œ
Celebrate
National Hot Tea Month!
Yes, indeed, January is National
Hot Tea Month. (For all of you iced tea
lovers, you will have to wait until June to celebrate National Iced Tea
Month.) I guess it is no coincidence
that the beginning of the New Year, a time for renewal and change, is dedicated to tea.
We all make our resolutions to lead a healthier lifestyle - physically
and mentally. A few cups of hot tea a
day can actually help towards that goal.
One of your resolutions should be to “toss the tea bag” and drink only loose leaf tea!
Unless labeled otherwise, tea bags contain the dust of the whole leaf
tea and offer only caffeine and color.
Whereas, the loose leaf tea contains all of the
health benefits that are so sought after in aiding weight loss, reducing high
blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as fighting viral infections. Loose leaf tea also offers the antioxidants and the numerous
vitamins and minerals that make it the second most consumed beverage in the
world (second only to water). Most
importantly, to answer the question that so many people ask me, “What is the
best tea for me?” My response is always
the same, “The tea that you will actually drink everyday and enjoy drinking!” Whether you enjoy Green, Black, or Oolong,
you really cannot go wrong with drinking tea.
So, sit and sip to the new you!
œ
Is chintz a
specific pattern or design?
Chintz is a pattern
characterized by dense, bold, bright, and mainly floral motifs on a pale
background. The pattern heavily covers
the fabric or pottery almost completely.
It originated in India mainly in fabrics and became popular in the 17th
and 18th centuries in Europe.
The many variations of the pattern were used in
decorating everything from window treatments to bedding to furniture to
pottery.
œ
What is a
Samovar?
Symbolic of Russian tea
drinking, this utensil is a kettle-shaped urn that heats the hot water and
dispenses it through a spigot located at the bottom – much like a coffee urn
but more shapely and ornate. Samovars are usually made out of silver, bronze or copper and heat
the water using charcoal (or in current times, electricity). On top of the samovar sits a small teapot
containing a concentrated form of black tea called zavarka. When preparing to drink, a small amount of
the concentrated tea is poured from the teapot and then diluted with the
addition of hot water from the samovar.
This method of preparation conveniently provides tea at a moment’s
notice without the wait of boiling and steeping. Although samovars are not
frequently used these days, they are often seen as a collector’s item,
evoking nostalgia and romance.
œ
Can you cook
with tea?
Yes, you most certainly can cook
with tea! In the winter 2007 issue of Tea in Texas, Chef Elizabeth Escobedo of
Houston talks about her passion of cooking with tea. She mentions how she substitutes tea for
water to broil, braise, and steam foods.
Chef Elizabeth also uses tea as a base for punches, baked goods, and marinades
for meats, as well as a spice rub for grilling recipes. She advises to use good quality loose leaf
tea and, as with wine, do not cook with a tea that you would not deem worthy of
drinking. Just pick up any book or
magazine about tea and you will find recipes for soups, main dishes, desserts
and drinks with tea as an ingredient!
œ
What are
“flowering” teas?
Flowering teas are the
showstoppers of the tea world! Tea leaves are hand-sewn densely around various flowers such
as chrysanthemum, jasmine and lotus, resulting in a thick tea ball. Upon infusion into hot water, the tea leaves
unfurl and reveal the blooming flower within.
This performance by the tea can be observed
unhindered by using a clear glass teapot or teacup for steeping. Since the tea ball is so densely packed, you
can enjoy multiple infusions of the flowering tea. These teas offer all the health benefits of
the tea plant, along with the added benefits of the various flowers hidden
within.
œ
I would love
to know the history of tea rooms in the southern
United States. What is their origin?
Many of us are very familiar
with English-style tea rooms serving Afternoon
Tea. However, tea
rooms in the southern United States are very different – mainly with a
large female clientele and lunch as the focus. Author and food historian Millie
Coleman summarizes tea rooms in America by saying,
“It’s not about the tea, it’s about the room.”
