Archive for the 'Herbal Tea' Category
I’ve branched out lately, as far as tea is concerned. I’ve added African Rooibos herbal tea to my tea palate and enjoy it immensely.
This isn’t my only change, I also moved and inherited a small backyard with a lush flower garden. See the picture for one of the sunflowers that was growing there.
It’s been a fun adventure identifying what was growing and bringing some organization to the untended garden. Some of the flowers have yet to be identified. Among the growth was also some basil, butter lettuce, sage and catnip. A little research reveals that herbal teas can be made from sage and catnip.
I haven’t tried that yet but it points out the fact that sometimes the source of your favorite herbal beverage could be in your own garden.
Until next time – happy steeping.
You know something has worked its way into the social consciousness when it is referenced in poems, books and pundit’s quotes. This is true of gourmet tea. What follows are a few notable quotes about gourmet tea.
Li Ri Hua, a Ming Dynasty scholar
One should clean out a room in one’s home and place only a tea table and a chair in the room with some boiled water and fragrant tea. Afterwords, sit salutarily and allow one’s spirit to become tranquil, light, and natural.
Gladstone (1865) Victorian British Prime Minister
If you are cold, tea will warm you; If you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are depressed, it will cheer you; If you are excited, it will calm you.
Mick Jagger, “Live with Me”.
I got nasty habits; I take tea at three.
Lewis Carroll (1865) Alice in Wonderland, Chapter 6
“Take some more tea,” the March Hare said to Alice very earnestly.
“I’ve had nothing yet,” Alice replied in an offended tone, “so I can’t take more.”
Until next time – happy steeping.
For me ritual is such a big part of tea drinking. So the method of steeping plays a big role in the ritual. I’ve already written about my current favorite steeping basket but I was reading about steeping using a French Press today.
I’ve seen it done before but never really thought about it. But today it occurred to me that the French Press gives a sense of elegance to the steeping process.
So, for those situations where a whimsical steeper won’t do when preparing your Japanese green tea consider using a French Press.
Until next time, happy steeping.
So much of tea drinking is about ritual. Whether your favorite tea is a Japan Green Sencha or a decaf black tea you have to get out the infuser, heat up the water, heat up the tea pot, steep the tea, and so forth. The end result is the delicious cup of tea, but the journey to get to it enhances the experience.
Over the years, I’ve tried several types of infusers but my current favorite is called the Tuffy Steeper. It is a steeping basket made of food grade silicone. Originally designed for backpacking its basket collapses to make it easier to transport. Ideal for those who have to make tea on the go or right at home, I think it also adds a sense of whimsy and fun to my steeping experience. Not to mention, it’s quite the conversation piece.
It can also be used to make coffee, giving you an on the go French Press experience.
Until next time – happy steeping.
Rooibos herbal tea is made from the
Aspalathus linearis plant. The name “rooibos” is Afrikaans for “red bush”, a name this herbal tea is often called in different parts of the world. Aspalathus linearis is member of the legume family.
Originating in South Africa, it has been popular in that area for many generations. It has spread to other parts of the world as rooibos tea, bush tea, redbush tea, African red tea or red tea. Rooibos is grown only in a small area in the region of the Western Cape province of Africa.
Described as being naturally sweet with a nutty flavor, Rooibos is prepared by steeping just like black tea. Rooibos is capable of being steeped for long periods of time without becoming bitter.
Rooibos tea contains no caffeine and no added colors or preservatives, making it a natural beverage. Rooibos has been shown to aid in health problems such as insomnia, irritability, headaches, nervous tension, and hypertension. Traditional medicinal uses of rooibos in South Africa include alleviating infantile colic, allergies, asthma and dermatological problems.
Standard Disclaimer: If buying this product for its purported health benefits, buyer beware. Do you research before you assume the risk of consuming a product that could harm you. Natural does not always mean safe.
Until next time – happy steeping.
There is something really special about an outstanding cup of discount gourmet tea. It’s not just the tea, it’s the ritual.
For me it starts with the aroma of the tea when you open the container. I can’t help it, I just have to lean in and take in the scent of the tea. For some teas this can be the most satisfying part of the experience as that wonderful perfume fills the air. Each sip then becomes an olfactory delight as one more time you soak up the fragrance of the tea.
Then there’s the sip. The cup held close to the lips, the warmth bathing your face. The first sips may be tentative due to the heat allowing you to breath in the tea. Then you sip allowing the liquid to cover your taste buds.
Ahhhh!
Not every cup is like that but when it is, it’s ecstatic and relaxing at the same time. Hope it’s the same for you.
Until next time – happy steeping.
What a dilemma. You like flavored tea but you don’t want it every day. And you don’t want to keep 4 or 5 different teas in the house. Consider using tea syrup.
The nice thing about having tea syrup on hand is choice. If you don’t want your tea flavored today, you don’t have to flavor it. If you want a stronger flavoring today, it’s your choice.
The potential drawback is that tea syrups will use sweeteners. Not to worry, the syrup manufacturers offer sugar free syrups for dieters and diabetics.
These syrups can also be used for flavoring coffee and in other cooking applications. Experiment, add some flavor in your life today.
Until next time – happy steeping.
Many who are seeking a healthier lifestyle find themselves attracted to herbal teas or tisanes. There are many claims about the health benefits of herbal tea, among them are:
- A more calm, relaxed state of mind
- Supports heart health
- Aids with stomach and digestive problems
- Provides cleansing properties for the body
- Promotes energy and wellness
As with all herbal products due caution should be taken and due diligence should be done before accepting any health claims of these products. Herbal remedies sometimes help and sometimes do harm. So, Buyer Beware.
Warning aside, there is a body of data and several hundred years of experience in Chinese Medicine that herbal teas can contribute to better health and alleviate some health issues. Just practice due caution.
Until next time – happy steeping.
One of the growing trends in the steeped drink arena is herbal teas or tisanes. Herbal teas are fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots. The “tea” misnomer comes from the common steeping technique of the two drinks.
The main draw is the natural ingredients of the product and purported health benefits of consuming these teas. More on that in my next post.
A secondary benefit is the variety of ingredients produces a large number of taste possibilities. The variety of ingredient combinations guarantee an herbal tea to suit everyone’s taste. And likely quite a few hours of steeping enjoyment along the way.
Until next time – happy steeping.
Spring is just around the corner and it will soon be time to tune up your grills for outdoor cooking. Here are a few tips that will allow you to incorporate gourmet tea, into your grilling experience.
Concentrated tea can be used as a marinade for the meat. This has dual benefits, it both flavors the meat and detoxifies the carcinogenic HCAs created during the grilling process. Drink loose leaf tea with the meal and further acts to detoxifies any HCAs created during grilling.
Tea can be used as a smoking agent. Throw dried tea leaves on the charcoal to smoke the meat and add flavor to the meal.
Tea can also be used as a spice rub for the meat and be part of any sauces or secondary dishes served during the meal.
Until next time – happy steeping.