This Is Why Black Tea Doesn't Differ Much From Green Tea...

Thursday, November 10, 2011 Posted by About 0 comments
All tea, white, green, oolong, and black comes from the same plant called Camellia sinensis. What determines a tea's "color", is the processing the leaves will undergo. Having stated that important fact, we will explore the differences between green and black tea.

1) Health Benefits:

Of course this is the most popular amoung many. When green tea is brought to mind, it is health aspects that receives the most interest. Over the years, green tea has received much attention on this topic, and a lot of research that has been conducted conclude that green offers many health benefits. But what about black tea? Does it offer any?

In this first match up, green has black beaten, but only by a few subtle numbers. Drinking a cup of black tea will offer the same benefits that green tea offers...just not in the same amounts. Simply put, there are double that amount of antioxidants found in a cup of green than a cup of black.

However, unless you drink the recommended 4 to 5 cups a day to achieve the long term benefits, these differences between green and black are small if you only drink an average of just one cup daily.

2) Caffeine:

Black tea has approximately half the amount of caffeine than a regular cup of coffee, and green tea contains half the amount of caffeine than black.

So, there are two ways to declare a winner with this one. As an example, if you are a morning person who wishes to ditch coffee but still needs a hot beverage with caffeine to help wake you up than black is your choice.

If you prefer to have a hot beverage in the evening but don't want the effects of the caffeine to keep you up all night, than green (or white tea) is the better choice.

3) Flavor:

It seems like green tea has a bad "grassy" reputation concerning taste. This only remains true if you steep it using tea bags. The result is always a bitter and fuzzy cup.

Loose leaf greens have a more sweeter, mellow, and balanced taste. While it is true that some varieties may be more "vegetal" than others, overall, the taste of green is rather pleasant. Starting off with mild varieties helps break the palate in for some of the stronger types.

Black tea steeped from tea bags suffers just the same. But when prepared loose leaf style, like green, will produce a more enjoyable cup. Black varieties have a more deeper and richer flavor which can range from being malty, earthy, citrus-like, rocky, smoky, and even chocolaty.

If one were to add sugar, honey, or milk black tea offers even more character.

The winner here is solely determined by the personal preference of each drinker...

4) Varieties:

Finally, we'll look at which offers the most varieties.

And to be honest, this one may never have an answer! World wide, there are thousands of varieties of each type, and that makes it impossible to draw a fair conclusion on which offers more.

What can be stated is that both green and black tea offer enough varieties and sub varieties to discover which will keep a tea lover happy for a very long time. Sure there are many popular types like English Breakfasf, Earl Grey, and Irish Breakfast for black...and "Dragonwell", "Sencha", and Pi Lo Chun" for green.

But like flavor, this topic also depends on what each person prefers.

So, while green tea may have black tea beaten on health benefits, there are many other factors to consider. And there is no "tea rule" that states you can only choose one type! Enjoy all types of tea for whatever situation or event you best see fit!
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What Are The Benefits of Lemon Grass Tea?

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There are many benefits of lemon grass tea especially in today's world. Lemon grass is a plant that is mostly grown and used in the lands of Phillipines, India and most parts of the South-East Asia. It is famously known for its light, lemon flavor and a bit hint of ginger. Lemon grass is also known for the name of Citronella, which has calming effects that rids of insomnia and stress.

With its vast usage both as tea and grass, lemon grass has several major benefits listed below:
•Helps to improve blood circulation
•Helps to cope with excessive fats in body
•It contains an antibacterial and antifungal properties
•Helps in boosting the immune system
•Helps in reducing uric acid and excess fats
•It helps in alleviating indigestion and gastroenteritis
•Helps to improve the skin by reducing acne and pimples
•It helps in toning the muscle and tissues
•It helps in coping with fever
•Helps to deal with menstrual problems
•Proves beneficial in coping with acne and pimples
•It helps to lower the cholesterol level
•Helps to improve the digestive system
•Helps with cough and cold
•Helps in getting rid of stress
•Makes battle with high blood pressure easier
•It helps to detoxify the liver, pancreas, kidney, urinary bladder and the digestive tract.

Other benefits of lemon grass are: it can be used in cooking. Indians and Thai use this in their meals. Some of their foods are cooked by oil from lemon grass. It is healthy, safe and also has a good cholesterol that is beneficial to the body.


How to prepare lemon grass tea?

1. Get fresh leaves
2. Pour 2 cups of water in a cup that has quarterly filled by lemon grass
3. Then boil it for sometime like you are preparing a normal tea
4. Then Drink once it is boiled

That is it. Those are the benefits of lemon grass tea.

What are Good Black Tea Blends?

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 Posted by About 0 comments
Black tea has become a favorite beverage of people around the globe--therefore, it's hardly surprising that a number of people are searching for the best black tea blend they can find. Thankfully, because of the wide variety of black tea options on the market, there are plenty of blends from which to choose.

