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Centuries ago, Tea was an indulgence of nobility and upper
classes.
How did it then become one of the most given gifts today? One,
they discovered, which also helps keep you healthy.
As you know, tea drinking is one of the most time honored
traditions. Around for centuries, tea was initially an indulgence
enjoyed only by nobility and the upper classes. A treasured
gift, it was given to mark important occasions. From births and
new friendships to business ventures, engagements and marriages.
Raising a cup of tea was similar to raising a glass of wine or
champagne today. A formal celebration of the occasion by all.
Eventually becoming so desired, people the world over were able
to savor it's taste. Enjoy the many healthful benefits it's was be-
lieved to have. As the nobility did, give it as a gift to those
whom they loved, friends and family.
Called Liquid Wisdom by the Chinese...
Tea is known to soothe the soul. Warm the heart. It’s everything
you need, they believe. As you continue your walk through life -
having a cup of tea by your side, quietly sipping from time to time
- helps you relax. Occasionally you’ll look deep into the leaves at
your teacup’s bottom. Considering questions you’ve been seeking
answers to. So the legend goes.
People also loved to receive it as a gift since
it was believed to keep them healthy; prevent a
variety of diseases.
Then, tea was thought to help...
* Keep you relaxed and calm thereby safe from infectious diseases.
* You look better longer; slow the aging process. In fact,
women even bathed their faces in tea, took baths in it to keep
their bodies soft and supple.
* Decrease blood pressure; help prevent heart palpitations and
other problems.
* Keep you free of diseases of the mind. Stay focused.
* Stop bleeding.
* Helped digestion.
William E. Gladstone, Prime Minister of England in the late nine-
teenth century, and a serious tea-lover, spoke these words in 1865 -
“If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will
cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited,
it will calm you.
These are just a few of the healthful reasons nobility and the
upper classes also enjoyed tea. It's no wonder tea became one
of the most given gifts. 
Here's some delightful teas for days when you've been
overworked. Or which have been less than steller. For times
you may feeling under the weather, anxious. Need something
soothing and calming:
* Ginger Peach
* Masai Sunset
* Chocolate Orange
* Secret Garden
* Blueberry Bliss
* Jasmine Silver Needle
These teas have low caffeine and a soothing effect so they are
safe to drink up until bedtime.
Need a Gift for a Special Someone?
Tea is about sharing. And there is no better gift than a Gift of
Tea. What a splendid introduction, to someone who is new to
the taste and benefits of tea - a Gift basket of some of the
worlds finest flavored teas. Also a birthday, housewarming
holiday gift.
A gift of tea suits almost any occasion. For in-
stance a Tea Starter Kit, Sampler Pack, or a Gift Pack.
The art of Tea gardening will shed some light on why Tea
has such valuable properties it can actually help your
health and weight loss.
While Tea was first discovered in China…
It has since become associated with many other cultures
across the world. For example, Japan, India and England.
Countries which have developed unique traditions related
to planting, harvesting, creating. And drinking tea.
Believe it or not there's more than 3,000 varieties of
tea. And hundreds of hundreds of unique varieties of
Green Tea. Grown in many countries around the globe.
Each variety usually named for the area in which it’s grown.
Why are Green and other teas being researched so
often today?
In fact, new Green Tea benefits have been discovered. Thus
providing hard evidence. Which helps substantiate the health
benefits the Chinese have believed true of Green Tea. For
centuries. In short, never has one drink produced so many
incredible benefits. Including help for weight loss. As Green Tea.
The majority of Green Tea is grown in Japan and China. Though
there are many types, each tea harvested has its own distinct
flavor. It’s own definable characteristics.
Organic Tea
Today many tea planters are planting, caring for, harvesting
and processing teas in natural and simple ways. Called organic
farming, this means teas are planted without the use of fer-
tilizers or other chemicals. And no pesticides are used to control
unwanted pests and weeds.
These teas are often grown in remote areas. With access to
clean air and water. And when processed contain no additives
or preservatives. Making them 100% natural.
More and more tea gardeners are planting organically. Prefer-
ring to take the time needed to complete the planting. Thus
making the teas not only delicious but safe for most. With no
negative reactions to the tea, for the drinker. Thus preserving
the many benefits associated with tea. More specifically,
Green Tea.
Tea Gardens
Since the Japanese plant and harvest tea differently from the
Chinese, and the Green Teas of Japan are more popular, we’ll
consider teas grown there. In Japan, tea is grown in what’s
known as tea gardens. With planters often dividing gardens
into 2-3 distinct areas. Setting aside space to produce two of
the three most popular teas. Matcha, Gyokuro, Sencha.
