No, it's not MY green tea. It's a sample from the Expo called "My Green Tea." (It's like "Leggo my Eggo!" and "Nut 'n Honey" commercials wrapped into one magic little name. To bad it's not a breakfast food aimed at obese suburban children.) Let me tell you up front: My Green Tea is fancy for a bagged tea. It comes in a hemishperically-sealed (I don't even know what that means) laminated foil pouch that has been filled with a shot of nitrogen to remove any active gases. That way it's extra fresh when you open it. The bag is decent-sized and made of polyester mesh and the tag is pH neutral and ulrasonically welded to a polyester thread. All that for one little bag of genmai-matcha. Wait, did I just say "genmai-matcha?" That's what the package says, but . . . that's not what I just drank. Genmai-matcha would be toasted rice with matcha (fine, powdered, shade-grown green tea). What I drank was toasted rice with broken-, dust-, and fanning-grade green tea (perhaps shade-grown, perhaps not). So . . . basically it's a cheap tea pretending to be a good tea and overcompensating for the fact that it ISN'T by having absurdly teched-out packaging.
I will give it this. It said, "enjoy our tea with your soul," and that made me laugh. A lot. Not only is it a mediocre tea at best, packaged in a way that is (dare I say) soulless, but you just said that it's MY mediocre, soulless tea and mow you're trying to say it's YOURS. Unh-unh, I don't think so! (OK, OK, you can have it back. I don't REALLY care that much.)
Yeah. That laugh was the best part about it. It came from My Soul. Er, I mean, my soul.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Samples: Tzu The T-Bag
Tzu The sells a type of bagged tea that is labeled as "100% Natural Full Leaf Green Tea." I got a sample of it at the World Tea Expo. The packaging looks good, until you actually read it. It touts the EGCG content of the "green tea" (What kind??? I don't know!!!) and includes brewing instructions that call for boiling water (learn about appropriate water temperatures for brewing tea) and suggest steeping for 10-15 minutes (Why would you want to do that? Too bad they didn't read How to Brew Tea.). The tea itself isn't bad. It comes in a pyramid-shaped silk mesh bag and it is (as the packaging says) full leaf. It wasn't gross, but I wouldn't serve it to anyone.
I hope that this kind of marketing and misinformation isn't as common as I fear it may be.
PS--OMG. As I went to post this, I decided to check out their website. I realized that NOT ONLY is it printed incorrectly on their packaging (they left out a dash between "Tzu" and "The"), but they sell energy bars with green tea and "beer" (actually just brewer's yeast, but they say "beer"). They also provide information like this, "The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful natural anti-oxidant only found in Green Tea. Green tea contains more catechins and vitamins than other fermented tea, such as oolong tea and black tea." The secret? I thought it was the thing that was discussed the most about green tea on AM talk shows. When will people realize that EGCG is not the only good thing about tea? I wish people would stop with this fad diet junk. Besides, white tea probably has more of it than green tea*, "fermented" is not the correct word (it should say "oxidized"), and, anyway, Oolong is only semi-oxidized. I am so afraid.
*There are more health claims about green tea than white tea because it has been popular for a longer period of time. For this reason, scientists do more research on green tea than white tea. We'll have to wait and see for sure if white tea has more EGCG than green, but white tea is higher in most other catechins, so I wouldn't be at all surprised.
I hope that this kind of marketing and misinformation isn't as common as I fear it may be.
PS--OMG. As I went to post this, I decided to check out their website. I realized that NOT ONLY is it printed incorrectly on their packaging (they left out a dash between "Tzu" and "The"), but they sell energy bars with green tea and "beer" (actually just brewer's yeast, but they say "beer"). They also provide information like this, "The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful natural anti-oxidant only found in Green Tea. Green tea contains more catechins and vitamins than other fermented tea, such as oolong tea and black tea." The secret? I thought it was the thing that was discussed the most about green tea on AM talk shows. When will people realize that EGCG is not the only good thing about tea? I wish people would stop with this fad diet junk. Besides, white tea probably has more of it than green tea*, "fermented" is not the correct word (it should say "oxidized"), and, anyway, Oolong is only semi-oxidized. I am so afraid.
*There are more health claims about green tea than white tea because it has been popular for a longer period of time. For this reason, scientists do more research on green tea than white tea. We'll have to wait and see for sure if white tea has more EGCG than green, but white tea is higher in most other catechins, so I wouldn't be at all surprised.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Samples: Nuwati Herbals' Cloud Walking "Tea"
Last night, I tried my first sample from the Expo. It was Nuwati Herbals' Cloud Walking Tea (which is actually a tisane). It's for sleep and tension. (As I said before, I guess it's for aiding in sleep and easing tension.)
