Technically, 'tea' comes from the Camillia sinensis plant and is either white, green, oolong, or black. However, the popular name has come to mean any infusion of plant leaves chosen for flavor, aroma, and health benefits. Many herbal blends loose leaf tea products are commercially available today, and, of course, you can make your own right out of the garden.
Many drink an herbal blend to avoid the caffeine in regular teas. Only the fermented black varieties have much of the stimulant that people also find in their coffee. If you need to avoid caffeine (which has health benefits of its own) or choose not to drink it at night, you might love chamomile, passionflower, or one of the other calming herbs.
Herbal 'teas' are also called 'tisanes'. As with the Camillia teas, the leaves of herbs are steeped in hot water to extract their valuable properties. In addition, roots and blossoms of beneficial, flavorful, and aromatic plants are used in various combinations. For example, ginger or licorice root may be combined with spices, mint, or fruit to create unique brews.
'True' teas can be combined with herbs, spices, or fruit, if you want the stimulating effect of black or the slimming and cancer-fighting benefits of green. In the morning, black tea with cinnamon and orange is a favorite. Gotu kola is a stimulating herb, rich in caffeine, which can be used for an afternoon pick-me-up.
At night, when many need to avoid caffeine, a combination of soothing herbs can be just the thing. Passion flower, lemon balm, chamomile, hops, and kava kava are all calming. You could add ginger, which enhances digestion and is especially valuable after dinner. Ginger is also warming on a cold winter night.
Teabags are convenient but true gourmets think using bags lessens the enjoyment. Commercial bags may contain tiny pieces of leaves and even leaf dust from the manufacturing process. The larger pieces in loose teas retain more of the health-boosting properties, as well as more of the essential oils which give flavor and aroma. Loose teas are often hand-crafted instead of machine-made and are considered to be much fresher.
Boxes or tins of loose leaf teas are often a better bargain than teabags, too. Compare the weights of a box of bags and a container of leaves and you will see. Some also say that if you brew a cup of leaves (or a blend of various plant parts) and drain off the water, you can re-infuse the dregs with boiling water later for another delicious cup. Since a conventional teabag may inhibit the flow of water to its contents, trying to re-use a teabag will not be as successful.
You may not have known about the mystique of fine teas. There are teamasters who are as revered as the artisans who craft fine wines. Enter into the healthy and life-enhancing world of herbal blends handcrafted for your well-being and find out how much fun this can be.
Many drink an herbal blend to avoid the caffeine in regular teas. Only the fermented black varieties have much of the stimulant that people also find in their coffee. If you need to avoid caffeine (which has health benefits of its own) or choose not to drink it at night, you might love chamomile, passionflower, or one of the other calming herbs.
Herbal 'teas' are also called 'tisanes'. As with the Camillia teas, the leaves of herbs are steeped in hot water to extract their valuable properties. In addition, roots and blossoms of beneficial, flavorful, and aromatic plants are used in various combinations. For example, ginger or licorice root may be combined with spices, mint, or fruit to create unique brews.
'True' teas can be combined with herbs, spices, or fruit, if you want the stimulating effect of black or the slimming and cancer-fighting benefits of green. In the morning, black tea with cinnamon and orange is a favorite. Gotu kola is a stimulating herb, rich in caffeine, which can be used for an afternoon pick-me-up.
At night, when many need to avoid caffeine, a combination of soothing herbs can be just the thing. Passion flower, lemon balm, chamomile, hops, and kava kava are all calming. You could add ginger, which enhances digestion and is especially valuable after dinner. Ginger is also warming on a cold winter night.
Teabags are convenient but true gourmets think using bags lessens the enjoyment. Commercial bags may contain tiny pieces of leaves and even leaf dust from the manufacturing process. The larger pieces in loose teas retain more of the health-boosting properties, as well as more of the essential oils which give flavor and aroma. Loose teas are often hand-crafted instead of machine-made and are considered to be much fresher.
Boxes or tins of loose leaf teas are often a better bargain than teabags, too. Compare the weights of a box of bags and a container of leaves and you will see. Some also say that if you brew a cup of leaves (or a blend of various plant parts) and drain off the water, you can re-infuse the dregs with boiling water later for another delicious cup. Since a conventional teabag may inhibit the flow of water to its contents, trying to re-use a teabag will not be as successful.
You may not have known about the mystique of fine teas. There are teamasters who are as revered as the artisans who craft fine wines. Enter into the healthy and life-enhancing world of herbal blends handcrafted for your well-being and find out how much fun this can be.
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