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Mother Nature helped us
“discover” tea
by dropping a leaf, carried by the wind into a pot of water that was being
boiled in ancient china.
Although tea was being drunk in ancient
China as early as 2737 B.C., it didn’t make its way to England until the
1600’s.
When tea hit the scene in England, it replaced ALE as the breakfast
beverage of choice (British society became much more productive
thereafter).
World-wide, tea is the most popular beverage. The only drink that humans
consume more of is water.
Brewing Tip: Use 1 tsp. dried tea or dried herb per cup of boiled water.
Let steep 2-5 minutes (depending on strength desired).
Herbal Teas contain vitamins and minerals. Coffee has 0 nutritional
benefits.
People who drink green tea have healthier cholesterol levels than people
who don’t.
Green Tea and Black Tea both come from the same plant (Camellia Sinensis).
Black tea is more oxidized and fermented (brown) and green tea is fresher
and more raw (green).
Some experts feel that the anti-oxidant activity of polyphenols (found in
tea and other plants) are “anti-aging”.
Brewing Tip: For green teas, bring the water just close to a boil (catch
the kettle before it sings).
In Japan, tea and the Zen philosophy are considered inseparable.
Many herbal teas contain chlorophyll which (when ingested) increase blood
oxygen levels, making you feel more alert and energetic.
Recipe: Freeze sweetened peppermint tea in popsicle molds for a super cool
treat that will beat summer-time heat.
Tea parties are replacing the cocktail parties of the 1950-1990’s.
Tannic acid (found in tea) is a proven anti-viral substance.
Brewing Tip: Once you add the boiled water to your cup, cover the cup with
the saucer so the flavor, aroma & phytochemicals don’t escape with the
steam.
In many countries, monks & priests oversee tea production because of the
spiritual nature of the tea ceremony.
Sir Thomas Lipton was a very inventive
Scotsman and yachtsman.
At one point in Europe, tea was so precious, it was kept under lock and
key with the family jewels.
Recipe: Make herbal tea ice cubes and add to seltzer water or sparkling
mineral water.
Free radicals are a source of wrinkles (they attack the skin’s structural
protein, “collagen” and cause the skin to lose elasticity). Green tea
fights free radicals and is therefore used in many facial products.
Brewing Tip: Herbal teas need to steep longer than black or green teas.
The longer you steep a green tea, the more bitter it will become.
Tea is not a crop that can be grown in the U.S. Only one plantation (near
Charleston, SC has ever been successful).
Some of the finest teas are grown in Ceylon (which is now called Sri
Lanka).
Ceylon was once famous for its tea plantations until disease made farmers
switch their crops to tea.
The climate, soil & altitude of a region determines the flavor of a tea
(much as is the case with grapes and fine wine). Darjeeling is grown in
the Himalayan mountains.
Oolong is a partially fermented tea (somewhere between a green & a black).
Ice Tea was invented by Richard Blechynden at a St. Louis State Fair. He
had a hot tea stand that was failing miserably on that hot day.
In 1900, a New Yorker, Thomas Sullivan, was the first to sew loose tea
into silk fabric to assist with straining….and thus the tea bag was born.
1773 – For the love of tea!! When the King of England tries to levy a tax
on tea shipments to the Colonists, the Boston Tea Party leads to the
Revolutionary War. If it weren’t for tea, would we still be a colony?
More tea is drunk in India than anywhere else in the world. China follows
second, Russia & the UK are neck & neck for 3rd place and Japan is fourth.
In 1998, China produced 665,034 metric tons of tea.
Tom Hanks favorite tea is PG Tips.
Oprah’s Favorite is Tea Forte brand.
“Sweet Tea” (super sugary iced tea) is a favorite drink in the South East.
Most commercial packaged ice tea drinks contain more “high fructose corn
syrup”
than they do tea.
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