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

Tea Blending-An Accidental Invention! It Needs More Support From Tea Research!

There was an English tea merchant selling tea packs in his town during the year 1660 A.D. He used to get a bag of tea from one estate or the other and make small packs and sell them to the people in his area.
People were buying from him, but used to make remarks on the quality of the tea he supplied.
THE GOODNESS OF TEAS!
The flavor was not always the same. Again, when the taste was good, the tea color was very low. Again, when the taste was not so.

Again, when the taste was not so. Again, when the taste was not so. When the color was good, the taste was good, the taste was not so. They said, "The tea was good last time, but it is different now".

It had become quite customary to hear comments of his customers about his tea.
The merchant was not able to find out a way to escape from the unsatisfied customers' remarks. Man could be a silent listener of all these things and cannot control. The tea characters change from grade to grade, season to season, process to process and even time to time.

This is because the teas grown in different estates differ in their characters. When ever he buys a new tea bag and distributes it in small packs, the customers' comments were also changed.
NO SINGLE TEA HAS ALL CHARACTERS IN PERFECT MATCH!
It was quite surprising to hear from almost all consumers that the tea was good that time in all respects. To cover up the time, he mixed all the remainings of tea bags and made into small packs and sold to his customers with all the reluctance. Once it happened that the merchant sold almost all the tea bags as remnants.
He had actually mixed all the leftover teas purchased so far and supplied to the consumers only to avoid the time gap. But, the customers were satisfied and started asking to supply only similar teas in future also.
MIXING MAKES IT BETTER - AN ACCIDENTAL INVENTION!
The color, taste and flavor are average and were acceptable to the people of the town. It was fine; blending of various kinds of tea had helped the merchant to run his business without much of bad comments. He started mixing and selling!

The trader understood the idea and started buying different kinds and grades of teas from a number of estates!
THANKS TO THE ANANYMOUS TEA MERCHANT!
We cannot continue with just mixing any kind or grade of tea available in the market as did by the merchant. But, this will not suffice the varying market needs of this modern day. It has its own merits!

So, tea blending was born. Though accidental, it was really an invention worth to be written in the history of tea industry!
WANTS ARE DIFFERENT! TEAS ARE DIFFERENT!
The tea taste changes with so many factors, natural and man made too. Some like leaf teas and others dust teas. Some love teas made by orthodox way and others the modern CTC way of production. There are different kinds of people loving different kinds of teas to make varying tea drinks.
NEED TO INVENT, INNOVATE AND STRATEGISE!
The growth of any product depends on the merits of invention to begin with, innovation in course of time and finally the strategy to cope up with the market competition.
RESEARCH NEEDED!

Hence, there is a need to do a research at a higher level with identification of tea grades, their physical and functional characters in relation to the final tea drink. There is also a compelling need to have an unbiased tea evaluation technique to judge true market values of the teas in question.
ART OF TEA TASTING - WITH HUMAN ERRORS!
Evaluation based on this gives only artistic values and do not speak about the real value of tea. It has erroneous influences of human mind. Simply because, the traditional tea tasting is an art and has no scientific base.

However, it has all the demerits of the human errors. It took a number of years gradually to improve up on the art or knowledge of tea tasting.
You know an art is enjoyable, but contains more of illusions and not the truth always. An art is always kept as a secret and not open for scientific analysis and confirmations.
SCIENCE IS TRUTH, A FOUNDATION FOR GROWTH!

However a revolutionary tea research culminating into a unique "scientific tea testing, tasting and blending technique" was done only very recently. Science is truth always and gives confirmative results and paves way for innovative and progressive growth of any business.
There is delay and it is due to the strong belief of the tea industry as a whole!
TEA TESTING, TASTING AND BLENDING TECHNIQUES:
Is it different from traditional tea tasting?
Yes. With all scientific base!

Is it a competition technique to the art of tea tasting?
No, it is complementary and supportive!

Tea researchers and students will also get benefited! In a big way! Yes.

Will this help the tea business and industry?
Tea blending, an accidental invention has opened new vistas to tea industry through scientific tea testing, tasting and blending techniques!
To know more about scientific tea testing, tasting and formulae of tea blending, please contact: pnkguru@yahoo.com Also visit:
http://www.teablends.blogspot.com/
RESOURCES:
FROM OWN RESEARCH AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCES OF THE TEA SCIENTIST AND THE AUTHOR.

