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 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.

Changing people’s lives one cup at a time.

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 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.

 Changing people’s lives one cup at a time.