Tea rooms came about as women demanded equality with men in the early 20th
century – to vote, attend college and own businesses. Tea rooms were
women-owned and operated, and women accounted for as much as 60% of the diners,
with approximately 40% being in the workforce. Very often, the main meal for
most of these women was lunch. Tea rooms offered service to women without a gentleman
escort, as well a good nutritious meal that was fast and affordable. Tea rooms continued
to gain popularity through the 1940s when they gained a reputation as a local
restaurant that served good wholesome food for women and their families. They
saw a decline in the 1960s as many of the tea room
owners grew older and the younger generation of the peace and love era did not
embrace the tea room concept. Also during this time, women were allowed into
all eating and drinking establishments without escorts and ventured out beyond
dining mainly in tea rooms. To read a more detailed
history of tea rooms in America, I would suggest the
following two books: The South’s
Legendary Frances Virginia Tea Room by Millie Coleman and Tea at the
Blue Lantern Inn by Jan Whitaker.
Thankfully, tea room history does not end with
the 1960s! There has been a huge
resurgence of tea rooms yet again in the United
States. They are still mainly
women-owned and operated, offering mainly lunch; however,
they have evolved with a greater focus on tea drinking and include men as a
growing part of their clientele.
œ What is the proper order in which the food served at
an Afternoon Tea should be eaten?
The practical rule is from
savories to sweets. Therefore, start
with the finger sandwiches, followed by scones, and finally the dessert. This rule applies no matter in which order
the three-tiered tray is set up – some prefer to put the desserts on the top
and the finger sandwiches on the bottom or the reverse. I always prefer to put the desserts at the bottom
(I like to keep my desserts at eye level at all times!) and work my way from
the top to the bottom of the tray.
œ What is the story behind the beautiful Blue Willow
pattern that I have seen on so many tea sets?
The tragic romance between a
wealthy Mandarin girl named Koong-see and a clerk named Chang was immortalized on the Blue Willow pattern introduced by
Thomas Turner in the 1780s. The legend
tells of the young lovers who were forbidden to see
each other – the young Chang being banished from the land and the beautiful
Koong-se imprisoned behind a wooden fence surrounding her house and garden,
waiting for her fate to be sealed in marriage with an ageing duke. The ill-fated lovers find a way to escape and
run away together, taking refuge in an old servant’s house across the
river. The father chases them, but they
make yet another dramatic escape down the river to a far away island. They build a new life together and find
happiness for some time. However, the rejected
duke finds the lovers and takes his revenge against Chang for stealing his
betrothed. Koong-se is inconsolable,
sets fire to the house they had built together and dies in the burning
embers. The young lovers depart this
earth separated by fate. Thankfully, the
gods take pity on them and transform them into doves, forever in flight
together, as depicted on the Blue Willow Pattern
œ Can alcohol/spirits be added to tea?
The practical rule is from
savories to sweets. Therefore, start
with the finger sandwiches, followed by scones, and finally the dessert. This rule applies no matter in which order
the three-tiered tray is set up – some prefer to put the desserts on the top
and the finger sandwiches on the bottom or the reverse. I always prefer to put the desserts at the
bottom (I like to keep my desserts at eye level at all times!) and work my way
from the top to the bottom of the tray
œ Why do some
people pour milk first into their teacup before pouring the tea?
I say, why pour milk into
the teacup at all? Take a sip and enjoy
tea in its purest form! Nevertheless, to
answer the question, it is believed that the practice of adding milk first into
the teacup came about to help prevent the delicate china teacups from cracking
by the scalding hot water. However, this is really not necessary since fine
bone china is rather resilient. Others
believe that milk blends better with the tea if poured in first. My concern
with adding milk in first is how well can you gauge how much milk to put in
without weakening the tea too much? Tea
drinkers will continue to be divided on this practice of whether one is a miffy or a tiffy. Do you pour milk first or tea first
into your teacup? In the end, I truly believe that it is a personal
preference. If you are looking for a
good example to follow - Her Majesty The Queen is a tiffy!
œ What is
“sweet” tea?
