MANY TEA LOVERS PREFER CAST IRON TEAPOTS



Heads up, tea lovers!  If you haven’t used a cast iron teapot, it’s time to add one to your teapot collection.   You are in for a real treat.  The primary benefit of a cast iron teapot is the affect on the taste of the tea.  You will notice the distinct improvement.  Because cast iron distributes the heat evenly, it will enhance the flavor of your tea.  If you use high quality tea, good water and a cast iron teapot, the result will be a superb cup of tea.

Cast iron is known for its heat retention.  This will keep brewed tea hot for a very long time.  This is an excellent feature when serving tea to guests; no worry about cold tea.

In addition to hot flavorful tea, you can find cast iron teapots that are truly works of art.  Every design, shape, size and color imaginable can be found.  Durable and attractive this teapot is a “must have” for your collection.  It also makes the perfect gift for friends or family.  Cast iron teapots will serve you well for years with the right care.  You cannot put your cast iron teapot in the dishwasher (or the microwave, by the way) or use harsh or abrasive detergents, brushes or sponges. Simply clean with warm water and dry thoroughly.  That’s it!

                                                           

SOME GREAT ICED TEA RECIPES



Iced tea can be made using any tea.  It’s when you use fruit infusions, fruit juices, spices, sugar and other goodies that you achieve the “wow” factor.  Although you can use any variety of tea, the results will be excellent with high quality tea.  Inferior teas will become cloudy when chilled and will not provide the same superior taste.  To experiment, use your imagination to modify these recipes or create a whole new recipe.  Feel free to share your tips or recipes with all of us tea lovers.

ICED MINT TEA

Brew a pot of mint tea

Add sugar to taste

Cool and then refrigerate 4-6 hours

Serve with fresh mint leaves

SPICY ICED TEA

6 cups black tea, steeped with 4 tsp cardamom for 5 minutes

Strain and cool

Refrigerate 4-6 hours

Serve by placing crushed ice in glasses, fill each glass about ¾ full of tea

Add 1 tbs sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and ¼ cup evaporated milk to each glass

This really makes a spectacular taste treat!

In addition to high quality tea, use good fresh water, filtered or bottled.  To prevent cloudy tea, do not rapid chill the tea.  Let it cool down to room temperature before refrigerating.

EXPERIMENT WITH OOLONG TEA

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Experimenting with different types of tea is one part of the celebration of tea that really keeps it interesting.  Oolong tea provides an adventure in taste.  Within oolong tea there is a vast difference in the taste of the final drink.   Taste of the tea is affected by tea quality, processing method, geographical origination of the tea, type and quality of water, and the brewing method.  You can spend some time getting acquainted with the various oolong teas, and you will soon discover one or more that will become a favorite.

Oolong tea comes to us from China and Taiwan.  You will enjoy the various taste treats as you take the oolong tea journey.  You will also experience health benefits from drinking tea; oolong tea may not provide more benefits than black or green tea, but it is generally smoother and easier on the stomach.

You can brew the oolong tea as a hot or cold drink.  Cold brewing adds a new dimension to the taste of the oolong tea.  Give yourself a treat and begin the adventure of experimenting with this fantastic tea.

NATIONAL HOT TEA MONTH



Happy Hot Tea Month to all my fellow tea lovers.  January is officially National Hot Tea Month.  This is the perfect time to experiment with some teas you haven’t tried.  How about one of the new white teas, for example, white Darjeeling?  Or try a tea latte, easily made at home!

January is also a good time to do some reading of tea reviews and tips for brewing techniques for your favorite tea.  There is so much to learn about the colorful history of tea throughout the world.  Research is ongoing to explore the potential health benefits of tea.  The world of tea is exciting and certainly deserves the honor of National Hot Tea Month.

For all you iced tea drinkers, you also have a special month, National Iced Tea Month, which rolls around in June. 

So, drink up and celebrate some wonderful hot tea!

PREPARE YOUR HIGH TEA WITH THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT AND MENU

First of all, create the right atmosphere for the high tea. Even if high tea will be served in your apartment, be sure you choose a quiet area with room for your guests. Set your table with an elegant tablecloth, some fresh flowers, nice napkins and, of course, your beautiful tea service. Play some quiet relaxing music. You have set the tone for a comfortable relaxed high tea. Be sure you have the right number of teacups and saucers, teaspoons, plates, dessert plates and silverware. Of course, you will also need a creamer and sugar bowl with its own spoon. Depending on the number of guests and the menu, you will need a side table for the food and extra dishes. This is the perfect time to show your favorite teapot.

