Tea Leaf Readings: 2015

Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Rooibos is taking the world by storm!

Have you heard about the hottest new trend in tea?
Rooibos is taking the world by storm!

Rooibos… it sounds funny, doesn’t it? Pronounced “ROY-bus”, it is literally defined as “red bush” tea. It does not come from the Camellia Sinensis plant like black, green or white tea, but rather it comes from a plant that is native to South Africa. Although this excellent caffeine-free option for tea drinkers is still considered a tea, it is largely misunderstood, due perhaps to the fact that many people have not even heard of it! But rooibos tea holds a vast range of vitamins, minerals and other healthy components that will boost your health and make you feel great from the inside out.

Rooibos tea is typically grown in the Cederberg, a small mountainous area in the region of the Western Cape province of South Africa. Although a green, unoxidized version of rooibos tea is also available, typically the tea leaves are oxidized (or fermented) before consumption. This produces the trademark reddish-brown colour of the tea leaves and enhances the flavour. The tea is traditionally prepared in the same way as black tea, with milk and sugar added to taste. Other add-ins include a slice of lemon or a shot of honey to sweeten.

While rooibos tea does not contain caffeine and has a pretty low tannin level (compared to black or green tea), it does still contain polyphenols (compounds otherwise known as antioxidants that science has shown to be quite good for us as humans). These polyphenols have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-mutagenic qualities. They are most often praised for their antioxidant properties, which act as scavengers of free radicals throughout the body

Rooibos tea carries health benefits ranging from its use as a cure for nagging headaches, insomnia, eczema, asthma, hypertension, bone weakness, allergies and even premature aging. There are no known side effects to drinking rooibos tea. It has even been shown to boost the immune system of the human body. In fact, its medicinal attributes have been confirmed by the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC, which affirmed that rooibos tea is capable of reducing cancer, heart disease, premature aging and other serious conditions! It also contains no oxalic acid, meaning that it can be consumed by people who have kidney stones. It is rich in many mineral contents such as iron, calcium, potassium, copper, fluoride, manganese, zinc, magnesium and alpha hydroxyl acid.

Rooibos tea can be especially useful in treating small children who suffer from colic or stomach pains. It has even been shown to help balance your blood sugar, improve insulin resistance, improve glucose absorption by your muscles and boost insulin secretion by the pancreas. This results in it being an excellent defensive shield against developing Type II Diabetes. One really neat trait that rooibos tea has is that it contains antioxidants that may even slow down the human aging process while boosting the strength of the immune system.

Above all of the other health benefits, rooibos tea makes an excellent beverage for any time of the day! It does wonders for professional athletes, hyperactive children and anyone who travels often.

Despite all of these health benefits of rooibos tea, there can be a downside for some people! Since rooibos tea is so powerful, it can interfere with treatments for various conditions, including chemotherapy for cancer patients. Also, rooibos has shown estrogenic activities in certain studies, so it might not be a good idea to use if you have a hormone-sensitive cancer like breast cancer. Finally, if you have existing kidney or liver conditions, rooibos might be more harmful than helpful. It should be used as a preventative measure for these conditions, not a cure. Make sure you speak to your doctor before adding any new dietary elements or beverages to your normal routine, particularly one as powerful as rooibos tea!

For best brewing:

It is preferable to brew rooibos tea in heartily boiling water. Try to keep the water at this temperature for the entire brewing process. Rooibos tea has a longer steeping time than most other teas, and so the shortest amount of time that it should be allowed to brew for is four to five minutes. Studies have shown that steeping rooibos tea for as much as five to ten minutes greatly increases the amount of antioxidants and nutrients in the finished cup.

Although this tea is (in my opinion) best served straight up with nothing added, many people enjoy it served with milk and sugar or honey for added sweetness. And did I mention that it is also great served iced?

So raise a mug! Cheers to your excellent health!

Cathy Skidmore began her tea journey with Steeped Tea after seeing the founders get a deal on Dragons Den in 2012. Proud to represent this Canadian company who sell quality loose leaf teas and fun and trendy accessories. With over 100 different teas, she as something for everyone.

