Chinese Hyson green tea

Loose-leaf tea offers you the best tea experience available. You’ll find it is a glorious sensory experience that will offer you full-bodied flavor. Loose-leaf tea is as beautiful as it is fresh. The Chinese have been using Green Tea for medicinal purposes for over 4000 years. Today, the western world is finally coming to realize the amazing benefits of drinking green tea. Green Tea contains polyphenols, which are naturally occurring compounds that act as antioxidants for disease prevention and treatment of many illnesses. Heighten your senses as you create a cup of tea from start to finish. This isn’t popping the lid to a soda can; making tea is a time-honored tradition, a way of life in many countries. A celebration of what earth has given us!

Chinese Hyson green tea originates from Anhui province in China. This green tea was so highly favored in the 18th century that the British Tea Tax was higher for this particular variety over all other origins. Hy-son translates to “Flourishing Spring” and these particular varietals impart the fresh green character you would expect to be a part of any springtime experience.

This young Hyson tea is a highly graded tea and is sure to meet your expectations with a full body and smooth greenish tasting liquor. This tea is harvested before the rains and carries a delicious earthy, sunny flavor. Hyson green tea is best boiled at a water temperature of less than 180F degrees. Steeping too long or in too hot of water can cause bitterness. Use only one teaspoon per 6oz cup of water.

Served hot it typically doesn’t require milk or sugar however; it is also excellent served cold and is delightful with a garnish of lemon or a twist of lime. The health benefits of this green tea are exceptional. Scientific evidence shows us that Green Tea has been clinically proven to lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, aid digestion, fight fatigue, preserve younger-looking skin, and promote oral health. Green Tea has also been known to reduce LDL cholesterol levels preventing the abnormal formation of blood clots. Considering blood clots are the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, this has been a huge medical breakthrough, and gives us a better understanding as to why Japanese men, who drink green tea, have a very low rate of heart disease. Asians have been experiencing the health benefits of Green Tea for ages. Did you know that scientific studies have also confirmed that the art of making tea, taking time to slow down and prepare the drink, will have a calming effect and help to lower your stress level? A warm cup of Green Tea in your hand can also bring forth a flood of positive feelings because medical evidence shows people associate physical warmth with emotional warmth. Is there anything this drink can’t do? With no paper, no bag and no waste after use, it is environmentally friendly. Re-steep and the cost per serving is another plus! The best part is, Chinese Hyson Green Tea may have even more medicinal benefits beyond our understanding, but with no big chalky pill to swallow! Hot or cold, sweetened or plain, good health has never been this delicious or this easy!

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How tea is made

Being that all tea comes from Camellia sinensis leaves, it may be hard to understand what makes each tea different, and how it got that way.  This article will hopefully help you better understand the process of how loose leaf tea is made.

As stated above, all tea comes from a plant called Camellia Sinensis (Sinensis means Chinese in Latin). These plants are native to Southeast Asia, but can be cultivated in other subtropical regions like India.

Farmers in the tea gardens pick fresh Camellia tealeaves. All of those leaves are then sent to wither except for the young leaves and buds, which will eventually become white tea. White tealeaves do not go through the withering process, but instead go straight to the steaming process. After steaming, they are dried and sold. Because they haven’t been as processed as the other teas, and are so close to their natural state, they carry more powerful antioxidants such as polyphenols, than any other tea! Aside from its gentle sweet flavor, these health benefits are making White tea more and more popular in the west.

After withering, a section of tea will be “rolled”. The rollers rupture the cell walls of the withered leaves allowing air to interact chemically with the tea juices, a process called oxidation.  Tea that has been rolled is then sent to fully ferment and then to be fired. Firing is how they dry or remove moisture in tea. Firing also heats the enzymes in the leaves and stops the oxidation. Examples of firing are Pan fired, bamboo basket fired and oven drying. This group of teas that have gone through this process will be sold as black teas. Although most popular in the US, Black tea has the highest amount of caffeine but the least amount of antioxidants.

