Posts Tagged ‘black tea’

Proper Storage Of Tea

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

How long will tea stay good?  Generally, black teas will last for up to two years, while green and white teas will remain fresh for about a year.  Extremely delicate teas are even more fragile, with a shelf life of only several months.

However, like all natural products, the proper storage of tea can prevent the loss of its flavor and freshness.  The main enemies of tea are heat, light, moisture, and exposure to air.  Some teas will bear recommendations for their storage; the proprietor of your local tea shop is also a good source of information.  However, there are some rules of thumb for proper care and storage of your favorite teas.

Light degrades tea very quickly, as the UV rays cause it to fade in both flavor and appearance.  Accordingly, tea should be kept in a dark area or in dark containers.  Glass containers in a cupboard work very well, but opaque jars or tins are better.  Although many teas are exquisite to see as well as to drink, resist the temptation to show them off in clear containers in well-lit areas.

Exposure to air causes tea to oxidize and can shorten their shelf life. Even if the tea is already oxidized, as black teas are, constant contact with oxygen causes the tea to degrade.  Green tea, especially, because it isn’t oxidized, will degenerate in short order.  Store tea in airtight containers made of glass or metal.  Plastic bags are too unstable for long-term storage, and more permanent plastic containers retain odors from their previous contents.

Nothing will cause tea to deteriorate faster than excessive heat.  Even temperatures above around 80 degrees F. cause the tea to shed their natural oils that they need to maintain their taste and freshness.  Heat can also encourage the growth of harmful mold, which can ruin an entire container of tea.  Store tea, then, in a cool place far from stoves and other kitchen heat sources as well as away from direct exposure to sunbeams.

The worst enemy of tea is perhaps moisture.  Indeed, those residing in humid areas often find that storing tea for any length of time is extremely difficult.  There are packets of water-absorbing compounds (called dessicants) usually sold in packages to regulate the moisture level of tea (among other things), but these are not recommended as some contain chemicals or even natural substances that are harmful when consumed.  It is advisable to keep tea in an airtight container opened just long enough to remove whatever tea will be used immediately.  Alternately, keep a large container for bulk tea storage and another, smaller one for daily or weekly use, sparing the greatest quantity of tea the constant exposure to air and humidity.

Since cool, dark places are crucial for proper tea storage, the refrigerator or freezer seems like a good option, but this is misleading.  While cool and usually dark, such appliances are by necessity also moist, and storing tea in them will spoil it quickly.  Freezing tea is fine until you un-freeze it, at which time condensation forms and this moisture ruins it entirely.  Tea that is stored in the refrigerator also often absorbs other unwelcome odors and flavors from surrounding items.

The best containers for storing tea are made of glass, ceramic, tin, or other metals and have airtight lids.  Tins, especially, have a long history of both commercial and home use, and can be rinsed and wiped clean and re-used without fear of lingering flavors, and therefore are great for green and white teas.  Your local tea store also very likely carries several suitable container choices.  A quaint, anachronistic way to store tea is in an old-fashioned tea chest.  Such chests were lacquered or varnished, making them airtight, dark, and dry.

The perfect tea container is a tin or mason jar with an airtight lid.  If you have a favorite tin but you’re unsure whether it’s airtight, fill it with water and turn it upside down several times.  It will quickly become clear whether it is well sealed. Tea sold in tea bags has already been crushed and dried during their processing and packaging, and thus has a shorter shelf life than bulk teas (even if individually wrapped).  Bulk teas, if properly cared for, will keep longer and taste better.

There are a few simple ways to detect whether your tea is still good.  The most obvious indication that your tea is over the hill is bland flavor, faded appearance, or a musty aroma.  Visible mold is a sometimes startling indicator that tea is bad; if your black tea has green stuff growing on it, throw it out.  Tea that is moist right out of the container is likewise already spoiled.  After a while, you’ll be able to tell very quickly if your favorite teas is deteriorating; green teas, for instance, become yellowed and faded in color and takes on very un-fresh vegetal aromas.

