The Tea Site Online

Here is a great new gift idea for a good friend; individually designed tea baskets. Think about how much you enjoy a tasty and relaxing cup of tea. Think how much you enjoy the ceremony of brewing and drinking a wholesome and refreshing green tea for example. You can get them ready-made but it is more joy to tailor them to the receiver.

I like to make my own gift baskets for my friends and family because they have a much more personal feel to them. You can combine any number of personal items that really have sentimental value. You can add a bit of humor in the tea gift basket as well. As long as you consider the personality of the recipient you are sure to please.

My favorite tea gift basket that I created was for a friend who is always on one diet after another. She really doesn’t need to be. I really think that she just diets for something to do. I created a great tea gift basket with a humorous twist for my dieting friend. The arrangement took no time at all to make. In fact, the concept took me longer to develop than the actual tea gift basket.

She was very appreciative of all my efforts and is now really into green chai. So much so in fact, that she is doing similar baskets for all her buddies in the aerobic class.

Chai teas of all varieties are exploding in popularity at the moment. They are a pleasurable rite whose time has come with the trendy set. I like to give tea gift basket with unique combinations of assorted brews, oriental philosophy and knowledge and rich gift wrapping, to all of my younger friends.

For a friend who is a young geography teacher I used the very popular chai teas, some maps and information on the points of origin of the teas to make his tea experience an intellectually challenging pleasurable rite. It was avery oriental looking gift that gave him a great lesson idea for sharing with his students.

Or how about an array of refreshing breakfast blends mixed in with cereals, jams and muffins. At the other extreme insomniacs would appreciate relaxing blends of herbal teas in bed of lavender with a good book or relaxing bath additives and chamomile teas.

There are endless options when it comes to making a personal arrangement like this. All it takes is a little creativity and you can make the perfect tea gift basket.

Mix 1 T. each of whole cumin, coriander and fennel seeds, steep for 5 minutes in 3 cups of hot water. Strain it and add honey or stevia to sweeten to taste.

This tea is balancing to the digestive system. It supports the absorption of nutrients in the body and balances samana vata. Samana is known as the stabilizing air; once it is out of balance the other energies in the body quickly suffer.

Ayurveda Health Retreat Morning Smoothie

Ingredients:

Advantage lean protein powder

12 oz almond milk (original)

1T Fresh ginger

1T Bee pollen

8 soaked almonds w/ skins removed,

1/4 T cardamom seeds

1 cup fresh or frozen organic raspberries or other seasonal berries

2T Dr Shultz’s Super Food (greens foods concentrate)

1T ground flax seeds

Place all ingredients in blender for 30-60 seconds. Enjoy, relax, energize!

Wake every morning and start your day with Ayurvedic Tea and Morning Smooth. You’ll be enveloped in a gentle sense of peace and serenity that is integral to healing.

Because Ayurveda is a holistic approach to healthcare, it embraces the whole person rather than treating symptoms. Cleanse your body completely and start back on the path to feeling complete again. Learn how to live in harmony with your life and how to treat yourself well again. Let Ayurveda help you rediscover yourself.

The reading of tea leaves is an ancient and complex art which has been handed down through the generations.  Although it is quite easy to understand the basics of how a reading is given, it takes a special talent to be able to interpret the meanings of what you can see and the deeper tea leaf meanings.

There are three different ways of giving tea leaf meanings.  The first way is just by looking at the images that can be seen in the leaves by the reader.  As they are not only trained and experienced in the reading of the leaves they also have a talent which means that they have an instinctive feeling for the leaves and are able to see deep patterns which may not be obvious to ourselves. The second way of giving a reading is to use the above system combined with the use of the zodiac.  The cup and saucer are split into the 12 signs of the zodiac and the way that the leaves lie in the sections and also the image that they create are combined to give a reading. A third way again involves using the lie of the leaves as in the first description but this time combined with playing card imagery seen in the leaves. 

