As many tea business owners will tell you, summer tends to be a slower time for U.S. tea sales. However, tea business owners in Phoenix are finding way to counter this trend. I talked with them about their tactics that beat the heat. Here are a few they shared:
* A focus on health, including organics, natural flavors, general benefits and
overall lifestyle
* Cooling Ayurvedic or Chinese medicinal blends
* European-style teashops
* Frozen tea treats, like slushes, smoothies, ice creams and gelatos
* Locations in artsy areas, or former coffee shops
* Modern, gender-neutral aesthetics
* Pairing tea with desserts and meals
* Partnerships with herbalists, caterers and other tea-related professionals
* Tea body products, like soaps and lotions
* Tea for rubs, marinades, smoking and other outdoorsy recipes
* Tea cocktails, mocktails and sodas
* Tropical and desert flavors, like passion fruit and prickly pear
Sources indicated that these kinds of tactics may work elsewhere, and shared other tea-in-hot-weather advice for World Tea News in my new article, Tea Time in a Hot Town. In a summer slump? Check it out!
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Organic vs. Non-Organic
I know you all purchase organic products when you can (right?), if not for yourself, then for the environment. However, sometimes organic can equate to expensive, and right now high price tags can be as hard to swallow as pesticide-laden foods. Dr. Weil recently posted these twelve foods to buy organic regardless of the price tag. He also posted twelve non-organic foods with minimal pesticide residue (a.k.a. "items you don't have to buy organic"). You may notice that tea isn't on either list. The truth of the matter is that conventional tea is still relatively low in pesticide residue... but that doesn't mean it's better for the planet, the plants or the producers. You may be glad to know that I recently heard a pound of tea has less pesticide residue than a single apple. Wow! Lemme know if you'd like to see a full story on pesticides in tea and I'll pitch it this month.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
More on Tea & Health
I recently interviewed prominent tea researcher Dr. Iman Hakim on tea & health. Excerpt:
Goodwin: What are your findings on tea and heart health?
Hakim: Tea is shown to improve the fluidity of the blood, which makes circulation easier, so it can lower your blood pressure and lower incidence of stroke. We have also seen a very beneficial effect on lipids in general. One study was on patients in the Middle East who drank two to three cups of tea a day. It showed a decrease in LDL (bad cholesterol) and an increase in HDL (good cholesterol) that was particularly strong amongst women who smoke.
Goodwin: Does tea impact diabetes?
Hakim: As long as it doesn’t have any sugar in it, of course, tea can control blood sugar. It can also prevent complications, like the cardiovascular effects that accompany Type 2 diabetes. The research was first done on black tea, but now they are studying green tea. Both black and green come from the same plant, so if it works with one, more than likely, it works with the other.
You can read the full article on tea & health on World Tea News.
Goodwin: What are your findings on tea and heart health?
Hakim: Tea is shown to improve the fluidity of the blood, which makes circulation easier, so it can lower your blood pressure and lower incidence of stroke. We have also seen a very beneficial effect on lipids in general. One study was on patients in the Middle East who drank two to three cups of tea a day. It showed a decrease in LDL (bad cholesterol) and an increase in HDL (good cholesterol) that was particularly strong amongst women who smoke.
Goodwin: Does tea impact diabetes?
Hakim: As long as it doesn’t have any sugar in it, of course, tea can control blood sugar. It can also prevent complications, like the cardiovascular effects that accompany Type 2 diabetes. The research was first done on black tea, but now they are studying green tea. Both black and green come from the same plant, so if it works with one, more than likely, it works with the other.