Wholesale Tea: A Market of Possibilities

With the rise in the accessibility of "foreign" countries, one seemingly small item has now exploded onto the market; Wholesale Tea. A wide variety of items are available and relatively simple to acquire as the internet provides a gateway to export companies from all nations. As the business world grows, the physical globe shrinks as products from all nations become business opportunities for companies of all sizes.
Before only available to those with contacts in Eastern nations including, China, Japan, India, and Sri Lanka, wholesale tea has now grown to suppliers in African nations, and importers through out the world, as a simple entry of "wholesale tea" in any search engine will provide users with a list of options supplying not only suppliers of Wholesale Tea, but also suppliers of wholesale tea bags, wholesale gift boxes and gift sets containing tea, and a variety of other similar items.
A now global commerce, items such as gourmet tea bags that you will find the tea bags in a store sold under a third company's brand name.
In regards to the tea itself, there are a multitude of tea variations, including Jasmine Green Tea, a slight variation on tradition, Rooibos, perhaps the most popular herbal tea, Lemongrass, one of many relatively new herbal teas to the mainstream industry and a very long list of blends. Now we see a variety of companies creating an even larger number of options in every facet of the wholesale tea market. This is not to say that Wholesale Tea was not available 5 years ago, but the industry has grown far beyond green tea and breakfast tea.

Experimentation with blends and tea bag designs are the current trends in an up and coming business. As you may have noticed, the tea bag market has a full listing of names and an even fuller listing of variations.
Generally containing a low quality tea dust, these bags focus more on price than quality. In the tea bag world, there are few variations with the machine packaged and stapled standard heavily dominating the market.
Though packaging may not be as easy and all practicality aside, the quality is generally higher than the standard as some form of loose tea is included inside and the look is potentially more appealing. Another design that is available is a pyramid shaped bag.
A new method allowing for design flexibility and the inclusion of high quality loose tea, these gourmet tea bags will put up a good fight against the aforementioned variations. Square and Round shaped, hand sewn bags are now starting to make their way to the industry with a few select companies offering both manufacturing and wholesale tea bag distribution. The newest entry to the market is a smooth balance between the two.
With a little creativity and a good manufacturer, any budding entrepreneur looking for an opening, or any currently established business looking to expand, can now step into the Tea bag world. With the many variables available in both tea blend and tea bag manufacturing, wholesale tea is a prime example of how with the growth of communication and transportation, business opportunities are as easy to find as your kitchen cabinet.
David Giusti is the owner of Sabaidi Tea Co., Ltd.,
http://www.Sabaidi.net
You can read more on the company's home page at , a company that manufactures and exports Handmade Gourmet Tea Bags, Gift boxes and other specialties from Thailand.
http://www.Sabaidi.net
.

Tea Bags

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

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

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

However, circular and pyramidal are also among the many decorative shapes tea bags available. Usually, tea bags come in square or rectangular shapes.
Tea
Tea is affiliated with provides detailed information on Tea, Green Tea, Herbal Tea, White Tea and more.
Benefits of Green Tea
.

Why and How You Should Drink Tea if You Get Headaches, Migraines, and Stress...

But when I see these ads, I think Why? Along with weight loss, cancer fighting, and other cellular benefits curing Headaches and Migraines while reducing stress is among the top advertised. Many people have heard and seen the many advertisements about tea and its various cures and benefits.
After drinking tea for a while, including Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Rooibos, Lemongrass, and a wide listing of organic herbal blends, I have found that I don't really know if I am fighting cancer inside my body. But I do know that tea can greatly help me to balance out a stressful time, and help get rid of and prevent headaches.
Simply drinking tea, especially some of the herbal blends specifically mixed for the occasion, can help with headaches, and you will receive all other benefits from the actual tea itself. But only drinking the tea in itself will not allow you to fully maximize all the potential, especially in regards to headaches and migraines. Because not always, but sometimes, drinking tea is about Drinking Tea.
That is when my tradition comes out. But when I have a headache (from stress, sinus headache, caffeine, or many other reasons), just drinking tea isn't always best. I just drink it.