In all three of the above systems the part of the cup signifies different aspects of your life.  The area around the handle is concerned with your life as an individual and facts that immediately involve yourself.  Leaves on the area away from the handle are to do with others around you such as your family and friends and other people that you are associated with.  Leaves that are held towards the top of the cup are thought to signify good aspects of your life and are lucky and fortuitous.  All that is good and light hearted is indicated by the leaves which stick at the top by the rim.  As you would expect upon learning that information, the leaves that stick in the bottom of the cup are much darker, heavier and not fortuitous at all.  They signify the arrival of challenges or troubles.

It is not easy for the untrained and inexperienced eye to see and understand the images that can appear in a tea cup.  These can include animals and or fish, everyday items, people or parts of people, in fact almost everything and all these images have a different tea leaf meaning.  It is a simple concept but requires a lot of understanding.  It is easy to think that you can see a pattern that looks like something, but knowing what the significance of it is, is an ancient and mystical art.

This drink gets it name from the famous golfer Arnold Palmer. Arnold Palmer is a refreshing beverage widely known for reviving ones senses. Arnold Palmer himself created the iced tea years ago using lemonade and ice tea. This drink has the flavor of lemon. Today this beverage is served to innumerable clients in health clubs and gold clubs and restaurants. The drink is less sweet than lemonade. The ingredients used in this drink are 100% natural with no artificial flavor, preservatives and colors making it safe for consumption with no side effects.

This delicious drink is produced by Arizona Tea Company, it is also known in some places as a half and half.

Things that will be needed to make this popular beverage are:

• Lemonade
• Iced tea
• Tall glass
• Ice cubes

Pour tea in tall glasses, nearly half of the glass should be filled in. The tea can either be sweetened or left unsweetened depending on one’s preference.

Now add lemonade to the glass. Lemonade can either be made at home or you can buy the mix from any store. Next stir, whisk, whip or swirl your drink till the tea and lemonade blend completely.

Let the infusion cool. One could even use lemonade cubes to cool it.  What you pour first is not important. Master the art of making this refreshing drink, and you’ll get addicted. You can also add your own flavor to make this brew special. Adding a slice of orange or a mint leaf will spruce up this drink.

It is a perfect drink to quench your thirst and ideal for summer seasons. It is loved by all age groups.

Arizona Tea markets ready-made cans of this blend. It is available in 23.5oz large can. This drink, although whipped with lime, does not give a sour taste and you’ll get the taste of tea as well. This tea is light than other teas in calories. One glass of Arnold Palmer iced tea contains only 50 calories, making it a smart dieter’s choice as well.

Another Arnold Palmer iced tea that Arizona makes contains lemonade with green tea. Another fascinating part of Arizona tea is the bottle and can design, which are the best.

Since this drink is popularized by Arnold Palmer this Arizona Tea Company has mounted Arnold Palmer’s images on their cans and bottles. So this iced tea is great tasting and contains natural ingredients.

Normally, approximately 2.5 litres of water is required daily for a fairly sedentary adult in a normal environment to replace the total loss of water that occurs though urine, faeces, skin and lungs.

This water loss needs to be replaced. One litre or so needs to be as water or other non dehydrating fluids such as cold herbal teas. A little under a litre will come from food intake. The body also makes about 300ml through its own oxidative metabolic processes.

If you don’t drink enough water, this is what happens.

1. Pulse rate and rectal temperature increases

2. Increase in respiration

3. Tingling and numbness of fingers and feet

4. Increase in concentration of the blood

5. Reduced blood volume and more difficult circulation of the blood

The difficulty and problems of the blood circulation under such conditions leads to:

1. breathing difficulties

2. gastric upsets

3. feelings of sickness and not wanting to eat

4. if it continues, muscular and emotional problems

In a scientific study involving animals, the restriction of water gave rise to irritabliity and for some, bad temper.

Thirst

It has been demonstrated that under intense physical activity a male will only drink voluntarily around 50% as much water as what is required to replace losses from urine and sweat. Only after rest and food do the cravings for the required amount of water return to replace the fluid deficit.

Hot Drinks

Ingestion of hot drinks may cause internal body temperature to rise, which will result in sweating in order to cool the body down. Hot drinks are sometimes used in medical practice when it is desired either to temporarily increase body temperature of induce sweating. Therefore cold or cool drinks are preferred to hot drinks to replace fluid during the day, especially if the hot drinks are the only fluid daily intake.

