Sep 15

Chinese tea pt 2

I hope you have had time to read my first post about Chinese tea located here chinese tea . Now please read on and find out more about this type of tea!

Various tea processing yields different kinds of tea: white, green, oolong, and black. White and green teas are less oxidized, oolong is partially oxidized, and black tea is the most oxidized. Those are just the main categories of tea. However, using different strains of the camella sinensis plant, coupled with the differences in the steps of processing, tea produces countless varieties, even amounting to 1,000 named varieties. The regions in China where these teas are grown also influence the tea variety. Apparently, the growing conditions influence the tea’s characteristics but mostly the variations come from the differences in processing.

Chinese tea is traditionally served in a gaiwan, a cup used for drinking tea. The tea is brewed in a small teapot and is served in matching teacups. Drinking tea is one of the Chinese’s traditions that have been adopted in many countries. Today, tea is not only enjoyed by the Chinese, but by many people all around the world with different cultures and traditions.

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Sep 14

CHINESE TEA

Chinese tea generally refers to the beverage coming from the leaves of the camella sinensis plant which are processed using traditional Chinese methods. The tea plant is grown in many countries around the world but the finest tea comes from China, where tea was first found. The sub-tropical climate of China makes it suitable for tea trees to grow.

Before tea is what it is now, the Chinese already enjoyed drinking tea for thousands of years. At first, it was thought to be a medicinal concoction. As time passed, drinking tea has been a part of the Chinese culture, being served to guests as special beverage or simply for pleasure. Today, Chinese drink about 4-6 cups of tea a day, after every meal and in other times of the day.

Long before modern tea preparations are available, tea leaves are picked, and boiled to produce the beverage. Tea leaves are even chewed to enjoy its juicy extract. As the Chinese became specific with their tea production, tea leaves have been dried, processed, and the traditional way of boiling has turned into brewing.

Stay tuned for more information about Chinese tea!

Sep 14

What is chai tea

What is chai tea you might be asking yourself? This crazy buzz word that is flung around like no ones business, but the reality is that no one really knows what is a chai tea… until they read this article that is 🙂

Nowadays, tea houses are becoming known, contending with coffee shops all around the world when it comes to popularity and taste. Masala chai (spiced tea), or commonly known as “chai tea” is usually the highlight of tea and milk tea houses. Aside from its benefits, chai tea is usually drunk as a recreational beverage comparable to milkshakes and coffee lattes. In fact, chai lattes are becoming popular in this day and age. Some like it like this spicy chai and yet others will enjoy a more modern twist like this vanilla rooibos chai which I am thinking actually belongs over at http://rooibosvanilla.wordpress.com/ !
Chai tea comes from South Asia, particularly in India. India is one of the world’s largest tea producers. For centuries, chai tea has been served in India’s households, and each family has their own way of making chai tea. Chai tea has four primary ingredients and is never complete without any of these: black tea, milk, sugar and spices.
The black tea usually used in chai tea is Assam tea, a black tea named after a region in India where this tea is cultivated. Assam tea is recognized by its strong, rich flavor. It is particularly used so that the taste of black tea will not be masked when added with milk, sweeteners and other spices.
Buffalo’s milk is usually added to chai tea in the Indian culture. Western countries have added whole milk and some health conscious consumers put non-fat dairy milk. Condensed milk is also an alternative for those who want to achieve a sweeter taste, reducing or eliminating the use of sugar and sweeteners.
White sugar is usually used, but brown sugar, syrups, and even honey, can be added. Sugar is added depending on personal preference. Some eliminate the use of sugar but it is an important ingredient since it neutralizes the effect of the spices and brings out the flavor of the milk and black tea.
Finally, chai tea is never itself without the spices. Ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and pepper are the ones usually added. They give heat and warmth to the drink and are also responsible for many of the health benefits chai tea offers.
Chai teas are now sold in stores and are available in many variants: in teabags, liquid concentrates, and powdered mixes. Teabags contain black tea with spices and is brewed in hot milk, and added with sugar. It can also be brewed in hot water before adding milk and sugar. Bottled, ready to drink preparations are also available so you can enjoy chai tea anytime, anywhere.

Sep 12

Roibos |Skin Care Benefits | Feeling Good Inside and Out with Roibos

Indeed, beauty doesn’t really last a lifetime, even the most beautiful faces known in the crust of the earth such as that of Marilyn Monroe’s or Hedy Lamar’s (Samson and Delilah) have faded as the years gone by. But if there is a way to prevent premature aging or keep ourselves younger-looking without the need of too much cosmetics and surgeries and painful stuffs like that wouldn’t it be so great?
Who doesn’t want to be beautiful? Who doesn’t want to look good and feel good? To go out to the mall wearing pink or be able to wear almost anything? But perhaps beauty just comes out naturally. Do you know that one of the funny facts about our skin is that it’s the biggest organ in our body? After one’s eyes, skin is the next thing most people look into during first meetings or during simple to serious chats. Your skin can tell people how happy, sad, or stress you are even how well you do with your recent job. That is why; the need to take care of your skin is a MUST!
You must have heard how certain “super food” can actually help you ensure a healthy and long-lasting beauty from inside and out. However, you might ask “Maybe these super foods are super expensive too?” Well not really. Some can just be found in your garden, the nearest grocery store to your house or nowadays in the ease of your computer monitors.