After withering, another section of tea will be shaken or bruised. Breaking the tealeaves exposes the enzymes to air causing oxidation. This tea will be partially fermented, pan fired and will become Oolong tea. Oolong is the most difficult tea to process because it can only be partially fermented, so they very gently bruise the edges of the leaves instead opening the whole leaf.

The last group, post withering, will be steamed and then rolled and dried.  Different from White tea, the farmers use the rolled tea leaves, not the buds to make glorious Green tea. Green tea is high in antioxidants and low in caffeine compared to black tea. Originating from China, Green tea is now extremely popular in the US due to its long-purported health benefits. The antioxidants in Green tea are thought to help prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels help with weight loss and slow signs of aging.

Whichever loose-leaf tea suits your taste, it is likely your body will reap rewards from drinking it. We certainly know that with so many types of tea and additives to choose from, you can certainly find something to please both your body and you palate!

Brewing the perfect cup of tea

Brewing the perfect cup of tea requires precision in time and temperature.  The following chart will be handy for you to have as a guide to brewing your loose-leaf tea from CoffeeAM. Keep in mind that many loose-leaf teas can be re-steeped offering you exceptional flavor time after time and a better value.  You can always add more tea for a stronger flavor, but never more time or you risk a bitter tasting tea. The proper temperature assures that the tea unfurls completely releasing all the glorious flavor that has been locked inside.

tsp amount                                   temperature                        minutes to

per 8oz water                                                                                   steep

White tea 1.5                                           175                                  4-5

Green tea 1                                             175                                    1min

Oolong tea 1                                           195                                    3

Black tea 1                                              195                                    2-3

Herbal tea 1.5                                          208                                5-6

Decaffeinated teas will call for the same temperature/time method however, when making an iced tea using loose-leaf tea, double the teaspoons of tea per 8oz of water and make hot tea as directed above.  When poured over ice it will dilute quickly and easily making the perfect gourmet iced tea. CoffeeAM is proud to offer you a large selection of gourmet loose-leaf teas from around the world, suitable for any taste and any budget. We ship same day so our teas arrive exceptionally fresh and delicious.  Enjoy!

Facts about Tea!

These facts about tea are amazing. Its history, development, purpose and relevance on this planet are simply mind blowing.  I hope that as a lover of all things tea, you will enjoy these facts that I have dug up as some of the most interesting things you’ve heard in a while.

-Tea is the second most consumed beverage on the planet…water being first.

-Tea is in almost every culture in the world, and has been enjoyed for 5000 years!

- All tea is made from the same plant.

- Although there are 3000 varieties of the bush, there are 4 main types of tea and they are, white, green, oolong and black.

-Tea originated in China when tea leaves accidentally blew into some boiling water.

-Originally drank for medicinal purposes, tea is rich in antioxidants which help our immune system.

-Tea can help stop infection and help weight loss.

-India is the world’s largest producer of tea and is also the worlds most consumed tea.

-Tea has about ½ the caffeine of coffee.

-A process called “rinsing” tea leaves can remove a substantial amount of the caffeine.

-You can brew 200 cups of tea from 1lb of loose-leaf tea, making it one of the most economical beverages found.

-You can and should reuse loose tea leaves.

-80% of tea served in the United States is Iced tea!

With our company, CoffeeAM, being located in the heart of Georgia, we can certainly attest to that last fact! I love that tea is about all things good! It’s inexpensive, its delicious, it’s healthy and its another thing that the whole planet has in common. What a great thought as we reach for our next cup of tea…that thousands of people across the globe are doing the very same thing at the very same time for the very same purpose…  To Enjoy!

The Chinese tea ceremony

In the previous blogs, we’ve learned that tea served in Japan is about the ceremony of serving it, the presentation, making and the delivering of the tea. In England tea it has more to do with the social aspect, serving tea so that others come to enjoy it with you. In China we will find it is more about the respect that serving tea shows to those you share it with.

Tea is the national drink of China and is consumed everyday throughout the day, in both casual and formal settings, but who is pouring and who is receiving says it all. Although things have loosened up a bit more in more modern times, tea was always served by someone who was considered less important or possibly submissive to the person they were serving it to.

