A lot of people enjoy tea time. You just sit quietly, share stories and sip your tea from time to time. Tea is considered the next most consumed drink next to water. The wonders of the bitter sweet taste of tea have captured many. Others even developed different flavors of tea but the secret behind a good tea is the brewing process. Brewing Tea is considered as an art during ancient times and is still practiced even today. Though, a lot have change there are still ways of making traditional tea and the age old guidelines follows:

Water is Essential

The key to having that special brewed tea is choosing the right kind of water. Since a large portion of tea is made up of water, using the right kind of water is essential. First, it is better to use fresh water and not distilled. Water taste varies from place to place; the after taste of tap water might stick around when you use it for your tea. It is also recommended that when you start heating your water, it is best to use warm water to start with. It is also advisable that you see to it that you do not have too much or too little water for your tea, the right amount would be one teaspoon for every eight ounce cup.

Tea Requirements

Keep in mind that tea requirements vary. Temperature serves an important role in brewing tea; a common mistake of people is brewing tea the wrong temperature. As a guideline refer to the following types of tea and their suggested brewing temperature.

- Black Tea: water at boiling temperatures, steeped for around four to six minutes
- Oolong Tea: must be prepared with water that is just below the boiling temperature, steeped for about three to eight minutes
- Green Tea: must be prepared in a bit cooler water and must be steeped for around two to three minutes
- White Tea: prepared on a cooler water as the first hint of steam appears on the kettle, must be steeped for two minutes tops
- Herbal Tea: On the other hand, this requires boiling water and a steeping time of four to six minutes

The key to leaves

In making tea, another thing to consider that you have enough room in the pot for the expanded tea leaves. Tea leaves tend to expand as much as twice their size. It is also advisable that when you have done adequate steeping; you strain the leaves and the liquid. Make sure that you do not leave the tea leaves for too long this will result on a bitter kind of tea.

Brewing Tea will be a breeze once you remembered all this guidelines. Have a cup of tea now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irsan_Komarga