To brew the best quality loose leaf tea, you’ll need teaware like cast iron teapots, kyusu teapots, or Yixing teapots.

The Practical Use Of Organic Black Tea

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Organic black tea is a classic and very honored variety of tea used around the world. It’s created from the usual tea plant but due to a distinct fermentation procedure, it has a much sharper aroma and livelier color than the usual tea used in everyday life. The amount of caffeine can also be much higher in black tea than regular tea.

Connoisseur of excellent tea prefers organic black tea to other teas. It’s grown without the use of harmful pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The tea plants are grown and also the leaves are collected and processed in natural tea plantations, which add up to its strong and fresh taste. The flavor might be made milder by adding cream, honey or soy milk.

Black tea is renowned for its immense benefits to our body. It might be drunk routinely like a health stimulant. It’s good for our heart and reduces the risk of cardiac arrest. When taken regularly, it may lower the blood pressure which makes it normal. It will help to check on cavities as well as supports weight reduction.

It aids in lowering the sugar level of the blood. It also improves the blood flow of the body and helps to lower and control the cholesterol level. The anti-oxidant property from the tea assists the body to fight against the harmful free radicals, which decelerates aging.

This tea is also a big fighter of the deadly cancer. Since it is grown naturally, it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals that could cause cancer. They are full of anti-oxidants which are immensely helpful to people struggling with cancer or those undergoing radiation or chemotherapy.

Due to all medicinal benefits and the organic mode of cultivation and processing from the organic herbal tea, it is rare and expensive. The packed tealeaves or tea bags may be purchased from a store or purchased online, paying a hefty sum. But loose black tea has got the same valuable properties but might be much cheaper.

Organic herbal tea is also considered equally good for health. It’s brewed from a combination of various types of herbs like chamomile, marshmallow, mint, basil etc. drinking this tea helps to reduce heartburn and cures any gastrointestinal problems. It relaxes the nerves and muscles and induces a good sleep.

Organic black tea is usually grown in countries like China, Sri Lanka, India, Greece or Turkey but savored by people all across the globe. While buying packaged tea, you should check the seal of authenticity. Regardless of being expensive, it’s fast get to be the favorite health beverage for a lot of.

When’s The Last Time You Had Lapsang Souchoung Tea?

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Try to inquire from any tea enthusiast which black tea emits a very distinct smoky flavor and one name always come out: Lapsang Souchong. Famous for its distinct scent, Lapsang Souchoung tea is often called and labeled as Russian Caravan.

It is often called as such mainly because it was brought to Moscow markets via a long arduous overland journey from China. Some believe that its smoky flavor came about from the various campfires that it absorbs throughout its journey to the western market. This is the interesting story behind its aroma.

Another story explaining its distinct aroma is a bit more legendary so to speak. The name Lapsang Souchoung literally means smoky variety. The story goes that this type of black tea belonging to Wuyi Bohea family was discovered by accident in Fujian province of China. This serendipitous origin happened in early China when the annual tradition of drying tea leaves was interrupted by a legion of army passing over the tea farming community.

To ensure ample supply, tea growers resorted quick options to dry their tea leaves. Hence, they opted for a clever alternative of placing tea leaves above fires made from local pines. This alternative resulted to a smoky aroma on the tea that somehow creative a positive appeal for tea lovers. Therefore, a ingenious type of black tea was discovered and became widely known until now.

Like other kinds of black tea, Lapsang Souchoung is beneficial in allowing ease of blood flow without side effects. The chemical composition of this tea also promotes mental focus. Another equally beneficial health impact of black tea is its contribution to performing anti-inflammatory healing functions along the digestive tract.

Black tea is likewise acknowledged for its therapeutic effect on conditions related to intestinal and gastric sections. This is due to its chemical components such as Tannins. Tannins decreases intestinal activity and hastens diarrhea.