To pour a cup of tea for someone would be a sign of respect, another way of saying that you honor their position and will do for them. In other times tea could be poured as an apology.  Many very serious battles, both personal and political, have been settled over one pouring tea for another as a sign of regret, apology or as in waiving the white flag. Tea isn’t always about power though, much like in other parts of the world, it is also used for ceremony.

The Chinese marriage ceremony has the bride and groom serving tea while kneeling at their parents’ feet as an expression of gratitude.  They serve tea as a way of thanking their parents for bringing them to this point in their lives, the point of marriage. You may sometimes see the bride serve her new in-laws as a way to say that she is now a part of the grooms’ family. An older more traditional way of serving tea at a Chinese wedding would be for the bride and groom to pour tea for every guest, no matter how many, so that they may officially meet every member of the extended family.  Not accepting the tea would be a direct insult and would show severe opposition to the ceremony.

You will find that the Chinese serve a variety of loose-leaf Oolong, black and green teas both at home and in restaurants.  The types of teapots used by the Chinese offer the ability brew the tea, view the unfurling and sniff the aroma simultaneously. Many times the used tea leaves are placed in a beautiful bowl and displayed for the guests to see the high quality of tea they were served, another sign of respect and honor.

I certainly think that the next time I pour tea for a guest I will take into account the pleasure that they may feel from being served and catered to and although I need not be submissive or feel less-than, I can still make them feel respected, special and honored by offering them the best gourmet tea I have on hand.

For more information, or to purchase Chinese gourmet tea, please visit our site at www.coffeeam.com

English Tea Ceremony

In 1665 Queen Anne traded her regular breakfast beverage, ale, for tea imported from the Far East and soon began the tradition and ceremony of English tea. By 1700 there were more than 500 coffee houses selling tea in the city of London alone and tea had become an ingrained part of the British culture.

Although tea is the non-official preferred beverage of England, tea ceremonies sadly, have been on the decline. Most of the ceremonies are reserved for special occasions such as weddings or parties or for tourists at fancy hotels like the Ritz.  If you are going to England for a special ceremony, I certainly want you well prepared and educated or your first British ceremonial tea!

If you were invited to tea between 3-5pm, you would be invited to “afternoon tea.”   Although tea and a piece of cake in the late afternoon is still very common, due to work schedules of the modern day, afternoon tea is mostly reserved for special occasions. Afternoon tea began in the 1800’s when the Duchess of Bedford couldn’t wait until 8 or 9pm for dinner to be served without feeling overwhelmingly hungry. Tea and bread with butter was enough to tie her over and she enjoyed sharing it with her high society friends.  Soon enough, to be invited for Afternoon tea was the invite all the British ladies desired.

Sometimes called “Low tea” Afternoon tea was served on low coffee or side tables around couches or love seats and usually took place in a sitting room.

High tea is a phrase I think most Americans are familiar with but possibly for the wrong reason.  It isn’t because it is served at high noon, or because it is for high society, it is because they drank their tea on high tables!  Served between 5-6pm after workers return home, high tea is not a snack, but rather replaces dinner with hot meats, fish, eggs and cheese being served along side the tea. Also called the not so eloquent “meat tea” High tea is much more a man’s meal than a ladies social call, certainly not the way American’s picture high tea!

So, suppose you were invited to an afternoon tea, let’s talk about the do’s and don’t and the ins and out’s of tea etiquette.  Placing your thumb at the 6 o’clock position and your index and middle fingers at 12 o’clock should lift a cup without a handle.  Slowly lift and tilt using you extended curved pinkie finger for balance.  A cup with a handle is not for you to slide your index finger through!  Imagine the whole wasn’t there and hold the front and the back of the handle again, using the pinkie finger for balance.  Never wrap your hands around the cup or set the cup in the palm of your hand.

A spoon may be used to stir your tea and it should be done in a sweeping, circular wave like motion two or three times quietly without clinking the teacup. After you have stirred, place your spoon on the right side of the saucer.  Your cup should also remain on the saucer when not at your lips. The tea will almost always be a gourmet loose leaf black tea made by the host and will be served with options of milk, sugar and lemon slices.