When I went to prepare Cloud Walking "Tea" shortly before my bedtime, I have to say that I was a little worried. The smell of the unbrewed blend of Catnip, Chamomile Flowers, Hops, Kava Kava, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Passion Flower, Rosemary, Skullcap, St. John's Wort, and Valerian Root was not the most pleasant aroma I've ever encountered. Also, the catnip smell reminded me of a former roommate's cat. (As a yarnoholic, this is not something I find to be a relaxing scent-association.) However, once it was done brewing, it smelled great. The lemon balm and rosemary really came out. It also smelled vaguely minty to me for some reason, though I'm not sure why. The taste was OK, but the taste isn't really the point. What you really want to know is whether it worked or not. Yes, it worked. I don't know if it's because I thought it probably would, or if it just really works. The FDA isn't so sure either. Still, I felt mellow after drinking it and I went to sleep easily (a rarity unless I'm exhausted--perhaps THAT's why I'm such a workaholic).
I still have two more samples from Nuwati Herbals to try. First, I'm going to give some of the other companies a shot. Check back soon for more of my adventures with tea in small packages!
PS--I am feeling the music from Nuwati's website. "Awakening" in the morning was a good call. I should start my day by tapping into my Cherokee heritage more often.
When I went to prepare Cloud Walking "Tea" shortly before my bedtime, I have to say that I was a little worried. The smell of the unbrewed blend of Catnip, Chamomile Flowers, Hops, Kava Kava, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Passion Flower, Rosemary, Skullcap, St. John's Wort, and Valerian Root was not the most pleasant aroma I've ever encountered. Also, the catnip smell reminded me of a former roommate's cat. (As a yarnoholic, this is not something I find to be a relaxing scent-association.) However, once it was done brewing, it smelled great. The lemon balm and rosemary really came out. It also smelled vaguely minty to me for some reason, though I'm not sure why. The taste was OK, but the taste isn't really the point. What you really want to know is whether it worked or not. Yes, it worked. I don't know if it's because I thought it probably would, or if it just really works. The FDA isn't so sure either. Still, I felt mellow after drinking it and I went to sleep easily (a rarity unless I'm exhausted--perhaps THAT's why I'm such a workaholic).
I still have two more samples from Nuwati Herbals to try. First, I'm going to give some of the other companies a shot. Check back soon for more of my adventures with tea in small packages!
PS--I am feeling the music from Nuwati's website. "Awakening" in the morning was a good call. I should start my day by tapping into my Cherokee heritage more often.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Internet Oddity, Tea Samples
I was doing some research for an article and found this internet oddity. I have to say that it's one of the ways I doubt I will ever drink tea.
I've decided to start reporting on my tea samples from the Expo tomorrow. Tonight I will drink Nuwati Herbals' "Cloud Walking Tea," which is actually a tisane. It's for sleep and tension. I presume it aids in sleep and prevents/eases tension. We'll see!
I've decided to start reporting on my tea samples from the Expo tomorrow. Tonight I will drink Nuwati Herbals' "Cloud Walking Tea," which is actually a tisane. It's for sleep and tension. I presume it aids in sleep and prevents/eases tension. We'll see!
Monday, June 25, 2007
New Article: Tisane Listing, Part 3
There's a new article up on VeeTea! It's the third and final installation of the Tisane Listing Series (which started here). Here's an excerpt:
Sarsaparilla (Sasparilla) Root
Though you may not have heard of sarsaparilla root, if you’ve ever tried root beer, you know what it tastes like. Yes, the “root” in root beer is sarsaparilla root. It is traditionally taken for skin conditions, impotence, headaches, weakness, rheumatism, various STDs, and blood purification. It has been shown to be effective for some skin conditions, syphilis, and liver protection, but I strongly suggest talking with an herbalist before using it to treat any of these conditions.
Sassafras Root
Sassafras root has long been used to make candies and tisanes, and it is said to act as an antiseptic and painkiller. I vaguely remember from my college days that sassafras contains a rather large amount of a chemical that is used in the synthesis of many hallucinogenic drugs, including MDMA (“Ecstacy”). You can still buy artificially flavored sassafras tisanes, but these days the “real thing” is outlawed in the U.S.