Cup after cup (Thank you, Tea Stand) I drink with no sense of traditional practice, or religious afterthought. I drink tea all day long.
I don't use special pots, or time honored traditions. There is nothing wrong with them, but I rarely have time for that, and growing up in the United States, there are no time honored tea drinking traditions. I always used tea bags (low quality as they were my only option, and didn't know any better).So now, even though I am closer to tradition, I still do not have time for this. My Headache/Stress tea drinking practice takes less than five minutes. Usually, that is all the time I have (which is mostly why I have the headache in the first place).
I begin with the double chamber gourmet tea bag. High quality loose tea, easy to use tea bag, reusable; three of the reasons why. I rough it up a little to make the tea inside spread out, and then I put the bag into my mug. With the tea bag ready I pour steaming hot water over it. A little bit too hot to drink. When the cup is full, I bob the tea bag in and out of the water for a minute or so, and let it site for a minute (maybe, depending on how strong I want the tea, how many times have I used the tea bag already, etc.) When letting the tea bag sit, I wrap the string around the mug handle and anchoring it with the bead at the end. After the tea is ready, I take the tea bag out of the cup, and hang it on my tea stand. With green teas and Oolong teas, this is especially important. If you leave the tea bag in the cup too long it can get very bitter.
Now that my tea is ready ( a process which took maybe two minutes) I am ready to relieve myself from this nagging headache. With the cup still steaming, I cup my hands around the mug and slowly breath in the steam. Slow, deep breathes. I do this three to five times, or until the tea has cooled down a little so that I can begin drinking it. It is still hot, but I won't burn my tongue or lips if I drink it. Then I take small slurping sips. The hot water is important not only for the steam but also for these first few sips. The hot water slows down your drinking, and also helps to clear out your head. After a couple minutes of this I am generally feeling better.
I am sure that all in this hectic world can appreciate 5 minutes where life is slowed down and especially a tradition that is fast, easy, and that really helps to get alleviate life's little inconveniences; headaches, migraines, and stress. Maybe this 5 minute practice is loosely based on tradition, and doesn't sound too complicated, but it helps me.

Loose Tea in the American Marketplace

The American tea market
Traditionally, the marketplace for tea drinkers in the United States has been limited.
Although loose tea was extremely popular in colonial times, the consumption of loose tea gradually changed and recently the American market for tea has been generally confined to iced tea and tea in bags.
Loose tea was introduced to America at the same time of introduction to Europe. As early as 1650 Dutch traders were active in the tea trade and Peter Stuyvesant, as an early governor of the New York colony, brought the first tea to New York. Loose tea was so popular in colonial New York that at one time the small colony consumed more loose tea than all of England. This popularity was equally evident in the other colonies.
America made two unique contributions to the tea world in the form of bagged tea. Gradually however, the American tea market changed.
There is growing resurgence of demand for loose tea in the United States however, driven by a greater awareness of the health benefits and quality of the loose tea experience. As demand increases, new opportunities arise for the entrepreneur who wishes to market and sell loose tea.
How do loose tea and tea bags compare?
Most experts compare loose tea and tea in bags in four ways:
1. Most of the tea that goes into bags in not high quality. Tea bags usually contain broken grades so infusion takes place quickly
2. Whole leaf loose teas come in a larger number of varieties than bagged tea and some higher quality teas are only found in loose offerings
3. Bags are semi-nonbiodegradable additions to biodegradable tea leaves with implications for the environment
Generally speaking, tea bags have historically offered greater convenience although e-commerce now offers tea drinkers the convenience of on line ordering and home delivery 4.
Is loose tea more costly than tea bags?
Many advocates of bagged tea in believe that loose tea costs more than tea in bags. Actually, most good tea is not very expensive and can be very cost effective. When you buy tea in bags, most of what you pay for is the process of putting the teas in the bags, and the brand name advertising. Fancy tea is generally sold loose, and the price per cup is often lower than for commercial bagged tea.
High quality loose leaf tea is typically not available in supermarkets; but a good mail order web site will accept and process orders rapidly and offer the convenience of home delivery. When one considers that most loose teas support multiple infusions the prices drop dramatically. Some truly fine teas retail in the United States retail for less than US$20 per pound, which means less than 10 cents per cup.
E-commerce and affiliate programs
Opportunities for sale of loose tea are particularly attractive when combined with effective e-commerce through affiliate programs.
The affiliate arrangement is a way for a company to sell its products by signing up individuals or companies ("affiliates") who market the company's products for a commission.
Affiliate programs afford a small entrepreneur the ability to leverage the website of the tea manufacturer through their own affiliate site. Through this technique the affiliate can minimize their investment and maximize their return. An affiliate relationship is established by agreement between the affiliate and the manufacturer whereby each party benefits.
Most good affiliate programs share a number of characteristics: The affiliate must be provided with marketing support, account feedback and prompt payment of earned commissions. There is more to an affiliate relationship than a simple agreement however.
• Real-time reporting statistics
• Real-time email alerts upon each sale
• Payment on a consistent monthly basis for initial and repeat orders
• High price-point products that are easy to sell and allow for substantial affiliate commissions
• A comprehensive package of rich content articles and banner advertising that the affiliate can reprint and use for marketing
Of special note for marketing support is the availability of banner ads that are high quality and effective. These are particularly useful affiliate marketing tools.
The customer service issue:
Tea drinkers are very loyal but demand high quality products and premium customer service. As a result, customer service in the form of rapid and correct order processing and fulfillment, notification of orders and shipments, proper pricing and an emphasis on customer satisfaction is a necessary part of the affiliate relationship.
If customer service is inadequate then this will severely impact affiliate business and the affiliate reputation. Conversely, if customer satisfaction is high, a steady stream of repeat orders will be ensured and the affiliate will share in the additional revenue.
Choose a loose tea supplier that has a rich affiliate program, a reputation for consistent high quality products, an e-commerce site that is powerful and allows easy ordering and a company with a reputation for excellent customer service.