Food placed on a tiered stand is to be eaten in a certain order, from top to bottom.  The top of the tier stand will have scones, in the middle tea sandwiches and on the bottom sweets. Start at the top and deliciously work you way down to the bottom tier.

Although it seems with schedules getting more and more hectic teatime isn’t what it used to be, but it is still a celebrated event and certainly time honored.  I hope, now that you are prepared, you are able to relish in a British tea ceremony soon as either a guest or as the hostess. And as Henry James once said, “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

The art of the Japanese tea ceremony

Tea ceremonies have always fascinated me.  The British with their high and low social tea times, the Japanese with their stringent tea customs and the Chinese with their incredible tea pots, its all so fascinating.  Part of it is the little girl in me that likes the whole tea-set idea and socializing with friends, but as I matured, I think now that I am more jealous of the time that most people take out of their day to focus on something beautiful and peaceful.  I thought it would be amazing to step into each culture and find out the “how” and “why” of teatimes across the globe.

 

Today we journey to Japan where the tea ceremony, called Ocyakai, is a spiritual journey. The host and a few friends gather to reconnect with their inner selves much like you would in meditation, a church service or in yoga.  From start to finish this ceremony is orchestrated with art, precision, grace and focus.  Before any guests arrive, the hostess will clear the chanoyu, the place where the ceremony is held, of any clutter.  Usually this is a separate room designated only for serving tea, but it is sometimes a separate house altogether.  There will be a deliberate placement of fresh flowers, arranged in an artistic creation, as well as charcoal and a bed of flat rocks to bring Mother Nature into the room. Organizing the charcoal and ashes alone can take hours to perfect.  Scrolls written in gorgeous calligraphy that celebrate Buddhist poetry decorate the tea area as well.  The hostess will dress in a Kimono and display all of the utensils needed.

 

*hishaku, a water ladle

*Mizusashi, a cold water container

*Chawan, a tea bowl

*Chakin, a wiping napkin

*Chasen, a bamboo whisk

*Chashaku, a tea scoop

* Chaki, a tea container

*Kensui, a waste water container

 

The Japanese study for years in special schools to celebrate the ceremony of tea.  Teatime is taken very seriously, one might even say religiously.  A tea ceremony is expected to last 1 hour, if food is served, it will last four hours, and there is to be complete silence during the preparation of the tea.  The hostess begins by staring into the water ladle to clear her mind of other distractions and to gain focus on her task at hand.  The silence is said to build awareness and clarity and should bring full attention to ones state of mind.

 

“Do not speak-unless it improves on silence.” –Buddhist saying

 

From which hand touches which utensil, to how many times the bowl is spun…and in which direction, every single step is done as if it has been choreographed and rehearsed for years, mostly because it has been.  Guests, who are sitting on their heels and are at full attention, are to make sure that after each sip of tea, the front of the tea bowl faces the host.  Most often a green tea called Matcha will be served without any condiments such as lemon, sugar or milk but are usually accompanied by sweet treats.  The sweet treats, which are to be eaten with proper finger position, and bitter tea consumed together are a sign of harmony.

 

The rigorous Japanese ceremony is heavily influenced by the Buddhist Monks who first brought tea to Japan from China around the year 815.  They were the first to cultivate it in Japan and the first to see its medicinal benefits.  Since that time, the Japanese ceremony of tea has continued as a time for self-examination, a time for bonding with friends and a time for appreciation of aesthetics.  Even if we only indulged once a month, this is one ceremony I think we could all benefit from by turning off our minds and fully participating in the given moment.

 

“Tea…is a religion of the art of life.”  ~Okakura

Information about loose-leaf tea

Tea, in the loose-leaf form, has been around for centuries, tea bags on the other hand is a much more modern day idea that causes you to wonder…which one is right for me? 