Most southern states when
referring to tea mean iced tea, not
hot tea. A further distinction is made
between pre-sweetened and unsweetened iced tea by calling one sweet tea and the other black or regular. The key to making sweet tea is to add sugar
while the tea is still hot. The most
basic recipe is to boil the water, use an unflavored black tea (such as Assam)
and steep the tea for about five minutes, remove the tea leaves (or tea bags),
add the desired amount of sugar and stir until totally dissolved. Add cold water and let cool before pouring
over ice. You can further garnish with lemons and other citrus fruits.
œ What is a
“yixing” teapot?
Yixing is actually a region
in China located about 120 miles northwest of Shanghai. The teapots, named after
this region, are made of the local purple or red clay called zisha.
This clay gives these unglazed teapots the ability to absorb the tea
flavor with continued usage. Therefore, it is recommended that each Yixing
teapot should be dedicated to a single type/flavor of tea. These small teapots, which are usually made
for individual use (1-2 cups servings), come in unusual and distinctive designs
and are very much sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
œ How much tea
do I need to drink to get all of the benefits that tea has to offer?
You should try to drink at
least 3-4 cups of loose leaf tea (not tea bags!) a day to take advantage of all
of the health benefits. These benefits
range from helping increase bone strength, building a better immune system, lowering
cholesterol, to helping with weight loss.
Studies have shown that tea is also a preventative for cancer, diabetes,
heart disease, and liver disease.
However, the two benefits that have made tea so popular are antioxidants
and caffeine. The caffeine contained in
tea is about half that of coffee and is absorbed more slowly, resulting in a
relaxing yet refreshed feeling. However,
if you are sensitive to caffeine, decaf tea is a great substitute.
œ What is
“white” tea?
White tea is made from the
unopened new buds of the tea plant.
These delicate young buds which are covered in downy white hairs are
plucked right before they are about to open. This type of tea is minimally
processed and has a very delicate and mild flavor. The production of white tea is
extremely limited, resulting in a very high cost. For a long time it was
destined for the Chinese emperor alone.
However, these days it is somewhat of an affordable luxury. Although you may have difficulty finding pure
white tea, many companies do sell it blended with other types of teas or herbs.
œ What does
the term “Elevenses” mean?
Elevenses refers to an English
saying for a mid-morning break that is taken with tea. The tea break began in England over 200 years
ago when employers decided to give employees a mid-morning and afternoon break
to compensate for the long working hours.
œ Does green
tea have less caffeine than black tea?
Although the common belief is that green tea has less caffeine than
black tea, the answer is both yes and no.
Since green tea and black tea both come from the same plant – Camellia sinensis – in nature, they are
the same. However, the method of
preparation determines the amount of caffeine in the resulting tea, and the key
is water temperature. The chemical
property of caffeine is that is leeches out in high temperatures. Since green tea is prepared with lower water
temperature (almost boiling), less of the caffeine is released into the
tea. Whereas, black tea is prepared with
boiling water in which the caffeine releases very quickly. Below is a water temperature and steep time
guide to steeping the different types of tea:
|
Type of Tea |
Water Temp. |
Steep Time |
|
Black teas |
212F |
5 minutes |
|
Green teas |
180F |
3 minutes |
|
Oolong teas |
180F-212F |
3-5 minutes |
|
White teas |
180F |
3-7 minutes |
|
Herbal teas |
212F |
7 minutes |
œ
What are people referring to when they say, “two
leaves and a bud” in relation to tea?
This phrase refers to the topmost two leaves (the youngest shoots)
and the bud at the top of the tea plant (Camellia
sinensis). This produces the finest
quality of tea. The tea bushes are
trimmed down to a height where the tea pickers can easily gather these new
shoots. As you pick from the lower parts
of the plant, the quality lessens and the taste is generally harsher.
œ What is a
tea dance?
A tea dance or thé dansant
generally refers to an afternoon or early evening dance. It is believed to have originated in Morocco
where guests enjoyed dancing during afternoon tea time. Parisians and the British soon caught on to
the craze in the late 1800s and did the waltz during their afternoon tea
gatherings. The waltz was later replaced
with the more seductive tango in the early 1900s as the main tea dance. However, during the war period, popularity of
the tea dance waned but has lately enjoyed a slow but enthusiastic
revival.
