Top 14 Tea Resolutions For 2014-A Kick-Start to National Hot Tea Month

January is National Hot Tea Month-January is also a time to make some changes for the better. What are your resolutions and how can tea play a part in making your life better this year?

Here are 14 tea resolutions for 2014:

1. Keep a journal. Journaling is said to be great for your personal psyche... keeping a tea journal can be very beneficial as well. Start by recording each new tea you try and everything you experience about that tea through each of your senses. Record all of it. Then add some notes about how it made you feel... others feel, etc.

2. Learn more about tea. Learn about proper brewing, health benefits, terroir (the regional conditions that make each tea from different places taste unique).

3. Use cold, fresh, quality water for brewing. And, try a variety of different strainers/infusers, cups and pots.

4. Learn how to brew different types of tea using different temperature water/brew time. No more bitter tea if you treat each type correctly. Remember whites and greens must be brewed using lower temperature water than black tea.

5. Explore teas from different regions of origin. Create personal or business events for each type. People enjoy sampling events. It has been said over and over again that tea is like a vacation in a cup. Let's get going!

6. Explore different methods of processing: white, green, oolong, black. Learn what makes each different.

7. Store your in a dark, airtight container. Do not refrigerate (unless it is something unusual and suggested by your supplier), the condensation will ruin the tea every time you open it.

8. Make tea a healthy part of your daily fluid intake. Skip the sweeteners and added calories!

9. Learn to enjoy the taste of tea with nothing added. A quality loose leaf variety should be so delightful that you would never think to add anything to it.

10. Spice it up or sweeten it, naturally! Try adding spices instead of sweeteners. Ginger, for example, is great in blacks or greens. Add some fruit to your hot or iced tea or skip that altogether and purchase a blended tea with a variety of fruits already in the mix. No need for added sweeteners! Try adding your own healthy flavorings to your tea in place of sweeteners. Try a slice of lemon, or simply lemon zest.

1. Clean out the cupboards! Get rid of that old stale packages in the back of the cabinet.

12. Try a new tea once per month... at least 12 times per year. Try something new to you. Visit a tearoom or shop to purchase a new loose leaf tea. In most cases, you should be able to purchase a small amount to try.

13. Get cooking. Try cooking with tea, adding tea to food and beverage recipes.

14. Befriend a coffee drinker. Yes we went there! Drinking coffee or tea brings people together. Be open to new experiences. Sharing goes both ways. Introduce one another to something new. The most important part of this is to share and experience something together with your friends. Teach your coffee drinking pals something special about tea and introduce them to the wonder and delight of tea... you may not transform them completely but you may help them to discover something more...

Use National Hot Tea Month to learn more about tea and enjoy tea more, each and every day!

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The Joys of Tea: An Infusion Of Comfort

Among the gifts the Chinese have given to the world, surely tea must rank among the most wonderful. Few aromas can evoke such elegance, few beverages can inspire like herbal tea. Whether sweetened and served iced, or hot with cream and cookies, or lukewarm with a slice of lemon, tea is an infinitely flexible and ubiquitous beverage, available on every continent and in a myriad of forms.

The Assam variety of Camellia sinesis is a multi-stemmed evergreen, and the buds are hand plucked and dried. Three basic varieties of the beverage are produced from this bush: green, black and oolong. Oolong comes from a special breed of the China plant known a chesima, which gives it its unique flavor. Oolong is a slightly bitter beverage, with a brown or amber coloring. Faint traces of jasmine can be noticed in this brew.

Green tea is extremely popular in China, and produces a mild, slightly bitter, pale greenish-yellow brew. It is typically consumed without any sweetener added.

Black tea enjoys the lions share of worldwide popularity; both orange pekoe and pekoe are black teas. Early Grey Imperial is a blend of three type of leaves, with oil of bergamot (a type of citrus fruit) added for flavoring.

Herbal teas, such as soothing chamomile, can stand on their own, or be blended with standard leaves. The delicate China Rose herbal tea is blended with actual rose petals for a heady floral aroma. Mint leaves are refreshing, and in Morocco, is served in tiny cups with enough sugar to nearly qualify it as a syrup. Blended herbal teas can include the flavors of apple, cinnamon, cloves, and oranges, among others.

