Thursday, 21 March 2013

Green Tea



Ever thought about going green? Well there are plenty of good reasons too. Green tea is made from unfermented leaves and contains the highest concentration of antioxidants.
More than a decade of scientific research has confirmed a clear association between drinking green tea and having a lower risk of developing heart decease and certain types of cancer .studies also confirmed the role of green tea in lowering cholesterol, aiding in weight loss, preventing certain types of diabetics and strokes ,it even helps prevent teeth decay.
According to the report by the UN and agricultural organization, in the next decade world green tea production will grow at a faster than black tea at 2.3% a year.
But volumes are much smaller than they were a decade ago, with a projected total of 975,000tons by 2014.china is expected to maintain it's lead ,accounting for over 75 % of green tea out put.
World consumption is approximately 0.56 kg per capita.green tea is the primary from consumed in china ,Japan, and some middle eastern countries .The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catching ,polynomials particularly EGCG a powerful anti oxidant which kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissues .


Rooibos

 


Rooibos ,a native south African herb is mainly consumed as a red herb. until recently only the red version was known and consumed and now more and more people are discovering Green Rooibos.
there is no major difference the two in terms of benefits as both come from the same bush. actually all rooibos starts off as green in colour.however the herbs turns from green to red due to the oxidization of the green leaves that make it change colour.
Rooibos constitutes about 0.3 % of the global tea market and current annual production is around 14,000 tones.
It is herbal infusion without caffeine. it is a tea for your whole life ,you can starts as a baby and still enjoy when you are a grand parent .
The rooibos plant is only found in the rugged Cedar berg mountains 250 km north of Cape Town, South Africa. 


Black Tea


In the western world, black tea is currently the most popular type of tea, accounting for 90 % of total tea consumption.
back to the early days of tea consumption because black tea lasts longer in storage than white and green tea. there for it was better suited for the long transportation times involved with trade between Asia and the west .
Some might argue that black tea is loosing some of its popularity .consumer have a wider choice now and they are consuming based on factors such as choice, mood or times of day.
The wide range of black tea available on the market will ensure that nobody will be walking in to any shop or outlet soon without seeing a black tea options .
Earl gray is one of the most consumed flavored teas.the bergamot gives the usually black tea a very special taste.Ceylon quality is often used for all kind of England breakfast blends. 


White Tea And Silver Needle


                Silver needle tea is a handmade, organic Chinese white tea.
White tea and silver needle tea is popular because it is so rare and the manufacturing is so special.
Silver needle are young and still have closed tea leaves which have silver hairs. the taste is fine and very delicate as it uses two leaves and one bud. Both are only sun dried with no fermentation.
It consists of the tenderest, down covered buds and this tea is only picked for a few days out of the year and is highly sought. White tea and silver needle teas mainly come from china although countries such as India and Sri Lanka have also started making versions.
White tea and silver teas are mild and fragrant and pair well with light food such as pastries, sponge cake etc.

Cooking Sommeliers

              Tea has long been used in cookery. the most obvious use is through smoking fish and poultry with tea leaves. it is also used in desserts, such as an earl gray panna cotta. Tea is use as a flavoring agent by several chefs around the world to give a subtle flavor to their dishes.
Chicken is smoked with lap sang souchong tea to give a smoky flavor.
Tea sommeliers aren't common, but they are emerging and as people become more knowledgeable about tea and the various varieties it is likely the role will become more prevalent.
As more and more people want to learn about what they eat and drink, i believe the need for experts in the particular field will also increase

Fruit Teas 

Feeling a bit fruity but want a hot drink? Then fruit teas could be the way forward.
In most cases people drink fruit teas because they like the taste or because they want an alternative to drinking coffee and standards teas. Some people like to drink fruit teas because they are healthier,so,for example a green tea with berries will be a good source of antioxidants an apple or orange teas would be useful as a source of vitamin C.
How ever, a fruit infusion (dried pieces of fruit) is increasing due to their taste preference and no caffeine content. 


Cold Brew Teas

When you make tea with boiling water you extract all the elements very quickly. you are effectively cooking the tea leaves which creates chemical reactions and removes some of the aroma.
When brewing with cold water, the extraction is slower and selective, creating a simpler tea that maintains more of its original flavor. Cold brews tend to contain less caffeine and less acid.
With today's trend for a healthier life style and people's increased level of awareness about the health benefits of tea. the world of teas is quickly changing.
Experimenting with tea fusions, such as tea- infused food, ice and chilled teas, bubble teas, tea mocktails,tea smoothies or tea ice creams is part of the growing trend to make tea more appealing to younger demographics and diversify it's market . 

Oolong Teas


        
          Oolong tea is a particularly oxidized (i.e. semi fermented) tea halfway between a green and a red tea. the leaves are oolong teas are skillfully rolled and oxidized after picking, allowing the essential tea ingredients to react with the air.
The flavors of oolong ranges from highly floral, intensely fruity to mildly roasted with honey nuances. art teas offers more than 10 variations.
Different varieties of oolong are processed differently, but the leaves are formed in to one of two distinct styles. some are rolled in to long curly leaves, while others are "wrap-curled” into small heads each with a tail.the former style is the more traditional of the two.
A widely used ceremonial method of steeping oolongs in Taiwan and china is called gongfucha.this method uses a small steeping vessel with more tea than usual for the amount of water used. multiple short steeps of 20 seconds to one minute are performed.


Top 10 Alternative Things To Do With Tea

* Add used tea bags to compost.
* Water plants with left over tea.
* Soothe puffy eyes
* Flavor your food.
* Remove grease stains.
* Put in bath when sunburn .
* Put your shoes as a deodorant
* Use as a paint and feed your creative side.
* Read someone’s future
*Get rid of warts through the tannic acid found tea

The Future

Tea had been seen in some markets as the reserve of the elderly and the coffee house boom certainly knocked the leaf. But the world of tea began fighting back and the hard work is really beginning to pay off.
Through innovative products and interesting ways of using tea, the beverage is attracting new demographics.
Teas and herbal infusions offering real health benefits and demand for wellness herbs and teas are expected to grow in the future.
Another tea variant that is attracting youngsters is bubble. although it began in the 1980 s in Taiwan ,the rest of the world is now taking notice.
Also known as pearl milk tea ,most recipes contain a tea base mixed with fruit or milk. most bubble teas come with small chewy tapioca balls commonly called pearls .

Top 5 Fruit Tea

1. Citrus fruits (Lemon,Orange,etc)
2. Apples
3. Berries (Blueberries,Raspberries,etc)
4. Apricots and peaches
5. Exotic fruits (guava,mango,passion fruit etc)
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Did You Know

All true teas come from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis .the differences between types of tea result from different methods of processing the leaves. for green tea ,the tea leaves are steamed ,rolled and dried ,a method that preserves the content of polyphenois,antioxidant compounds that confer the well-known health benefits of tea.for black tea ,the leaves undergo a process of oxidation that changes the color and flavor and reduces the contents of polyphonies. Oolong is intermediate between green and black tea -in color, flvor and polyphenol content.

 



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