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

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

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

Cooking with Green Tea

Green tea has a very distinct flavor that many enjoy and cannot be easily emulated by anything but green tea itself. The other reason would be flavor. In fact most Asian countries have used green tea for cooking purposes for these very reasons.

It lowers cholesterol, is high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Well green tea is filled with a wide array of health benefits. Recently it has become popular to cook with such a thing.
This is why loose leaf tea is generally recommended. The stronger the tea is the more flavor and color will remain in the end product. When you do this keep in mind that you want the green tea to be strong.

This is probably the best way for someone who is experimenting with a recipe or this style of cooking. A very simple way is to substitute the water in a recipe with brewed green tea (at room temperature or as specified by the recipe). So now the big question, "How do I cook with green tea?" Well as I said earlier it's really very easy to do.
You may be surprised to find several already available. Simply go online and search for "green tea" and your favorite recipe. I see new ones popping up every day. You may also just want to look for green tea recipes.
A lot of green tea recipes will ask for green tea powder or matcha. This is ground up green tea leaves. Matcha specifically is ground up Gyokuro leaves and is used for tea ceremony purposes. You will find matcha generally more expensive than green tea powder, which can be made from almost any green tea. However you may find matcha worth the extra price for those specially recipes.
If you have never done it, I recommend buying green tea powder or matcha and trying it on some of your favorite recipes. You will find it amazing how much color and flavor one teaspoon of this stuff can provide.
John Newman is an author for Teanobi.com.
http://www.teanobi.com
Matcha

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

Useful Information About Tea

Tea is drunk in more countries than any other beverage. It is one of the most popular drinks today. Little wonder it is known as "the cup that cheers."
The only difference between them is the way they are made. The main types of tea available today are black, white, green, and oolong. China is a major producer of green tea. Other countries that produce tea are Kenya, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

India is one of the leading tea producers offering 720 million kilograms each year. The yearly worldwide production of dried tea leaves is over 2.6 billion kilograms.
Though mechanical pluckers are sometimes used, hand plucking is said to be a better option. Approximately 18 kilograms of tea leaves can be harvested a day to produce about 4.5 kilograms of manufactured tea. or a growth of new shoots with many leaves and a bud, which are picked by hand. Grown on hill slopes on tea estates, its botanical name is "Camellia sinensis." In about four to five years the tea tree produces a ?flush?

The tea tree is an evergreen plant with small, white, sweet-smelling flowers.
Tea is graded according to the size of the leaves, which has nothing to do with the quality of the tea. In order of size, they are orange pekoe, pekoe, and pekoe souchong. The smaller or broken leaves are used in tea bags. Each tea company has tea tasters who select only specific teas.
1773 was the year of the famous Boston Tea Party. By 1657, it was being sold in English coffee houses. In the 1600s, it was imported into Europe from China by the Dutch.

In Japan, tea drinking was elevated to a full-fledged ceremony by 600 A.D. It finds its mention in Chinese around 350 A.D. It was supposed to have been discovered by Emperor Shennong of China in about 2737 B.C. Tea has a colorful history.
Today tea is a popular beverage all over the world. The country importing the most tea is the UK, importing a total of about 180 million kilograms per year. It has been calculated that the British drink 3.2 kilograms of tea per person every year. Australians and New Zealanders are also great tea drinkers and each person would, on an average, be drinking about 1.4 kilograms of tea annually. Special varieties of tea are also gaining ground; the market is expanding and offering a greater choice to the consumer. It really is the cup that warms a lot of hearts all over the globe!
Tea
provides detailed information on Tea, Green Tea, Herbal Tea, White Tea and more. Tea is affiliated with
Benefits of Green Tea
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What are the Essentials of High Quality Loose Leaf Tea?