An Organic Herbal Tea Blend

Though sales have been mainly rooted in the standard teas stemming from the Camelia sinensis plant (Green tea, Oolong tea, and Black tea), a vast increase in herbal and natural medicines in the western world has brought upon a virtual explosion of Organic Herbal Tea Blend, releasing any confinements there may have previously been. Tea bags, loose teas, tea shops, and gourmet teas are only a few examples of the outlets for this ever increasing number. With US$5 billion market in the United States alone in 2003, a 500% increase in 10 years, tea is a well established industry that is quickly growing.
Now it is not only Big Business that is apart of this industry as the infinite number of herbal tea blends are combing with the free commerce of the internet. This conception is creating new life in an industry that had been patiently waiting. New companies are forming, new mixtures are being created, and now even new tea bags are being designed.
The machine manufactured tea bags are still standard in market where cost is being put before quality. A metal staple is used to close a bag filled with low quality tea dust, which is known to have very low health benefits and give a more bitter taste than its whole leaf loose tea counterpart. Due to the manufacturing techniques used by these production factories, tea dust is the only filler able to be injected with the machines used to mass produce these bags. As the general size of each organic herbal tea blend is larger, they are unable to be used with these processed bags.
Also, most bags are filled with green and oolong loose teas, as opposed to organic herbal tea. Though higher in quality than the stapled standard, problems of this style include a large shape and size that makes bulk packaging difficult. A more spacious bag allows for a free floating of the loose tea that is inside. Second in popularity is a relatively new pyramid shaped tea bag.
Fortunately as the number of companies is increasing, and more money is entering into the market, handmade gourmet tea bags are being created, better matching the ingenuity behind each organic herbal tea blend could be your gateway to differentiation in a busy tea industry. With the combined short falls of these two bags, the ever increasing number of organic herbal tea blends and home based companies are in desperate need for a tea bag to match their unique nature.

Excellent Green Tea Diet Methods

Some of the benefits include increasing metabolic rates and fat burning ability, in addition it helps decrease Rather you can receive the benefits that go along with it by infusing your diet with green tea. You can brew hot teas, enjoy cold green tea beverages or use green tea diet supplements in order to effectively increase your green tea diet. Some of the benefits include increasing metabolic rates and fat burning ability, in addition it helps decrease free radicals in your body by providing antioxidants. Rather you can receive the benefits that go along with it by infusing your diet with green tea.