Cathy enjoys sharing her love of teas with everyone by offering free tea tasting in your home or hers, as well as an opportunity to have your own tea business.

She loves to help people create that perfect cup of tea.
www.mysteepedtea.com/cathyskidmore
@cathyskidmore1
https://www.facebook.com/CathySkidmoreSteepedTeaConsultant?fref=ts

Changing people’s lives one cup at a time.

Thursday, 27 August 2015

White Tea

White tea – not as mysterious as you might think

There is a huge misunderstanding out there about white tea. Too many people seem to think that is some mysterious beverage, rare or hard to find, and to many it just doesn’t seem like it would ever become their beverage of choice.

But once you give it a chance… get ready for a shocker! Although it might not be as well known as other teas, white tea is a fabulous option for a beverage that will not only taste great, but also offers a range of health benefits.

White tea is sometimes considered rare and is usually more expensive than green, as it can only be hand picked during a few days of early spring and has to be handled with such care. White tea also tastes different than green tea, having a smoother, gentler and almost sweet taste.

The processing method of white tea is different than that of green and black teas as well. Whereas black tea is fully fermented and green tea is partially fermented, white tea is instead steamed rapidly and then dried. Because white and green teas are treated gently and not overly processed, they retain most of their beneficial antioxidants. In fact, since white tea is the least processed, it retains the highest amount of antioxidants compared to green and black teas. White tea actually contains the same types of antioxidants as green tea, but in greater quantity. These antioxidants are found to have many health promoting properties including boosting cardiovascular health, helping to lower cholesterol, reducing the risk of cancer and enhancing weight loss. While any type of tea is a great healthy choice for a beverage, white tea contains even more antioxidants and less caffeine, making it an even healthier choice.

White tea may also have profound power fighting against cancer-causing cells and against many different types of cancer, such as colon, prostate, and stomach cancers. Flavonoids, a class of antioxidants found in white tea, inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent the development of new ones. In some cases, white tea has been found to work as well as prescription drugs, but without the side effects.

Other studies have shown that white tea can thin the blood and improve artery function. Because of this, it helps lower high blood pressure and maintain a healthy one. By promoting strong and healthy blood vessels, white tea guards against the ravages of stroke.

Catechins, another group of antioxidants, have been found to reduce cholesterol… and white tea is teeming with them! Cholesterol is a special type of fat and is necessary for health, but there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol... white tea increases the good while decreasing the bad. This helps prevent hardening of the arteries and blockage of blood flow. Lowering your cholesterol is a very beneficial “side effect” of drinking white tea, as these days this is a problem that affects so many people.

By thinning the blood, lowering blood pressure and reducing cholesterol, white tea also protects the heart and the entire circulatory system. Researchers have also discovered that people who drink two or more cups of tea a day are almost 50% less likely to die after suffering a heart attack.

There are even more health benefits, from giving you stronger bones, healthier teeth and gums, healthy skin and more… too many to list here, in fact! White tea has proven to be a truly remarkable tonic for just about any ailment.

These days, many people are consuming too much caffeine, and because of this, some people have been advised by their doctor to lower the amount of caffeine in their diets. These people are especially well-suited to using tea as a sort of medicine! If caffeine is a consideration for you, then white tea is perfect – green tea contains around 20g of caffeine, compared to white tea that only has around 15g. In comparison, black tea contains around 45g.

A tip when buying white or green tea: choose organic as the tea plant readily absorbs fluoride from pesticides.

For best brewing:

White tea has a gentler flavour than most other teas, very subtle and relaxing. Both white and green teas come from the same Camellia Sinensis plant, but white tea leaves are harvested at a younger age than green tea leaves. This type of tea owes its name to the pearly white hairs on the buds of the tea plant which emerge after drying or withering in the sun. These gentle tea leaves need to be treated with care when brewing, as otherwise you may risk scalding the leaves, which may result in a burnt flavour.