From the outset, you need to understand that the best tea blends are derived from leaves that have been harvested by hand. Pickers choose the most tender, youngest buds in order to ensure the highest quality tea.

The typical tea is processed through something called the crush, tea, curl method. The small fragments that result are then utilized in tea bags or in iced tea concentrates. However, a small fraction of the world's tea is hand-processed in the orthodox manufacture style.

A high-quality tea blend offers subtle flavor, an enticing aroma, vibrant color, and a full body. In other words, it's a blend that is truly memorable. Once you have tried such a blend, you'll never want to sample an inferior blend again.

An Exotic Array of Flavors

If you have a flair for the dramatic, you might want to consider sampling some Kashmiri Chai. This spiced, loose-leaf tea is derived from the Northern India Himalayas. The tea is usually served with cream and honey to produce an incredibly rich flavor. You can purchase a four ounce tin, which provides 50 servings, or a one-pound bulk order offering 200 servings. When you buy in bulk, you can purchase a fine blend of tea for literally pennies per cup.

Another blend you might want to try is Nepalese Afternoon Tea. This tea is found at the base of Mount Everest in the Himalayan country of Nepal. If you like the idea of a tea that blends hints of lotus, honey, and sandalwood, chances are you'll enjoy Nepalese Afternoon Tea.

For a subtle alternative, consider Rose Tea. Known for being exceedingly rich, Rose Tea is a loose-leaf black tea that has been sprinkled with rose petals. As a result, it's a tea that is known for its light, floral taste and exquisite floral scent. It's also the type of tea that can be easily served hot or iced.

The Rich and the Classic

If you're intrigued by the idea of a particularly rich tea, consider Sinharaja, a tea derived from dark, loose leaves grown in the Ceylon hill country. Distinguished by its caramelized finish, Sinharaja is known for its molasses-like consistency. Best served with sugar and cream, Sinharaja can keep you warm and toasty on a cold winter's night.

For a classic, smooth taste, you might want to try a blend of Earl Grey. The blend is named for the 19th century British Prime Minister, Earl Grey, who had dealings with a Chinese tea trader. Known for calming the worried soul, Earl Grey offers tea drinkers a subtle mix of bergamot and lavender. You'll want to try a high-quality loose leaf version that boasts a number of buds or tips for maximum quality.

A Range of Teas for a Range of Emotions

It may just be that you'll find that which type of tea blend you like depends upon what kind of mood you are. That's the marvelous thing about black tea--it comes in a dizzying array of varieties. Once you have begun the black tea habit, chances are that your cupboard will quickly become filled with different blends of tea.

In order to find teas that really suit you, you might have to sample a large number of teas. It is through such taste-testing that you will discover the amazing range of black teas that are currently on the market. And it's likely that you will come to appreciate the many different facets of this impressive beverage.

In the end, the best black tea blends are those that suit you best. Even novice tea connoisseurs quickly learn what they do and don't like in a brew. However, the more tea blends you try, the more

Some Final Thoughts

As you can see, black tea comes in a wondrous variety of blends. Whether you're in the market for a strong tea or a lighter one...a tea that is particularly aromatic or one that is mild, chances are you can find a blend that will satisfy. Shopping for black tea has also become quite convenient, thanks to the development of the Internet. With a click of your computer mouse, you can literally search the globe in order to find the black tea that is appropriate in your particular case. And chances are you'll have a glorious time sampling the many black tea blends that you find during your Internet browsing.
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What Is The Meaning of Black Tea?

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 Posted by About 0 comments
In recent years, new emphasis has been placed on the therapeutic benefits of drinking tea. Of course, there are many different varieties of tea that a consumer can choose from. As a result, unless you've really studied the issue, you may not know one kind of tea from another.

If you're in the dark about black tea, you're certainly not alone. A number of people are unfamiliar with this unique, soothing beverage. However, once you learn about black tea, you may be tempted to trade in your daily cup of java for a mug of tea. Let's take a closer look at what makes black tea so special.

A Geography Lesson

To truly understand the black tea phenomenon, you must first know a little geography. Black tea flourishes at high altitudes, such as those found in the Himalayan Blue Mountains. Assam, which boasts more than 800 estates specifically geared toward the cultivation of tea, constitutes one of the world's largest tea producers. This black tea can be mixed with African teas or Ceylon teas in order to produce English or Irish tea.

This blending often occurs in European cities such as Hamburg or Amsterdam. However, unblended teas are also quite popular--such teas are known by the term "single estate teas."

The tea leaves are sorted, then go through natural fermentation. Through this oxidation process, the tea leaves change from green to black. The next step of the process involves the packaging of the tea, which is then given a brand name. In recent years, black tea has become the world's most popular beverage, whether served hot or cold.

