| ign="center"> | | | | optimum results, black tea should be brewed about 4 |
| TEA IS ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY CONSUMED | | | | minutes and never longer than 5 minutes. Longer |
| BEVERAGES IN THE WORLD! Staying hydrated and | | | | brewing will cause the tea to taste bitter. |
| drinking plenty of liquids is important to our overall | | | | Green tea should be brewed at a lower temperature, |
| health. Tea is a great beverage choice as it basically | | | | approximately 180-185 degrees which is below the |
| has no carbs, protein or fat. It is tasty, is a natural | | | | boiling point. Hotter water will burn the green tea leaves |
| source of amino acid and antioxidant catechins. It is | | | | causing a bitter taste. When brewing green tea, it is |
| available in several forms and is tasty both as a hot | | | | best to pre-warm the mug or teapot you will brew in. |
| drink or iced. Note that we are talking about true tea | | | | This will keep the tea from cooling immediately before |
| here. Herbal teas usually contain no actual tea leaves | | | | it is fully steeped. |
| but infusions of fruit and/or herbs. Therefore, this article | | | | Oolong tea should be brewed at about the boiling point |
| is not about herbal teas. | | | | in a pre-warmed mug or pot. For oolong tea, it is best |
| True tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis evergreen | | | | to use spring water. The minerals in the water tend to |
| plant commonally known as the tea bush. The tea | | | | bring out more of the flavor in the tea. High-quality |
| bush grows mainly in tropical and sub-tropical climates. | | | | oolong tea leaves can be brewed several times. It |
| This plant or tree prefers acidic soil and requires an | | | | actually improves with reuse. Many believe the third |
| annual rainfall of at least fifty inches. Camellia Sinensis | | | | brewing actually produces the best tea. |
| plants can grow into trees but are usually kept | | | | To keep your teas fresh and flavorful, store them in a |
| cropped to about waist height to make cultivation | | | | dry, dark, cool place inside an airtight container. |
| easier. Only the leaves from the top 1-2 inches are | | | | The health properties of tea are constantly in debate. |
| picked. Many of the top-quality teas, such as darjeeling, | | | | Many believe drinking tea will help to prevent heart |
| are picked from plants grown at elevations of about | | | | disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. One thing we know for |
| 5,000 feet. This causes the plants to grow slower thus | | | | sure is that tea contains both antioxidant and amino |
| acquiring a better flavor. | | | | acid properties. It also doesn't add to our daily carb, |
| There are four basic types of true tea common to us | | | | protein or fat and calorie count when drank in it's |
| today. They are black, green, white and oolong. Each is | | | | natural state without adding sugar, milk, etc. And it |
| unique but they all come from the same source. The | | | | tastes good. If you aren't currently a tea drinker, |
| difference occurs in the processing. Briefly, here is a | | | | become one. It sure won't hurt you and it just might be |
| description of each type and what makes it unique. | | | | healthy for you. |
| Green tea leaves are unwilted and unoxidized. White | | | | For more of Linda's writings and recipes, go to |
| tea leaves are wilted and unoxidized. Oolong tea | | | | Report this article |
| leaves are wilted, bruised and partially oxidized. Black | | | | This article is free for republishing |
| tea leaves are crushed and fully oxidized. Because of | | | | Source: |
| the oxidation process, white and green teas have a | | | | Republish this article |
| higher concentration of the antioxidant catechins. | | | | |
| Proper preparation also differs for each of the tea | | | | Ask a Question About this Article |
| types. For black tea, boiling water should be used. | | | | >> Nausea & Raspberry Leaf Tea? |
| Many of the active substances in black tea won't | | | | >> Concerning the Health Care Bill recently |
| develop at lower temperatures. This is the most | | | | passed by ... |
| common mistake made when brewing black tea! For | | | | |