The harvesting of the leaves is labor intensive and painstaking. It takes roughly 2, 000 freshly plucked China leaves to make up one pound. They must be dried, shredded to a uniform size and blended. The popular Lipton blend is a mixture of twenty to sixty different varieties of the leaves.

A brewed cup of tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine, far less than the same amount of coffee, and by itself weighs in at four calories. Add sugar and milk, and the calorie count jumps to about forty. In Great Britain, consumption of tea adds approximately 240 calories to the average adult's daily intake.

In Japan, the traditional tea ceremony is not only an opportunity to enjoy a refreshing beverage, but a gracious meditation, and the deliberate movements involved can take ten years or more to fully master.

Visitors to Ottawa can enjoy a staggering variety of teas and herbal teas at the Ottawa Tea Festival, where you can learn about the blends, sample various herbal tea brews, and mingle with other tea lovers. For the true tea lover, a vacation to Ottawa is well worth the effort.

Flavors of traditional sipping teas range from heavy and hearty, too smoky and rich, to bitter and sharp, to pale and light. Whatever you prefer in your cup, the mighty leaf can rise to the occasion.

Cha Yi is a tea house located in Gatineau that offers a wide range of different kinds of tea to be enjoyed in warm and relaxing environment. Come down to sample our selection of black, green and herbal teas, and you won't be disappointed.

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What Are Boba Tea or Tapioca Pearls?

Tapioca pearls are round, chewy balls made out of tapioca starch and make for a great dessert. They are also called "Booba" and range from 1/8 "to around 1/4" in diameter. Usually they are dark brown to black in color, but transparent ones are available also.

Tapioca pearls are usually the smaller variant of the snack and are used in tapioca pudding and other sorts of desserts eaten with a spoon. Although the word Boba can refer to both the large and small versions, most people associate it with the larger version.

Although you can find size variations between tapioca pearls and boba, the standard ingredients required to make them are the same. Tapioca starch refined from dried up cassava root plant, sugar, and water are the three simple ingredients required to produce the pearls. They are combined together and blended into a soft dough, then formed into small beads and packaged to sell. The last step is to boil them for approximately 40 minutes, and through the process of starch gelatinzation they become smooth and bouncy.

Boba's texture is really unique. Many come close to its texture but none could replicate it. Since the pearls are made from starch, it has a very gelatin like texture comparable to that of gummy bears. The one key distinction is that gummy bears are much tougher to chew. The pearls are smooth but also not too mushy simultaneously.

Although it looks like that boba drinks have been available for some time, using tapioca pearls in a drink is a new idea. A larger diameter straw is specifically created so the pearls can fit. A tea flavored drink, typically with added milk, is mixed with the tapioca pearls to create the popular Boba Milk Tea.

In the 1980 's at a store in Taichung, Taiwan, a new way of eating boba pearls came about when it was combined with flavored tea drinks. At this store, a smaller version of the pearls was used. As this new idea spread, larger variants was preferred as it offered more chewing pleasure.

While it is possible to swallow the miniature-sized pearls found in tapioca pudding, regular size tapioca pearls can actually be a choking risk. This may seem scary, but injuries concerning boba are rare. It's just important to bear in mind that boba must always be chewed completely to fully enjoy. The popularity of has soared in recent times; the selection of drinks have increased significantly and it's safe to say that boba has made its mark in societal lifestyle.

Find more information and learn more about boba.

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The Many Benefits of Tea

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Tea comes in many varieties. Officially only the Camellia Sinensis plant, it is common for other plants and herbs to be steeped in hot water.

Tea benefits nearly every organ system in the body. It is cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-obesity, anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic, liver protective, and beneficial to blood vessel health.

Behind water, it is the second most consumed beverage in the world. On any given day, over half of the American population drinks tea.

Growing conditions vary resulting in a number of distinctive leaves. Surprisingly, it is the type of processing that determines the major difference between the four most common types: black, green, white, and oolong. All of these factors combine to influence both the flavor and nutritional content.

Most Common Teas

Black tea: The most common type with the highest caffeine, made with fermented tea leaves.

Green tea: Made with unfermented leaves, it has a high concentration of the catechin, EGCG.

White tea: It is the least processed and made from the new growth buds and young leaves. Uncured and unfermented.

Oolong tea: Made with partially fermented leaves. Oolong teas are full bodied in flavor and aroma.