œ
What basic items do I need in order to make a good cup
of tea at home?
What basic items do I need in order to make a good cup of tea at
home?
Whether you are making a cup for one or a teapot for you and your guests, the
basic implements remain the same (although the sizes may vary).
- A kettle to boil water - do not heat the water in a mircrowave and use good
quality filtered water.
- An infuser to steep the tea - a tea ball or basket, or T-Sac.
- Good quality loose leaf tea - use the proper amount of tea and follow the
recommended steep time (use a timer to avoid over/under steeping).
When purchasing your tea at your local tea shop, ask the staff to give you a
quick demonstration - they are usually more than happy to oblige!!
œ How do I
make iced tea from loose leaf tea?
For many, iced tea is a
refreshing alternative in the summertime to their daily cuppa. To ice down any tea, always prepare it the
same way as you would hot tea. However,
I like to use a bit more tea leaves when steeping since the icing down process
dilutes the strength of the tea. After
you have steeped it (do not alter the steep time), simply pour it over
ice. Many of the flavored teas such as
black currant and apricot make wonderful iced teas.
œ
Why are tea towels called tea towels? What is their purpose?
Tea towels were originally made of special linen and were used to
dry the precious china tea items. They
also acted as drip catchers when placed under the spout when pouring tea,
helping to protect the fine linen on the tables. They were equivalent to what
we would refer today to as dish towels. However, nowadays tea towels are
usually novelty items in the form of souvenirs or collectibles.
œ What kind of
tea is orange pekoe?
First and foremost, let’s clear up a very common misconception -
orange pekoe has nothing to do with oranges or with orange flavor in tea. Technically, orange pekoe (pronounced “peck-o”)
is not a type of tea at all but rather a term denoting the size of the tea leaf
– a whole or a large piece of the whole tea leaf. Therefore, any of the popular teas such as
Earl Grey or English Breakfast may contain the good quality orange pekoe grade
of tea. Sadly, the term orange pekoe has become synonymous with tea bags which actually do not contain any orange pekoe grades
of tea, but rather the fannings or dust of the tea leaves – the lowest quality
of tea available.
œ Crumpets
and scones – sound wonderful, but what exactly are they?
They are as delightful to
eat as they sound!
I have found two American comparisons that are not exact but come close
enough to give a good idea of what you might expect to eat. A crumpet is a sort of a flat muffin riddled
with holes, most closely resembling a split open Thomas’ English muffin. Crumpets are served warm or toasted with
butter and strawberry jam. Scones (pronounced
either to rhyme with “fawns” or “stones”) most closely resemble an American
biscuit. Scones are served warm with
lemon curd or strawberry jam and topped with clotted cream. They are what you might expect to be served
as part of an Afternoon Tea service.
œ Where is tea
grown?
The major countries
producing tea are China, India, Sri Lanka, and Japan. Other large tea-producing countries include
Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya Malawi, and Tanzania. Many people are under
the false belief that tea comes from England since many of the well-known brand
names of tea are English. Unfortunately, England has never been able to produce
tea until recently. Tregothnan Estate,
located in the southwestern tip of England, grows tea and sells it under
the Tregothnan English Estate Tea label.
America has also had a small success story in tea production. The Charleston Tea Gardens, located in Charleston, South Carolina, grow tea and sell
it under the label American Classic Tea.
œ
Is Earl Grey tea really named after a person?
It is an interesting twist
that a man so well accomplished in the political arena is now known mainly for
the name of one of the most popular teas in the world - Earl Grey. Yes, believe it or not, this tea is indeed
named after a real person - the British Prime Minister Earl Grey
(1830-1834). The origin of the specific
blend is not well documented; however, there are various legends that tell
about Earl Grey (or maybe one of his diplomats) saving the life of a Chinese
mandarin (or his son’s life) from perhaps drowning. In gratitude, the Earl was presented with the
recipe for a distinctively flavored tea. The blend of Chinese or Ceylon and Indian
black teas are flavored with the oil from the rind of a bergamot orange (a
cross between Seville or sour orange and the sweet or pear lemon). This unique tea was reproduced by the English
tea merchants using the recipe and henceforth became known as Earl Grey!
