have had a captive audience, with little interest in serving any but the most basic teas.
Coffee shops of all sizes have a common problem: lack of display counter space. The Tea Butler tray was designed specifically to meet this need. The trays are made of hardwood maple, and are stained mahogany and varnished. They are longer and narrower than the tea chests, containing one row of 8 sparkling clear octagonal acrylic tea jars and are uncovered. The tea description plaque is placed on a beveled surface on the tray, in front of the tea jars, with each tea description aligned with its tea sample. The trays are attractive, draw attention, and encourage patrons to order specialty teas. Some shops are also selling Harney & Sons colorful retail 20-count tea sachet tins as well. A stepped 8-tin rack fits nicely behind the tray, encouraging patrons to purchase their favorite teas.
Conclusion:
The presentation of tea doesn't need to be a blind, uninteresting process. With Tea Butlers, it can be simple, yet elegant and informative, where both the presenter and their guests can enjoy the process!
The author and owner of Espresso Fino, LLC is a wholesale distributor of tea and coffee products that sells to the high-end foodservice sector, based in Gilbert, Arizona. It also owns and operates an online store called Tea Butler,
http://www.teabutler.com
where a full range of specialty tea products are sold, including the Tea Butler brand teas and
presentation tea selection chests
This article and its content are free to copy and disseminate according to Ezine Articles rules. Other tutorial information on our website, including images, may be copied for personal use but are copyright protected and not for distribution without written permission. If you want to add some of our graphics to published versions of this article, please contact us through our website.

Eleven Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea is known to provide 10-40mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant activity greater than a serving of spinach, broccoli, carrots, or strawberries. Studies show that green tea contains antioxidants, polyphenols, theanine, as well as a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Green tea is definitely good for your body.
Enhances Health
Tea is known for its incredible power to prolong life. In recent research into green tea, results show its power in preventing disease as well.
Prevents Cancer
The death rate from cancer is known to be significantly lower for both women & men in Japan. Why is this you may ask? As much as 5-6 cups daily are consumed in areas that produce green tea, making it the main beverage to drink. This suggests that the main ingredients of green tea (tannin, catechin); in sufficient amounts lower the standard mortality rates for stomach cancer.
Restricts Blood Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol, one is "bad" cholesterol (LDL), and heavy accumulation of these in tissues can lead to atherosclerosis. The other is good cholesterol (HDL) that prevents accumulation of excessive "bad" cholesterol. It has been proven and demonstrated that green tea catechin restricts the excessive buildup of cholesterol.
Controls High Blood Pressure
Green tea is known for lowering blood pressure. High blood pressure is a serious burden on the vascular system and is known to cause heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Lowers Blood Sugar
Green teas given to diabetes patients cause a decrease in the blood glucose levels. Green Tea has the capability of lowering blood sugar. The sugars and carbohydrates in our food are digested mainly in the duodenum, where it is converted to glucose and then absorbed into the blood stream.
The agent that regulates the intake of blood sugar continues for a long period, it will affect the vascular system and cause serious diseases including arteriosclerosis and retinal hemorrhages.
Suppresses Aging
Oxygen plays a key role in metabolism, but can also be an unhealthful agent. As a free radical, oxygen in the body can corrode cell membranes, which will damage DNA and the fats. This then leads to diseases such as cancer, cardio-vascular disease and diabetes. Lipid peroxide created by fats combined with oxygen tends to build up in the body and create aging.
Consumption of antioxidants such as vitamins E and C promises longer life, and we already know that green teas are rich in those two vitamins.
Refreshes the Body
Green tea caffeine taken in proper quantity stimulates every organ in the body and clears your mind. The small amount of caffeine (about 9 mgs of caffeine) present in a normal serving of green tea can stimulate the skeletal muscles and smooth the progress of muscular contraction.
Deters Food Poisoning
It has long been known that green tea has the ability to kill bacteria and is known to deter food poisoning. Treating diarrhea with consumption of strong green tea. Green tea is a powerful sterilizing instrument for all sorts of bacteria that cause food poisoning.
Prevents and Treats Skin Disease
Soaking in green tea has been successful as a treatment for athlete's foot. Bedsores and skin disease can be prevented or healed by using a green tea bath.
Stops Cavities
It has been known for some time that small amounts of fluorine can strengthen teeth and help prevent cavities. Green tea contains natural fluorine and is thought to aid in the reduction of cavities in schoolchildren.
Fights Viruses
Green tea catechin and theaflavin, which are both present in black tea, have a strong effect on the flu virus. It is also thought that the anti viral capability of green tea catechin may have some beneficial effect on the AIDS virus.
Additional Information
· Green Tea drinkers appear to enjoy better health.
· Catechin is 100 times more potent than vitamin E.
· Green Tea drinkers have half the risk of fatal heart attacks. Compounds in the tea called flavonoids stop blood platelets from forming clots, much like aspirin does.
For more information, visit
http://www.TeaInfoCenter.com