• Are you one of those people who loves the wafting aroma of hot tea waking you in the morning? Do you feel fresh and active the whole day after having a sip of tea? Do you think tea is your stress buster? Are you among those who want the taste of tea to linger in your mouth? Do you actually understand why you get such pleasure when you drink tea?
• Tea contains flavanoids, which are natural polyphenolic compounds that help in maintaining a balanced metabolism. These compounds act as stimulants and give you the good taste and aroma found in tea. Flavanoids are categorised based on their chemical components as flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, catechins, anthocyanidins and chalcones
• Estimated consumption of tea in India is around 700 million Kgs. It is not harmful if taken less than 3-4 cups of tea daily. Tea doesn’t create acidity if consumed without any added flavours.
• Iced tea is a refreshing beverage across the world.
• There are several varie’teas’… you name it they have it. Green tea, Lemon tea, Ginger tea… to name a few… However they are actually classified as White, Green, Black, Oolong, which are commonly available in the markets and Pu-reh or Medicinal tea, which is uncommon.
• The tea is sold in the form of Leaf, Granules or Dust. The properties remain the same for all the three forms.
• Myths & Beliefs
• It is believed that The Second Emperor of China, Shen Nung discovered tea when its leaves blew into hot water accidentally. It travelled from China to Japan, Turkey, Dutch, Europe and New York. It came to India, during British rule. Assam is the key plantation region in India.
• There are also beliefs that Sanjeevani herbs brought by Hanuman from Himalayas in Ramayana, is a tea plant which saved lives of many along with Rama & Lakshmana.
• Celebrations
• Tea Party is a dignified event celebrated amongst high class people, various Tea Ceremonies are celebrated across the world.
• Medicinal Properties of Tea
• People use it as a natural stimulant to get rid of fatigue. It contains Theophylline and little Caffeine (up to 30% less than Coffee) also known as Theine, which acts as an Energy Booster.
• Tea contains Polyphenol (multiple phenols) an antioxidant which helps prevent and control Cancer and Cardio vascular disease.
• Polyphenols like
• o Quercetin used in Nutritional Supplement with Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant property
  o Catechin is another antioxidant which gives the bitter like taste to the tea
• - Tea helps preventing and treating diseases like, Cancer & Multiple Sclerosis
  - Helps avoiding cell membrane degradation
  - Green tea is full of vitamins that contain Hydroxybenzene that prevents cancer cells from spreading, prevents Rheumatoid arthritis, Cardio vascular diseases like blocking of arteries and heart attack.
  - The Catechin in Green tea is called Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) which is tested to reduce AIDS infection. It is also useful to treat cancer.
  - Green tea helps in building immune system, prevents tooth decay.
  - It also helps in maintaining glowing skin, healthy hair and reduces aging of skin.
  - Oolong tea is good for weight loss as it helps in preventing our body from absorbing Dextrose
  - Black tea, though mild, helps in digestion and bowel disorders. It is also helpful for spleen disorders.
  - Pe’ur tea commonly known as ‘Medicinal tea’ can benefit in many ways. It helps reducing blood cholesterol resulting in weight loss.
• Benefits
• Natural Energy booster
  Improves Metabolism
  Calms down tension
  Helps in controlling aging process
  Controls Blood Sugar levels
  Reduces Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL - bad cholesterol)
  Keeps alert and make you stay awake & fresh
  Natural diuretic - helps in maintaining water level in the body
  Natural laxative - helps in clearing bowel movement
  Natural Antioxidant
  Reduces Plague as the tannins and fluoride content helps preventing tooth decay
  Less Caffeine content helps in improving metabolism and reduces weight as tea is calorie-free unless some sweetener or milk is added to that
• Harmful effects
• - Every coin has another side. As we say, ‘Too much of anything spoils everything’. Likewise, excess consumption of tea can cause harmful effects to the body.
  - Excess consumption of Green tea may result in sensitivity of Breast cancer, kidney and liver damage and stomach and hearth burns.
  - Tea when consumed in excess may result in fatigue, irritability, nervousness and lack of concentration due to excess Caffeine. Caffeine tends to keep a person awake during nights resulting in nervous system damage, insomnia and high blood pressure
  - Excess quantity may also result in urinary infection, arthritis and gout due to uric acid deposits because of the toxic components in tea.
  - It also aggravates PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome), weakens gums thus harming teeth.
  - Excess fluoride deposit in body due to excess consumption of Green tea results in browning of teeth and brittle bones.
  - Pe’ur tea is identified to contain high levels of fluorine that may result in Fluorosis, which affects bones and teeth
  - Excessive consumption many result in Gastric Ulcer
  - Decolouring of teeth
  - Stomach or Bowel irritation
  - May cause palpitations due to excess workout to the nervous system
• Role of Tea Industry in Indian Economy
• Indian tea industry boasts for being the second largest employer in the country with more than 1 million staffs with more than 50% women staff.
  It is also one of the highest revenue grosser.
  The total turnover is about Rs. 10,000 Crores
  The growth has gone up to 250% in 60 years
  The net export gross per annum is around Rs. 2000 Crores
• How to make a Good tea?
• Brew tea by adding 1 teaspoon (3-5 grams) of tea to 1 cup (200-250 ml) of boiling water and leave for 3-4 minutes. Filter it and add sugar, milk or any flavour as desired. Your tas’tea’ tea is ready.
• Other usages of Tea
• - Cold tea bag when pressed over the eyes is a good home remedy for Puffy eyes and under eye dark circles.
  - Warm tea bags when applied directly to warts for few days, helps shrink them gradually due to the tannin acid.
  - Tea bags help in healing bruises much faster
  - Tea sachets can be used as a deodoriser
  - Tea leaves rolled in a piece of cloth is a good medicine for toothache and mouth ulcers
  - Dry tea dust can be used as a natural Carpet freshener
  - Mix tea leaves with lemon and strain it. Apply this mixture in your hair, soak for half hour and wash, this works as a good hair conditioner and helps retain the natural black colour in the hair.
  - Apply Wet tea bags in you skin, it acts as a sun protection and sun burn cream.
  - Burn sun dried tea leaves for a natural mosquito repellent.
  - Tannin content in green tea helps curing Dermatophytosis. Patients can soak and wash their feet with tea water. Though the process is slow, it has no side effects.
  - Brewed tea can be used to wash Silk clothes, which retains the lustre and colour of silk.
  - Tea can be used to treat dry skin by exposing the areas to steam with tea leaves. The properties of Tannin, helps in clearing the pores and softening the skin.
• Enjoy the Tea Party by not just drinking but also enjoying its other benefits and live a healthy life.
• Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sangeetha_A

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