œ
What gives the Indian tea “Chai” that distinctly
spiced flavor?
The traditional Indian tea
that you are referring to is actually called “masala
chai.” The word chai simply means tea in
the Indian language; therefore, asking for “chai tea” is rather redundant. The word “masala” refers to the mixture of
spices added to the chai. Some of the
most common spices used are cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves but others such as
peppercorn, nutmeg and ginger may also be added according to your personal preference. The conventional method of making masala chai
is to boil the water with the spices and plain black tea, add milk and sugar
and simmer. As the popularity of masala
chai has grown, there have been developed more convenient methods of enjoying
the full flavor of this special tea.
Many places sell the masala chai in powder form with all of the spices
already blended into the mix. Simply add
hot water and you have instant masala chai!
œ
Can I boil my water for tea in the microwave instead
of in the kettle on the stove?
Good quality water that has been properly boiled is the foundation
of making a better tasting cup of tea.
Start with cold filtered water and use the good old-fashioned method of
boiling it in a kettle on the stove.
This method of boiling increases the amount of oxygen in the water which
helps release the optimal flavor of tea.
Avoid the quickie method of placing water in a mug and putting it in the
microwave to boil. Microwaving the water
usually overheats it without the benefit of oxygen, which leaves the tea
tasting flat. Remember, no matter how
good the quality of the loose leaf tea you are using, it is the water which
helps release the full flavor of that tea.
œ
What is Rooibos tea?
Rooibos (pronounced “roy-bŏss”), also known as “red tea,” is
actually not a true tea but comes from the leaf of the South African plant Aspalathus linearis. The flavor of Rooibos tea is sweet and
slightly nutty. Rooibos does not contain
caffeine and boasts numerous health benefits – eases insomnia, relieves stomach
cramps, treats hay fever, asthma and eczema, and boosts the immune system. It is a great tea for pregnant women and
nursing mothers. There are so many
minerals in the tea, that it can almost be considered
a nutritional supplement – copper, iron, potassium, calcium, fluoride, zinc,
manganese, alpha-hydroxy, and magnesium.
œ
What is a tea cozy?
A tea cozy is a padded cover which is placed over the teapot in order to keep the
tea warm during those long conversations.
The traditional tea cozy is placed over the entire teapot and the removed
to unveil the lovely teapot and pour the tea.
Another version is known as the wrap-around tea cozy. It is literally wrapped around the teapot
with only the handle and spout protruding.
It is great for dressing up your everyday teapots since you don’t need
to remove the cozy in order to pour the tea.
Yet another inventive cozy is the mug cozy, made especially to fit over
an individual mug – not very traditional but very practical for those who want
to keep their tea warm in their mugs.
œ
What is the difference between decaffeinated and
caffeine free tea?
For a tea to be legally labeled
"decaffeinated" in the United States, 98% of the caffeine must be
removed. Since all true tea naturally
contains caffeine, keep in mind that even decaffeinated teas may contain trace
amounts of caffeine. On the other hand,
caffeine free means that the product naturally did not contain caffeine and,
therefore, there was no need for decaffeination. Herbal teas are a good example of caffeine
free teas. If you would like to reduce
your caffeine intake but enjoy those wonderful caffeinated true teas, you can decaffeinate
your tea at home to some extent. Pour boiling
water over the tea leaves and allow them to steep a maximum of 30 seconds,
during which time most of the caffeine will be extracted from the leaves into
the water. Discard this water but keep
the leaves. Pour fresh boiling water
over the rinsed leaves and steep for the suggested time. Using this method, known as “second potting,”
you will have probably removed approximately 80% of the caffeine from your tea.
œ
Which is more popular – hot tea or iced tea?
