Tea 4 Free News > Teazine Issue 12 - March, 2004

Inside Issue #12:

1. Introduction
2. Tea4Free Winners
3. What is Herbal Tea?
4. Tea and Food Combinations
5. This Month's Featured Teas
6. Spring Tea Ideas
7. Tea Recipe
8. Health News
9. TEA-mates
10. Once Upon A Tea Time
11. Next Issue
12. Credits

Many people consume herbal teas because they are naturally organic, free from sythetic chemical agents. Some may be claimed to have medicinal effects and health benefits (e.g. stress reduction, digestive support, nutrient enhancement, sleep induction, etc.). Consumers like to gravitate towards anything that makes them feel healthier, stronger, sexier, and more fit.

What is a tisane exactly and how can it be used?

A tisane is another word for tea or infusion, a method of extracting active materials from the herb. It is best made in a teapot or in a thermos flask for plants that are very aromatic (peppermint, chamomile, etc.). In this way the active constituents are contained and do not simply float away. Tisanes may be used as a wash, in the bath, for the hair, to wash the skin, or as a compress.

Do you have any herbal tea blends or tisanes that you would like to share with us? Email me and it could be featured in our next issue!
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4. Tea and Food Combinations
With the wide variation in the characteristics of teas from around the world, it’s only natural that pairing teas with specific foods can enhance the flavor of both. After testing numerous combinations with consumers, The British Tea Council has found the following pairings to be some of the most popular:

Ceylon: Cucumber or tomato sandwich, lemon tart, mature cheddar.

Kenya: Beef and horseradish or ham sandwich, rich chocolate cake, Austrian smoked cheese.

Darjeeling: Cream cheese or egg and watercress sandwich, cream desserts.

Lapsang Souchong: Chicken or smoked salmon sandwich, lemon sorbet, Stilton cheese.

Earl Grey: Fine paté or ham and mustard sandwich, creme brulee, Leicester cheese.

English Breakfast: Ham or bacon sandwich, ice cream, English cheese.

What are your favorite tea and food pairings? Let us know by emailing me.
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5. This Month’s Featured Teas

HERBAL TEAS BAGS
These tea bags are individually wrapped and are packaged in cellophane packaging. There are 25 individually wrapped tea bags per carton. Only pure ingredients are used in these tea bags. No fillers are used.

TBIW015 - Mint Tea A blend of freshly dried Mint leaves and Darjeeling tea yields a highly aromatic tea. Ingredients: Darjeeling tea, Mint Leaves.
TBIW016 - Himalayan Amrit Tea Selected Indian herbs and natural rose petals yields a tea best described as a "bouquet of subtle flavors". This refreshing and invigorating tea is perfect any time of the day and is often consumed after meals. Ingredients: Green Darjeeling tea, Black Cardamom, Fennel, Basil, Rose Petals, Lemon Grass, Licorice, Cinnamon, Curry Leaf, and Mint.
TBIW017 - Chamomile Tea This Chamomile herbal infusion is perfect anytime of the day though it is often consumed in the evening because of its natural sedative effect. Enjoy this tea with a little bit of lemon. Ingredients: 100% Pure Chamomile Leaves.
TBIW018 - Hibiscus Tea This Hibiscus herbal infusion yields a beautiful red color and a wonderfully sweet and sour taste. Rich in Vitamin C, a natural antioxidant, this infusion can be enjoyed any time of the day with a little bit of lemon. Ingredients: 100% Pure Hibiscus Leaves.
TBIW019 - Jasmine Tea A wonderful blend of Jasmine leaves and Darjeeling tea yields a strong aromatic tea. Ingredients: Darjeeling tea, Jasmine flowers. To learn more about other teas or order any of these herbal tea bags, please click here to find your nearest distributor. - - - top - - -

6. Spring Tea Ideas
Spring has sprung!

Jazz up the season and celebrate Spring with a Spring Tea! Here are some ideas for your next Tea Event:
Decorate your table using pastel colors for your napkins and plates. Get a tablecloth with bright floral patterns and have your guests wear spring and summer dresses. This is especially festive if you live somewhere where there is still 5-6 inches of snow on the ground. If it is warm enough, move the party outdoors. For a centerpiece, have a bouquet of fresh flowers with a bright ribbon around the pot. Each place setting can continue the theme with personalized mini potted plants for each guest. Your spring tea can consist of all the wonderful things that spring has to offer.

Menu:
Devilled eggs, lemon cookies, a carrot cake, and of course, cucumber sandwiches. You can experiment with fresh fruits and vegetables. Put together a fruit salad with strawberries, raspberries, peaches or nectarines. Your tea can be any fruit tea, or tisane. Any light flavored herbal tea such as chamomile or any green tea will help make your spring tea a relaxing and lovely afternoon. Enjoy!
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7. Herbal Tea Recipe

The following recipe is recommended by one of the Pacific Northwest’s most renowned herbalists, Patti Chambers, for the days of springs when plants are just coming to life.

Ingredients:
10 fresh purple sage leaves
16 fresh lemon balm leaves
12 small mint leaves
petals of 1 red rose
2 rose-scented geranium leaves (optional)
6 cups freshly boiling water

Method:
1. In a pre-warmed, 6-cup teapot, place the sage leaves, lemon balm leaves, mint leaves, rose petals, and geranium leaves (if using).
2. Pour in the freshly boiling water, and let the tea steep for 10 to 20 minutes.
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8. Health News

To submit health news, e-mail us.

TEA AND ARTHRITIS
A study published in an issue of the Journal of Nutrition says the catechins in green tea may benefit arthritis patients by reducing the degradation of cartilage. A British laboratory study on human and bovine cartilage showed that the green tea catechins prevented collagen breakdown. Although additional studies are needed, the researchers concluded that the consumption of green tea might prevent arthritis damage by reducing inflammation and slowing cartilage breakdown.

TEA AND HYDRATION
It's vital to drink at least two pints of fluid a day to prevent dehydration. Drinking tea can make a valuable contribution to the body's fluid intake. Tea also helps the body's digestive system. So it's the ideal drink after a heavy meal. Tea taken with milk also contributes valuable vitamins to the diet: riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamins B6 and B1. But perhaps the best thing about tea is that it's a completely natural product - free from calories, colouring, preservatives, sugars, artificial flavourings or other additives.

TEA AND BLOODFLOW
According to a report from Reuters Health, an after-dinner cup of tea might help counteract some of the harmful effects of a fatty meal. A researcher at Tokyo Medical University in Japan found that the antioxidants in tea may help mop up free radicals, thereby keeping the blood vessels supple and promoting healthy blood flow.
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9. TEA-mates: Members of the Tea Connexions Buying Group

Tea Connexions is dedicated to providing the highest quality gourmet teas. Packaged beautifully, they make an ideal gift for tea lovers, health enthusiasts, and connoisseurs of fine art. Our mission is to offer you beautifully packaged gourmet teas distributed by an elite group of independent distributors that offer you superior service and exceptional value. Your satisfaction is assured; all of our products carry a 100% money back guarantee.

This featured Tea Story is from Pam Komula of Red Deer, AB:

I first started drinking tea approximately 15 years ago. I had an older friend who constantly told me never to get high strung on problems until after you've had your tea. She would tell me a perfect cup of tea was the answer to alot of life's problems. By the time it took for the tea to steep and then cool and drink you could solve ALMOST ALL of whatever ailed you at the time. She was always good at teaching me to solve my stumble blocks that life put in my path. To this day I have learned many lessons through making myself a cup of tea. It is my time to sit, relax, and get away from the world for a few minutes and return refreshed, and open minded.