Critical elements in the process include: Demand for high quality loose leaf tea is experiencing strong growth and for those interested in high quality loose leaf tea is experiencing strong growth and for those interested in high quality loose tea, more information will aid in decision making.
Source of the Tea
Manufacturing Processes
Purchasing, Quality Control and Customer Service
Source of the Tea
All tea comes from the plant Camellia Sinensis but there is where the similarity between high quality loose leaf tea and other, lesser quality ends. From the time the tea leaves are plucked until the time the consumer tastes the brew, a number of critical events affect the tea experience.
High quality loose leaf teas are carefully selected as only the finest of these rare orthodox teas, which are processed slowly and hand-crafted with extreme care.
Tea, like wine, is harvested and processed into the final product on the grounds of the garden or estate. The taste and quality of any tea varietal depends upon the specific growing conditions. Factors such as altitude, climate, soil, weather, and plucking season all affect the final product.
To produce just one pound of quality loose leaf tea, it takes approximately 3,000 hand plucked leaves. Only the most tender leaves and young buds are selected. After the leaves are picked, the precise art of tea making begins.
Manufacturing Processes
Tea is manufactured by two different processes.
Most ordinary tea is machine processed by the C.T.C. method (crush, tear, curl). The resulting small, broken pieces are used in tea bags or iced tea concentrates. Less than 2% of the world's tea is of superior quality, hand-processed in the classic, time-honored method known as orthodox manufacture.
And, of course, only the finest. Connoisseurs will find no soggy paper tea bags and no trendy herbals from high quality loose tea suppliers; only real tea from the Camellia Sinensis bush. The highest quality loose teas are hand-plucked and meticulously crafted to enhance leaf character, aroma, color, clarity, body, complexity, and above all, flavor.

Whole-leaf varietals retain the subtle nuances of flavor so prized by discriminating palates throughout the centuries. High quality suppliers are dedicated to offering outstanding, whole-leaf teas of the greatest quality and finesse.
Purchasing, Quality Control and Customer Service
Nevertheless, quality tea is easily available through e-commerce outlets on the internet. Most loose leaf teas are not available in retail outlets. Access to high quality loose leaf tea is the final element.
Loose leaf tea is ideally suited to e-commerce because it is light and easy to transport. Increasingly e-commerce over the internet has proven to be an efficient and easy way to purchase quality products and those e-commerce sites that are customer friendly also offer convenient and low cost home delivery.
When evaluating e-commerce sites, the consumer should consider those sites that are interactive, easy to use and offer rich features such as auto shipping, multiple destination shipments, gift shipments and delivery flexibility.
The loose leaf tea experience is all about quality and quality does not end with manufacturing. Those suppliers that are truly dedicated to quality will maintain quality control over each shipment received from the producing tea garden.
Since almost all quality loose leaf tea comes from other countries such as China, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and others, choose a supplier who cups or tastes each shipment before acceptance. This measure of quality control will guarantee consistent quality but most loose leaf tea suppliers skip this important step. Check with a potential supplier to determine their cupping commitment.
Since the purchase of high quality loose tea tends to be a long term relationship, consideration of the needs of the customer and customer satisfaction is paramount. In addition to quality control, customer service is a critical element in the loose tea relationship.
The best suppliers have a culture of customer service, open lines of communication to customer service personnel and solicit feedback from customers as a way to maintain consistent quality.
Golden Moon Tea's website is found at Stout is Chairman of the Board of Golden Moon Tea is a supplier of high quality loose leaf tea and high quality tea ware. Jon M.
http://www.Goldenmoontea.com

China's Novel Investment – Making Money by Investing in Pu-erh Tea

For the better part of a decade the price of Pu-erh tea has risen each year, averaging a rough estimate of 10% annually. In China's supercharged economy, where no investment opportunity goes unnoticed the idea of investing in tea is not just a novel idea but an increasingly popular trend followed by many affluent young professionals. For the better part of a decade the price of Pu-erh tea has attracted many investors and opportunists.

In China's supercharged economy, where no investment opportunity goes unnoticed the idea of investing in tea is not just a novel idea but an increasingly popular trend followed by many affluent young professionals. While most Pu-erh tea lovers would never dream of selling their prized collections the escalating price of Pu-erh tea has attracted many investors and opportunists.
One piece of this famous teacake weighing approximately 357grams was once valued at US$1200 in 2003 but has now risen to almost US$5000 in 2006 at retail outlets in Hong Kong. A noticeable example is the price of the famous 1950s Red Label (Hong yin). Prices for certain vintages have sky rocketed, some easily multiplying by as much as 10X times within the span of a few years. The aged tea sector has produced the biggest gains of all.

