Tea

Cocoa Tea � Not Your Typical Tea

2008-05-29T08:06:00.002-07:00

What is it? Is it tea? Hot chocolate? A mixture of both? Tea is made from leaves and this is not.

Cocoa tea originated in St. Lucia in the Caribbean. It is not a tea however, since it contains a bay leaf and cinnamon stick it looks very similar to tea. The leaf and stick are steeped in the water similar to the way tea is made.

The traditional recipe may have milk, water, sugar and vanilla. There may be other flavors added such as cinnamon and nutmeg. In ancient times, floured dumplings were added to make the beverage more of a meal.

A basic recipe calls for a cocoa stick, water, milk, sugar to sweeten, vanilla, a bay leaf, cinnamon and cornstarch. The water is boiled with the cinnamon and bay leaf. It is suggested that you boil these for at least 10-15 minutes. Add the cocoa stick and boil another 5 minutes. Then add milk and sweeten with sugar. Add the cornstarch slowly and boil again. Stir every few minutes. Add vanilla and serve. Skim or soy milk can be used to reduce the calories and artificial sweetener can be used to cut the calories.

It is considered a hearty, flavorful beverage to be enjoyed possibly as a dessert or with a meal. Cocoa tea has an unusual flavor and is not quite as rich as hot chocolate. It can be considered a close comparison.

The health benefits of cocoa are that they are rich in antioxidants, chemicals that fight cancer, heart disease and reduce the signs of aging.

Cocoa tea is not a typical tea not even close. But it is an enjoyable, delicious beverage that can be made for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It may be best served as a dessert treat or a compliment to an entr�e. You may want to ask for dumplings which are a filling additive.

With all the recent research detailing the health benefits of red wine, chocolate and tea, there is a wealth of possibilities. It is recommended that you have a glass of cocoa tea in the morning, a cup of tea in the afternoon and a glass of red wine in the evening. You will most certainly reap the health benefits of all three.

Cocoa plants are small trees which contain seeds which are broken and cleaned. The seeds are fermented and are very bitter. The seeds are then roasted, cracked and are ground up. Heat is applied to melt fat and produce cocoa liquor which can be molded into chocolate. Cocoa is then made by squeezing out the fat and then dry powder is treated to produce the cocoa.

If you are looking for a unique, alternative beverage, try some cocoa tea. It is a unique, flavorful beverage!

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English Tea Time Customs

2008-05-29T08:06:00.001-07:00

Are you enjoying afternoon or high tea? Do you know the difference?

High tea is served in the afternoon. Some people think the word sounds regal, so it is used to describe tea served late in the day or for dinner. Most generally, it is served with pastries or cakes.

Early afternoon tea is called low tea, because it is most generally served in a sitting room, where there are low tables. In England, the traditional time to serve tea is between three and five o�clock during the week.

English tea is black tea, which is robust and has a rich flavor. It is intended to be served with milk and sugar. It is known as Black Keenum and it originates from China. It tends to have a smoky flavor and a very strong aroma.

The history of tea dates back to the nineteenth century England. The Duchess of Bedford needed something substantive to eat and drink between lunch and dinner.

Tea was served with a light snack such as bread and butter. The tradition of afternoon tea has expanded to include pastries and scones and other tasty delights to go with the tea.

It soon became a social event, when Anna the Duchess of Bedford invited friends to join her. The menu expanded to include small cakes and sweets. Tea was served in a silver pot and the pastries were served on the finest china.

English tea gardens became popular. Tea was served outdoors and grew to include orchestras, concerts and games. The afternoon tea break became an event.

In tradition, the afternoon tea party is usually an event marking a special occasion or a visiting friend. Most generally, it is a formal occasion, where ladies dress up, or it could be an informal event. In the 1900�s, Emily Post made note that servants should never come into a room during the tea, unless asked. She noted, that this interruption was rude and disrupted the flow of conversation.