For Japanese growers, most of the work begins when the tea
leaves are pruned. Generally this starts, annually, in early
March.
Gyokura and Matcha Teas
When it comes to Gyokura and Matcha, 20-30 days before
harvesting, the trees must be covered with special curtains.
To ensure they receive diffused light only. No longer receiving
any direct sunlight. This is done to keep the leaves from pro-
ducing to many tannins; which create a bitter flavor. So both
Gyokura and Matcha produce a sweet taste.
On the other hand Sencha trees won’t be covered with special
curtains. Since allowing them to receive the full force of sunlight,
in those final days before harvest, gives Sencha Green Teas a
golden green color. Not only that, it helps produce a light,
refreshing fragrance. Which usually makes the flavor of Sencha
somewhat stronger; and somewhat bitter. Because of the tannins
produced.
Depending on the climate, the first pluckings (harvesting) of tea
leaves will begin in May. Though different regions may perform
this rite at different times; depending upon climate. And,
interestingly, Gyokuro and Matcha are still harvested the
centuries old way of picking by hand. Ensuring the best
teas.
Green tea plants can go through as many as five
pickings in a season. But it‘s the first which produces the
best tea. Green Tea
Then, once harvested, the tea leaves must be processed
immediately. Or the same day of the harvest.
How is the unique flavor of each tea created?
The taste of Green Tea can vary widely. From grassy and fresh
to mellow and smooth. And the way this is achieved is unique.
With Gyokura and Sencha their unique flavors are created
through methods used in the processing phase. That processing
is three-fold.
1. Steaming
2. Drying
3. Shaping
The processing can be either light or deep steaming. Both of
which allow the teas to hold the greatest amount of nutrition
and antioxidants.
Next the tea must be finished.
For Matcha, the leaves are sorted, steamed, dried. (Senchas
are dried for longer periods. In order to give them that
“roasted” aroma.) That done, Matcha leaves are ground with
a stone mill. The best Matcha tea ground to a very fine,
textured powder.
On the other hand, finishing for Gyokuro and Sencha simply
A third type, Oolong, is partially fermented. Allowing it to keep
requires sorting the leaves and stems. Then drying them.
Here's one of the reasons why Green Tea has so many
medicinal and weight loss qualities:
After tea leaves are harvested, Green Tea is heated to prevent
fermentation. While, on the other hand, black tea is dried and
fermented. Unfortunately, through this fermentation process,
black tea loses some of its medicinal qualities - benefits.
Making Green Tea higher in essential oils than the black tea
variety. Thus allowing it to keep it’s benefits.
many of it’s positive benefits. In fact, much more than black tea.
The last of the processing requires storing the tea. This must
be done immediately following processing. And because Green
Tea has not been oxidized, it’s harder to keep fresh. So it‘s
very important it be stored in airtight, moisture-proof containers.
To continue to keep it fresh. And keep it's many benefits for
you, when you drink it.
The Facts About Weight Loss Using Green Tea
When it comes to losing weight, nothing helps to raise your
metabolism, burn fat and suppress your appetite better -
faster - than Green Tea. All three of these qualities assist
with weight loss.
Still, to this day, no other drinks, or foods, can claim as
many health benefits as green tea can.
It lies in the fact that it’s rich in what’s known as catechin
polyphenols. Specifically EGCG. These CP’s, known as anti-
oxidants, work with certain chemicals in your body. To help
burn more fat. Also, another of the many, and varied, benefits
of Green Tea is it helps depress your Leptin. Which in turn
decreases appetite. Meaning you‘ll feel full eating less food.
Resulting in a reduction of your intake of calories. Helping
you lose fat.
Not only that.....
A study published in 2005 showed Green Tea leads to a reduction
of your cholesterol levels. As well as body fat. Two of the biggest
benefits derived from a diet which includes Green Tea.
Green tea also helps regulate your glucose. Meaning it slows
down the digestion of carbs. Which can cause the high rises
in blood sugar levels. And insulin spikes causing fat gain.
Green Tea
Patricia Rouner says - In her best selling book -
Lose Weight with Green Tea: A Safe Weight-Loss Method That
Works
“The anti-oxidants in Green Tea help speed up your metabolism.
Helping your body burn fat. About 80 calories a day. It can
reduce hunger, which means lower calorie intake. Plus it can
aid you as you age, to keep off the weight.” She covers this
in depth in the chapter on “Science” in her book. Plus -
Tea can help:
* Purify and detoxify your body;
* Boost metabolism and energy;
* Promote good health;
* You lose weight quickly and naturally.