The most important menu item for your high tea is obviously quality tea. Serve a tea that you have experienced. You want to know in advance that you will be serving a quality tea with excellent flavor. This is not the time to experiment with the tea. As far as the food items are concerned, this will be a personal decision based on the number of guests and the amount of time you can spend on food preparation. There are some excellent books with ideas and recipes specifically for a high tea.

UNDERSTANDING HIGH TEA

When you embark on the "tea adventure", it becomes clear immediately that there are many opinions about the whole tea experience. "Tea" can be defined as a variety of meals and meal times depending on each country and its customs. As an example, in the United Kingdom there is a distinct difference between high tea and afternoon tea. In the United States, high tea and afternoon tea are frequently interchanged. To be clear, afternoon tea is properly served around 4 PM and includes a light menu of little pastries, finger sandwiches, scones, etc. The high tea is served around 6 PM and the meal is more substantial. A high tea menu includes meats, fish, cheese, bread and butter, and a variety of tarts, cream puffs, cakes, etc. For most people, high tea is considered the evening meal. But whether it's high tea or afternoon tea, one menu item does not change: a great cup of tea.

What did Shakespeare say "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet"? So, whether we call it "high tea", "afternoon tea", or a "tea party", let's enjoy the great aroma and taste of the tea and celebrate tea time!

MAKE GOURMET TEA TREATS

FOR A SPECIAL TEA TREAT - Homemade London Fog Gourmet Tea Latte

The London Fog Latte is made with Earl Grey tea and is a great tea treat easily made at home. There are also several great variations to experiment with and enjoy.

What You Need:

1 cup (8 oz) Earl Grey tea, hot
½ cup half and half, steamed
3 tbsp vanilla syrup

Put it together:
Pour hot tea into mug
Stir in vanilla syrup
Whisk steamed half and half until frothy
Pour frothy half and half into hot tea

Enjoy immediately.

You can vary this recipe by using Irish Breakfast Tea in place of Earl Grey - you now have a Dublin Fog.

How about substituting Earl Grey with Chai?

Get creative and try your variations.

PERFECT BASIC BLACK

When you begin your adventure with gourmet tea, keep in mind that any brewing instruction can be modified. This is one part of your adventure that is so much fun. Vary the amounts of tea leaves, the water temperature and play with the steeping times. Of course, stay open to trying new tea blends and you will discover some wonderful tea treats.

This is one method used to brew black tea - remember, you can experiment!

YOU WILL NEED:
Water
Tea leaves (1 tsp for each cup of water)
Tea kettle
Teapot
Tea strainer
Sugar, honey, milk (optional additions)

MAKE THE TEA:
Boil water - while the water is coming to a boil, place the tea leaves in the teapot and pour very hot water to just cover the leaves, allow to sit for a few seconds and pour off the water - now add the measured boiling water to the teapot, steep to 3 to 5 minutes. Serve strained tea and enjoy!

GOURMET TEA - SPECIAL TASTE

TASTE, TOUCH AND GOURMET TEA

Appreciating excellent gourmet tea requires some time and study; there is a lot to learn, test and experience. As you experiment with gourmet tea, you will find not only a variety of flavors but eventually you will be able to recognize the different grades of tea by touching them.

When I started researching and learning more about gourmet tea and tea, in general, I was amazed to discover that there are more than 2,500 varieties of tea! The variables that affect the final quality and taste of tea are soil and weather combined with the techniques and methods used in growing and cultivating the tea. Of course, the brewing temperature affects the taste and smell of the gourmet tea. Loose leaf teas are always a better quality of tea than the commercial little tea bags.

With so much to learn about gourmet tea, I found a couple of books very helpful. To get the most from your gourmet tea, it is worth the time and energy to study and learn more to really enjoy this wonderful beverage.

CLEANING YOUR TEAPOT

All teapots require some maintenance. Before your purchase, decide whether you want a teapot that is dishwasher safe or can you do a little hand washing. Glass pots and stainless steel teapots are dishwasher safe; some ceramics, but not all, are dishwasher safe. Silver is hand wash only and must be polished from time to time. Yixing clay teapots are the easiest to maintain; rinse with hot water and that's it.  Personally I prefer hand washing any teapot; a little love and attention will give the teapot a longer life! 

We know that it's important to clean our teapots on a regular basis, but there are also some steps to prevent stains on our beautiful teapots.  To avoid stains, it is helpful to soak your teapot overnight a couple of times a month.  I have always used a cup of vinegar, add boiling water to fill the pot and let it soak overnight.  The following morning rinse with warm water and dry.  I have been told that baking soda in boiling water also works well as an overnight soak.  If all else fails and you still have stains, a denture tablet in hot water overnight should do the trick.  I've never used the baking soda or denture tablet so if anyone out there has experience with these methods, please let me know.