For better tea, the answer is simple…Gourmet Loose-leaf tea. Tea in its natural form offers you larger sized tea-leaves that are full of exquisite oils, rich flavor and aroma.  The more pieces the tea is broken down into, for example to fit into a tiny little tea bag, the more the flavors and precious oils are released and evaporated leaving you with a flatter tasting tea with little flavor or aroma.  If you have never had a side-by-side comparison, I think it is time!  Once you experience the glorious bouquet and satisfying taste of tea in its loose-leaf form, you realize just what you have been missing.

What are the other benefits you wonder?  Lets talk about convenience.  Bags seem really convenient, and they are, but you paying for convenience over taste, and we don’t think you should ever have to do that!  Once you learn just how easy and fun it is to pack a reusable tea-ball and drop it in hot water, you will see it really is just as fast, just as convenient…Loose-leaf is where the flavor is!  Loose-leaf tea can also be resteeped over and over so it is actually more cost efficient!  With tea bags, you are paying extra for the supposed convenience, settling for less flavor, and making waste for the environment, all of which can be avoided by choosing loose-leaf tea.  One more thing to consider… choices!  With loose-leaf tea, you don’t have to settle for what the grocery stores pick to mass market.  We search the world over to bring you unique teas that will stir your senses, the possibilities here are endless!  Go to coffeeAM, Pick a gourmet loose-leaf tea, let us send you a free tea ball infuser and get started on your magical sensory experience that is Loose-leaf tea.  Don’t forget to leave a comment and tell me why you choose Loose leaf tea!

What are the benefits of White tea?

White tea is a superior tea because of its sweet mild taste and because of it’s extraordinary health benefits.  It is a rare tea that originates from China or Sri Lanka and is made on a very limited basis.  Now, let me tell you why  you should drink three cups per day… everyday.

White tea has the highest level of antioxidants in any tea. It is also rich in vitamins, minerals, catechins and polyphenols which control the growth and death of cells.  Since we know cancer to be the uncontrolled spread of abnormal cells, White tea would be an excellent potential preventative or addition to a cancer treatment program.  White tea specifically is known to help treat or prevent 11 different types of cancer.

The same three cups per day have also shown in studies an 11% decrease in your risk for a heart attack.  Killing organisms that cause disease and protecting your heart all in a simple cup of delicious White tea…now we are talking!

What amazes me the most is the information on White tea regarding bacteria and viruses.  Test tube studies show that White tea, much more so than green tea, actually slows the growth of the bacteria that cause strep, staph and pneumonia.  It also is being researched to prove whether or not it has anti-fungal and anti-yeast properties.

The amazing White tea also is known to naturally have as much fluoride as treated tap water does.  It also reduces LDL and can even possibly lower blood sugar in diabetics.  I think you are starting to get the picture right? 

Before I leave you, I have to at least tell you that White tea is a MUST TRY!  It’s flavor is so gentle and mellow, everyone loves it.  I like it hot and plain, but I also like it cold with a spot of sweetener and served over ice.  Trust me three cups of White tea per day is a pleasure and beats the heck out of swallowing a pill any day!

 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this or any product

Health benefits of gourmet tea

So, I went to the doctor today and as we were discussing things the thought, “Oh, there is a tea to help with that” came into my head no less than 5 times.  Loose-leaf gourmet teas have been healing our bodies and preventing disease for centuries.  If you look at different cultures all over the world, you would see a huge difference in the level of disease, and we believe it has a lot to do with tea!

Weather you prefer Black, white, green or Tisanes, tea can be beneficial to your whole body and should be a part of your daily routine for optimal health.  Tea strengthens your immune system, protects against heart and other diseases, it contains fluoride and tannins, and can help fight infection.  If that wasn’t reason enough, do some research!  There are pages and pages of medical studies to document the benefits of drinking tea.  Even simple things are noted like, the serene act of making gourmet tea actually lowering your blood pressure, also wrapping your hands around the warm cup evoking a feeling of comfort and content.

Hot or cold, sweet or straight there is good reason tea is the number one consumed beverage on the face of the earth.  Read more at http://www.coffeeam.com/looseleaftea.html

I want to know… What benefits have you discovered while consuming tea?  Tell me your story!