For premium production consisting of wild tea leaves or leaves from old tea trees gathered from famous regions such as Yiwu this markup is progressively higher with prices jumping between 30-80% in 2006 alone.
In summary the market growth for Pu-erh tea is China, the sustainability and growth of the Pu-erh tea market will largely coincide with the future development and growth of the Pu-erh tea market will largely coincide with the future development and growth of the Pu-erh tea market will largely coincide with the future development and growth of the Pu-erh tea market will largely coincide with the future development and growth of the Pu-erh tea market will largely coincide with the future development and growth of the Pu-erh tea market will largely coincide with the future development and growth of the Chinese economy.
The knock on The pursuit of Pu-erh tea continues to increase annually, the quality has substantially dropped with outputs from both 2005 and 2006 being most disappointing. The knock on effect has been a sharp increase in the price of older vintages. The pursuit of Pu-erh tea continues to increase annually, the quality has substantially dropped with outputs from both 2005 and 2006 being most disappointing.

The knock on effect has been a sharp increase in the price of older vintages. The pursuit of Pu-erh tea continues to increase annually, the quality has substantially dropped with outputs from both 2005 and 2006 being most disappointing. The knock on effect has been a sharp increase in the price of older vintages. While the production of Pu-erh tea continues to increase annually, the quality has substantially dropped with outputs from both 2005 and 2006 being most disappointing. It is unfortunate but the precedence for increasing Pu-erh production has greatly compromised the quality of tea in recent years.

Much of the Pu-erh teas flooding the markets today are fakes and low quality teas. While the increasing demand and popularity points to a bright future, a note of caution, not all Pu-erh tea will appreciate in value.
All investments are a risk. The prices should be taken as a rough estimate only and the accuracy may vary accordingly. Note: Pricing information and opinions on market trends are based on informal discussions with tea merchants at various trading locations.
*To read more on Pu-erh investment trends click on the link
Pu-erh Tea News
or go to
www.puerhcha.com/Links/Links_Puerh_Tea_News.htm
For more information, articles and illustrations on Pu-erh tea please visit the Puerh Cha website at Varat's passion and love for Pu-erh tea frequently takes him to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in his continuous search for rare and unique Pu-erh teas. is the founder of Puerh Cha and is a passionate collector of Pu-erh teas. Varat Phong.
www.puerhcha.com

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.
Tea
Tea is affiliated with provides detailed information on Tea, Green Tea, Herbal Tea, White Tea and more.
Benefits of Green Tea
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Extracting the Facts About Green Tea Extracts

So most of your experience with extracts is in baking …then you notice green tea extract as a liquid and wonder what it actually is, how it is made and how it compares to brewing a tea using a bag and hot water.
Green tea extract as a liquid is often produced as a result of an extraction process where by the fresh or dried tea leaves are immersed in an extraction fluid or what is technically called a menstruum and agitated daily for a 2 to 4 week period. The menstruum is a fluid that is designed to pull or draw out from the green tea leaves the active constituents leaving behind the cellulose and the fiber. A menstruum will more than likely have a solvent such as alcohol as part of the solution.
Solvents are selected for their ability to soften and break down the plant to facilitate optimal extraction of the active and beneficial constituents. Digestible solvents include water, alcohol, glycerine and vinegar. Non-digestible solvents can be very efficient but are hard to remove after extraction without damaging important and beneficial plant constituents. Still, traces of these non-digestive solvents are left behind regardless of efforts undertaken to remove them. Therefore, many consider them to be a poor choice for an herbal extraction.
The most popular and effective solvent is organically grown, distilled corn grain alcohol. A very popular menstruum is made by mixing this corn grain alcohol with filtered spring water. The raw herb material is often prepared in some way for immersion in the menstruum. The formal term for this preparation is the comminution of the herb material.
Comminution usually involves grinding the fresh undried tea leaves into a wet mush or the dried herb into a grind of course powder. Once the herb material is saturated in the menstruum it undergoes a process of maceration.
Maceration is from a Latin word which means to soften. This maceration process involves allowing the mixture of herb and menstruum to be agitated daily as mentioned before for a period of about 2 to 4 weeks. The final step is a process of separating the liquid from the spent herb material and an additional step of filtering out any small plant particles from the liquid extract.
This herb to menstruum ratio of 1:1 would result in a 1:1 herbal extract. Thus an extraction resulting from a process utilizing an herb to menstruum ratio determined the classification of the resulting herb extraction. For example: 1:1 means that there is equal part herb and equal part menstruum mixed together that makes up the resulting extraction.

