Today I chose to drink a cup of TEA while I relaxed on the porch of my store. I love tea with vanilla in it and I like white tea so I chose a tea called Wedding Tea. Wow, this is good!! What is White Tea? According to the Metropolitan Tea Company, white teas are slightly fermented and come from selected varietal tea bushes. The leaves of these varietals are slightly paler in color which is evident in the brewed infusion. Some leaves even have slight hairy down on them. As far as the medical community goes, a study at the University of Oregon indicated that consumption of moderate amounts of green or white tea might provide a protection against colon tumors about as well as a prescription drug, sulindac that has been shown effective for that purpose. Furthermore, at Pace University new studies conducted have indicated that White Tea Extract may have prophlactic applications in retarding the growth of bacteria that cause Staphylococcus, Streptococcus infections, pneumonia and dental caries. More on the medicinal side of Tea: Cinnamon in tea can reduce blood sugar, cholesterol & triglyceride levels. Cinnamon fights tooth decay, is an antiseptic that help kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay & gum disease, soothes an upset stomach and cleans up urinary - tract infections. You may want to try Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon & Spice Tea. You will get a cinnamon JOLT for sure in this Tea!!! Spearmint and Peppermint are known for their digestive properties. As an infusion they may stimulate the stomach and be intestinal antiseptic. In olden days some doctors claimed mint was an aphrodisiac. Harney & Sons also has a Peppermint Herbal Tea. Stash carries Moroccan Mint Green Tea with Spearmint & Peppermint, and The Metropolitan Tea Company has a Peppermint Tea as well. You might ask: What are the differences between Green, Black, Oolong, White and Herbal Teas? I'll try to help you a little. I don't want to overwhelm you with information like some articles do to me. So here we go; all tea comes from the same species of plant -CAMELLIA SENENSIS. The variety of teas is due to differences in growing conditions, the kind of leaves harvested and the processing technique. For instance: Oolong Tea is a semi-fermented compared to Green Tea which is unfermented and Black Tea which is fully fermented. Oolongs are easily recognized by appearance of the leaves which are stout, crinkled and when infused, often look greenish with reddish edges. White Teas are slightly fermented and come from selected varietal tea bushes. White teas are particularly high in polyphenols. I like to think of White Tea as the champagne of Tea. It tastes crisp and feels good on my tongue. That's just my opinion!! Now as for Herbal Teas, these are not true teas. Herbal teas have special and unique flavors and many are often consumed for their medicinal properties, and, Herbal Teas have NO CAFFEINE!! I hope this helps you out a little, just a bit of information to convince you that maybe you should start drinking a few cups of TEA every day. If anything, when you drink tea you are hydrating yourself, plus getting medicinal benefits!! You say, 'but I don't like tea!!!' There are so many flavors in teas you are sure to find something you like. Here are a few things you might not know - I know I didn't until I started researching Tea Facts a few years ago:
- Ceylon is the general name for tea produced in Sri Lanka. The plant is a close relative of the Assam indigenous tea plant that is the ancestor of most teas grown in India, Sri Lanka and Kenya.
- The term ORANGE PEKOE refers to the size of the leaf and not to the flavor of the tea. The size of the black leaf affects the speed of infusion with large leaf types steeping more slowly. I have always said Orange Pekoe is just your plain old regular type Tea!!
- Tea is a rich source of Antioxidants that are believed to fight free radicals that can cause cancer, heart disease and strokes, rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts and Alzheimer's disease.
- The Tea Council of Canada states: tea taken without milk or sugar contains no calories or fat; but if milk is taken in tea it is a vital source of calcium. The British Dental health Fdn. Confirms Tea is a healthy drink which has many beneficial properties for teeth and everyone should be encouraged to drink it.
- In tea taster's jargon there is a term called 'Agony of the Leaf' which refers to the unfolding of the tea leaves when boiling water is applied to them.
- Tea sometimes may taste bitter. It contains tannins and if a tea is allowed to steep too long, more of the tannins are released causing what some people say is a bitter taste. A dash of sugar can reduce this bitterness or alternatively add some milk, as this will reduce the pH level of the tea. Much of my knowledge comes from The Metropolitan Tea Company - whose tea I have enjoyed for about 3 years now. I respect this company and all their research and their Tea is good too. Blessings, Shyrll Olson
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