One super food you shouldn’t dare miss is Roibos or Rooibos tea. If you don’t know what is rooibos then don’t worry as I have you covered 😉 South African natives call it “bossie tea” though, which is a less tongue-twisting version. It has originated in the harsh savannas of South Africa and processed into perfection to give you the health benefits you’ll surely love.

Get the MOST Anti-Aging Properties from Roibos and green rooibos!
Roibos has more powerful antioxidants than your ordinary green tea which helps your skin stay smooth, young and healthy.These are only some of the rooibos health benefits that you can get from drinking this amazing brew! Antioxidants are actually vitamins and minerals along with enzymes that guard your cells and tissues during the oxidation process. The latter is a natural skin process which results to ugly free radicals. Your body needs antioxidants as much as water is to a fish! By drinking Roibos tea, high amounts of antioxidants are supplied to your tissues thus giving you a younger-looking skin and feeling. It’s not just super hydrating; it does not only promote skin restoration but also maintains your inner organs such as heart, liver and lungs.

After enjoying a nice cup of roibos tea, try putting aside your roibos tea bag inside your fridge, let it cool and you can already use the loose leaf for facial mask. Roibos are now being used in beauty spas for facials. Applying roibos directly onto your face and body can result to a visibly more hydrated, younger-looking skin. It helps your skin prevent and get rid of wrinkles, crow’s feet, laugh lines and age spots naturally.
Roibos also aids in weight loss diet plans. This may sound really crazy but daily dose of roibos tea can help you achieve a flat stomach. It minimizes the amount of calories your body absorbs each time you eat. That’s why it’s ideal to drink it before or after meals.
There are absolutely a lot more skin benefits you can get from roibos tea. Be amazed and check out for more articles on our site. Also, as a special note if you are carrying a little baby with you make sure to check out rooibos and pregnancy to find out how good this drink is for you and your ability to continue to enjoy it while being pregnant! As another note, please don’t forget to stop by vanilla rooibos and take a look at that blog, located at http://rooibosvanilla.wordpress.com/ .

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Sep 11

Black tea

black tea is one of the most famous drinks worldwide. Even though popular herbal teas have emerged, black tea remains to account 90 percent of all teas sold in the Western countries. Black tea comes from the tea plant, camella sinensis, which is also the source of green tea, white tea, and oolong tea. Although a variety in itself, black tea has different types according to their places of origin and their blends. There are numerous types and blends of black tea but this article will bring you the best black teas.

Keemun tea and Yunnan tea are all named from the provinces of China where they originated. Ceylon tea hails from Sri Lanka, Nilgiri tea and Darjeeling tea comes from India. Each of these regions produces distinct characteristic flavors for each black tea type. Black tea is blended with other herbs and fruits to create a unique taste. Popular tea blends include Early Grey, English breakfast, English afternoon, and Irish breakfast teas.

Darjeeling and Keemun teas are noted for its smooth, delicate fruity and flowery taste. Yunnan tea and Ceylon teas are more full-bodied, dark, and has a malty taste. Nilgiri tea has a more intense and fragrant aroma.

Earl grey tea is black tea blended with bergamot (a kind of citrus fruit) oil and other citrus fruits. English afternoon has a medium-bodied blend while English breakfast has a full-bodied blend. Irish breakfast is a blend of several kinds of black teas.

Among the types of black tea mentioned, my personal favorite would be Earl grey. It has a very distinct flavor and aroma, with a fruity blend. It has a slightly bitter and pleasant taste. Ceylon tea is the best base for Earl grey teas. It gives a strong, rich flavor in and retains good quality even when mixed with citrus and honey.

Whichever type or blend you prefer, it will always be good. With every type and every blend, you can still feel the same goodness of drinking black tea. My current favorite tea has got to be Creamy earl grey as it combines the nice strong flavor and aroma of a black tea, with the creamy and smooth flavor that only vanilla can provide. A truly amazing black tea, I would really suggest trying it out!

Sep 9

What is loose leaf tea and why is it better than tea bags?

Tea bags have been a staple to the modern worlds tea diet for the last hundred years, but the reality is the first people to enjoy tea had it right. Throw some leaves into some warm water, let it steep and enjoy.

With tea bags there are definite draw backs which will prevent you from enjoying your cup of tea as much as you should.

Here are the top reasons why tea bags are not as good as loose leaf tea:

1. There is additional flavor with tea bags, metal from the stable, paper from the bag, or that weird taste that string puts into the water.

2. Loose leaf tea is cheaper than tea bags when purchased in bulk.

3. You can adjust how much tea you have in a steeping, versus adding more tea bags, which will add more weird flavors like point 1.
Just another quick post and hoping you find it useful 🙂

Sep 7

Welcome to my lose leaf tea blog

Hello,

Just wanted to say welcome to my loose leaf tea blog. I am the owner of The TeaCupany and just was looking for another place to write about tea and everything that I love with it.

On this site I will be doing more personal reviews of the products, and maybe some additional diy or how to’s. If you are looking for amazing green tea then just come by the teacupany and check out some of our fantastic blends.

Stay tuned for more updates 🙂