You can read the full article on tea & health on World Tea News.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
New Honest Tea Mate Reviews
I recently got to try the new Honest Tea Yerba Mates. I'm glad to see more yerba mate RTDs on the market. Yerba mate is high in antioxidants and caffeine, but it seems it doesn't give as many people jitters as coffee. However, AOL recently published a popular health article about possible health risks associated with yerba mate. I guess it was a bad time to launch the line, but the "teas" themselves are pretty good. They're made with green (unroasted) mate, I'm guessing for more antioxidants. I'm pretty sure it's why they taste more bitter than other mates I've had, but I'm more of a tea person than a mate person, so I'm not positive. (Any thoughts, readers?) The first two I tried were pretty sweet (I wish Honest Tea's "slightly sweet" approach was a little more slight than sweet, but that's a whole other topic...), but the third was awesome. Reviews:
Agave Mate: Both bitter and sweet, but in a very different way from when I, say, home brew super-strong mate in a gourd and add a bit of agave nectar. My least favorite, perhaps because I like my version so much better. :)
Tropical Mate: Aside from a bitter aftertaste, I really like this one. It is definitely tropical and the tartness of the fruit balances out the sweetness of the cane sugar very well. The thing I don't like it this -- the label pictures fresh fruit, says "A Tad Sweet" and clearly indicates that it is yerba mate. Seeing that, I think, "Mmm... fruit juice and mate. It has vitamins from fruit and caffeine from mate. Win!" However, it contains less than 1% juice and has about 1/6th the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee. Now, I'm glad the label is also informative enough to tell me these things, but it seems somehow... (no, not dishonest)... misleading. Still, it's tasty enough that I'd drink it again.
Sublime Mate: It has the same labeling issues as Tropical Mate, but it's definitely my favorite of the three. Great lime aroma and taste, no bitter aftertaste and (I think) an ideal balance of mate boldness, lime tang and cane-sugary sweetness for a lightly sweet RTD. It seems like a perfect refreshment for a hot summer day. Seriously if you like lime and/or mate check it out ASAP.
Have any of you tried these? What did you think?
Agave Mate: Both bitter and sweet, but in a very different way from when I, say, home brew super-strong mate in a gourd and add a bit of agave nectar. My least favorite, perhaps because I like my version so much better. :)
Tropical Mate: Aside from a bitter aftertaste, I really like this one. It is definitely tropical and the tartness of the fruit balances out the sweetness of the cane sugar very well. The thing I don't like it this -- the label pictures fresh fruit, says "A Tad Sweet" and clearly indicates that it is yerba mate. Seeing that, I think, "Mmm... fruit juice and mate. It has vitamins from fruit and caffeine from mate. Win!" However, it contains less than 1% juice and has about 1/6th the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee. Now, I'm glad the label is also informative enough to tell me these things, but it seems somehow... (no, not dishonest)... misleading. Still, it's tasty enough that I'd drink it again.
Sublime Mate: It has the same labeling issues as Tropical Mate, but it's definitely my favorite of the three. Great lime aroma and taste, no bitter aftertaste and (I think) an ideal balance of mate boldness, lime tang and cane-sugary sweetness for a lightly sweet RTD. It seems like a perfect refreshment for a hot summer day. Seriously if you like lime and/or mate check it out ASAP.
Have any of you tried these? What did you think?
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tea in Phoenix
I'll be speaking at a nutrition & wellness conference in Phoenix next month and I have just enough time for a handful of tearoom visits in Phoenix and the surrounding area. So far, I've got Urban Tea Loft, Souvia, Mandala, White August, Arcadia Farms... Where else would you suggest?
Monday, February 9, 2009
New Article: Tea in Austin
Some of you may remember my tea and food (and SXSW) trek to Austin last year (scroll down a bit to get to it). Well, my tea research from then (and from the last few weeks... and the last few years...) is now in print in The Austin Chronicle. Here are a few excerpts from my piece on tea in Austin:
(on popular tea types in Austin)
Iced (and often sweetened) tea
Trend starters: Southerners looking for respite from the summer heat
Who's catching on: Northerners and other non-native Austinites who love the icy, refreshing brew's sugar/caffeine boost
Where to buy it: Most restaurants and grocery stores carry bottled iced teas, such as local brand Sweet Leaf Tea. Spots such as the Steeping Room, Halcyon, Galaxy Cafe, and Chado Tea Market offer fresh-brewed, specialty versions of the drink.