Before the advent of new technological advances in extraction processes, it used to be that the herb to menstruum ratio is expressed as two numbers with a semicolon in the middle.
However, as mentioned there have been technological advances in the processes used to produce herbal extractions. At this point different makers of herb extractions may add additional processes in their production that remove alcohol or water with low heat or hydraulic machinery which can further concentrate the resulting liquid extraction. How the resulting herbal extraction is then classified can depend on the original herb to menstruum ratio or how concentrated it has become as a result of post extraction processes.
Herbal Solutions for Healthy Living offers the following guide for classifying the resulting liquid extraction according to the Herb Strength Ratio. The example that is offered is as follows: An herb strength ratio of 1:1 would mean that 1000 grams of raw herb produced 1 liter of liquid herb extraction. An herb strength ratio of 1:5 would mean that 1000 grams of raw herbal material produced 5 liters of a liquid extraction.
This reference then offers the following as a guide for classifying the liquid herbal extractions according to their degree of concentration or herb to strength ratios.
A tincture is classified as having an herb strength ratio of 1:5, a saturated tincture has a ratio of (1:3), fluid extract (1:1), and a solid extract (2:1) or greater. Some say a solid extract should have an herb strength ratio of 4:1 or greater.
The process of removing the alcohol and water or the components of the menstruum to concentrate the resulting liquid extraction is also used to make the alcohol free extracts.
Some makers claim they can remove virtually all the alcohol (which for many herbs acts as a superior solvent or extractor) and replace it with vegetable glycerine which can then serve to stabilize and preserve the resulting liquid extraction.
So alcohol is initially used in the menstruum to facilitate the extraction and then is removed, according to some manufacturers, and is replaced with slightly sweet tasting glycerine which then serves as a preservative to stabilize the liquid extraction. This is a common way alcohol-free herbal extractions are produced, especially ones marketed as suitable for children.
Let's walk through the extraction process with a specific brand of green tea extract to understand in more detail what one is getting when purchasing a liquid extraction product. According to a company spokesperson, Green Tea Extract from Gaia Herbs is made using 8 pounds of dried herb and one gallon of menstruum, which also happens to weigh 8 pounds.
As a result the herb to menstruum ratio is 1:1. The product comes in a 1 fluid ounce bottle. There are 900 drops in each bottle. The percentage of alcohol in the menstruum is 35 to 45 percent. Thus, in a 30 drop serving 3 to 4 are alcohol. Because 8 pounds of dried herb were used at an herb to menstruum ratio of 1:1 to make the extract, there is about 1000 mg per serving.
of the ground green tea leaves. A serving of 30 drops is pretty close to a single brewed cup (about 8 oz.) made from a tea bag containing about a 1000 mg. Almost all of those polyphenols (80%) are the Epigallocatechin gallates or OGCg's which researchers are focusing on as being responsible for much of the benefits green tea consumption can offer.

of polyphenols in each 30 drop serving. There is 70 mg. of caffeine in each serving. Also, there is 20 to 25 mg.
In order for the liquid extraction of green tea to be placed in a capsule, an effort must be undertaken to remove the alcohol. This process usually results in a higher concentrated form enclosed in each capsule as the weight to volume or herb strength ratio will be 1:1 or even higher, perhaps 2:1 or more. The amount of extraction liquid in a single gel cap serving will be closer to 15 drops or about a ½ a milliliter given that it has undergone a process to remove the alcohol.
Once again because of the higher concentration of the green tea liquid, there will be about 150 mg of polyphenols in a 15 drop gel cap. There will be a slight bit more than 20-25 mg. of caffeine because the liquid in the gel capsule has a higher concentration.
Nothing in this article should be misconstrued as medical advice. Should you have questions, we urge you to contact the manufacturer of the herbal product and/or a qualified medical professional to discuss your own unique circumstances. It has been our experience that most reputable companies are very willing to answer questions about how their herbal products have been made and details of their contents.