Hot tea is second only to
water in consumption around the world.
Only in the
œ
How do I store
my loose tea and how long can I keep it?
Tea should be stored in a
cool, dry, and dark place away from strong odors. Keep it in an airtight tin – avoid glass
jars since they expose the leaves to light.
Never keep tea in the refrigerator since the condensed moisture
can deteriorate the flavor. Under proper
storage conditions, tea can generally
be kept for six months to a year. However, keep in mind that each type of tea has a different shelf life –
white and green teas have a shorter shelf life than oolongs and black
teas. It is best to purchase tea in
small quantities and replenish as needed.
œ
What is the
difference between an infuser and a strainer, and how do I use them?
Infusers and strainers are often confused - which of these
implements to use depends on how you prepare your tea.
Infusers are the more popular choice
these days due to their ease and efficiency.
They come in the form of popular mesh tea balls and spoons, the versatile
infusing baskets, disposable paper filters, and even convenient built-in mesh
or ceramic baskets in many teapots and mugs.
Simply place the tea leaves in the infuser and then place the infuser in
the teapot. (Remember not to over stuff
the infuser with tea leaves since they need ample space to expand.) Pour the boiling water over the leaves and
allow to steep. When the tea has steeped
for the proper time, lift out the infuser and discard the tea leaves. The last cup of tea will taste as good as the
first cup!
Strainers are used when loose tea
leaves are put directly into the teapot to steep. When the tea has steeped for
the proper time, the strainer is placed over the cup and the tea is poured through it to catch any
leaves. The advantage of this method of
making tea is that the leaves have the maximum space to expand for optimal
flavor. The disadvantage is that if the
tea leaves remain in the pot longer than the suggested steeping time, the taste
will become bitter. Therefore, use this
method of brewing only if you will be pouring out all of the tea immediately
into the teacups.
œ
Is it correct
to say High Tea or Afternoon Tea?
Many people erroneously refer to Afternoon Tea as High Tea. This is worthy of correcting on every single
occasion! High Tea originated in
œ
Why is using loose tea better than the convenient
little tea bag?
The main difference lies in the size of the leaf. It is the whole or large parts of the leaf
which contain essential oils and nutrients, giving tea its true flavor and
providing the wide range of health benefits.
The fannings (tiny broken pieces) remaining from the sifting process to
separate the various leaf sizes are packaged into tea bags. They contain little to nothing of the
wonderful qualities of tea and are lacking in the true flavor. However, many companies are now realizing the
difference in quality and have begun placing loose leaf teas into convenient
tea bags. T-sacs are also easy to use and provide ample space for the loose
leaf tea to expand properly. Truly,
there is no reason not to enjoy the full flavor of loose leaf tea!
œ
How do I know
how long I should steep the different teas?
There are certain rules of
thumb that you can follow, but as with everything else, there are also
exceptions. Generally, black teas should
be steeped 5 minutes (except
œ
Is tea good for you?
Tea is generally known for relaxing the harried, invigorating the
sluggish and serving as the initiator of intimate conversation. These are good enough reasons to drink tea
several times a day. Additionally, tea
is becoming more and more popular for its antioxidants which protect the body
against cancer and aging. Drinking tea
is also associated with decreased incidences of cancers, cardiovascular
disease, postmenopausal osteoporosis, and arthritis. It is also known to lower cholesterol, boost
the immune system and speed metabolism.
What more could one ask from a beverage?
œ
What are
herbal teas?
Roots, stems, flowers and parts of edible plants are used to make
herbal teas or otherwise referred to as tisanes. Herbal teas do not come from the leaves of
the tea plant called Camellia sinensis,
therefore, are not considered “real tea” and do not have the numerous benefits
associated with real tea and are naturally caffeine free. However, since they are prepared and consumed
like tea, they are referred to as tea.
Each type of herbal tea carries its own beneficial property. For example, chamomile tea is known to relax,
ginger tea is known for aiding digestion, peppermint tea is known to refresh
and so on depending on the herb or plant used to make the tea.