However, you do not need a formal tea room, beautiful china and a silver tea pot to enjoy a cup of English tea. However, across the United States there are tea parlors and shops, that you can enjoy a cup of tea possibly at an outdoor caf�. Or, invite some friends over for a cup of tea and have your own private tea party.

In the United States, if you visit a tea room or parlor, and request a cup of English tea, you will be served some bite sized sandwiches such as cucumber and cheese or roast beef and cheddar. The next course would be crumpets or pastries with butter. The idea is to enjoy your tea in a relaxing atmosphere by yourself or with friends.

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White Tea: More Antioxidants And Less Caffeine

2008-05-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

There are so many flavors of tea, how can you keep them all straight? White, black and green tea come from the Camella Sinensis plant. However the leaves are picked and cultivated before the leaf opens and the buds are covered with white hair. It is more difficult to come by, so it may be a tad more expensive compared to other teas.

The young leaves are shielded from sunlight so chlorophyll does not form. White tea is a bit lighter and sweeter than black and green tea. It requires more processing and is more of a delicate tea.

White teas have less caffeine than other teas. Most generally, they have 15 mg per serving compared to 40 milligrams in black and 20 milligrams for green tea. It is also know to have more antioxidants than the other teas. It is also known to have more anti bacterial and anti viral qualities than other teas.

The Song Dynasty emperor declared white tea all that is elegant. It has since maintained it�s regal declaration. Later it was the defined as the �best� tea.

There are primarily four types of tea Ceylon and Darjeeling Silver needle and Whit Pony.. The Ceylon tea is light with a hint of pine, honey and copper flavors. The Darjeeling white has a delicate flavor that is mellow and sweet. Silver needle is bright white and the shape is uniform. White pony is sweet and mild, but full bodied.

During the Song Dynasty, producing white tea took a great deal of time and effort. It was almost ceremonial to watch, as ceramic ware was used and the process was very time consuming.

The tea leaves are picked in the early Spring and then steamed. The buds are hand picked and the leaf left unopened. Only the interior of the bud is used. It is rinsed and dried.

After cutting, the tea needs to ferment. The tea leaves are oxidized, to aid in the drying process. Depending on the type of tea, the leaves are steamed or heat is applied.

Tea has become a culture in and of itself. There are tea rooms, outdoor cafes, parties, afternoon tea, all designed with a purpose of enjoying a glass of ice tea or hot tea. Zen Buddhism offers a Japanese tea ceremony. China, Korea and the United Kingdom also have tea ceremonies.

However you decide to enjoy your tea remember that it has cancer fighting oxidants. It is virtually caloric and fat free. There are no side effects except it will help you relax and hopefully, remain stress free at least until you finish the cup. So enjoy a cup or glass and resist the temptation to move or do something and just relax!

Tips for Flavored White Teas -- powered by ExpertVillage.com

Chai Tea: Relaxing Tea Made With Spices And Milk

2008-05-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

Close your eyes, relax and take a deep breath. As you breathe, smell the aroma of the freshly brewed tea you are about to drink. The hot beverage can be soothing and relaxing. The aroma can be intoxicating and may clam your nerves, and help you relax after a long day.

Try a mixture of black tea, ginger cloves, pepper, nutmeg; add hot water, milk and honey and you have an unbelievably delicious version of Chai tea. It is a healthy answer to replace your morning cup of coffee.

Chai, the �ch� is pronounced like �church� and rhymes with �sky.� In the United States, it is abbreviated from Masala Chai. The word masala means a mixture of spices. Other derivatives are tea lattes which is essentially tea with milk. Chai is not a specific brand of tea, it denotes a method of preparation with spices and milk.

Tea is traced back to the Hindus and the use of a natural healing system which combines spices, herbs and is considered to have natural healing properties.

Chai is the word for tea in Asian cultures. Typically, it is made by boiling tea with milk and water. Depending on tastes, a variety of additives such as honey, lemon and spices such as cinnamon can be added. In some countries, tea is more popular than coffee.