Rooibos
(aka red tea or red bush tea) and honeybush (a close relative of rooibos), an antioxidant-rich, caffeine-free tisane from South Africa that's often used in fruity, floral, chocolaty, or otherwise sweet blends
Trend starters: South African expatriates and a new generation of tea blenders
Who's catching on: African-Americans who are interested in their heritage, people seeking an antioxidant boost or who love sweet, flavored blends
Where to buy it: Whole Foods' tea bar, Tea Embassy, Chado Tea Market, the Steeping Room
(on switching from coffee to tea)
The trick, said Amy March, tea sommelier and co-owner of the Steeping Room, is to wean yourself off coffee slowly as you replace it with the right teas for your tastes. She added that the mouthfeel, aromas, and flavors of coffee can be paralleled in tea, but "tea has a mellowing effect from L-theanine. It's never quite the same as coffee, even with the same caffeine level. You're clear and relaxed instead of hyper and jittery." Here are her recommendations for making a successful transition to tea based on your current coffee preferences:
Your coffee craving: Pungency, strong flavor, and full body, but not a lot of complexity
Teas to try: Kenyan black teas or Irish breakfast tea, with or without milk
Your coffee craving: Roasty, mellow flavors, as in South American coffees
Teas to try: Houjicha roasted green tea
Your coffee craving: Extra flavors (vanilla, chocolate, caramel, hazelnut, fruit, mint, etc.)
Teas to try: Similarly flavored teas
Your coffee craving: The richness of lattes
Teas to try: Malty Assam black teas or tea lattes
(on tea tasting for wine lovers)
Jeffrey Lorien, tea sommelier and co-owner of East Austin's Zhi Tea Gallery, said developing a tea palate can be easier than developing a wine palate because, "wine still hasn't been totally democratized here, but there's accessibility with tea. It's the people's drink." Here are some tasty suggestions for wine lovers from Lorien.
Your favorite wines: Spritzers or other wine-based drinks
Teas you'll love: Tea-infused cocktails or flavored teas
Your favorite wines: Assertive, full-bodied reds
Teas you'll love: Lightly oxidized oolongs for mouthfeel or Assam/Sri Lankan (aka Ceylon) teas for flavor
Your favorite wines: Mellow, balanced reds
Teas you'll love: More oxidized oolongs and high-quality, well-aged pu-erhs
You can read the rest of the article in The Austin Chronicle.
(on popular tea types in Austin)
Iced (and often sweetened) tea
Trend starters: Southerners looking for respite from the summer heat
Who's catching on: Northerners and other non-native Austinites who love the icy, refreshing brew's sugar/caffeine boost
Where to buy it: Most restaurants and grocery stores carry bottled iced teas, such as local brand Sweet Leaf Tea. Spots such as the Steeping Room, Halcyon, Galaxy Cafe, and Chado Tea Market offer fresh-brewed, specialty versions of the drink.
Rooibos
(aka red tea or red bush tea) and honeybush (a close relative of rooibos), an antioxidant-rich, caffeine-free tisane from South Africa that's often used in fruity, floral, chocolaty, or otherwise sweet blends
Trend starters: South African expatriates and a new generation of tea blenders
Who's catching on: African-Americans who are interested in their heritage, people seeking an antioxidant boost or who love sweet, flavored blends
Where to buy it: Whole Foods' tea bar, Tea Embassy, Chado Tea Market, the Steeping Room
(on switching from coffee to tea)
The trick, said Amy March, tea sommelier and co-owner of the Steeping Room, is to wean yourself off coffee slowly as you replace it with the right teas for your tastes. She added that the mouthfeel, aromas, and flavors of coffee can be paralleled in tea, but "tea has a mellowing effect from L-theanine. It's never quite the same as coffee, even with the same caffeine level. You're clear and relaxed instead of hyper and jittery." Here are her recommendations for making a successful transition to tea based on your current coffee preferences:
Your coffee craving: Pungency, strong flavor, and full body, but not a lot of complexity
Teas to try: Kenyan black teas or Irish breakfast tea, with or without milk
Your coffee craving: Roasty, mellow flavors, as in South American coffees
Teas to try: Houjicha roasted green tea
Your coffee craving: Extra flavors (vanilla, chocolate, caramel, hazelnut, fruit, mint, etc.)
Teas to try: Similarly flavored teas
Your coffee craving: The richness of lattes
Teas to try: Malty Assam black teas or tea lattes
(on tea tasting for wine lovers)
Jeffrey Lorien, tea sommelier and co-owner of East Austin's Zhi Tea Gallery, said developing a tea palate can be easier than developing a wine palate because, "wine still hasn't been totally democratized here, but there's accessibility with tea. It's the people's drink." Here are some tasty suggestions for wine lovers from Lorien.