Some other chemical components of this type of black tea are known to fight cholesterol. Chemical compound such as Theophylline, is known to prevent and alleviate cholesterol build up. This is achieved by easing up blood flow. This chemical is also highly priced for its ability to expand airways which is vital among patients with asthmatic conditions.

Aside of its fascinating health benefits, Lapsang souchoung is excellent when paired with cheese or spicy dishes. Its aroma is often used as compliment to various culinary preparations. Also, its aroma is harness by most Chinese chefs to help enhance the taste of most food delicacies by preparing them over fuming smoke of Lapsang Souchong Tea.

Learn more about lapsang souchoung tea. Stop by Tea Amigos Store where you can buy tea online and learn all about tea.

What You Need To Know To Black Tea

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Today, there are so many different teas to choose from that the options almost seem endless. One of the hottest teas of all is black tea, and there are plenty of different reasons for this. Not only is it delicious, but it also offers a variety of health benefits.

Black tea is much more oxidized than any other tea, which makes it generally stronger in flavor. There are numerous types of black teas and sometimes, all unblended black teas are named after the area in which they’re produced.

Black tea is, actually, one of the most typical teas known to humankind. Not like the heavy levels of caffeine that are found in coffee, the amounts found in black tea are basically renowned for promoting blood flow in the brain without over exciting the heart. This tea is also famous for sharpening one’s psychological focus and concentration.

Black tea has long been known for offering a variety of health benefits, including treating diarrhea, lowering cholesterol levels, and helping to prevent tooth decay. This tea also has an exceedingly healing effect on gut and abdominal diseases, thanks to the tannins it contains, which helps to reduce abdominal activity and keeps digestion going nicely overall.

Black teas can also help improve cholesterol levels. By just drinking 2 cups of this tea for 3 weeks each day, it’s been shown to open the blood flow in the capillaries and maintain normal blood pressure.

If you are interested in purchasing black teas yourself, there are many options that you have available. Due to its great acceptance, there are few tea stores that don’t offer a variety of black teas, so you can check out any of the local tea stores in your neighborhood to see what they have to supply in that regard.

There are also some well known and well respected tea companies online that you can buy from, such as the Imperial Tea Garden, a company that offers a choice of loose tea, tea bags and formed tea in a variety of attractive and convenient packaging options. You can purchase green tea, white tea, oolong tea, black tea and herbal tea, in the size that best fits your own particular needs.  They also offer valuable info relating to the history of tea and the different benefits offered by varied tea variations, which can be of great help when buying teas.

Tea: Comparing Ceylon Green Teas To Indian Green Teas

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Most of the world’s green tea is produced in China and Japan. In fact, China is where green tea originated. Centuries ago, before other tea processing methods were developed, tea harvesters simply dried tea leaves in the sun before storing them, and this is how green tea was born. It gained favor quickly in this part of the world. Even after black tea processing began, it didn’t outsell green tea. Both countries produce very good green tea with very distinct flavors. Green teas from Sri Lanka and India are not as common as Asian green teas, and, in fact, many people don’t even realize that these countries produce green teas. However , one taste of Ceylon or Indian green teas and you’ll likely want more.

Sri Lanka

Ceylon teas are grown in Sri Lanka. Tea is grown in the highlands of Sri Lanka, over an area of about four thousand square miles. Ceylon green teas have a full body and are somewhat pungent with a nutty or malty flavor. Ceylon green teas have a very bright and bold flavor. Today, Ceylon is considered a fairly minor green tea producer. However, as the demand for green tea grows, it’s likely that more green tea will be produced in Sri Lanka. For those who are accustomed to Chinese and Japanese green teas, Ceylon tea may be a surprise because its flavor is so different.

India

India produces two varieties of green tea, Assam and Darjeeling. Both of these teas have distinct flavors and qualities and both are gaining popularity. Assam green tea is fairly new to the market, but is gaining market quickly. Assam green tea is typically medium bodied tea that is very flavorful. Like Assam black teas, Assam greens are malty and have definite notes of honey flavor.

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