For simple everyday brewing of white tea leaves, all you’ll need is a tea pot that is big enough to allow for full expansion of the leaves, decent temperature control and the possibility of re-infusion (just like green tea; white tea leaves can be brewed more than once).

White teas like a temperature of 180 to 185° F, so be careful not to scald the tea with water that is too hot. Some electric kettles can be set to turn off before the water reaches a boil. If you're using a stovetop teakettle, measure the water with a thermometer to get comfortable with how long it takes to heat to 180° F, or how long it takes to cool off to the correct temperature after reaching a boil.

Be generous with the tea – use up to 2 tablespoons per 8-oz. of water. For leafy white teas, steep 4 to 5 minutes. For bud-only teas, add another minute or two for the flavors to truly develop.

What you'll experience:

White tea offers a greater dimension of body than most other teas and lacks some of the bitterness that you may be familiar with in other teas. Its soft, delicate flavors range from buttery to sweet, fruity and floral, and of course each tea is different.

Since white tea has lower levels of caffeine than other teas (and higher levels of catechins!) go ahead and enjoy a few more cups! Enjoy this tea any time of the day. Best served with friends and family.

Resources:

http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/nutrition/nutrition+tips/white+tea+vs+green+tea,13045

http://www.whiteteaguide.com/whiteteahealthbenefits.htm

http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/02/tea-technique-white-tea-how-to-brew-how-to-steep.html

www.mysteepedtea.com/cathyskidmore

@cathyskidmore1

https://www.facebook.com/CathySkidmoreSteepedTeaConsultant?fref=ts
Changing people’s lives one cup at a time.

Sunday, 28 June 2015

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas and your health

Welcome to the 21^st century! We live in a time when our lives are ruled by our iPhones, the internet, smart cars and all sorts of other technology that claims to make our lives “easier”. While some of these gadgets and gizmos do appear to make things run more smoothly, for the most part, it’s the simple things that really make our lives ideal.

What sort of simple things, you ask? It can start with something as simple as what you drink daily… I’m talking about tea.

Herbal teas are a beverage that I feel are largely misunderstood. While they most certainly are the beverage of choice in countries such as England, that does not by any means imply that this is all that they are! It also does not mean that these are the only places on earth that enjoy tea – in fact, it is enjoyed across the globe. Why? It is not just the taste that brings people to the table at tea time… it is also the smells, the enjoying time with friends, the experience. For many, it is the healing aspects of the beverage that draws them to it. In fact, herbal teas can be a remarkable tool for healing the human body in ways we can barely begin to imagine.

What sort of benefits are we talking about?

There is scientific evidence to support the fact that herbals teas are excellent vehicle for healing everything from indigestion, to insomnia, to headaches, to many other ailments affecting the human race these days. Some are more well-known than others, and some are actually quite surprising. But all of them are beneficial, so I am going to talk about some of the more useful, everyday beneficial effects of drinking tea.

Ginger tea

If you are prone to having an upset stomach, then you may want to try a mug of ginger tea. Known for its soothing properties, ginger is used across the globe as a cure for all that ails your digestive system. Ginger tea is also very warming, making it a great choice in the winter.

Chamomile tea

Best known for its ability to soothe, chamomile is most people’s go-to when they are looking for a tea that will help them sleep. It has a soft flavour and combines well with other teas.

Specialty teas

Just about any ingredient can realistically be made into a tea… just place it in a teapot, cover with water and steep for a few minutes! Try things like peppermint, licorice root, star anise or even fenugreek seed! You can make up endless combinations of flavours.

Tea just makes it all come together…

It’s amazing how something as simple as a mug of the right type of tea at the right moment can change everything… it can elevate your mood, help level out your blood pressure, calm a headache, ease a sore tummy or even help you sleep. There is truly a tea-based solution for just about any problem out there; you just need to do the research to see what the answers really are!

References:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/tea-types-and-their-health-benefits

www.mysteepedtea.com/cathyskidmore

@cathyskidmore1

https://www.facebook.com/CathySkidmoreSteepedTeaConsultant?fref=ts

Changing people’s lives one cup at a time.