Your favorite wines: Spritzers or other wine-based drinks
Teas you'll love: Tea-infused cocktails or flavored teas
Your favorite wines: Assertive, full-bodied reds
Teas you'll love: Lightly oxidized oolongs for mouthfeel or Assam/Sri Lankan (aka Ceylon) teas for flavor
Your favorite wines: Mellow, balanced reds
Teas you'll love: More oxidized oolongs and high-quality, well-aged pu-erhs
You can read the rest of the article in The Austin Chronicle.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Teas for Sleep
Having trouble sleeping? According to some, teas and tisanes can help. You can read about tisanes for sleep in a previous blog post or read about more tisanes (sleep-inducing and otherwise) in my tisane listing series (scroll down to "tisane"). You can also read about tea for sleep as well as seven other sleeplessness remedies on Health.com. Which bedtime teas help you catch some zzz's?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tea for Colds
I've previously talked about my favorite cold remedy. I've also interviewed a tea-focused nutritionist about whether tea is proven to shorten colds. Still, I was very glad to see an article in The New York Times about hot tea's effect on colds, especially since so many are suffering from them right now! Have a cold? Have a cuppa! Apparently, it works.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tea & Health
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Doug Balentine, Director of Nutrition Services for Lipton/Unilever, for World Tea News. Here's an excerpt of our Q&A, which was based around tearoom customers' FAQs:
1. Is green tea the healthiest kind?
“When green, oolong and black teas are studied together, they have similar benefits. However, if you’re particularly looking to get catechins (antioxidants that give tea its brisk flavor), then green is a better source than black.”
2. I heard that tea is a miracle cure for (obesity, cancer, etc.). Is that true?
“The claims people are making about the health benefits of tea are not reflective of the balance of the science. While there is science in many areas either from animal studies or poorly done clinical or population-based studies, people are using single studies to draw conclusions rather than looking at the totality of the evidence.”
3. What’s it proven to do?
“The strongest evidence shows that regular tea drinking is associated with improving blood vessel function. While the reasons for this benefit are not fully understood, the science does not support that is has a cholesterol-lowering effect.”
You can read the remainder on World Tea News.
1. Is green tea the healthiest kind?
“When green, oolong and black teas are studied together, they have similar benefits. However, if you’re particularly looking to get catechins (antioxidants that give tea its brisk flavor), then green is a better source than black.”
2. I heard that tea is a miracle cure for (obesity, cancer, etc.). Is that true?
“The claims people are making about the health benefits of tea are not reflective of the balance of the science. While there is science in many areas either from animal studies or poorly done clinical or population-based studies, people are using single studies to draw conclusions rather than looking at the totality of the evidence.”
3. What’s it proven to do?
“The strongest evidence shows that regular tea drinking is associated with improving blood vessel function. While the reasons for this benefit are not fully understood, the science does not support that is has a cholesterol-lowering effect.”
You can read the remainder on World Tea News.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Detox Teas
January is the time of year when people take the most interest in detox teas and tisanes. Companies like The Republic of Tea, Traditional Medicinals, Yogi Tea and Mighty Leaf all have detox teas, as do a number of smaller brands in health stores (Triple Leaf Tea, Tulsi Teas) and online companies. Even Celestial Seasonings is getting in on the act. Personally, I like Yogi's Peach DeTox Tea. (They also have regular DeTox (linked above) and Berry DeTox, which I haven't tried yet.) What are your favorites?
PS -- The BBC recently reported that many products claiming to be detoxifying are not. Most of the products above are based on Chinese medicinal herbalism. Some of the products listed in the BBC article are face soaps (apparently, removing dirt and oil from skin counts as "detoxifying" to the product's maker) and dietary supplements (which advise a healthy diiet and lots of water -- perhaps the true source of detoxification). What do you think about the controversy? Do you think tisanes can be detoxifying?