The processes and constituent values will vary from product to product. Of course these are approximate values, to be used as a general rule of thumb for comparing different products.
And now a final word about possible pesticides, fluoride and metals in herbal products. The manufacturers that we have contacted for this article have concerns about unwanted elements such as these in herbal products. Often, herbal manufacturers will establish a relationship with an organic grower and after initial testing, conclude that the grower can be relied upon as a quality organic source of raw herb product and may or may not conduct additional testing going forward. Others may screen for some but not all of the three, pesticides, metals and fluoride.
Other herbal product makers will screen the raw herbs used to make their products and also claim in their advertising that certain processes are then undertaken to remove these three unwanted elements and others. Certain herbal product makers will even claim on their product labels and product literature that they are pesticide, metal and/or fluoride free.
Again, if you are concerned and or unsure about the contents of the herbal products that you are or are considering taking, we urge you to contact the manufacturer. Most have toll free numbers to call or provide a way to contact them through their website.
Also, we urge that you to talk to your physician or other medical practitioner regarding the health risks of pesticides, metals, fluorides, and other unwanted elements versus the benefit(s) of taking an herb product.
Finally, some medical practitioners say the minute amounts of these unwanted elements.
J. Kratz is a contributing editor to
http://www.GreenTeaExtract.com
He has interests in nutrition and the use of plant based medicines in supporting the body's natural healing abilities. He has come to recognize the connection between emotional or spiritual well-being and good health. He has studied and written about various medical philosophies and systems including osteopathy, ayurveda, naturopathy, and traditional Chinese medicine. He also served as an associate producer for call in radio talk shows "Doctortalk" and "Second Opinion, Please" featuring alternative practitioner Howard Hagglund M.D. which aired in Oklahoma and Texas.

Tea Varietals

Wu Long? Green? Black?

What's your cup of tea?
Or something more exotic like pu-erh or white tea?
The major difference between all of these types of tea is how the leaves are processed after they are picked. No matter which your preference, all tea comes from the same plant - Camellia sinensis.
The others are primarily used as flowering shrubs. There are as many as 300 species of Camellia, but only one of them is used to make tea. Camellia is a genus of the family Theaceae. Even so, not all tea leaves are equal.
The assamica variety will grow to a larger plant than sinensis and has larger, thinner leaves. The sinensis variety has relatively small and narrow leaves and is more tolerant to cold. assamica (Assam tea or Indian tea). sinensis (China tea) and Camellia sinensis var.

The "tea Camellia" (Camellia sinensis) has two varieties - Camellia sinensis var.
Varietals have special characteristics that make them suitable for growing in a particular area or for producing a certain type of tea. As with most Camellias, Camellia sinensis is very easy to hybridize and this had led to the development of more than 3000 tea ‘varietals'.
Other varietals may have higher resistance to diseases which can affect the tea plant. White tea, for example, is produced from a varietal that has an abundance of fine hairs on the young leaf shoots. Varietals can be identified by leaf shape, coloring, leaf size, or other desirable characteristics.
‘Da Bai' (big white) is a varietal used to make the Japanese green tea of the same name. Many varietals are given names that describe the appearance or the use of the tea leaf.
A varietal traditionally used for white tea could be processed into wu long tea, or a black tea varietal could be used to make green tea. Most varietals have come to be associated with a certain type of tea, but this does not mean that specific varietals cannot be used for other teas.
The taste of tea is affected by the soil, the climate, the season, the varietal, the variety, the processing method, the skill of the tea processor, the brewing method, and the brewing utensils. One of the reasons why tea is so interesting is because of its limitless possibilities.
No wonder then that tea has been so popular for so many years - it's a taste of life. All of these factors affect the flavor and quality of the tea.
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Information about the types of tea, tea production, tea growing, the health benefits of tea, and making and serving tea can be found at Tea Genius is a complete knowledge base of tea. Paul Dickson is a contributing writer Tea Genius.com.
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Healthy Famous Tea

Antioxidants in tea are similar as those found in fruits and vegetables, such as vitamin A, C and E, which offer protection against free radicals that cause cell and gene damage. Tea polyphenols are are compounds in tea leaves that are natural plant antioxidant. Well known as a source for various nutrients and antioxidants, tea has gained even more popularity in modern times with claims of it's usefulness in fighting heart disease, cancer, obesity, tooth decay, nausea, and all manner of digestive disorders.Thirty percent of the dry weight of tea leaves is polyphenols, which cause the taste of tea. It was Dutch traders that first brought tea to Europe but the British who greatly developed it, transplanting it to India in the early 1800's.