Thursday, 4 June 2015

Benefits of drinking Green Tea

The benefits of drinking green tea

We have all heard that green tea is healthy… healthier than many other drinks anyway. But with so much lack of information out there, how does one find out just what benefits this great tea option offers?

It’s easy – just ask! Because I have been asked many times about the health benefits of certain teas (especially green tea), here is a list of some of its amazing benefits — benefits that you may not have been aware of. Some of these benefits are still being debated, so please do your own research if you want to use green tea for medicinal purposes.

1) Weight Loss. Green tea increases the metabolism. The polyphenols found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories

2) Diabetes. Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels, slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage

3) Heart Disease. Scientists have speculated that green tea works on the lining of the blood vessels, helping them stay relaxed and better able to withstand changes in your blood pressure. It may also protect against the formation of clots, which are the primary cause of heart attacks

4) Esophageal Cancer. It can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, but it is also widely thought to kill cancer cells in general without damaging the healthy tissue around them

5) Cholesterol. Green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol

6) Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It is said to delay the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Studies carried out on mice showed that green tea protected brain cells from dying and restored damaged brain cells

7) Tooth Decay. Studies suggests that the chemical antioxidants (catechins) in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions

8) Blood Pressure. Regular consumption of green tea is thought to reduce the risk of high blood pressure

9) Depression. Thiamine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves. It is this substance that is thought to provide a relaxing and tranquilizing effect and be a great benefit to tea drinkers

10) Anti-viral and Anti-bacterial. Tea catechins are strong antibacterial and antiviral agents which make them effective for treating everything from influenza to cancer. In some studies green tea has been shown to inhibit the spread of many diseases

11) Skincare. Green tea can apparently also help with wrinkles and the signs of aging. This is because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that green tea applied topically can reduce sun damage

With so many health benefits already proven (and many more still being researched), it’s no wonder green tea is the drink of choice for so many people! Even people who claim that they don’t like tea may be surprised to learn that they may be able to change their minds about tea simply by adding some fresh fruit to their mug.

So raise your mug… cheers to your good health!

Cathy enjoys sharing her love of teas with everyone by offering free tea tasting in your home or hers, as well as an opportunity to have your own tea business.

She loves to help people create that perfect cup of tea.

www.mysteepedtea.com/cathyskidmore

@cathyskidmore1

https://www.facebook.com/CathySkidmoreSteepedTeaConsultant?fref=ts

Friday, 22 May 2015

Green Tea

Green tea

For anyone who has ever been ill and used green tea as the remedy (even if you weren’t quite sure why), then you can identify with the thousands of other people across the globe who use this (and other herbal teas) as medicine. In fact, green tea has been used as a medicine for thousands of years. Its use originated in China, but it was also widely used throughout Asia for treating anything from easing sore tummies, to lowering blood pressure, to easing stress, to preventing cancer. It has even more known health benefits than black tea, simply because of the way that it is processed. Both teas are from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis, but black tea is processed in a way that allows for a process called fermentation to enhance flavour, whereas green tea uses a processing treatment that avoids the fermentation process altogether, resulting in a much milder flavour. The result is that green tea retains the maximum amount of antioxidants and polyphenols (the compounds that give green tea its many health benefits) in the tea leaves, which are released into the water when the tea is brewed.

How much is too much?

There is a fair amount of debate that has raged on for decades about how much tea is TOO much tea. Some people say that you should be consuming as little as one or two cups per day, while others say that they prefer five cups. Still others say that you can consume up to as many as ten cups per day!

One thing to watch out for is that, just like black tea, there is caffeine found in green tea as well. If you are sensitive to caffeine, stick to one or twos cup per day as your limit. Green tea also contains compounds called tannins. These can decrease the body’s absorption of iron and folic acid, so if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, then green tea may not be an ideal choice for you. If this is your situation, you could try mixing a small amount of green tea with other healthy ingredients like ginger. Always talk to your doctor before trying ANYTHING new.

