The Tea4Free contest is ongoing and winners are posted here.

Congratulations to our most recent winners: Jen S. of Saskatoon, SK; Patsy P. of Hattiesburg, MS; Christine J. of Burnsville, MN; Kevin C. of Colorado Springs, CO; and Michelle J. of Oswego, NY.

Clayton MacDonald, of Yoma Tea, presented the tea4free prize to our lucky winner, Jen S. of Saskatoon, SK.

Jennifer James, of Coastal Gourmet Teas, presented the tea4free prize to our lucky winner, Patsy P. of Hattiesburg, MS.

Nanci Boisjolie, of Pretty Wood Tea, presented the tea4free prize to our lucky winner, Christine J. of Burnsville, MN.

Robert Harkins, of Chado Tea Co, presented the tea4free prize to our lucky winner, Kevin C. of Colorado Springs, CO.

Dennis Palmer, of Cuppa London Tea, presented the tea4free prize to our lucky winner, Michelle J. of Oswego, NY.

Three other winners were chosen from Nevada, Illinois, and South Carolina. However, the contact details given were incorrect. Please be sure to provide a valid phone number and e-mail address when you enter.

To date, nearly $2500 worth of "gourmet teas beautifully packaged" has been given away to tea lovers throughout North America.
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Darjeeling Tea is the World's most and exotically flavored tea. Tea connoisseurs assert that without Darjeeling, Tea would be like Wine without the prestige of Champagne.

The Tea Board of India, a commodity board under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, was established by the enactment of the Tea Act, 1953. Its main function is to ensure the quality of Indian tea exports as they account for a large percentage of India's export income.

When brewed, Darjeeling Tea has a distinctive, naturally occurring aroma and taste with light tea liquor and the infused leaf of which has a distinctive fragrance. It is grown and produced only in the hilly areas of the Darjeeling district located on the Northern part of West Bengal, India. Only 86 Darjeeling Tea Estates exist producing, on average, approximately 22 million pounds per year.

Darjeeling Tea is widely and universally acknowledged to be the finest tea, because its flavour is so unique that it cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. It has no equal. Less than 1% of all the tea grown in the world is Darjeeling Tea.

The Flavors of Darjeeling Tea differs from Season to Season. According to the plucking period, the seasons can be categorized as:

• Easter Flush (March - April): It arrives just after the dormant Winter months. The leaves are tender and very light green in appearance. The liquor too is light, clear, bright and imparts a pleasant brisk flavour. Teas harvested during this period are commonly referred to as First Flush.
• Spring Flush (May - June): This flush is famed for its prominent quality. The leaf has a purplish bloom. The liquor is more round, mellow and with more colour (amber) and has a slightly fruity flavour. It is during this period that the famous "Muscatel" flavour becomes pronounced. Teas harvested during this period are commonly referred to as Second Flush. Muscatel Darjeeling, often considered the "Best of the Best", consists of selected Second Flush tea leaves.
• Summer Flush (July - September): During this period the nature of the liquor changes, becoming stronger, yet retaining the brightness and character that Darjeeling is known for. Darjeeling Summer Tips is produced during this period and is unique because it consists of a high percentage of the buds of the leaf as opposed to the stem. Another specialty tea produced during this period is Silver White Tips which is carefully processed and has a very nice subtle flavour and aroma.
• Autumn Flush (October - November): The Tea during this period has a light coppery tinge and liquors have a delicate character.

For a superior cup of tea, choose Darjeeling. The flavor and smooth aroma is nothing like you will ever taste. This specialty tea is best taken without any milk or sugar and compliments any meal.

All Darjeeling Teas offered by Tea Connexions carry the Darjeeling Logo which is the property of The Tea Board of India. Launched in 1983, the Darjeeling symbol verifies that the packet contains 100 % pure Darjeeling, unblended with teas from any other growth.

Tea Connexions is pleased to offer only the purest Green, Oolong, and Black Darjeeling Teas. Many varieties of Darjeeling are available. To learn more about the wide selection of Darjeeling teas offered, visit our Darjeeling section.
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Tea Connexions' Darjeeling Muscatel Tea is a light tea having a soft taste, and the most delicate aroma. Producing such teas is always a challenge for the planter. Only the right combination of ideal weather conditions and careful processing in the factory results in small batches of tea qualifying to be called Muscatel. Muscatel is the "Best of the Best".
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Tea Connexions recently launched 30 new products. To learn more about these products click here.