Drinks containing sugar

During periods of physical activity that last under an hour and a half, water is the preferred choice. However drinks that contain a small amount of carbohydrate can sustain power better than water alone during activities that would create fatigue in an hour or longer.

Tea has long been a popular drink around the world, following the original use in Asia. An increasingly popular tea is Oolong tea, and although not as well known as Earl Grey or English breakfast, it does have a popular following in Asia, Europe and the United States.

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea, and is classed as a blue-green tea, although it can range in color from green to black. This color differentiation comes about by levels in oxidation. Many people like the distinctive taste that although not as rosy as black tea does have less of the grassy taste associated with green tea. Oolong tea actually has a range of varieties including Taiwanese, from the country’s mountain ranges, and the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian. It is the latter venue that is often said to be the original source for the tea.

When the Oolong tea leaves are picked they can be either rolled into long curly leaves or into balls, although the curly leaves approach is the more popular processing method. Processing is normally a long set of steps which are altered to change the strength and taste of the tea. The leaves are left to dry in the sun to remove a proportion of the moisture. The Oolong tea leaves are then put into the shade to cool them down. The leaves are then deliberately bruised to allow for greater oxidation. The cooling and bruising are then repeated a number of times, depending on how much oxidation is required. Further oxidation is then stopped by applying heat, either through a machine or in a large pan.

The last parts of processing for Oolong tea comes about through dehydration and roasting. This last step allows, through changes in temperature, a different taste to be applied to the tea.

The tea is then ready to drink. Common practice has Oolong tea brewed at about 95 °C, never boiling, using spring water. The spring water allows the taste of the minerals to come out in the finished tea. Most people will brew Oolong tea to a strong level that will leave a sweet aftertaste. The best Oolong tea leaves can be used more than once and many people consider that it is only in their third use that the best flavors emerge. It is not uncommon for up to five brews to be taken from one set of leaves, unlike many other types of tea.

A cup of tea, when you are tired, is a great energy drink. Nobody can deny the important role of Tea in the life of human population. Irrespective of cultures or countries Tea is the one item every body enjoys. There are many varieties of tea. The love for tea among the global population has grown to many heights with the changed aroma and taste. Many researches proved that tea is an herbal medicine also with many medicinal powers countering many diseases. Chai tea is one such tea variety. There are many benefits for this Chai tea. This article deals with the details of Chai tea with its medicinal benefits.

Chai tea is originated in India, literally the Hindi word Chai means tea itself. This has become very popular among the tea enthusiasts. It has become an unavoidable staple in many menus. Restaurants are now offering Chai tea as a special item for their esteemed presence, showing its popularity and importance.  Once you drink a cup of Chai tea, it will be sure that you will become a fan of it and will get addicted to it within no time. The kick what you get from it is immense, do not worry it is not an alcoholic beverage.

Chai tea is a special preparation of tea with many spices. The combination of the spices is very special making the Chai tea very special and tasty. The taste of the Chai tea is unique and the taste can be easily recognizable. There are many varieties of recipes available for Chai tea. Each of these varieties depends on the spices you infuse in the tea and also the quantity of the spices you use fro the preparation of tea. The particular spices which will be used for the preparation of Chai tea are cloves, ginger, cinnamon, pepper, cardamom and garlic. Also to add the taste one can add molasses, honey and sugar. Mostly back tea is used as the basic ingredient. One can use different tea species for making the Chai tea. There are recipes with very simple preparation to very complex preparation. Chai tea preparation is an art and one requires good skill to make it in an absolutely perfect way.

What are the benefits of Chai tea? There are many. Let us detail some of them.

• Chai tea is a rejuvenator. It will rejuvenate you body and mind. One cup of tea will be a good beverage.  
• Chai tea is very good for getting relief from stress and it has proven medical powers in reducing tension.
• Chai tea found to be useful in relieving the head ache.
• It is a good herbal medicine for stomach upset and it is a very digestive agent.
• It is a very good anti oxidant which is having magnificent power as a stimulant of immune system and also helps countering many illnesses.
•  Recent studies claim that Chai tea is very good in preventing the growth of cancer cells. If you take one cup of Chai tea every day, you will be reducing the possibilities of cancer.