PS -- The BBC recently reported that many products claiming to be detoxifying are not. Most of the products above are based on Chinese medicinal herbalism. Some of the products listed in the BBC article are face soaps (apparently, removing dirt and oil from skin counts as "detoxifying" to the product's maker) and dietary supplements (which advise a healthy diiet and lots of water -- perhaps the true source of detoxification). What do you think about the controversy? Do you think tisanes can be detoxifying?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Resolution
My New Year's resolution? Drink more tea! A lot of people seem to agree, as evidenced by a recent tea article on Reader's Digest that made the top ten list on digg.
Side notes:
"Bag it." I wonder if, when they say tea from bags had the highest antioxidant content in Consumer Reports' testing, they meant compared to bottled and instant. I think that must be the case, as full-leaf tea is higher. What do you think?
"Dunk the bag." Yes, or the brew basket. But don't squeeze the bag! It only makes your tea bitter (ah, tannins).
"Brew a batch." Did you know that antioxidants are lost as tea sits out? Brewing it means it's much fresher than, say, bottled tea, but letting it sit in your fridge kind of defeats the purpose if you're trying for antioxidants, especially if it's not in a sealed container (like bottled tea is).
Side notes:
"Bag it." I wonder if, when they say tea from bags had the highest antioxidant content in Consumer Reports' testing, they meant compared to bottled and instant. I think that must be the case, as full-leaf tea is higher. What do you think?
"Dunk the bag." Yes, or the brew basket. But don't squeeze the bag! It only makes your tea bitter (ah, tannins).
"Brew a batch." Did you know that antioxidants are lost as tea sits out? Brewing it means it's much fresher than, say, bottled tea, but letting it sit in your fridge kind of defeats the purpose if you're trying for antioxidants, especially if it's not in a sealed container (like bottled tea is).
Monday, December 29, 2008
Tea as Disease-Fighter
Can tea help fight the flu? Dr. Weil investigates. He also addresses green tea's potential in fighting tooth disease when used to replace sodas and citrus drinks. (I just wish he weren't always so focused on green tea specifically, as most true teas provide similar benefits.)
Also, here's an interesting debate about tea, disease and urbanization. The initial proposal (the idea that tea-drinking lead to urbanization in England) is somewhat intriguing (though probably wrong), but the follow-up comments are what make this page really worth reading.
What do you think about these issues?
Also, here's an interesting debate about tea, disease and urbanization. The initial proposal (the idea that tea-drinking lead to urbanization in England) is somewhat intriguing (though probably wrong), but the follow-up comments are what make this page really worth reading.
What do you think about these issues?
Monday, December 22, 2008
Lipton Event Photos, Part Two
A continuation of last week's photos... More from the Lipton Tea event!
The "Mind" Room coming to life -- This is where we learned about tea and the brain
The "Body" Room -- The Wii Fit, pilates balls, yoga mats and tea helped with physical fitness
The Teabar in the "Spirits" Room -- This is where I held tea tastings and pairings
Displays in the "Spirits" Room
Lounge Area in the "Spirits" Room (before guests arrived, obviously)
Dr. Tea introducing me and Peter Goggi to one of the groups
Me Lecturing on tea tasting
A group tasting tea
Time for the pairing!
The tea-chocolate truffles were amazing! (You can read more about pairing tea and sweets on World Tea News.)
A group taking notes on tea pairings
Another group tasting paired teas and foods. There were five lectures through the day, with three different sets of pairings depending on the time.
Tea cocktails were served at the end of the day. (You can read more about tea cocktails on World Tea News.)
You can contact me for tea events at vee at veetea dot com, or read more on Vee Tea.
The "Mind" Room coming to life -- This is where we learned about tea and the brain
The "Body" Room -- The Wii Fit, pilates balls, yoga mats and tea helped with physical fitness
The Teabar in the "Spirits" Room -- This is where I held tea tastings and pairings
Displays in the "Spirits" Room
Lounge Area in the "Spirits" Room (before guests arrived, obviously)
Dr. Tea introducing me and Peter Goggi to one of the groups
Me Lecturing on tea tasting
A group tasting tea
Time for the pairing!
The tea-chocolate truffles were amazing! (You can read more about pairing tea and sweets on World Tea News.)