Gyokuro Green Tea - What It Is And How To Brew It

If you consider yourself an "advanced" green tea connoisseur, perhaps you may have considered or have even tried brewing gyokuro. Since good gyokuro is expensive, it's common for people to try it once, not find it to their liking, and then give up on it. This is often a result of an enthusiast brewing it like they brew their normal sencha green tea. Once you have tried a good gyokuro brewed correctly, however, you will understand what a great green tea it actually is.
Obviously, there is a reason why growers go to all of this trouble - gyokuro is delicious! All of this of course means extra labor, which has a lot to do with why gyokuro is so expensive in the first place. This is accomplished by building an enclosure around the plants using bamboo poles covered with rice straw.

About 3 weeks before the anticipated harvest date, the tea bushes are covered under 90% shade. In case you are not aware, gyokuro is shade grown green tea.
Probably the most important aspect of brewing gyokuro is temperature. Gyokuro needs to be brewed at a lower temperature than other green teas, about 155 Fahrenheit (68 Celsius.) Since water boils at 212F, obviously the temperature needs to be reduced somehow. Even when cooled, however, one can't really start the process with water that is 155F for numerous reasons. If one pours 155F water into a teapot that has been sitting at room temperature, expect that the water will no longer remain at 155F, but will instead drop about 15 degrees. Great, now we're at 140F - too cool for brewing. If in turn one pours that tea into two teacups sitting at room temperature, expect another 15 degree temperature drop. Now we're at 125 F, and two cold, boring cups of improperly brewed gyokuro. So the devil is in the details, and to brew a good cup of gyokuro, these things need to be taken into consideration.
Where you normally can get away with a teaspoon of loose leaf sencha in an 8 ounce teapot, for gyokuro you will need instead about 1 tablespoons of tea per person, and about 5 or 6 ounces of water for each person served. Where you normally can get away with a teaspoon of loose leaf sencha in an 8 ounce teapot, for gyokuro you will need to use more tea. Where you normally can get away with a teaspoon of loose leaf sencha in an 8 ounce teapot, for gyokuro you will need to use more tea.

Where you normally can get away with a teaspoon of loose leaf sencha in an 8 ounce teapot, for gyokuro you will need to use more tea. Where you normally can get away with a teaspoon of loose leaf sencha in an 8 ounce teapot, for gyokuro you will need to use more tea. To brew a good cup of gyokuro, you will need to use more tea.
Western teapots and the like can be used as long as you know what you are doing and take all of the above into consideration. This is not to say you can't use other types of teapots. Additionally, Japanese teapots are usually just the right size for the job. That means it needs a lot of room to expand.

Gyokuro, like other green teas, is compact. One other aspect of brewing gyokuro that is often overlooked is the teapot that one brews it in.
To get down to brewing, I think I can best sum this up by saying the traditional Japanese way of brewing their green tea is also probably the best way to do it, no surprises there. So let's make two cups of gyokuro green tea. You will need three empty teacups, your teapot, and a good gyokuro. Start off by boiling your water in a kettle. When the water "just" starts to boil, immediately turn off the heat and allow the water to cool on it's own for a few minutes. Pour your hot water directly into the empty teapot, filling it, and allowing the teapot to sit a minute or so and warm up. This not only warms the teapot, it also cools the water some. Next, pour the hot water from the teapot into two of the three cold teacups, and then empty the remaining water from the teapot. At this stage we now have a warm teapot, two teacups with hot water in them, and a cold, still empty third teacup. More likely than not, the hot water in those two teacups is still a bit two warm for gyokuro, so what you will want to do is pass back and forth the water between the three teacups, warming the cups and cooling off the water. You usually only have to do this once or twice. This also has the effect of adding oxygen to the water and will improve the taste of the finished product.
All of this does take a little practice to get the hang of, but you'll soon be able to sense when you have cooled the water enough. Put about one and a half tablespoons of loose leaf gyokuro into the warm teapot, and pour the hot water from the two filled teacups directly into the teapot. Brew for 2 to 3 minutes, not disturbing the teapot. Lastly, pour from the teapot back into the warm teacups, draining all of the tea to the very last drop. If you've done that correctly and were patient, you should have one of the finest cups of green tea you've ever tasted. For subsequent infusions, simply re-brew for 30 seconds. It's normal for the second infusion to have a more "green" color than the first. Enjoy your superior cup of green tea!
Kevin Moore is the founder of O-Cha.com, one of the internet's first and largest websites dedicated to Japanese 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.
http://www.o-cha.com
Contact him at
kevinrm@o-cha.com