Since the fifth century AD, tea has been exported by land and sea throughout Asia and reached Europe in 1610. It was originally taken as a detoxifying medicine though it grew to great social prominence during the Tang (620-907 AD) and Sung (960-1279 AD) Dynasties. It is thought to have first been discovered in the mountainous areas of China's far western Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. Historically, tea's origins date back to around 2700 BC.
The Natural Way To A Clear Mind
The unique combination of relaxation Now that's when the miracle of Theanine unfolds. Studies have also pointed out how Theanine could effectively promote creativity. The effect is higher mental focus, better concentration and sharper memory. And just as you're prefectly settled, Theanine raises your level of mental alertness by stimulating your brain to increase its production of alpha brain waves.

In short, it's the Theanine in your cup of tea that calms you in just the right way to put you in place and bring you to your 'comfort zone'. But it's also the reason why you don't fee sleepy when drinking tea. Theanine is the very reason why you're not as hyperactive when you drink tea as compared to when you drink tea as compared to when you drink coffee. Scientific research has validated the link between Theanine and a perfect state of calmness.

Not a lot of people may know what it is but Theanine is certainly one of the big reasons why more and more are turning to tea nowadays as their beverage of choice. It's called Theanine and it's found almost exclusively in the tea plant. Research has finally named the secret that has linked tea with mental vitality.
Healthy Famous Tea
http://healthy-famous-tea.blogspot.com

Tea Varieties

Oxidation is the reaction of the enzymes contained in tea leaves when they are broken, bruised or crushed. In its most basic form, processing is the taking of the raw green leaves and deciding whether or not, and how much oxidation (or fermentation) should take place before drying them out. It is the processing techniques that produce the four simple tea categories are considered the art of tea making.

Shades in flavor derive from the region of cultivation and the method of processing the tea leaves. If you do like tea drinking, but simply never had the opportunity to learn more about it beyond the fact that you enjoy it, you should know that there are thousands of kinds of tea offered on today's market. Tea is made by steeping processed leaves, buds, or twigs of the tea bush in hot water for a few minutes, a great variety of tea tastes, aromas and colors can excite even the more skeptical drinker. Interestingly enough the 3,200,000 tones of tea produced worldwide come from only one plant species, named "camellia sinensis." But how a plant becomes a beverage?

The second most consumed beverage behind water is tea.
The first category is that of black tea. Black tea is nothing more than the leaves of the camellia sinensis after being exposed to 8-24 hours of open air. After the leaves are picked up they are spread out to let the water they contain evaporate. You have probably witnessed it happening to a flower that is left without being watered. The foliage curls up and begins to dry. After this part of the process, the tea leaves are balled into rolls that encourage oxidization. When fully oxidized, the leaves turn into a rich black color. Tea producers then put the tea leaves into the final drying period before sorting and packaging them.
Oolong tea is another tea category and is considered to be the most difficult of the four types of teas to process. The best way to describe oolong tea is that it is somewhere in between green and black tea. This is because the leaves are only partially oxidized during the processing. As with black tea, the leaves are spread out to dry for 8-24 hours, but after that, they are tossed about in a basket in order to create a bruising and partial exposure to the air. The final step involves steaming the leaves, which neutralizes the enzymes in the tea and prevents further oxidization.
Though the tea leaves are sometimes laid out to dry for a few hours, then, in order to neutralize the enzymes and prevent further oxidation, the leaves are rolled up, still quite green in color. The whole process of creating green tea revolves around preventing oxidization from taking place in the leaves. This type of tea is also lower in caffeine and has higher antioxidant properties. Green teas, like white teas, are closer to tasting like fresh leaves of grass that the other two tea categories.
Finally, white tea has recently become a popular item in the west as it is the least processed tea and thus tastes the most like fresh leaves or grass. White tea is made of the little buds of the tea plant. Again like green tea, white tea is steamed or pan fried to prevent any kind of oxidization, and great care is taken to avoid bruising or crushing the tea. The dried buds have a silver-like appearance because the tiny white hairs of new growth are still present.
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Tea Grading System

You've seen FTGFOP, BOP, CTC on labels of tea...
What do these codes mean?
These codes are used to classify single estate teas such as Darjeeling, Ceylon, and Assam. At the end of a tealeaf makeing process, a machine will separate the tealeaves according to their type, size, and categorize them into different grades.