With all the above benefits and with the added popularity, the taste of the Chai tea is going to be in the tongues of millions.

A cup of tea always has a rejuvenating power, it bring back anybody from the tiredness to charming mood. Tea has many benefits and is the popular drink anywhere in the world. The medical benefits are many, apart from the stimulation of nerves and body, tea has proven powers as a relaxant and also proved to be very effective in providing relief from head aches. Different varieties of Tea are cultivated all over the world, black tea; green tea and white tea are very famous. One type of tea, originated in China, Wu-Yi Tea or Oolong tea has the ability to reduce fat and hence it can be effectively used for losing weight. 

Present day researches brought out the amazing property of Wu-Yi Tea in burning the fat. The slimming effect of this tea has been attracting attention of many who are desperately trying various methods to lose extra fat from their body and become slim and lean. What is the scientific background of this slimming effect? Studies proved that Wu-Yi Tea contains high concentration of poly phenol. This poly phenol has the ability to stimulate the enzymes which helps triglycerides in burning the fat content. Hence it is clinically proved that Wu-Yi Tea is a medicinal drink which can be effectively control obesity. The obese people who are tired of trying out many techniques to lose weight, can now drink Wu-Yi Tea and assured of losing the weight by burning the fat content. Wu-Yi tea has a different aroma and taste compared to usual black tea.

There many other medical benefits for the Wu-Yi Tea. This is considered to be a good herbal remedy for many coronary defects such as increased heart beat, heart blocks and heart attacks. Due to its ability to burn the fat, Wu-Yi Tea is used effectively in controlling the bad cholesterol (LDL) and improving the content of good cholesterol (HDL).  It has also been amply proved that it is very effective in countering cancer attacks and aging. It has got spectacular benefits in protecting tooth decay and plaque and also in strengthening the bones; the reason attributed to this effect is the enriched calcium content in the tea.

It is imperative to have this magnificent drink in the daily diet to make use of all these advantages of this enriched medicinal tea. For many hundreds of years Chinese people were using this tea as a primary source to keep their health intact. The tea gives the slimming effect and other medicinal benefits if you take two cups of Wu-Yi Tea daily. It is a very good idea to keep a sachet of Wu-Yi Tea in a homemade gift packet when you make to given as a present to your friends and well wishers.

Tea is one of the world’s second most popular beverage (after water), but most Americans consider it a poor second to coffee as a caffeine-laced pick-me-up or after-meal beverage. Recently, however, tea has gained new popularity, in part because of its medicinal value. A cup of tea contains only about half as much caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee, and many people prefer its taste and consider its buzz less jarring.

Cancer. Studies suggest that chemicals known as polyphenols in tea help prevent cancer. Researchers compared the diets of 900 people with esophageal cancer with those of 1,500 who did not have the cancer. The people with cancer drank significantly less green tea. The more green tea, the less cancer. In addition, green tea was added to the drinking water of experimental mice and then exposed them to chemicals known to cause a variety of tumors in rodents. The mice who drank the green-tea-laced water developed considerably fewer tumors than the mice who drank plain water. These studies prompted headlines proclaiming “Green Tea Prevents Cancer.” Unfortunately, few Americans drink green tea outside of Asian restaurants; most Americans drink black tea. It has the similar effect too.

Tooth Decay. Tea is a good source of fluoride, which prevents tooth decay. Both green and black teas contain more fluoride than fluoridated water. The tannins in tea also help fight the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Osteoporosis. Tea is a good source of manganese, an essential trace mineral that helps preserve bone.

Colds, Congestion And Asthma. As with coffee, the caffeine in tea eases breathing by opening the bronchial passages. Tea also contains another stimulant, theophylline. Physicians often prescribe pharmaceutical theophylline preparations to treat asthma.

Heart Attack. Men whose diets are rich in polyphenols have an unusually low risk of heart attack. Subsequent diet surveys showed that the heart-healthy Hollanders obtained some of their polyphenols from apples and onions but got a whopping 61 percent from black tea.