Rediscover Tea - A Personal Story

Taimu Mountain is the origin of the exotic White tea. The famous Oolong tea Iron Goddess (aka Tie Kuan Yin) is from southern Fujian. Fujian is one of the major tea growing regions in China. I grew up in a tea farm about 20 miles from Taimu Mountain in eastern Fujian province of China.
I spent most of my early childhood in a tea farm with my parents and three brothers and a sister along many other families and their playful kids.
It was like a big family. We all lived in the same apartment building and shared a big dinning hall. For most kids, there was no chance to go to college at that time.

This is during the time of Cultural Revolution when every graduate was sent to a remote farm to learn from the physical work. Some of them just graduated from high schools. The majority of the workers were young single man and women. The farm was state owned. Aside tea growing and processing, the farm also grew crops and raised boars.

The farm is very large with two separate locations on two different mountains several miles apart.
As a kid, I went to the tea garden with my mother and other women to pluck the tea leaves during the day. My father who was the accountant inspected and weighed the leaves at the workshop. The women were paid according to the weight of the leaves they plucked. Night time was when the tea processing began. The farm mostly produced green teas. The processing involved the drying of tea leaves by firing and frying. The process was continued overnight. The workers took a break in the mid night and had snacks, typically a bowl of congee or noodle. I along with other kids would stay late until it was snack time so that we got our share. It is not because we helped in any way; it was just because we were kids. Some times, we even slept in the workshop. We would take a large linen bag used for storing tea leaves and used it as a sleeping bag. One night, my cousin tied my older brother's bag while he was sleeping sound. Later on, my brother woke up and tried to go to bathroom and could not get out. Unfortunately, he wet himself.
After tea leaves were processed, some of them became broken. The broken pieces need to be separated out form the whole leaves by hands. I would join my mother and other women in this effort. Picking out the smaller broken pieces was a painstaking manual process and required a great deal of eyes and hands coordination. The faster one could pick, the more she would handle and the more she would get paid. The outcome was inspected to make sure the tea is free of broken pieces.
Our farm was not a tea refinery where teas are further processed and packaged for final distribution to stores. The coarse teas were transported by feet from the farm to a refinery in the town many miles away. This was the time when we got to go with to visit the town and get our hair cuts, get good snacks and buy industrial products made in big and famous cities like Shanghai.
I moved to my home town about 30 miles away to live with my grandparents and to attend school when I was about eight years old. Since then, I only visited the farm during the summer break.
Chinese people recognize tea as one of the seven necessities of living. Every family, poor or rich, one person or several generations under the roof, all have tea and use it as a way of receiving and entertaining guests. It is a custom that you greet a guest with a bowl of hot tea. Most of times some home made snacks are also served along with the tea. There was no soda, no ice cream when I was a kid. Only tea and the courteous receptions I got from other families as I visited them. Those moments are in my sweet memories and are very much missed as I now live a modern life in the industrialized society full of all kinds of gadgets and gismos along with the fast and convenient sodas and ice creams, thousands of miles away from where I am from.
I came to the states at the end of 1990 as a graduate student. Since then I have joined millions of people here in the pursuit of prosperity. I worked at one job to another, moved from one city to another. I raised one kid to and now two and tried to make the ends meet. Soda had taken the place of tea with its convenience when the fast-paced living leaves me with no time and no mood for tea. I had no tea for about 15 years until two years back when I went to visit my home town and brought back some teas. Now I am reunited with tea and started enjoying and learning more about it.
Tea takes me home each and every day with its refreshing and reflective aroma and taste, even though I am oceans and continents apart from my root.
Jay is the owner of
TaimuTea.com
- an online 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

An Introduction To Green Tea

Green tea is made from the plant called Camellia sinensis, which is steamed to make tea. An ancient Chinese proverb says, ""Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one."" The Chinese have had tremendous faith in the healing properties of green tea for over 4000 years, something the world is discovering today.
The action of the antioxidants in tea is more than that in over 21 fruits and vegetables, much more than garlic, spinach or even cabbage. Rich in fluoride, it helps fight tooth decay. New research is also proving it to lower high blood pressure by repressing angiotensin II.

