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.
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.
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?
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?
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