A group taking notes on tea pairings
Another group tasting paired teas and foods. There were five lectures through the day, with three different sets of pairings depending on the time.
Tea cocktails were served at the end of the day. (You can read more about tea cocktails on World Tea News.)
You can contact me for tea events at vee at veetea dot com, or read more on Vee Tea.
Monday, November 3, 2008
A Nice Cuppa
Between Halloween, the time change and the election, this is quite the eventful time of year. It's also the beginning off cold season -- yet another reason to relax over a nice cuppa tea. Enjoy you tea, and don't forget to vote tomorrow!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Teas for Colds
Like many of you out there, I have a cold right now. I'm drinking fresh ginger tisane and my Witches' Brew (recipe below) to combat it. What do you drink to fight off a cold?
Vee’s Witches’ Brew
1 cup water
1 teaspoon green tea leaves
1-2 tablespoons honey
1 lemon (the juice and some of the grated rind)
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
Optional (if you care more about feeling better than drinking something that tastes good):
1 tablespoon unfiltered apple cider vinegar
Salt to taste
Black pepper, cayenne, paprika, and/or hot sauce (as much as you can stand)
1 clove garlic, chopped finely
1 shot whiskey (I prefer Jameson, personally)
Brew the tea as you normally do. (Optional: Brew garlic with the tea leaves and strain it out. It was done for hundreds of years in ancient China, so it’s not THAT weird.) Return the drink to your heat source and stir in everything else (except the whiskey-- that goes in at the last second) until it's hot. Pour into an oversized mug, breathe the vapors, and sip slowly. Feel better soon!
Vee’s Witches’ Brew
1 cup water
1 teaspoon green tea leaves
1-2 tablespoons honey
1 lemon (the juice and some of the grated rind)
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
Optional (if you care more about feeling better than drinking something that tastes good):
1 tablespoon unfiltered apple cider vinegar
Salt to taste
Black pepper, cayenne, paprika, and/or hot sauce (as much as you can stand)
1 clove garlic, chopped finely
1 shot whiskey (I prefer Jameson, personally)
Brew the tea as you normally do. (Optional: Brew garlic with the tea leaves and strain it out. It was done for hundreds of years in ancient China, so it’s not THAT weird.) Return the drink to your heat source and stir in everything else (except the whiskey-- that goes in at the last second) until it's hot. Pour into an oversized mug, breathe the vapors, and sip slowly. Feel better soon!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tea & Stress
While eustress (the "good stress" that motivates us) can be invigorating, distress can be very draining. WebMD recently posted methods for reducing stress through diet, and for keeping your energy levels steady in times of stress. One of their top suggestions: drinking tea! From their article:
"A recent report found that pairing caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine, both present in tea, decreased mental fatigue and improved alertness, reaction time, and memory. What's more, black varieties can help you recover from stress, according to researchers at University College London. In their study, adults who drank tea four times a day for 6 weeks had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after a tense moment, compared with those who drank a tealike placebo."
I'm not sure how a "tealike" placebo could ever compare (I'm reminded of The Hitchhiker's Guide), but I do feel that tea is excellent at moderating and reducing stress. If I am remembering my biochemistry properly, high cortisol levels can encourage weight gain/retention and cortisol levels are raised when sleep levels are too low. According to Wikipedia (I know, I know), they are highest in the morning. No wonder a cup of tea makes us feel prepared to go out and face the day!
You can read more on stress reduction through diet on WebMD.
"A recent report found that pairing caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine, both present in tea, decreased mental fatigue and improved alertness, reaction time, and memory. What's more, black varieties can help you recover from stress, according to researchers at University College London. In their study, adults who drank tea four times a day for 6 weeks had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after a tense moment, compared with those who drank a tealike placebo."
I'm not sure how a "tealike" placebo could ever compare (I'm reminded of The Hitchhiker's Guide), but I do feel that tea is excellent at moderating and reducing stress. If I am remembering my biochemistry properly, high cortisol levels can encourage weight gain/retention and cortisol levels are raised when sleep levels are too low. According to Wikipedia (I know, I know), they are highest in the morning. No wonder a cup of tea makes us feel prepared to go out and face the day!