Tea exerts benefits through polyphenols, commonly called catechins. The most potent catechin, EGCG, may help against free radicals that contribute to cancer, heart disease, and clogged arteries.

The more processed the leaves, usually the less polyphenol content. The processes used in black and oolong tea are known to decrease levels catechins more than other teas. Green tea contains the highest concentration of the powerful antioxidant EGCG.

Matcha green tea stone grinds the entire tea leaf, rather than infusing tea leaves in water. Matcha has EGCG concentrations 100 times more than a common green tea and 3 times more than other green teas.

Most of the nutrition in regular tea remains unused, trapped in the tea leaves. Matcha provides teas full arsenal of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. You need ~ ten cups of regular tea to match the potency found in a single serving of matcha.

Herbal brews, like lavender, chamomile, and yerba mate are not technically considered tea. They are unique infusions of different plants with varying characteristics. Herbal teas have different concentrations of nutrients from green, white, black, and oolong tea.

Attention & Clarity

Tea consumption can improve mood and performance. A number of studies have shown particularly consistent evidence for improved attention, alertness, and arousal. Tea also shows beneficial effects on work performance and creativity.

Matcha green tea has been commonly used to aid clarity. Japanese monks would drink matcha to remain alert yet calm during long periods of meditation. Tea is rich in L-Theanine, an amino acid that promotes a state of relaxation and well-being.

Matcha contains more L-Theanine than common black and green teas. Additionally, L-Theanine can inhibit some of the side-effects from caffeine, a natural component of tea. The unique composition of green tea promotes concentration and clarity without the jitters or crash.

Cardiovascular & Other Disease

Tea consumption has been shown to protect against the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and endothelial function effects are thought to play a key role in these protective effects.

Although tea has been consumed for centuries, there are limited placebo controlled human studies as a health-promoting beverage. Further study is needed to clarify whether catechins represent ancillary ingredients or key molecules involved in the biological properties of green tea.

However, green tea represents a promising tool for the prevention of cardiovascular disorders, and an increase in the consumption of tea should be encouraged.

Weight Loss

Overall, green tea has a small positive effect on weight loss and weight management.

It affects thermogenesis by acting synergistically with the caffeine component. It can also augment other fat burning compounds, usually through COMT inhibition.

However, these effects may not work for everyone. The inconsistencies in fat oxidation may be due to individual differences, such as caffeine tolerance; the lower ones tolerance to caffeine is, the more effective green tea catechins appear to be on fat loss.

A recent meta-analysis found that each cup of green tea may be causative of burning 1/8 lb of body fat.

Want to learn more about the amazing benefits of tea and how it relates to optimal performance? Head on over to our blog at http://www.opportuniteas.com/blog/

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The Various Health Benefits of Using Matcha on a Daily Basis

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When specially grown tea leaves in Japan are dried and ground into a fine powder, and then mixed with other related leaves, you will get matcha gyokuro. This is cultivated in a very unique way by following the traditional procedures that have been handed down through the generations. These products are very rich in taste and also have very powerful medicinal abilities. They are highly filled with antioxidants that are very good for the human body. It helps to lower cholesterol by a large margin and also helps those people who are affected by liver disease. They can also be used to make delicious treats for the entire family. By using them in daily recipes, you can ensure the health of your loved ones. Check out a matcha fruit smoothie recipe online and try it at your home today.

Proof by research

Studies that have been carried out on this particular wonder beverage now show that there are a lot of health benefits to be gained by consuming them. This is one of the main reasons why this drink is soon becoming the most sought after one in the world. When you buy matcha gymnema, you can be sure that you are getting all the antioxidants that your body needs. These compounds are very helpful in helping people reduce fat around the abdomen. By combining it with regular exercise, you will be able to see good results after a while. This is perfect for obese individuals. A matcha sugar cookie recipe can give you the tasty food that you want along with nutritional advantages. These details are available on the websites of leading manufacturers.

Making desserts and puddings

It is a well known fact that most of the food items that are prescribed for maintaining good health are bland in taste. But what if someone told you that you can even have desserts made using these ingredients? That's right, you can check out the matcha tiramisu recipe and make this lip smacking dish for your family. This is a combination of one of the best desserts on this planet and one of the best items for well being. It is definitely a match that is made in the heavens. All the ingredients that are required to make this in the right manner are mentioned online. You should go through it carefully before starting the process.

