Tea Corner

[Stella]

I invite you all to join our Tea Corner, share your tastes in teas, where and how you drink it, your favourite flavours, the benefits of some teas, anything you would like to share.

All about the Green Tea:

Green tea is a drink made from the steamed and dried leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant, a shrub native to Asia. Black tea is also made from this plant, but unlike green tea, it is made from leaves that have been fermented. (This may reduce the levels of some compounds, such as antioxidants, in black tea.)

Green tea is widely consumed in Japan, China, and other Asian nations and is becoming more popular in Western nations. Some reports indicate green tea may have the ability to help prevent cancers of the skin, esophagus, stomach, colon, pancreas, lung, bladder, prostate, and breast.

Green tea contains chemicals known as polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties. Catechins are the major group of polyphenols in green tea. The most important catechin seems to be epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG may cause cancer cells to die like normal cells do. It may also work by stopping new blood vessels from forming, a process called angiogenesis, thereby cutting off the supply of blood to cancer cells.

Herbalists use green tea and extracts of its leaves for stomach problems, vomiting, and diarrhea, and to reduce tooth decay, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blockages of the blood vessels in the heart that can lead to heart attacks. Green tea is also promoted as an herb that can prevent certain bacterial infections.

What makes green tea so special?

The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

Links are being made between the effects of drinking green tea and the "French Paradox." For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.

Why don't other Chinese teas have similar health-giving properties? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

Other Benefits

New evidence is emerging that green tea can even help dieters. In November, 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Meanwhile, skin preparations containing green tea - from deodorants to creams - are starting to appear on the market.

Harmful Effects?

To date, the only negative side effect reported from drinking green tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee: there are approximately thirty to sixty mg. of caffeine in six - eight ounces of tea, compared to over one-hundred mg. in eight ounces of coffee.

[Osiris]

Nice subject Stella!

This will be about Earl Grey, one of the most popular and well-known types of tea in the world.

First of all, Earl Grey tea was indeed named after the second Earl Charles Grey of Britain back in the 1830s. Though proof is scarce, he is traditionally credited with the creation of this blended tea. Charles Grey was prime minister from 1830-1834.

Contrary to popular belief, Earl Grey is not a kind of tea at all. It's actually plain black tea, infused with the citrus flavor of Bergamot (similar to orange blossoms).

This gives a bright, tart and refreshing tea that is unlike other black teas.

While the term 'orange pekoe' is all about the quality and grade of a tea, Earl Grey tea is not necessarily a high quality tea. Since the taste of Bergamot is quite strong, it is often used to mask the lack of flavor from poor quality black tea. When shopping for Earl Grey, make sure to double-check the grade of the tea before making your choice.

Earl Grey tea is a favorite in Britain and in North America, and you can be sure to find it on the menu at any tea room, or in any supermarket.


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As for me, I am not a big fan of Tea in general, sometimes a big, hot green tea when I am sick will do, but other then that I don’t drink Tea that often.

[Stella]

I used to drink only Earl Grey for a long time til one months now, but somehow I got tired from its heavy taste.
I always disliked green tea for its strange taste, but reading about all those benefits convinced me to give a try. I got used to its taste by now, and recently I drink it twice a day, what I noticed is loosing weight for sure. After every meal if you drink green tea, it will help you with digestion, also cleans your body from harmful elements. And in the end you loose some weight as well.

[Xena]

Besides the green tea! ( a small tip : never drink green tea with sugar, it just kills the taste! not even a small discrete canderel ), i also like jasmine tea, Moroccan mint tea, and all kind of fruit tea specially the exotic fruit flavor!! :)

[El]

A mixture of few herbs is very commun in Lebanon, "Zhourat". They are better than the usual tea, it contains no cafeine.

this mixture is made from Verbena, Lime, Mint , Camomile and some other herbs.

Verbena: citrucy taste, helps in digestion, treats insomnia, asthma, cold. It helps in relaxation.

Lime: treats headache, high blood pressure, colds.

Mint: treats stomach ache, chest pain, cough, headache, fever, bee sting, melancholia.

Camomile: treats menstrual cramps, anti inflammatory, anti ulcer, ease muscle spasms.

Even children can drink this tea.

best way to prepare it; put it in boiling water, stop the heating source and let it submerge for 5 min before drinking. Sa7tein

[Stella]

Originally Posted by Xena

Besides the green tea! ( a small tip : never drink green tea with sugar, it just kills the taste! not even a small discrete canderel ), i also like jasmine tea, Moroccan mint tea, and all kind of fruit tea specially the exotic fruit flavor!! :)

Indeed, basically no tea shall be drunk with sugar (honey is better). I used to put a lil spoon of sugar to the Earl Grey only, bc of its heavy taste, but otherwise, especially in fruit teas, the sugar just ruins the flavour.

Originally Posted by Ogeorge

A mixture of few herbs is very commun in Lebanon, "Zhourat". They are better than the usual tea, it contains no cafeine.

this mixture is made from Verbena, Lime, Mint , Camomile and some other herbs.

Verbena: citrucy taste, helps in digestion, treats insomnia, asthma, cold. It helps in relaxation.

Lime: treats headache, high blood pressure, colds.

Mint: treats stomach ache, chest pain, cough, headache, fever, bee sting, melancholia.

Camomile: treats menstrual cramps, anti inflammatory, anti ulcer, ease muscle spasms.

Even children can drink this tea.

best way to prepare it; put it in boiling water, stop the heating source and let it submerge for 5 min before drinking. Sa7tein

Thanks Ogeorge for the nice tips!:)
I drink camomille tea always when I have some inflammatory problem, especially with my teeth. It always helps.

Now you reminded me of the traditional teas what the village people used to drink in my country of birth.
Have you ever drunk tea from caraway seeds or from dill? These are good for stomach achings.

[SeekNirvana]

Try Honey and Lemon, IMO it needs a bit of sugar ... but it's delicious.

[Lebanese_dream]

I am not a big big fan of tea but I adore to taste new ones....
I was walking in Paris last week and I found a shop very well known called 'Palais des Thés' which is the palace of Teas! I entered and believe me I passed more than an hour there just smelling the wide range of tea they have.
You can be advised what to buy depending of the taste you are looking for or the purpose of your tea( morning, afternoon; night...)...

The one that surprises me was the Jasmine Tea! It is made by small flowers that will open in your cup to give you the Jasmine taste... Frankly, it is a delicious one plus so original to serve! I bought some for my mother... I will send them to Lebanon soon and I bet she will adore....

[Morpheus]

I'm currently drinking Calm Tea

One of Tazo's Herbal Infusions, Calm™ is made from the most exotic, flavorful and soothing ingredients on the planet: chamomile blossoms, hibiscus flowers, spearmint leaves, rose petals, blackberry leaves, peppermint leaves, safflower, lemon balm, lemon grass and natural flavorings.

Even though this type of beverage is often described as an herbal tea, there is actually no tea in it at all. Instead it is a blend of flowers, berries, fruit peels, seeds and grasses that have been used for centuries to enhance health and well being. As a result, it contains no caffeine.

http://cjgo.stores.yahoo.net/tazcaltea24t.html

[Stella]

And where do you buy your teas usually, in herbal/bio shops or in supermarkets, or special shops specialized for teas only?

In addition do you hang out sometimes in Tea Houses, with friends? Or you have your teas rather at home?