Dealers carrying all or some of the 30 new products includes:

• Prettywood Tea (Minnesota)
• Gourmet Leaf Teas (Texas)
• Colcord Tea (Arizona)
• Low Country Tea (Georgia)
• My Place 4 Tea (Illinois)
• Royal Gourmet Teas (South Carolina)
• Your Tea (Ohio)
• My Tearoom (Washington)

A wide range of products are available for under $20. Here are some suggestions:

• AT04 - High Elevation Assam
• AT101 - Assam Summer Tips
• DT201 - Darjeeling Tea Bags
• DT207 - Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe
• FT01 - Masala Tea
• FT04 - Rose Tea
• FT05 - Earl Grey Tea
• FT06 - Cardamom Tea
• FT07A - Apple Tea
• FT07B - Black Currant Tea
• FT07J - Jasmine Tea
• GT01 - Darjeeling Organic Green Tea
• GT02 - Gun Powder Green Darjeeling Tea
• HT401 - Ginger Tea
• HT403 - Cinnamon Tea
• NT601 - Nilgiri Premium
• FF07 - First Flush Elegant Inlay Case
• PM3001 - Papier Mâché Cylinder Containing 25 Darjeeling Tea Bags
• PM3002 - Papier Mâché Cube Containing 25 Darjeeling Tea Bags
• W4001 - Rosewood Pen Case Containing 25 Darjeeling Tea Bags
• W4004 - Rosewood 'Tea' Box Containing 25 Darjeeling Tea Bags

Looking for a really unique, one of a kind gift? Give a gift that will last a lifetime. Give "gourmet teas beautifully packaged". Unique gift suggestions include the following:

AT09 - Three Assam Teas in Rosewood Case - A beautiful rosewood container with brass accents makes this the ideal gift for tea lovers. The brass rhino is characteristic of the Assam region of India, a region rich with natures bounty. Inside are a set of three Assam teas: Assam Summer Tips, High Elevation Assam, and Assam CTC Tea.

CL01 - Three Seasons - Rare Collection - Three seasons is a rare collection of premium Darjeeling teas from the spring, summer, and autumn harvests. Attractively packaged in velvet bags, this is the perfect gift for a tea lover.

CL02 - Three Regions Wood Boxes - A gift set containing teas from the three most famous tea growing regions of India. Included are premium quality high elevation Assam, Nilgiri, and Darjeeling teas packaged beautifully in small cream coloured wooden boxes. A great gift.

CL03 - Rosewood Jewel Case - a fine handcrafted Rosewood case with brass accents and inlay - makes an ideal jewelry box. A tea lover's delight, inside are Darjeeling Second Flush, Assam Summer Tips, Nilgiri High Elevation and Earl Grey teas.

CL04 - Deca Tea - a unique hard-wood box with ten small compartments each housing a precious Indian tea. Included are Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri, Green Tea, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Masala, Cinnamon, Ginger and Mint teas.

MU05 - Muscatel Walnut Box - A hand crafted Walnut box. It contains 200 grams/7.0 oz of Muscatel Darjeeling. This item is especially unique, because not one is exactly the same. Figure out how to open it and you gain access to the "Best of the Best" Muscatel Darjeeling tea.

W4005 - Sheesham Cannister - This limited edition hand-crafted tea holder brings together nature's best: the warmth and durability of Sheesham wood and the artistry of India's skilled craftsmen. Sure to become a collectible.
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ANOTHER GREAT REASON TO DRINK TEA: DIABETES PREVENTION
According to scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture tea can be an effective weapon in the fight against diabetes because it boosts insulin activity in the body by more than 15-fold.

DRINK TEA FOR STRONGER BONES
A study conducted in Taiwan of 497 men and 540 women, ages 30 years and above, concluded that habitual tea consumption for more than a decade increased total-body bone mineral density (BMD). Researchers found that men and women with a greater than 10-year tea habit had denser bones than the other participants, regardless of the type or amount of tea they consumed each day.

TEA'S BENEFITS TO THE HEART
A Dutch study has found tea drinking seems to protect people against heart disease. The survey of almost 5,000 people over 55 found those who drank a lot of it had about half the risk of a heart attack.

A Harvard Medical School study of 1900 heart attack patients concluded that heavy tea drinkers--those who consumed about 19 cups of tea each week--were 44% less likely to die than patients who did not drink tea, and moderate tea drinkers were 28% less likely to die for up to 4 years regardless of other medical and lifestyle factors.
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* To submit tea recipes, e-mail us.

Holidays are a great time to relax, visit, and enjoy the company of friends and family. Here are two great tea recipes that are sure to please and will serve up to 12 guests.