Beating the heat

What do you do when it is very hot outside? What do you do when the sun beats down mercilessly on you? Do you grab a soda or a cold drink? Try something new instead. Read up on a matcha lemonade recipe. It is fairly simple and you can make it easily at your own home. This just might end up becoming your new favorite drink on a hot summer day. It is both refreshing and well as cooling to both the body and the mind. Matcha gyokuro is the powdered form that can be used for these purposes. It has a nutty and sweet taste.

Jon M Fernandis is an expert author that have written many articles on Matcha fruit smoothie recipe and matcha lemonade recipe. For more information about smoothie recipe or matcha lemonade recipe go to the AOI Matcha Tea website.

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Drinking Herbal Tea for Weight Loss

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In the modern world we are living in, tea joins the list of one of the most consumed beverages. Whether you prefer your tea cold, warm or hot, herbal tea has been credited as a major contributor when it comes to weight loss and boosting metabolism. This is because it contains a unique blend making it the perfect compliment to any diet. The following are some of the reasons why you should change your taste and become a hardcore fan of herbal tea.

Weight loss benefit

Herbal tea contains two main herbs namely dandelion and nettle. They contain diuretic properties, which actually helps them to reduce excess water from the body thus leading to the weight loss. In addition, organic tea that contains fennel also contributes to weight loss due to its nature of suppressing appetite.

When you lose your weight, you may be able to enjoy the highest life expectancy, experience few obesity problems, low levels of stress and regular activity in the old age.

Stimulates metabolism

Basically, green tea provides various potent antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate which has the capability of stimulating your body's metabolism leading to faster weight loss. The antioxidants and the caffeine works together to stimulate your central nervous system and also to provide fats into the blood stream which are later used by the body as fuel.

Green tea to reduce fats

If you are a constant drinker of green tea, the fat content in your body may be reduced up to a certain level. This is because it contains high amounts of polyphenols, which activate a certain enzyme in the body that plays the role of dissolving excess triglyceride leading to fats decrease.

Promotes restful sleep

Living a healthy life does not only involve eating a balanced diet food, but also it contains having enough sleep. This is the main reason why you are being encouraged to use herbal tea. The tea is very important when it comes to reducing sleeping disorders such as muscle spasms and insomnia. It is also common for promoting healthy sleep especially using unique properties that are contained in it.

Herbal tea for weight loss actually is one of the best ways that should ring into your mind when you thinking of reducing your kilograms. Just imagine how fan it is when losing weight while at the same time having a cup of green tea? It is very interesting.

We are providing best information on Herbal tea for weight loss. For more details you can click on provided link.

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For The Love Of Tea And Your Health

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February is American Heart Month. Have you kept your New Years Resolutions? Do you remain committed to better living and taking better care of yourself and your family? February is a good time to remind everyone to "Do something good for yourself, drink tea." Second only to water, tea is a very popular beverage whether it is enjoyed hot or cold. Drinking tea can be part of a healthy diet.

January was National Hot Tea Month and it was hotter than ever and all over the news from numerous new product launches to wide-reaching reports on the health benefits of tea. Have you seen all of the research about tea and its health benefits?

Decades worth of research shows that tea-the second most consumed beverage in the world-may help prevent chronic diseases, promote weight loss, improve heart health and slow progression of certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes to name just a few of its health benefits. Research about the important role of tea in human health continues to be compelling. Thanks to the Tea Council of the USA and the Tea Association of the USA's sponsorship of the Fifth International Symposium on Tea & Human Health, held on September 19, 2012 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the research studies presented at the Symposium were published by the leading nutrition publication, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in its December 2013 issue and featured 12 new articles about the relationship between tea and human health.

To highlight one of the reports published through the AJCN, Tea Catechins are Cardioprotective: Numerous studies suggest tea supports heart health and healthy blood pressure, and appears to be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack. New research, published in the AJCN provides further support.

Humans have been drinking tea for some 5, 000 years, dating back to the Paleolithic period. Modern research is providing the proof that there are real health benefits to gain from enjoying this ancient beverage.

Tea is good for you and also provides a restful, mindful break to a busy day. Tea can be uplifting, energetic, and calming at the same time. When you know you are doing something good for yourself and you share the experience with others, tea becomes your go-to drink and puts you on the road to healthier living. Do something good for yourself, drink tea.

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