The following are some examples for a green tea diet. You can brew hot teas, enjoy cold green tea beverages or use green tea diet supplements in order to effectively increase your green tea diet. Some of the benefits include increasing metabolic rates and fat burning ability, in addition it helps decrease free radicals in your body by providing antioxidants. Rather you can receive the benefits that go along with it by infusing your diet with green tea.

Going on a liquid diet where all you consume is green tea is not the way to create a green tea diet.
Brewing Tea
Some of these options include tea balls, mesh infusers, Without having loose leaves floating around in the water there are great ways to use fresh tea leaves. Instead of prepackaged tea bags some people prefer to use leaves. You can use honey, sugar or artificial sweeteners if you don't like the taste of green tea alone to add sweetness to your green tea diet.

Some of these options include tea balls, mesh infusers, basket filters and tea socks. Without having loose leaves floating around in the water there are great ways to use fresh tea leaves. Instead of prepackaged tea bags some people prefer to use leaves. You can use honey, sugar or artificial sweeteners if you don't like the taste of green tea with a tea bag and hot water is one of the most common ways to create a green tea diet. Some of these options include tea balls, mesh infusers, basket filters and tea socks.

Without having loose leaves floating around in the water there are great ways to use fresh tea leaves. Instead of prepackaged tea bags some people prefer to use leaves. Brewing a hot cup of green tea alone to add sweetness to your green tea diet.
Cold Tea Drinks
If you don't want to brew cups of green tea for your diet then you also have the option of allowing it to cool before pouring it over ice and having a nice light and refreshing drink that can be both delicious and healthy. On the market there are also a ton of different green tea drinks that you can purchase as gas stations, convenience stores and groceries. Specialty blended green tea smoothies and iced creations have been created by many chain coffee stores to help you stick with your green tea diet supplement
Greentea Information
.
Green Tea Diet Supplements
Today an assortment of dietary additives and many different kinds of multi-vitamins are ways to get the essence of green tea, the green tea extract. When introducing supplements to your diet there are several things to consider. First, when considering your specific green tea supplements you should have an understanding of the side effects. You should also look at the extra ingredients and monitor how much caffeine you ingest when taking the supplements.
Bringing green tea into your diet can be gained with any of the above choices To improve your overall well being and health, green tea can be a great addition to your diet.
Green Tea Pill
.
Morgan Buchanan is an expert on the
Green Tea Diet
.

The Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea

The tea has no caffeine and only half the tannin of ordinary tea. Apart from being refreshing to drink, in place of ordinary tea and coffee, it has the advantage of containing minerals and powerful antioxidants. Having no oxalic acid it also does not irritate the kidneys.
The Japanese scientists, who did studies in the 1960's, discovered Rooibos contains a powerful antioxidant similar to SOD which is thought to retard aging and quercetin which is believed to have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Besides that Rooibos is also found to contain aspalathin which counteracts the atherosclerotic processes that result in heart disease. Due to this the Japanese promote it as an Anti-Aging Tea and import large quantities of the tea.
Polyphenols help protect the body from damage by free radicals. In South Africa research found that the polyphenol content in Rooibos is similar to green tea. Research was done elsewhere where the French found that hair lotion containing Rooibos promoted faster hair growth with improvement in the hair condition and caused no allergic reactions.
Rooibos has been found to be helpful with general health problems. It relieves digestive problems, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and constipation. Having a calming effect it helps with irritability, insomnia and depression.
Both pre natal and breast feeding Mothers supplement their intake of manganese, calcium and fluoride drinking Rooibos and therefore promote strong teeth and healthy bones in their babies. Rooibos, when applied at every nappy change, relieves nappy rash and when drunk by the baby relieves colic.
Preparation of Rooibos is the same as ordinary tea. First warm the tea pot with boiling water and then place one teaspoon of tea or tea bag per cup required in the pot. Pour over boiling water and let infuse for a few minutes. The longer it is left before drinking the more antioxidants the tea will contain. Can be served plain, with hot or cold milk or lemon. It can be lightly sweetened with honey or sugar or just left without any sweetening. Rooibos also makes a wonderful ice tea.
Just replace the water in a recipe with the tea. In South Africa Rooibos Tea is often used in day to day cooking as not only does it add important minerals and antioxidants to the diet and help digestion, it also enhances the flavors of the cooking.
Next time you are in your health shop or in a department store stocking specialty teas, why not pick up a packet and try it out?