HOW TO CHOOSE A TEAPOT

If you are looking for a teapot you intend to use frequently, think about function first. Consider the material used in making the teapot:

GLASS TEAPOTS are easy to clean, attractive, and do not change the flavor of the tea. If you are serving blossoming teas and herbal tisanes made of whole leaves and flowers, a glass teapot is ideal. As green and white teas brew, the beautiful leaves can be admired.

STAINLESS STEEL TEAPOTS are durable, low-maintenance and attractive. Stainless steel does not affect the taste of the tea.

CLAY TEAPOTS do retain the flavors of the tea brewed in them. So you would need a separate clay teapot for each type of tea you drink. The clay teapots are reasonably sturdy.

PORCELAIN TEAPOTS do not absorb the tea flavors. Although these teapots are versatile, they are breakable.

Be sure you check the spout of the teapot. It should be level with the rim of the teapot to avoid dribble. Check the handle to be sure it is easy to hold. Consider the size of the teapot and select a size that makes sense for your usage. If the teapot will only be used by you, choose a small teapot. On the other hand, if you frequently serve tea to guests, select a larger size.

And, of course, the appearance of the teapot is important. After you have narrowed down the teapot search and found some that meet the requirements for function, you can then find one that is beautiful. You'll find one that has just the right colors and design; it will be the best teapot for you!

THERE'S A TEAPOT FOR EVERYONE

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Teapots may be primarily functional or strictly decorative or unusual for the serious collector. Then, there's the third category: a combination of beauty and functionality. For me, the third type of teapot is part of the "ceremony" of serving tea. Real tea drinkers want a teapot that provides the best possible taste for the specific type of tea, but the whole tea experience demands a teapot of beauty. There are probably hundreds, if not thousands of teapots that fit this description. Think about the various materials used to make teapots. Teapots are made of glass, stainless steel, porcelain or ceramic, clay, silver and cast-iron. The design of the teapot can also be both functional and beautiful. Then, of course, there are small teapots, large teapots and everything in between. So, which teapot is the absolute best teapot for you?

Most tea drinkers have more than one teapot for use with the various types of tea. Collectors of teapots may be less concerned with function; the history of the teapot, when and where it originated and the shape and design of the teapot are purchase motivators for the collector. After looking at some of teapot collections, it is no wonder this has become a popular collector's item. But for everyone, there is the perfect teapot!

MAKE GREAT HERBAL TEA

HOW TO MAKE GREAT HERBAL TEA 

Chamomile herbal tea is one of the best known and also very popular herbal teas. Researchers have confirmed that chamomile tea has numerous anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. Tea drinkers have learned that chamomile tea has a calming effect.

MAKE FRESH CHAMOMILE TEA

You Need:

Chamomile flowers (grown or purchased)
                                 Tea pot
                                 Tea strainer
                                 Water

For each cup of tea, you need about a tablespoon of chamomile flowers. Wash the flowers while the water is reaching the boiling point. Add flowers (l tablespoon per cup of water) to the boiling water. Cover the pot, remove from heat and wait 10 to 15 minutes while flowers steep. Pour the tea through strainer into cup. Add honey and/or lemon. Enjoy!

WORD OF CAUTION: The chamomile flower is part of the ragweed family. If you have an allergy to ragweed, chamomile tea may have an adverse effect on you!

Fresh mint tea can be enjoyed hot or cold. This is a soothing and refreshing beverage. It has stress-relieving value and can relieve stomach and digestive problems. As an added benefit, mint tea helps freshen breath.

MAKE FRESH MINT TEA

You need:
Fresh mint (grown or purchased)
Tea pot
Tea strainer
Water

For two cups of tea, bring three cups of water to boiling. Place about 12-15 mint leaves in a tea infuser or strainer. Pour the boiling water over the leaves in the tea pot. Steep leaves about 3-4 minutes.

This can also be served as iced tea - just cool tea and pour over ice.

MANY USES OF HERBAL TEA

Most herbal teas are not tea but are actually infusions made with herbs, flowers, roots, spices or other plant parts. The correct name for this drink is "tisane". Tisanes are served hot or cold. Most tisanes do not contain caffeine. Mint and chamomile are two of the most popular teas (tisanes).

Herbal teas have been used in cooking rice, noodles and vegetables for centuries. In Europe, herbal teas are often used to enhance the flavor of soups, stews and casseroles. Chamomile tea and Echinacea tea are frequently used as herbal remedies. Actually there are a variety of herbal teas used for medicinal purposes although not all of these teas have been researched to confirm the benefit. While most herbs are safe, before you use an herbal tea for a medical condition, check with your doctor. There are herbs that can increase blood pressure, increase glucose levels, cause hormonal effects and some that may interfere with prescribed medications. Consult with your doctor before you add any of these herbal teas to your diet.