For best brewing:

The temperature of the water is a critical factor in bringing out the best qualities of any green tea. If the water temperature is too hot, the tea will become bitter and a lot of its delicate aroma will be lost. If the water temperature is too cold, the full flavour that is contained within the leaves will not be fully extracted.
Generally, green teas taste best when brewed at temperatures between 140°F and 185°F. Steeped Tea recommends 175°F for their teas. Keep in mind that the grade of the tea and the time of its harvest also play a role in influencing what the appropriate steeping temperature is. For example, green teas that are picked earlier in the spring will benefit from lower brewing temperatures due to their overall higher levels of amino acids.
To steep green tea, it really does not take that long. Steep it for longer than you should, and it could result in more bitterness and a less balanced flavour.
Try experimenting with a range of one to three minutes. Japanese green teas generally seem to taste best when steeped for only one to two minutes (this is because the tea leaves themselves are smaller than the larger leaves found in Chinese teas). Chinese green teas on the other hand prefer to be steeped for two to three minutes.
The temperature of the water should be balanced with the steeping time – the lower the temperature, the longer the tea should be steeped.

Pour me a cup!

Green tea is a personal favourite of mine. I love how you can add so many different things and end up with so many amazing new and exciting teas. The options are endless!
Many people find that tea is a great stress reliever, so try sitting down with a cup after work. Remember to just breathe. You may be surprised at how much this simple action benefits you.

So raise your mug! It’s tea time.

References:

http://www.thefragrantleaf.com/green-tea-brewing-tips

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html

Cathy enjoys sharing her love of teas with everyone by offering free tea tasting in your home or hers, as well as an opportunity to have your own tea business.

She loves to help people create that perfect cup of tea.

Changing people’s lives one cup at a time.

Sunday, 17 May 2015

Black Tea

Black tea – tried, tested and true

When most people think of tea, this is likely the type that they think of first. One of the more common teas to serve (as this type of tea includes blends such as Earl Grey and English breakfast), black tea is a type of tea that is more oxidized than green, white and oolong teas. This affects the characteristics of the tea, giving them each their own distinct flavours and aromas. Each of these four teas is made from the leaves of the plant Camellia Sinensis, but all four of these types of tea have very different qualities.

Unblended black tea are typically named after the region where they are produced, and are often blended and mixed with various other plants in order to obtain different beverages. For example, the popular Earl Grey blend is simply black tea with bergamot oil added. Masala Chai is a blend of black tea, milk, spices and a sweetener (such as honey or sugar). This type of tea was traditionally served throughout India and has been adapted in the West by changing the methods of preparation. There are literally hundreds of types of black tea blends out there today.

While green tea typically loses its flavor within a year, black tea can retain its flavour for several years. Although green tea has recently seen a revival due to its purported health benefits, black tea still accounts for over ninety percent of all tea sold in the West. Black tea also carries its own range of health benefits, such as providing the body with antioxidants that protect you from free radicals and possibly even protecting the lungs against cigarette smoke. It may even prevent you from having a risk of suffering a stroke.

For best brewing:

You should use about 1 teaspoon of black tea per 6-oz. cup of water. Unlike green teas (which turn bitter when brewed at higher temperatures), black tea should always be steeped in freshly boiled water.

If you are brewing broken leaf teas (such as the tea found in tea bags), which have more surface area and thus need a shorter brewing time than if you are using whole leaves need l to 2 minutes. Whole leaf black teas, and black teas that will be served with milk or lemon, could be steeped 3 to 5 minutes.

If you steep your tea TOO long though, you risk making the tea bitter (at this point, in the UK it is referred to as being "stewed"). When the tea has brewed long enough to suit the tastes of the drinker, it should be strained and the tea bags or infuser removed before serving.

Cathy enjoys sharing her love of teas with everyone by offering free tea tasting in your home or hers, as well as an opportunity to have your own tea business.

She loves to help people create that perfect cup of tea.

Changing people’s lives one cup at a time.