Letters like P: Pekoe, O: Orange, B: Broken, etc, are connected to indicate the different grades of the black tea.
Here is a summary of the most commonly used codes:
OP
: Orange Pekoe Usually refers to relatively longer and complete tealeaf.
BOP
They make a stronger brew than OP, so they are more suitable to make milk tea. : Broken Orange Pekoe Refers to broken orange pekoe.
FOP
: Flowery Orange Pekoe Refers to tealeaves that have buds, which would create a floral fragrance in the tea.
FBOP
Makes a stronger tea with floral fragrance. : Flower Broken Orange Pekoe Contains both buds and broken tea leaves.
TGFOP
Makes a much more fragrant and strong tea than FOP. : Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe Contains young buds, which appear golden.
FTGFOP
: Fine(est) Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe Very high quality tea that went through an extra procedure of rolling, which would draw out the best flavour in tea.
SFTGFOP
The meaning is obvious. : S stands for Super or Special.
CTC
It is ideal for consuming with milk. CTC leaves make a very strong brew in short amount of time. : Crush, Tear, Curl These teas are compressed into small pieces by a special machine.
Others:
Fanning
,
Dust
Usually used in India to make Chai or milk tea. Refers to very small pieces of tealeaves.
It means the first grade of that FOP. Sometimes, there is a "1" at the end of a tea name, such as FOP1 or FTGFOP1.
Some people prefer BOP instead of FTGFOP becuase BOP makes stronger tea, which is suitable for consuming with milk. The number of letters, however, does not necessarily mean the quality of tea.
Please visit is a tea lover and the founder of O-Square Tea Company. Tom H.
http://www.osquaretea.com
for more information.

Tea Grades-Kinds-Varieties: Start Learning All About Tea!

TEA PLANTATION IS A LOVELY PLACE TO VISIT!
TEA PLANTATION
is a nice place to visit. Look at the bounty of nature. Have a view of the estates from a few hundred meters above in the sky. Wonder at the natural landscape being manipulated by man for his convenience.
The smooth undulating hill is seemed to be covered with green woolen blanket just to protect itself from the cold weather. See also a few trees other than the shade giving silver oaks, looking beautiful with their own canopy.
You can see the clouds spreading above the tea gardens and a few small waterfalls turning into streams. They fall down and run here and there in between the blocks of the estates and go down to mix with the river far off in the plains.
SILVER SHINE OF TEA FACTORY!
Look at the tea factories located on the hill tops; their metallic tops are shining in the sunlight; they leave smoke in the sky demonstrating that they are active in the production of raw teas.
They are grown to a short height of about 4 feet for all the operational convenience of man. The tea plants are not really short bushes, but tall growing trees kept pruned. When you admire with the birds eye view of the plantation, come down and drive in a jeep and see the estates at a closer look.
BONSAI CULTURE!
You are right. It is a large scale "bonsai culture" of hundreds and hundreds of tea trees grown to a short height, not in earthen pots, but in Mother Nature's lap. The aim is not to exhibit the art of bonsai, but to exploit the nature to the advantage of man with the help of science.
TEA PLUCKING AND PROCESSING!
The tea plucking is a beautiful operation. Just walk and see the plants opening their ‘two leaves and buds' every where in the terminal shoots. They appear in all the pruned shoots, say in hundreds in a bush of tea.They readily allow the women harvester to pluck and put them in tea leaf baskets. Baskets of tea leaves are emptied into small trucks and sent to the factory for processing.
You can see the tea leaves being processed inside the tea factory. To explain in a simple way, the leaves are withered, fermented, roasted, graded through sieves into different sizes and packed in separate bulks in chests and gunny bags in convenient sizes. There may be about seven or eight grades of tea from each factory.
OLD AND NEW!
However, the raw materials are the very same "two leaves and buds". The processing methods are different and so also the resultant teas. The good old method of processing is adopted in some orthodox factories, while ultra modern method of CTC processing is done in most of the factories. There is also difference in making of the teas also.
LOOSE TEA IS BULK TEA!
The teas are now made available in the form of bulk teas. In other words, they are graded and kept in loose form in bulk quantities ready to be shifted to godowns of auctioneers for selling to big traders.
Now, let us see the loose teas in different grades or sizes. Now, the teas are in the custody of auctioneers and tea brokers. You may ask for those samples of teas. Get a shock, here. What a surprise? They give you samples of teas of different kinds and grades and also from hundreds and hundreds of plantations, estates or factories. To a new entrepreneur, really it is a shock and starting of a state of confusion!
TEA
IS NOT A SINGLE OR SIMPLE PRODUCT!
You thought that the packed tea is simply a single direct product; not so; all are not alike; when you make it as a tea drink, it differs every time; taste it sip by sip; feel the difference!
Only when you see the auction catalogues and samples, you will get astonished to see that there are hundreds and hundreds of varieties and kinds; again that all are not the same; they differ in their characters too.
Alright, there is something to know and something to do!
It is wonderful!
Now, you agree that there is a need to understand all kinds of teas,
in respect of their prime characters called, color, taste, flavor and strength.
WE WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT.
Please Note:
This information web site/blog will grow steadily.
However, you know 'time is money and the fittest only survives'!
As a research scholar, grower, planter, trader, retailer or a part of this prestigious tea industry, please contact the author to get more information at a faster way.
CONTACT: teablendspnk@yahoo.co.in or pnkguru@yahoo.com
RESOURCE:
From business and intensive research experience of the author.