The smell of tea can be a welcoming and relaxing experience. After a stressful day, there is nothing like sitting down, relaxing and enjoying a hot beverage. In the winter, what could be better than curling up to a warm fire and a cup of hot tea.

Most generally black tea is used and can be combined with molasses, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. The preferred way to make it in India is to boil the leaves with milk to get a strong flavor.

The spices used have health benefits such as antioxidants which help fight off cancer. Tea also helps lower cholesterol and lowers blood pressure. Cloves help generate body heat so that you are toasty in the winter and cold and flu season. Ginger aids the digestive and respiratory systems. Every drop of this tea is good for you, so enjoy a cup or two and have a stress free day! A five ounce cup of coffee has over a 100 milligrams of caffeine whereas, tea has half that.

The Wallahs are sellers of Chai tea. The tea is brewed in extra large kettles over a fire. The tea is served in small pots called �kullarhs� which are unglazed pots. Part of the ritual of drinking this tea, is destroying the pot after drinking the tea.

So next time you are considering a hot beverage, consider a cup of Chai tea. Your mind and body will be thankful that you did!

About Indian Oolong Tea -- powered by ExpertVillage.com

Bubble Tea: A Fun And Flavorful Tea Variation

2008-05-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of Bubble tea? It is an interesting name and a unique beverage which originated in Taiwan. The bubbles are actual tapioca balls in the tea, they look like little black pearls at the bottom of the drink. There are generally two types, a fruit and a milk flavored version. The Chinese name for this type of translates to Pearl Milk tea. Another characteristic of the tea, is a very wide straw so the tapioca balls can be sucked up when drinking the tea. Children like to use the straw as a �weapon� to spit the balls at each other. It contains no alcohol and is not carbonated. It will remind of a drink and a dessert all in one!

Most recently it has become very popular in the late 1990�s, although it originated over 10 years ago. It is a mixture of ice or hot tea, cream and flavorings. The original version of the tea was black tea, tapioca balls, milk and honey. Although there have been numerous variations on the original. Most generally, there is less sugar used than carbonated beverages or soft drinks.

The tea was then modified with fruit versions such as peach or plum. Today you can find tea shops similar to coffee bars and juice bars. Other flavors used are raspberry, mocha, coconut, cinnamon and other flavors. These flavorings are added as syrups, powder or the actual pulp of the fruit. The mixture is then shaken similar to a milk shake. Any tea shaken is considered bubble tea because bubbles form after the shaking process.

The tapioca pearls are made from the cassava plant. The balls are boiled and cooled. Once cooled, they are coated with honey or sugar. The consistency of these little gems is somewhere between jello and gum. They are approximately the size of a marble.

Another variation of the beverage is to use flavored jellies instead of tapioca balls. Popular flavored jellies used are coconut or cognac jelly.

The first bubble tea shop originated in Taiwan in the 1980�s and has since grown. It has grown in popularity in the United States, in areas where there is a large amount of Asians. There are franchises in the United States, called Quickly and Lollipop that are growing in popularity. Other restaurants in California are Fantasia and Sweetheart Caf�.

This beverage can be made at home with ice tea mix, sugar, mint leaves and milk. The pearls can be bought in Asian grocery stores or on the internet. An unopened bag of pearls can last up to six months. You can add a variety of flavors depending on your taste. Some people prefer a fruity version without any milk products. However you decide to try this delectable beverage, at the very least try it and you will become hooked!

Jasmine Tea: A Rich Tea With An Exotic Scent

2008-05-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

The Jasmine leaf is a dark olive color with a hint of a floral scent from jasmine. The floral scent is dry with a medium body. It is recommended that you flavor Jasmine tea with a little bit of sweetener.

Tea originated in China and was originally used to flavor their water which tasted flat. The cultivation of the plant began over 5000 years ago. Americans actually invented the tea bag. All tea plants derive from the same species however, the variety of climates and soils alter the flavor.

China is the largest tea grower in the world. It needs a tropical habitat with rainfall.