Tea for Two (Or More) Party

Do you share gardening tips? Do you discuss a book? Do you play cards during tea? Find shapes of tea cups and saucers, cookies, tea pots, flowers.

Use all of the things you do during tea time as inspiration or decorating supplies. A Tea Party may have the reputation of being a calm and quiet gathering, but that doesn't mean it can't be a good time.
Use a teapot shaped invitation, or a plain paper one and include a tea bag in it. Invite the guests to a comfortable setting such as your home and prepare for a lovely visit. Mother/ daughter gatherings, garden clubs or ladies luncheons are all perfect for a tea party. The great part about Tea Parties is they can be a party for any age group.
Decorations can be as little or as much as you like. Party supply stores will have every color of balloon or paper goods you need for the kitchen.
Getting a little messy is a great ice breaker. Whether it is cheese dip to go with crackers, fruit flavored muffins, or even cookies, the time in the kitchen will be fun interaction. Instead of games, have the guests prepare their own snacks.
You could decorate the pots, or if you gather for tea say once a month, you could watch the seeds sprout and grow every time you visit. Another idea would be to plant seeds or transplant flowers. A wreath could be made with a wire or foam base. This could be done easily with ribbon, floral wire and a hot glue gun.

Everyone could make a bouquet, a tussy mussy, or a straw hat with whatever flowers are on hand. Have a wide variety of fresh flowers on hand to decorate personalized projects. After food preparation is done and goodies are baking, start an activity.
The end result will be a day of fun conversation and good food. You want the activities to be fun, but not overpowering. No matter what activities you do, keep it simple and light- hearted.

Guests can continue to be crafty while sipping on tea and eating the fruits of their own labor when the snacks are ready. If activities aren't your bag, play card games or just visit.
Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible Party... Mrs.
party supplies
More ideas, games and , using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts.
Tea Party Supplies
at the Party Supplies Hut.

The Health Benefits of Tea

I don't even know if there was much talk of doing what was good for us, in terms of eating and drinking. There was never any talk, at least in our household, of the benefits of tea or coffee, for that matter. With the instant coffee, one only had to add hot water in a cup, and then let the tea steep from the bag into the hot water for a few moments.

My mother drank instant coffee that one purchased in supermarkets. When I was a child, many years ago, very few people who I knew of, were aware of natural substances that were good for a person's health.
Unlike other sweeteners, honey has vitamins, minerals and amino acids as well as antioxidants." Research has shown that teas (not just green tea, but all teas) have antioxidants that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and support cardiovascular health. While more research is needed, this information provides promising evidence of the beneficial properties of tea." Also, according to Globe Trends, Inc., "...tea sweetened with honey. No.1/2005, "Researchers of the American Heart Association of New Orleans found that black tea may help to relax and expand artieries, therefore increasing blood flow to the heart.

According to GlobeTrends, Inc., Vol. We are being informed that there are many benefits of tea. Now, we are kind of going back to nature, with all the research that has been done in the last several years.
Now that research has proven that tea is a good thing to drink--good for you, and so tasty with honey, which is also so good for you, we will continue and should continue to drink tea to better our health! In my youth, we never knew that some of which we were doing were the right things to do. There has been much research, and researchers will continue in their quest to find more benefits of all types of teas.

Storage Tips for Tea

An opened package of tea should be stored in light-proof container with tight fitting lid in a cool and dry place. Tea is sensitive to moisture, aromas, heat, and light.
Naturally, having the container dry in the first place helps tremendously. The easiest way is simply avoid any direct contact with open air by folding the tea storing bag and make sure it stays folded, or close the lid of your container tightly. Fortunately, you do not need to vacuum seal you tea; it is not practical and not necessary. It not only contaminates the taste and aroma of your tea, but it also produces and feeds bacteria, all in a short amount of time.

Moisture is the number one disaster for your tea.
If only glass jar is available, then put the jar in area away from light, such as in a cabinet. The most convenient way is to put them in a non-transparent bag or container and away from any heat source such as ovens or heaters. If your tea is constantly exposed to light or heat, it tends to make a weaker brew, or decreases the number of flavourable infusions.