White Tea

Chlorophyll formation is also stopped. These are steamed or fired to stop polyphenol oxidation and then dried. The buds have a fine covering of white hair, giving the tea its name. It is made from immature growth buds and young leaves.

White tea is increasing in popularity all over the world.
tin. White tea can go up to US $25 for a 2-oz. The different varieties have exotic names: white peony, golden moon, silver needle and white cloud.

The best tea is produced in Darjeeling in India; it is also grown in China and Japan. White tea is more expensive than other teas.
A single bud with only three to four leaves is also rejected. The buds are rejected even if they have begun to open, are hollow, too long or too thin. The buds should be perfect and not purple in color. There should be no rain or frost on the ground, but there should be plenty of early morning dew.

High quality white tea is selected in the beginning of spring.
Some people reuse tea leaves but the flavor just isn't the same. After the water gets hot, pour it over the tea and let it infuse for two minutes. The measure is 1.5 tablespoons of white tea per eight ounces of water in a cup or teapot.

It should not be heated too much; the right temperature should be between 175 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. White tea is best made in filtered water or light spring water.
A study has noted that white tea can help fight off viruses and dangerous infection-causing bacteria. It has less caffeine than other types of tea, with more cancer-fighting antioxidants. White tea is full of catechins, usually found in fresh tea leaves, which has been found to help in DNA repair.
There are many people who are very specific about the white tea they drink, and ask for tea leaves of one special brand. Today, white tea is a connoisseur's choice, enjoyed for its gentle aroma and delicate flavor.
Tea
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Benefits of Green Tea
.

Wu Long Tea - Lose Weight Naturally

It is reported to work amazingly well in boosting metabolism, which in turn burns calories without the harmful side effects of man made diet aids Asians have known about the powerful effects of this tea for centuries and it is becoming more and more popular with people all over the world. If you are looking for.
What is Wu Long Tea?
Wu-Long (or Oolong, wulong etc.) is a partially fermented tea, which is processed between the black and green tea families. The tea leaves are dried in sunlight and allowed to partially oxidize (20-80%) until leaf edges redden. This gives oolong a bit more body than Green Tea but slightly less body than Black Tea.
Wu-Long Tea is a Natural Calorie Burner
Basically Wu Long tea will help you burn more fat, especially after a meal,
A substance called "Polyphenol" in Wu-Long tea is known to effectively control obesity.
Specifically, "Polyphenol" is reported to activate the enzyme that is responsible for dissolving triglyceride. It has been confirmed that the continuous intake of oolong tea contributes to enhancing the function of fat metabolism and to controlling obesity.
Other Benefits of Wu Long Tea
There are also many other health benefits reported which are currently being studied at the University level in the US and overseas regarding Wu Long Tea. Some of the other health benefits reported are : Blocks carbs, promotes great skin, reverse the signs of aging, promotes healthy teeth, powerful antioxidant, and strengthens the immune system.
Conclusion
You may want to look into Wu Long Tea as a way to lose weight and slim down. If you are interested in looking at specific research that backs these claims up visit the links below.