The Phenomenal Effects of Black Tea

One of the key reasons for the phenomenal popularity of black tea is its soothing nature. Anecdotally, tea drinkers have been saying for years that black tea can help calm unsteady nerves--but now there's scientific research to prove the point.

Scientists at the University College London, in a study published in the journal Psychopharmacology, discovered that black tea can reduce the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the bloodstream. The study showed that black tea-drinkers were able to cut their stress levels faster than individuals who consumed a tea substitute.

The study examined 75 young men were divided into two groups and monitored for a period of six weeks. One group drank a caffeinated tea mixture that was fruit-flavored and made up of the components found in black tea. The second group received a placebo that contained caffeine and that tasted like tea, but that did not actually contain tea.

In addition, the two groups were subjected to stressful situations--the possibility of joblessness, an accusation of shoplifting, or a nursing home incident. Group members then had to prepare an oral response and state their case before a camera. As they were subjected to the stressful incident, researchers measured their cortisol, blood pressure, and blood platelet levels.

The scientists found that these situations resulted in significant increases in blood pressure and heart rates for both groups. Nevertheless, nearly an hour after the situation had died down, the tea-drinkers experienced a nearly 50 percent drop in their cortisol levels. The group that had taken placebos saw only a 27 percent decrease in their cortisol count. The tea drinkers also reported being more relaxed than the non-tea drinkers did.

As researcher Andrew Steptoe told the news media, "Drinking tea has traditionally been associated with stress relief, and many people believe that drinking tea helps them relax after facing the stresses of everyday life... Although it does not appear to reduce the actual levels of stress we experience, tea does seem to have a greater effect in bringing stress hormone levels back to normal."

Steptoe added, "This has important health implications because slow recovery following acute stress has been associated with a greater risk of chronic illnesses such as coronary heart disease."

Meanwhile, according to a USDA study, consumption of black tea can lower bad cholesterol levels and can cut the incidence of heart disease for individuals who are at risk. In addition, a number of studies have indicated that consistent consumption of black tea can protect the body against numerous human cancers.

Some Final Thoughts

It would be wrong to call black tea a miracle cure. Drinking the beverage does not guarantee that an individual will be protected for life against serious illness. However, there is a vast amount of research to suggest that black tea has numerous therapeutic benefits for those who consume it regularly. Making black tea a habit can provide a protective effect against heart disease, cancer, and stress-related illness.

As a result, you might consider giving black tea a try. There seem to be no significant negative side-effects associated with drinking it, and there's plenty of evidence to suggest that it can be a healthy alternative to other beverages.
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10 Health Benefits of Black Tea

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 Posted by About 0 comments
Black Tea is made from the same plant as green tea and white tea. Black tea doesn't mean tea without milk, and white tea doesn't mean tea with milk. The difference is the way the tea leaves are processed after picking. Green and white teas are hardly processed at all, whereas black tea is fully oxidized.

Here are 10 health benefits of drinking black tea:

1. Studies continue to show that tea is very good for you, and has some amazing health properties that cannot be ignored.

2. Black teas contain antioxidants which prevent the damage caused by free radicals which can lead to numerous diseases.

3. Drinking black teas can help to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as it helps to expand the arteries, which increases blood flow to the heart.

4. Research has shown the black tea can be used in the fight against cancer. Properties of the tea slow down the growth of cancerous cells without destroying healthy cells.

5. Tea is also believed to help to delay the aging process. Nowadays there are many anti aging creams and lotions that contain tea extracts to help the skin look younger.

6. Drinking black tea can help to burn fat and speed up metabolism. This makes it an ideal drink for those who are looking to lose weight, or who exercise regularly.

7. Drinking tea such as black and green tea helps to reduce bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol

8. Tea contains fluoride, which can help to prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel.

9. For those people with diabetes, drinking tea can help to decrease glucose levels, which can reduce the risk of cataracts, and other conditions brought about by diabetes.

10. Investigations have shown that the benefits of black tea are lessened when milk is added. So, in order to take advantage of the amazing health benefits of this tea, it's recommended that you don't take your tea with milk or sugar.

There are so many different loose teas to choose from that you won't get bored. As well as black, why not try white and green tea? Many people don't make these sorts of teas properly, which is why some people don't like loose tea. By using a tea machine, you can ensure that you are getting the water temperature and the steeping time right, you can be reassured that you are getting the health benefits of black tea.

Drinking just 3-5 cups of black tea daily can bring about all these health benefits. If you drink tea already, why not change to black or green tea, and see if that improves your health and well being. By starting to drink black, green or white tea today, eating healthily, and getting regular exercise, you can dramatically reduce the risks of serious medical conditions. If you're not currently a tea drinker, what are you waiting for?