Light and heat rob away flavours of tealeaves.
For more informations, visit is the founder of O-Square Tea Company who specialized in supplying premium/organic loose leaf teas around the world. Tom H.
http://www.osquaretea.com

Ginseng Tea

However, it should only be a secondary boost to health and not curing diseases or illnesses. Experts in Chinese medicine recommend that it should be drunk daily or whenever one is feeling unwell. The Chinese have been using ginseng tea for their health for thousands of years.
As a result, there have been great exports of ginseng to China or overseas Chinese communities, as well as Korea. It was discovered that the weather and soil conditions of the United States and Canada are suitable for growing ginseng.
Ginseng tea is probably the most popular use for Wisconsin ginseng. American ginseng is sometimes referred to as quinquefolium. The principle ingredients of American ginseng tea are panax quinquefolium, herbal lysimachiae and radix glycyrrhizae.
The ginseng slices are very popular, because they have already been sliced into thinner pieces and are ready for use. When using the whole root for cooking or ginseng tea, it is often sliced or broken into smaller pieces so that it does not have to simmer for long. The tea can be made from the whole root, slices, ginseng tea cut or ginseng tea bags.
The ginseng can usually be reused for about 2-3 cups of tea and then eaten if desired. Just add the ginseng to hot water and allow it to steep for about 4-5 minutes, or as long as you like, depending on how ""strong"" you like tea. Ginseng tea is very simple to prepare.

This is about 5-8 slices, about 1 teaspoon of ginseng tea cut or powder, or one tea bag. When making ginseng tea, it usually takes about 2-3 grams of ginseng per cup of tea.

How I Came To Love Tea

"Theresa, will you take your tea in the garden, or in the lounge, dear?" Margaret pronounced the second "e" as "ay" -- Ther-AY-sa -- making it sound royal to my American ear.
I was staying with Gathaen and Margaret Jones, friends of my parents, during my first trip to England. Margaret informed me right away that it was delightful to have a girl in the house. They had two grown sons, but no daughters, and so I received generous attention.
On sunny mornings, Margaret and I took our tea in the garden. We both preferred being outside. She would spread the daily newspaper out for me "to read at your leisure, dear"--each section stepped down to show the one below.
The "garden" included everything that was outside the back door--table, chairs, chaise lounge, clay flowerpots, an expanse of lawn, and at the far end of the property, a manicured rectangle of vegetables, herbs and flowers. I didn't know much about gardens then, and could recognize only tomatoes and roses. Later, Margaret and I would pick black currents, cucumbers, lettuce, and a variety of flowers. Sooner or later, everything from that garden would land, beautifully arranged, on Margaret's dining table where tea was served several times a day.
She was keen to tutor me on the ways of tea, British style. Margaret didn't approve of the way Americans soaked a tea bag in a cup of hot water.
Tea was always black, perfectly steeped. My hostess glided from kitchen to garden, her accoutrements on a large tray. I remember the china teapot, matching cups and saucers, sugar bowl, teaspoons, and flowered cloth napkins. There were always delicate scones or muffins fresh from her oven and served with soft butter. Freshly picked strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries were piled high in separate small bowls to be enjoyed with thick cream. Margaret insisted I take my tea the British way, with sugar and whole milk. We basked in the morning sun--her patio table had no umbrella--chatting about Lady Diana's wedding.
This was how I fell in love with everything about tea.
I turned up my nose at Lipton in a Styrofoam cup. I realized how spoiled I had been when I came back to the U.S., where hardly anyone I knew served tea in a china pot, as a rule, like Margaret.
Tea drinking has not lost an ounce of charm for me, even two decades later. My senses still become infused with the ritual of preparing tea. The whistle of my copper kettle. The almost-boiling water flowing over lavender-scented green tea leaves just covering the bottom of a two-cup pot. Pouring the steeped amber liquid into my favorite wide-mouthed cup. Carrying my tray to the window, to look out on the first orange and yellow tulips in the small patch of earth behind my townhouse. Closing my eyes I lift the cup to my lips with both hands and take a tiny sip. If it's too hot, I set it down. These in-between moments are meditation. I become hypnotized by color, fragrance, taste. No matter what is happening around me, the space between the sips quiets my mind.
Today, I am creek side, sitting at a black wrought-iron bistro table at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. It's four o'clock and most people have abandoned the patio, no doubt due to the dark clouds tumbling over the Rocky Mountain peaks. I take my time in choosing from the extensive tea menu that looks more like a wine list. What will it be? Scented Black or Oolong? Japanese Cherry Sencha or Moroccan Mint Melody? Those Jasmine Green Pearls are so tempting, though expensive. Splurging, I order a small pot and watch the leaves unfurl. I have plenty of time today, so I sip.
A warm breeze interferes with the jasmine steam rising from my clear cup. Minutes later, a light rain begins but the creek drowns out any sound of drops hitting the table. I watch the space between lazy raindrops.
Sitting in the rain with no umbrella, I think of Margaret.
"Ther-AY-sa! Four-o-clock, dear! Would you be kind enough and set out the crockery?"
Freelance writer and tea promoter Terry Calamito publishes the free ezine "Start Sipping." If you're a tea lover or just want to find out about tea's health benefits and maybe slow down a little to have a cup, subscribe for free at
http://www.switchtotea.com
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Are You Looking for Hoodia Tincture or Hoodia Tea?