It has been said to also cure rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, infections and even impaired immune function. The tea helps in fighting cancer, especially cancer of the esophagus. Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate, which is a powerful antioxidant with DNA repairing properties.
Many prefer green tea's flavor and aroma. Many are turning to organic green teas to reduce the harmful side effects of pesticides and fertilizers.
When you buy tea claiming to be organic, ensure that it is certified from an internationally established institute, such as IMO. Some of these teas even have eco-friendly packaging, such as those made of natural jute fiber, handmade paper and recycled board.
To make green tea, put a kettle of water on to boil. Add one teaspoon of green tea just before it reaches the boiling point and turn off the stove. Just cover it and leave for a while. If you boil the water, the taste will be astringent. You could have it plain or add milk and sugar, or lime and milk. You could drink up to 8-10 cups of tea per day. This will help with good health and slowing the aging process. However, do be aware that for some, the caffeine in the tea could result in insomnia. Green tea can be enjoyed both hot and cold.
Tea
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Benefits of Green Tea
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Green Tea And The Latest In Skin Care And Promising Cancer Treatments

With all the latest research and developments into skin care it has recently been found that Green tea actually has more to offer than originally thought. In research conducted in Thailand by Dr. Ptong of the Skin Education Foundation it was evidenced that Green tea when taken orally or applied externally had a marked effect on the skin in relation to cancer and carcinogens.
From basal cell carcinoms (the mildest and most common form of skin cancer) to malignant melanoma and its variants (the deadliest and fastest spreading form) all were shown to be effected by the green tea polyphenols. The polyphenols of green tea showed the ability to actually prohibit and retard the growth of various skin cancers. Ptong elucidated that it was the green teas antioxidants, commonly referred to as green tea polyphenols (GTP), that caused this new functionality.
It is important to note that they have now found identical results with human research. In one study it was shown that the the resultant damage that normally occurs from excessive UV radiation did not happen to skin pre treated with a GTP salve. This resulted in a much lower chance of growths and cancer developing. This resulted in a much lower rate of mutations afterwards.

This resulted in a much lower rate of mutations afterwards. This resulted in a much lower rate of mutations afterwards. This resulted in a much lower rate of mutations afterwards. In animal studies where the skin was treated with various carcinogens and chemicals or radiation with mutagenic properties it was found that skin treated prior with a rub or salve of the polyphenols had a much lower rate of mutations afterwards.
"Every area we tested the polyphenols we made significant discoveries and every time it was very positive. The polyphenols extracted from green tea are extremely active against all types of cancer in this study," Stated Dr. Ptong.
It was also found that, along with external application, oral use of the green tea and polyphenols reduced the risk of cancer and other similar maladies.
For more great information and research on anti aging skin treatments please visit: He provides research, various skin peels and anti aging treatments for doctors offices and medispas. David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests.
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Healthy Reasons Why You Should Drink Green Tea

Green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years. The Chinese have been using it since ancient times for treating everything from headaches to depression. Did you ever realize that simply by drinking two cups of green tea can actually save you from so many health problems?
The process:
It is believed that they stimulate the spirit better than any other blend thus improving the abilities to think and meditate for prolonged periods without fatigue. Green teas are rich in vitamin C. This is very different to how green tea is processed today. It was then transferred out of the mould, dried in the sun, and baked to prevent rotting.

After that the tea was pressed and left to harden. Then this mud was placed into moulds. At the time of Tang Dynasty wild tea was gathered and then processed which involved steaming the tea on a bamboo tray and grinding the tea into a fine pulp called tea mud. China produces the world's finest green teas. The Chinese are said to be the first ones to discover tea.
Benefits of Green Tea:
It has also been effective in inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol. The reason being that green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly EGCG-Epigallocatechin Gallate which is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent.