You can read more on stress reduction through diet on WebMD.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tea for Longevity
Prevention recently listed 14 surprising reasons you'll live a long life. Number two on the list? You're a tea lover. More:
Both green and black teas contain a concentrated dose of catechins, substances that help blood vessels relax and protect your heart. In a study of more than 40,500 Japanese men and women, those who drank 5 or more cups of green tea every day had the lowest risk of dying from heart disease and stroke. Other studies involving black tea showed similar results.
You really need only 1 or 2 cups of tea daily to start doing your heart some good—just make sure it’s a fresh brew. Ready-to-drink teas (the kind you find in the supermarket beverage section) don’t offer the same health benefits. "Once water is added to tea leaves, their catechins degrade within a few days," says Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, a professor of nutrition science and policy at Tufts University. Also, some studies show that adding milk may eliminate tea’s protective effects on the cardiovascular system, so stick to just lemon or honey.
Both green and black teas contain a concentrated dose of catechins, substances that help blood vessels relax and protect your heart. In a study of more than 40,500 Japanese men and women, those who drank 5 or more cups of green tea every day had the lowest risk of dying from heart disease and stroke. Other studies involving black tea showed similar results.
You really need only 1 or 2 cups of tea daily to start doing your heart some good—just make sure it’s a fresh brew. Ready-to-drink teas (the kind you find in the supermarket beverage section) don’t offer the same health benefits. "Once water is added to tea leaves, their catechins degrade within a few days," says Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, a professor of nutrition science and policy at Tufts University. Also, some studies show that adding milk may eliminate tea’s protective effects on the cardiovascular system, so stick to just lemon or honey.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
New Article: Superfoods
Superfoods are so huge right now, I just had to do an article on superfood-tea blends. It went up on World Tea News today, and it's called, "How Super is Your Tea?" Excerpt:
Manufacturers and sellers often tout teas and tisanes, particularly greens, whites, rooibos and yerba mate, as superfoods. However, teas and tisanes have yet to gain the same foothold in the North American market as better-known superfoods, such as now-ubiquitous pomegranates and blueberries.
...
The primary reason for superfoods’ popularity is the perceived health benefit, sources agreed, but the most popular superfoods are those that are most palatable to the mainstream consumer. This trend works to the advantage of tea makers and sellers who offer teas blended with naturally sweet superfruits and other readily palatable superfoods, because these increase the perceived health benefit while giving teas more accessible flavors.
I'll probably post a bit more on superfoods and tea tomorrow. (There's a lot going on in the arena these days!) In the meantime, you can read more on superfoods, teas and superfood-tea blends in my new article.
Manufacturers and sellers often tout teas and tisanes, particularly greens, whites, rooibos and yerba mate, as superfoods. However, teas and tisanes have yet to gain the same foothold in the North American market as better-known superfoods, such as now-ubiquitous pomegranates and blueberries.
...
The primary reason for superfoods’ popularity is the perceived health benefit, sources agreed, but the most popular superfoods are those that are most palatable to the mainstream consumer. This trend works to the advantage of tea makers and sellers who offer teas blended with naturally sweet superfruits and other readily palatable superfoods, because these increase the perceived health benefit while giving teas more accessible flavors.
I'll probably post a bit more on superfoods and tea tomorrow. (There's a lot going on in the arena these days!) In the meantime, you can read more on superfoods, teas and superfood-tea blends in my new article.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Caffeine Myths
Yesterday, the New York Times published a very interesting article on caffeine myths. Although the primary focus is on coffee, it also addresses general issues with caffeine such as hydration, alertness/sleep, hypertension and weight loss. I wish it focused a bit more on tea in some sections, such as Heart Health. (It debunks the myth that caffeine is bad for your heart, but fails to mention the strong link between tea and good heart health.) Still, it was an informative read and it's worth checking out! More on caffeine, coffee and tea.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Healthy Summer Drinks
Tea is making a lot of "healthy" lists of Summer foods and drinks. Here are two recent articles on Dr. Weil's Summer drink suggestions and how to cut 100 calories with tea. Of course, if you're replacing soda with tea, you'll cut a lot more than that, but that's another story... If you want to learn more, you can read my article on iced tea. Enjoy your Summer teas!
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