Phytopharm appears to be working on that. There is at this time no prescription form of hoodia. If you are looking for a different form of hoodia, there are complete articles at our Hoodia Info Blog comparing hoodia liquids, drops, capsules, herb blends and even hoodia coffee.

In this article we look at two hoodia tea products and what they contain. As a result many companies use the phrase hoodia tincture to refer to their products. While there are no specific products being sold as "hoodia tincture", tincture is a word that is synonymous with drops, medicine, tablet, tonic and many other words.
Before you decide to buy based on price, look at the ingredients. The price for Desert hoodia tea is $39.95 per twenty tea bags was the listed price at the time of this writing. The price for Bija hoodia tea varies depending on the distributor, but $12.95 per twenty tea bags plus shipping and handling. Two easily found hoodia tea products are Desert Tea and Bija Hoodia Tea.

Manufacturers of hoodia tea commonly use the term hoodia tincture to describe the products that they sell.
Green tea contains caffeine which is a stimulant and should be avoided by those who are sensitive to stimulants. Hoodia testimonials, reviews and customer comments indicate that the larger the amount of hoodia gordonii present, in any forms of hoodia tincture, the better the results. Hoodia testimonials, reviews and customer comments indicate that the larger the amount of hoodia gordonii, green tea, magnolia bark, oatstraw herb, garcinia cambogia, bitter orange and grapefruit.

Hoodia testimonials, reviews and customer comments indicate that the larger the amount of hoodia gordonii, green tea, magnolia bark, oatstraw herb, garcinia cambogia, bitter orange and grapefruit. Bija hoodia tea contains an unspecified amount of hoodia gordonii, green tea, magnolia bark, oatstraw herb, garcinia cambogia, bitter orange and grapefruit. Desert hoodia tea contains an unspecified amount of hoodia gordonii per tea bag and rooibos (an African shrub whose leaves are dried to make an herbal tea) for flavor.
Bitter orange and grapefruit are added as flavorings and for anti-oxidant value. Garcinia cambogia was used in traditional Indian medicine to treat swelling, constipation and an array of other complaints. Its effectiveness as a weight loss supplement has not been proven. Magnolia bark and oatstraw are commonly used in herbal teas. With that many different ingredients, there may not be very much hoodia gordonii present in this hoodia tea. Hoodia testimonials, reviews and customer comments indicate better results and overall satisfaction with a hoodia tincture that is 100% hoodia gordonii.
Other considerations about hoodia tea are the same as those with any hoodia tincture. For best results and satisfaction, look for products with CITES certifications that verify the presence of genuine hoodia gordonii. You should consult your doctor before using any hoodia tincture; this is particularly true of a hoodia tea which contains stimulants, since stimulants can affect blood pressure. Persons should be in reasonably good health. Products should not be used by children or women who are nursing. Whether you choose to use a hoodia tea or a hoodia tincture of another variety, report any unusual symptoms to your health care professional along with a list of the product ingredients.

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
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