TEA PUNCH

• 1/2 pint strong Darjeeling tea
• 6 oz sugar
• 1/2 pint orange juice
• 2 small bottles of ginger ale
• 1 large bottle of lemonade
• 1 orange, sliced
• 4 tbsps. of lemon juice

Put the hot Darjeeling tea in a bowl, add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Add the orange juice and lemon juice. Chill. Just before serving mix in the ginger ale, lemonade, and orange slices.

HOT SPICED TEA

• 4 pints of water
• 1/2 level tsp. of whole cloves
• 1/2 a stick of cinnamon
• 1 oz. of Darjeeling tea
• 4 oz. of sugar
• 1/4 pint of orange juice
• Juice from 2 lemons
• Cinnamon sticks to serve

Add the spices to water and bring to a boil. Pour over the Darjeeling tea and steep for 5 minutes. Stir the mixture, then strain the leaves. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Add the fruit juices and re-heat on low - do not simmer or boil the tea. Serve with cinnamon sticks. Enjoy!
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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.

Nearly 90 distributors look forward to serving your tea and gift giving needs. For an updated list, visit TEA-mates. If a distributor is not in your immediate area, please choose the closest distributor. Please note, this list represents distributors whose online stores are live and active; missing are distributors whose stores are still under construction. To choose your nearest distributor, using a clickable image map, click here.
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* To submit tea trivia, e-mail us.

Tea does not have a diuretic effect due to caffeine, unless the amount of tea consumed at one sitting contains more than 250 - 300mg caffeine which is equivalent to between five and six cups of tea.

The volume of fluid that is drunk while enjoying tea, contributes to the daily recommended fluid intake of 1.5 to 2 litres.

Good iced tea uses a high quality black tea which is then cooled (either in a refrigerator or by being poured over ice). It is very easy to make. Infuse a strong concentrate of tea (i.e. much less water than one would use for that amount of leaves) and add it to cold water to the right proportions. The better the quality of the tea, the better the iced tea will taste. For best results, use a strong-tasting tea that can stand up to the cold. Assam, for example, makes terrific iced tea.

Common Tea Myth: Herbal Teas Are a Healthy Alternative to a Cup of Real Tea
Not necessarily! Substantial evidence exists that proves that tea is rich in antioxidants called flavanoids. Increasing evidence also proves that naturally occurring antioxidants in tea, fruits, and vegetables are essential to good health. Herbal teas contain pharmacologically active ingredients and antioxidants that are claimed to have positive benefits. Research on black tea, however, proves that antioxidant levels are substantially greater than those in most herbal infusions and that one or two cups of tea provide a similar antioxidant activity to five portions of fruit and vegetables or 400 mg vitamin C.
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To submit a tea quote, e-mail us.

-" 'Tea' I said, my mouth parched. Thankfully, she had it, a pot still hot. 'I never tasted anything so good in my life'. 'You Americans do love your tea!' she said."
- "Tie a thousand trees with ribbons" by Ann Rinaldi

A woman is like a tea bag. It's only when she's in hot water that you realize how strong she is.
- Nancy Reagan

Read this my dears, and you will see
how to make a nice cup of tea
take teapot to kettle, not t'other way round
and when you hear that whistling sound
pour a little in the pot
just make it nice and hot.
Pour that out and put in the tea,
loose or in bags, your choice, you see.
One bag for each two cups will do
with one extra bag to make a fine brew.
Steep 3-5 minutes then pour a cup.
Then sit right down and drink it up!
- Afternoon Teas by Patricia Winchester

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Whether it's childhood memories of granny's kitchen, mom's healing hands or toasts to success, each month Tea 4 Free News - Teazine features favorite tea stories. We would love to hear yours. If we choose your story, we will send you a FREE carton of Darjeeling tea bags.

To submit a tea story, e-mail us.
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  11. Next issue...

• Tea 4 Free Winners
• Common Tea Myths

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This issue of Tea 4 Free News - Teazine was researched and written by Sanjay Gupta and edited by Shirley Collingridge, Head of Corporate Communications for Tea Connexions. If you would like more information about how you can benefit from Shirley Collingridge's communication services, click here.

The html version of this newsletter and all web sites (Leaftea.com, tea4free.com, and LeafteaBiz.com) are managed and created by our Chief Web Designer, Joel Grineau. If you would like more information about how you can benefit from Joel Grineau's web design services, visit click here.

All Corporate print materials are created by our Chief Graphic Designer, Lana Binning. To learn more about our graphic design services click here.
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