Rouner's highly researched book, proves weight can be lost
by adding Green Tea to your daily diet. Not only to lose
weight, but to help maintain it. Her valuable research, along
with tips and techniques show you not only what to do but
how to do it. Bottom line, she believes - as do many others -
that a regular diet including Green Tea helps chase away fat.
Not to mention provides your body with essential antioxidants.
Not to worry about caffeine.
Believe it or not, Green Tea contains considerably less caffeine
than coffee. There are approximately thirty to sixty mg. of caffeine
in six to eight ounces of Green Tea. Compared to over one-
hundred mg. in 6 to eight ounces of coffee. Decaf green tea
extract capsules are a great decaf alternative to drinking green
tea. However, she explains how to extract the caffeine if
necessary.
What do scientists say about the value of Green Tea?
The 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published
the results of an epidemiological study. Indicating that drinking
green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men
and women by nearly sixty percent.
Recently, University of Purdue researchers concluded that a
compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Plus
inhibits abnormal formation of blood clots.
Researchers from the University of Kansas, in a 1997 study,
In his new weight loss with tea book, Mark Ukra (Dr. Tea) * Boost your immune system; Ukra discovered through serious tea research, that “not only “Teas ability to encourage weight loss" he says, "comes from Ukra says his “Ultimate Diet Plan“, using tea as a basis, works Delicious Oolong tea and lose 65 calories every day. loose leaf tea Oolongs can be divided into two families— the dark, open leaf By contrast, ordinary black tea leaves are made from fermented
determined that EGCG found in tea, is twice as powerful as
Reservatol, found in wine. Which may explain why the rate of
heart disease among tea drinking Japanese men is quite low;
though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.
The Ultimate Tea Diet
provides research which clearly shows that including Green,
or other tea, for that matter, in your daily diet can:
* Lower blood sugar and cholesterol;
* Prevent cavities and tooth decay;
* Help slow the aging process;
* Decrease blood pressure;
* Help prevent arthritis;
* Sharpen your mental focus and concentration;
* Reduce risk of stroke, heart disease, cancer, for example.
should teas wonderful health benefits be recognized, but also
it’s ability to help tea drinkers lose weight.
The 3 Main Ingredients in Tea Which Encourage Weight Loss:
the synergy of 3 specific ingredients found in tea.“
1. Caffeine to stimulate.
2. L-thiamine to neutralize any side affects of caffeine and act
as an appetite suppressant.
3. EGCG, which causes you to burn fat faster. More efficiently.
Furthermore, his research shows - together these ingredients
are the 'dream team' of weight loss. The real reason why weight
loss, and maintenance, can be achieved.
In short, tea reduces your appetite
and stimulates your metabolism.
in a safe and healthy way. He includes simple recipes for meals
in his books. Delightful recipes which won’t leave you feeling
hungry. Along with tempting snacks and delectable sweet treats.
“Simply find the tea you love”, he says. “Drink it all day. And
watch the pounds fall off”. While you'll need to follow a sensible
diet, too, when you add tea to it, guaranteed you’ll not only “slim
down to a more leaner, more energetic you. You’ll be healthier.”
Green Oolong Teas Aid in Weight Loss
Oolongs are generally green and herbal teas that aid in weight
loss. 2 or 3 cups of tea added to your diet will help you burn 80
or more calories in a day. Oolong tea
Looking to keep your brain in high gear while gently lifting your
energy all day - try Mate yerba mate tea and black tea
.
These premium - carefully selected Oolongs, are highly oxidized,
with a natural fragrance similar to Orchids. Selected for both their
sweetness and their ability to help with the weight loss process.
blends and those made from green pellets of twisted leaves.
leaves. Which results in the EGCG being converted into other
compounds that are not nearly as useful in inhibiting and
fighting diseases as Green Oolong Tea.
Not to worry. There are currently no known side effects from
drinking Green Teas. Though they contain caffeine, it’s con-
siderably less than coffee. Green Tea
At Amanzi you'll also discover:
* Gift Cards
* Cards to include with gift
* Tea Maker
* Tea making equipment such as:
- Curved tea cups for Japanese-style brewing
- Spoons for measuring loose tea
- Tea Timer
- Stainless steel filters
- Tea Ball Infuser
- Tea Strainer
- Unique Tea Pots
- Travel Mugs...and More
* Tea Sweets:
- Honey Spoons
- Honey Stix
- Organic Agave Syrup
- Organic Agave Stix
- Tea Minuts
Teas for:
* Calming - Relaxion
* Weight Loss
* Digestion
* Sleep
* Energy
* Immune system
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