Tea has become a popular beverage in the United States and across the world. In some regions, it is more popular than coffee. There are tea cafes and rooms across the country that specializes in a variety of teas.

Jasmine tea is made from Chinese green leaves that are flavored with jasmine flowers. The flowers are cut and stored in a cool place. The flowers bloom at night and are placed over the tea leaves. It takes about four hours for the tea to absorb the flavor.

There are about 200 species of jasmine shrubs. The flowers are white or yellow. They have a sweet scent. The scent has been said, to enhance all of your senses so that you have only pleasant thoughts.

The jasmine tea leaves are found in a multitude of locations where there are tropical temperatures and high altitude. Jasmine leaves can be found all over the world.

There are seventeen types of jasmine tea and it is a unique class of teas because it is scented. The tea gains its flavor from the scent of the flower rather than oils or plants. It is known as the �queen of flowers� and offers its aromatic scent to enhance the flavor and smell of this tea.

Jasmine is thought to have healing qualities for depression and it is thought to have relaxing qualities and to help with dry skin.

The many types of tea are decided by color and grade. In the Middle East, tea is brewed with leaves and water; tea bags are not used there at all. Middle Easteners prefer their tea with sugar, honey, lemon, apple flavors and mint.

Jasmine starts as green tea and is grown in the Fujian province. The tea leaves are picked in the Spring and hand rolled into a ball. The tea is then stored until the fall. The tea leaves are then infused with Jasmine and rolled into a pearl sized ball. Then the tea is wrapped in silk mesh and dried.

Tea is a natural source of caffeine and antioxidants with no fat or cholesterol or carbohydrates. So enjoy!!

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Black Tea: Strong Tea With a Robust Flavor

2008-05-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

Are you an avid tea drinker? Do you have a preference for the kind of tea, you drink? Herbal teas are popular but, have you considered black tea? This type of tea has a very strong flavor and more caffeine. Black tea, better known as Camellia Sinensis which is actually an evergreen shrub is grown in China tends to be sweet or spicy, and sometimes, there may be a hint of chocolate or other floral additives. The origins of Black tea date back over 4,000 years ago in China.

The legendary Boston Harbor Tea party brought notoriety to Black tea in 1773. Colonists threw tea into the harbor as a gesture of independence. Bu the eighteenth century, tea was common in England where the infamous tea and crumpets were served daily in the afternoon.

To grow tea successfully, a tropical climate is needed, and preferably a rain forest. Typically, tea is grown in South America or in Asian countries. A high altitude is needed to grow tea. Over 80% percent of all tea sold, black tea remains the most popular. Black tea keeps its flavor for years. The tea plant can grow over 40 feet but is most generally pruned back to three to four feet.

The first tea buds, or first flush are considered to be the best leaves of top quality. Once this is picked another grows, and this cycle continues until Autumn. The older leaves further down the stem are of a poor quality and are generally discarded.

Some people prefer to drink their tea straight with nothing else. While others prefer to add milk or lemon, and sugar or you can add cloves and cinnamon. Some people prefer to drink it hot, while others prefer ice tea on a hot afternoon.

Black tea is processed by withering the leaves. Then the tea is processed by crushing, tearing and rolling. These tea leaves are processed manually or with a machine. Then the leaves are fermented and then dried. Then the leaves are sorted by their size. The leaves can be whole, broken, or broken down into dust. Then the tea is packaged.

Most generally, tea is prepared with boiling water and then steeped for approximately 4 minutes. Some people like to add spices to it such as cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg. Another popular additive is honey which can be used instead of sugar.

Daily cups of tea are known to help relax you and reduce stress. Some people find tea soothing and relaxing and it helps people relax and de-stress. Tea is rich in antioxidants which help fight off disease. Some studies suggest that it helps increase metabolism so that you lose weight. Unless you add sugar or honey, tea is virtually calorie free! So enjoy with no guilt. Have one, two even three to four cups a day!

Learn the best way to store tea with expert tea tips in this free drink recipe video clip.