Chamomile tea and rosemary tea are often used for the complexion. Some herbal teas are used as a rinse to condition hair.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF HERBAL TEA 

Although herbal infusions are brewed in boiling water and look like tea, they are not true tea. Tisanes do not come from the plant, Camellia sinensis, the source of all teas. Tisanes, however, are planned and measured mixtures of botanicals.

If tisanes are consumed each day, the general benefits are:

1) A calm relaxed state of mind
2) Cleaning properties (detoxification) for the body
3) Increased energy
4) Help with stomach problems

The list of available herbal teas is extensive. If you want to learn more about tisanes, purchase a good book and do your research.

If you have a specific health problem and/or you are taking prescribed medication, talk to your doctor before using a tisane.

Another benefit of drinking tisanes is the minimal amount, if any, of caffeine. Another bonus - many of the tisanes are a real taste treat!

GROW AN HERBAL TEA GARDEN

You can grow your own herbs indoors or outdoors. Be sure the final frost is gone if you decide to grow outdoors.

You will need:

Plastic pots (one of each type of herb)
Potting soil
Herb seeds or seedlings
Water

For each type of herb, use a separate pot. Fill the pots with potting soil.
Plant the seeds or seedlings.
For seeds, cover lightly with potting soil and water sparingly.
For seedlings, plant deep enough to cover the root growth. Water sparingly.

Seeds need to be water lightly until there are firm roots. Seedlings should be watered every other day. Place pots in direct sunlight every day.
If you choose to move the plants outdoors, do it slowly. For two weeks, put the pots outdoors for several hours each day.

If you decide to grow your own herbs, you'll want to include mint plants.  First of all, they are extremely easy to grow.  You will also be able to experience the many mint varieties; there is even a chocolate mint!

You can learn even more by buying a good book on growing herbs.

DISCOVER THE GREAT TASTE OF TEA

HOW I FIRST LEARNED TO CELEBRATE TEA TIME

What led me to celebrate tea time? It actually started many years ago.

Once upon a time, a long long time ago, I had the good fortune to visit a friend in England. On a day that he had a business meeting in London, he took me to a small café to wait. When the waitress offered assistance, I ordered a cup of coffee. There was sudden silence and every head turned toward me. During that silence (it felt like forever but I'm sure it was only seconds), you could have heard a tear drop. And then in one voice came the question/statement, "You're American!?" I wasn't sure if my accent gave me away or my request for coffee. It turned out, it was the combination. They didn't have coffee, but they certainly had tea. With that small event in London, I became acquainted with tea. When I returned to the states, my "tea time" research began. There was so much to learn about the types of tea, the tea blends, health benefits of tea, how to brew tea for the best taste, and that most wonderful tea party, High Tea.

Although times have changed dramatically and coffee has increased in popularity in England, tea has held its own in England and throughout the world. There is something so special about that perfect cup of hot tea that just says "celebrate". I still love my coffee, but I have added the celebration of tea time.

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT TEA 

With so much variety in the available tea blends, it should come as no surprise that there are countless thoughts and ideas on brewing the best cup of tea. There are four basic types of tea: black, green, oolong and white tea; there are over 2,000 different blends of tea. Each type of tea is better when brewed using methods for that specific tea. The most frequently purchased tea in America is black tea and this is one method that works for black tea:

1) Start with cold filtered water and bring to a boil

2) While the water is heating, preheat the teapot. Fill the teapot with hot tap water,
wait a few minutes and drain

3) Measure 1 tsp of loose tea for each cup of tea into the teapot

4) Pour a small amount of hot water over tea leaves, allow leaves to open up and drain immediately

5) Fill teapot with boiling water, cover and brew 4 to 5 minutes

6) Pour tea, serve and relax

If you need to keep the tea warm, transfer the tea to an insulated pot. If you are using good quality tea, it can be infused three to five times. Simply add boiling water and let it steep; with each use, shorten the time it steeps.

 

TEA AND YOUR HEALTH 

Researchers have conducted numerous studies to evaluate the health benefits of tea. Many of these studies have proven that the antioxidant polyphenols of tea may significantly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer as well as gastric, esophageal and skin cancers. Other research has determined that polyphenols help in the prevention of blood clots and may help lower cholesterol levels. All teas contain polyphenols and actually rank as high as or higher than many fruits and vegetables. It has also been determined that brewing the tea for three to five minutes brings out the beneficial polyphenols. When considering the health benefits of tea, it is important to note that there has been no scientific evidence that bottled green tea drinks help with weight loss.

But, one thing we know for sure: we can celebrate the proven health benefits of tea. We can relax and enjoy the aroma and taste of our favorite hot tea. How about planning a High Tea for the tea drinkers' ultimate pleasure?