The reason being that green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly EGCG-Epigallocatechin Gallate which is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. According to a research it has been estimated that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent.
Apart from this green tea has been claimed to be good for:
• Stopping certain neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer
• Preventing/ treating cancer
• Burning fat and increasing metabolism
• Treating rheumatoid arthritis
• Treating Cognition
• Lowering high cholesterol levels
• Treating cardiovascular disease
• Treating infection
• For impaired immune function
• Prevent tooth decay
How much should one take?
Different researchers claim different estimation of how much green tea should one consume. Some say that drinking ten cups of green tea per day would help you stay cancer-free for three years longer than if you drink less than three cups a day .Meanwhile, another study suggests that drinking four or more cups of green tea per day could help prevent rheumatoid arthritis, or reduce symptoms in individuals already suffering from the disease. It is also reported that breast cancer spreads less quickly, in women with a history of drinking five cups or more of green tea daily. A University of California study on the cancer-preventative qualities of green tea concluded that you could probably attain the desired level of polyphenols by drinking merely two cups per day. As green tea does not have any known side effects so you can drink according to what you think is the right amount for you.
On the other hand black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, as a result of which the EGCG compound gets converted into other compounds which is not effective in preventing and fighting various diseases. Then they are rolled by hand to squeeze out excess moisture and to release flavor enzymes. On the other hand black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, as a result of which the EGCG compound from being oxidized.

Then they are rolled by hand to squeeze out excess moisture and to release flavor enzymes. The tea leaves used for green tea are steamed or pan-dried immediately after picking, arresting bacterial growth and thus preventing the EGCG compound from being oxidized. Green tea has so many health benefits though Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant so what sets green tea apart from the other teas is the way it is processed.
So, get your green tea today and enjoy your drink!!

Different Types of Green Tea

If you try to buy your tea from Chinese markets or food stores, or order it over the Internet, as then you will be able to choose from the full range of green teas.
So which different green teas are there? Well, the most common green tea in Western countries is low-grade Gunpowder - that's the stuff you'll generally find in the supermarket. It is used because it is cheap, and stays fresher for longer than other green teas, because of the way it is rolled up into little balls.
Many consider it to be the best green tea, but because it is expensive and not very much is produced, it is prone to imitation - make sure you trust whoever you're buying this tea from to sell you the real thing. The most popular green tea in China is Dragon Well, or Lung Ching, a bright green and quite expensive kind of tea.
Sencha is also more readily available over here than Chinese green teas tend to be, and there is a slightly cheaper version called Bancha as well. It is cheaper than Dragon Well, more the kind of tea you could drink every day, but none the worse for it. In Japan, green tea drinkers prefer Sencha, a sweeter kind of green tea.
If you ever get a chance to drink Macha, it's well worth trying, because it really is the king of green teas. It is very expensive and very nice, and tastes more like a luxury dessert than the everyday tea you're probably used to - in Japan, it is a popular flavour of sweets and ice cream. The sweetest kind of green tea is Macha, the tea used in the Japanese tea ceremonies.
John Gibb is the owner of
green tea guidance
, For more information on green tea check out
http://www.green-tea-guidance.info

It's All in the "Tea" Bag - How to Be Environmentally Responsible with Your Tea Bags

Have you ever thought about how much waste you are creating when you drink your afternoon tea? This is, of course, assuming that you use a tea bag. Granted, a tea bag is a small thing - in fact, in terms of waste, it seems like it should be the least of your worries. Better worry-time can be spent on the waste of your daily newspaper or on excess packaging of food.
The thing is, though, even the little things count. People often overlook the little things, like tea bags, but in the end, all of those tea bags really add up to a lot of waste! Sure, your newspaper is bigger, but you very likely recycle it, right? Can you "recycle" a tea bag? No, but you can use it in your garden.
Environmentally Friendly Tea Bag Tips:
The Republic of Tea makes environmentally-friendly · Check for tea bags that do not use wasteful strings or tags. · Look for unbleached tea bags. They will add acidity to your compost.

· Make sure that your tea bags are biodegradable. Even the tea bag envelopes that Choice Organic Tea is packaged in is environmentally friendly. They also use 100 percent unbleached cotton string. · Choice Organic Tea use unbleached manila hemp and unbleached wood pulp for their tea bags. The Republic of Tea makes environmentally-friendly unbleached tea bags without staples, tags, or strings.