Diarrhea. Tea contains astringent tannins. Ancient Chinese physicians valued tea’s mild astringency for treatment of diarrhea. Today’s doctors agree, since mild astringents are widely used to treat diarrhea. Leading home medical guides suggest treating diarrhea with the BRATT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast and tea.

In the beverage wars, traditional tea such as green tea has taken the spotlight in many areas for being a drink full of antioxidants and health benefit offerings. While this remains very true, let’s have a look at some other brews that sometimes go unnoticed and see what they too can do for us.

Herbal tea, which this article will focus on, is not considered a traditional tea. This is because they are made from the leaves, roots, barbs, flowers, seeds, fruits, and stems of many different plant species. Our green, white, oolong, and black teas all come from the same species of plant called Camellia sinensis, and are processed and oxidized into their four main classes.

Herbals, which are also called “tisanes” brew a very different cup that in some cases are caffeine free, and loaded with many health benefits. Below, we’ll have a look at four herbal types that you may want to consider brewing…

Rooibos, which is also called Red Bush where it is native, is one of the newer herbal treats to hit the western market. With a light sweet-nutty aroma and taste, containing plentiful antioxidants, and offering zero caffeine, this bright red liquored beverage may very well be the next green tea; it certainly rivals it in the areas of health benefits!

Snapple has already started a new product line of this drink, calling it by its third popular name “red tea”. This version of rooibos is chilled and comes in a small selection of flavors. For folks who rather have it in its most natural form, consider brewing it whole leaf style. Rooibos may not look like much as the leaves closely resemble saw dust, but a whole new beverage may very well open itself up to you. Brewing it for five minutes in hot (not boiling) water is a perfect way to enjoy this herbal delight.

Our next beverage definitely worth steeping is olive leaf tea. Olives in general have been studied for years for having beneficial qualities for humans as well as animals. Even olive oil is one of the better choices for baking and frying as it offers great taste and healthier consumption. So why not brew the leaves of this ancient tree?

Olive leaf tea has been shown to scavenge cancer-causing free radicals almost twice as much as green tea can. Even grape seed extract falls short compared to olive leaf teas ability. Additional benefits are lowered blood pressure, antiviral and antibacterial properties, increased energy, digestive aid, and more.

The taste of this tea is very unique, and very pleasing! It is not thick, overwhelming, or oily. The golden brew is not grassy or vegetal like some varieties of green tea either. In fact, it feels more like a weak soup than a tea. I’ve had it and enjoy it daily. This tisane might not be very popular as of yet, but it is highly recommended in my book!

Next is something most folks know about, and that is chamomile tea. This herbal tea is sometimes called “the mother of the gut” and provides many digestive benefits. In ancient times, the Egyptians used chamomile as an herbal remedy, and till this day studies have proven the Egyptians had it right.

Chamomile, which is closely related to the daisy, consists of tiny flowers that when brewed yields a very sweet smelling and tasting cup. However, due to allergy concerns, it is wise to consult a proper physician before consuming this tea. After having the green light, expect a very relaxing feeling after taking a few sips. This is because chamomile happens to be one of natures most powerful sedatives. Like rooibos, this beverage also contains no caffeine.

Our forth herbal tea to consider is peppermint tea. Like chamomile, peppermint tea is also great for treating upset stomachs, and can help aid with digestion also. The brew is also good for treating minor headaches, as well as providing sinus relieve.

A 2007 study has revealed that peppermint also helps calm folks suffering with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) as well.

What gives peppermint its very minty aroma and taste is the natural menthol property found in this tea. Its cousins spearmint and watermint also contain menthol too; spearmint tea offering similar benefits as well.

Peppermint is also used in candy, chewing gum, ice cream, and even non-edibles like soaps and shampoos.

If you can tolerate the minty taste, then this herbal tea should also find its way into your cupboard. Brewing it loose leaf style like the other three mentioned above is always the best way to achieve both flavor and health benefits!

So while there are many herbal teas to chose from, rooibos, olive leaf, chamomile, and peppermint remain my favorites, and provide benefits very close to, and in some cases exceeding traditional teas! They also taste great and can provide folks with many years of sipping satisfaction!