· Check for tea bags that do not use wasteful strings or tags. · Look for unbleached tea bags. They will add acidity to your compost. The nutrients in the tea are good additions to your future fertilizer, and most regular tea bags are biodegradable.

· Look for tea bags without staples, or at least remove the staples before you place the bags in your compost bin? They will add acidity to your compost. The nutrients in the tea are good additions to your future fertilizer, and most regular tea bags are biodegradable. · Instead of tossing out old tea bags, why not put them in your compost bin?
In general, tea bags are much more wasteful than tea diffusers, but they do not have to be. The key is to give your used tea bags a second life in your garden. If you do not have a garden, never fear. There are many more uses for used tea bags that may interest you. Tea bags can do anything from tenderizing meat to stopping bleeding gums. They can be used to remove furniture polish, seed a lawn, treat shaving nicks, and more.
Again, though, the key to reducing waste starts with buying environmentally friendly tea bags in the first place. Then, add them to your compost or find another use for them.
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on tea and coffee, please visit
Tea and Coffee
.

Green Tea and How it is Made

It was first brought to Europe by the Dutch in the early 17th century AD. The tea brewed from the dried leaves of this plant has been drunk in China since perhaps the 28th century BC. sinensis, a native of Southeast Asia. The tea is a product of a plant known as C.
In China, tea is sometimes allowed to absorb the scent from various flowers particularly Jasmine. After being sorted, all grades of tea are packed in foil-lined chests to prevent the absorption of unpleasant odors or the loss of aroma during shipment. After picking, the leaves either are dried immediately and completely to produce green teas, or are partially dried and then allowed to ferment to produce various kinds of black teas.

Leaf buds and young leaves are used in making tea, the age of the leaves determining the taste and name of the particular commercial variety.
The concentration of caffeine in tea ranges from 2.5 to 4.5 percent, in contrast to an average concentration of about 1.5 percent in coffee. Tea is an aromatic stimulant, containing various polyphenols, essential oils, and caffeine.
This belt grows the best teas in the world. Green Tea, is abundantly grown in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas.
Scientists from Japan Cancer Institute have been successful
in identifying a substance in Green Tea called Catechins or
Polyphenols, which act as strong antioxidants. They are in a
position to clinically establish the old adage that "tea is a
miraculous medicine for the mantainance of health".
Catechins remain unchanged in Green Tea as leaves are merely steamed, rolled and dried as opposed to black tea which is fermented.
Green tea polyphenols applied to human skin prevent ultraviolet light-induced damage, according to a new study.
A study of over 3,400 adults in Saudi Arabia--a country of tea-lovers--found that those who drank more than 6 cups per day of the brown beverage had a more than 50% lower risk of coronary heart disease compared to tea abstainers, even after adjusting for other factors such as smoking, diet and obesity.
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Green Tea - A Tea from the Far East

Although these claims have not been proven, there is documentation for belief in them that goes back over a thousand years. Its rise is linked in many ways to that of the alternative health movement, which sees green tea as having a range of traditional healing properties and abilities to cure diseases. Green tea is a kind of tea that has been very popular in China and Japan for centuries, and has recently seen a massive explosion in popularity in the West.
Although most supermarkets still only stock one form of generic ‘green tea', which is usually of very poor quality, health food and herbal shops will generally have a whole range of high-quality, albeit expensive, green teas to choose from. Most green tea drinkers still import their tea from the East, considering this to be the best tea, and some green teas have become especially famous, such as Japanese sencha, and the Chinese teas Longjing, Hou Kui, Piluochun, and many more besides. Some green tea is produced outside China and Japan, but it is mostly considered to be cheap imitations of the ‘real thing' and not worth paying attention to, with the possible exception of a few Indian teas.
The mythos surrounding tea in Eastern cultures allows the Western green tea drinker to feel that they are taking part in something ancient, traditional and mysterious simply by drinking green tea, and to a certain extent they are. Tea holds an interesting place in Chinese culture, too, with making tea often being used as a means of non-verbal communication to express sentiments like "I'm sorry" or "thank you". Participating in the ceremony at all requires intimate knowledge of how it works, meaning that few non-Japanese have ever done so. In Japan, green tea is used as part of a ‘tea ceremony', a Buddhist tradition where tea is specially prepared and served to the people present.
John Gibb is the owner of
green tea resources
For more information on green tea please check out
http://www.green-tea-guidance.info