Skullcap
Skullcap (“Scutellaria”) has around 300 varieties, some of which are used in herbalism and tisanes. One variety has been shown to cause programmed cell death in cancerous breast and ovary cells in vitro. Another acts as a sedative and prevents seizures. A third is used for menstrual cramps, insomnia, fevers, and other problems. Consult an herbalist for more information.
Slippery Elm Bark
The slippery elm’s inner bark has many traditional uses dating back to early Native American cultures. It is said to aid in bronchial/respiratory, menstrual, digestive, and heart problems, among other things. The FDA has approved its use for sore throats and respiratory problems. Slippery elm bark tisane is made from a powdered form of the bark. Technically, slippery elm is not a drug, but a nutrient-rich food.
Sobacha
Sobacha is Japanese buckwheat “tea.” (“Cha” translates to “tea,” though this is a tisane.) It is high in minerals and has a pleasant, mellow, malty taste. It is also high in rutin, an antioxidant which may reduce hemophilia and edema, and which is traditionally used as an emmenagogue/abortifacient.
Check out the rest of the tisane listing and enjoy your tisanes!
Sarsaparilla (Sasparilla) Root
Though you may not have heard of sarsaparilla root, if you’ve ever tried root beer, you know what it tastes like. Yes, the “root” in root beer is sarsaparilla root. It is traditionally taken for skin conditions, impotence, headaches, weakness, rheumatism, various STDs, and blood purification. It has been shown to be effective for some skin conditions, syphilis, and liver protection, but I strongly suggest talking with an herbalist before using it to treat any of these conditions.
Sassafras Root
Sassafras root has long been used to make candies and tisanes, and it is said to act as an antiseptic and painkiller. I vaguely remember from my college days that sassafras contains a rather large amount of a chemical that is used in the synthesis of many hallucinogenic drugs, including MDMA (“Ecstacy”). You can still buy artificially flavored sassafras tisanes, but these days the “real thing” is outlawed in the U.S.
Skullcap
Skullcap (“Scutellaria”) has around 300 varieties, some of which are used in herbalism and tisanes. One variety has been shown to cause programmed cell death in cancerous breast and ovary cells in vitro. Another acts as a sedative and prevents seizures. A third is used for menstrual cramps, insomnia, fevers, and other problems. Consult an herbalist for more information.
Slippery Elm Bark
The slippery elm’s inner bark has many traditional uses dating back to early Native American cultures. It is said to aid in bronchial/respiratory, menstrual, digestive, and heart problems, among other things. The FDA has approved its use for sore throats and respiratory problems. Slippery elm bark tisane is made from a powdered form of the bark. Technically, slippery elm is not a drug, but a nutrient-rich food.
Sobacha
Sobacha is Japanese buckwheat “tea.” (“Cha” translates to “tea,” though this is a tisane.) It is high in minerals and has a pleasant, mellow, malty taste. It is also high in rutin, an antioxidant which may reduce hemophilia and edema, and which is traditionally used as an emmenagogue/abortifacient.
Check out the rest of the tisane listing and enjoy your tisanes!
Better, More on the World Tea Expo
I'm feeling much better today, thanks to lots of sleep, tea, and antibiotics. (I feel kind of bad using antibiotics, but it has been years since I used them last and I was very sick.)
I wanted to mention some more companies from the World Tea Expo. Two focus on Indian teas/tisanes and the third focuses on Native American tisanes.
The first one is a very new company. They're called Sesa Tea and they offer herbal blends, vetiver (similar to lemongrass, but harder to find in the U.S.), organic teas, and a few other things. Cool people with a good philosophy.
The second is not a new company, but its tisanes and teas are new. They're called Organic India and I wish there were more companies out there like them. Their tea/tisane line is made up of tulsi (Indian holy basil, a healing herb) tisanes and tea blends. I tried two at the Expo and they were both good. The really cool thing about this company is that they treat their workers very well and their products are all organic. Finally, more companies are taking the cue from Makaibari Estates! (Oh, I can't wait to visit them this summer!!!)
The last company is Native American Tea Company. They are Native American owned and operated and they sell herbal blends for a variety of medicinal purposes. I spoke with the owner for a while. Turns out he's also a Reiki master who blesses the tisanes before packaging them. Far out.
There are a lot of companies worth mentioning that I haven't really gotten around to talking about yet. Not that I'm getting better, I'll tell you about more of them. In the meantime, enjoy your tea!
I wanted to mention some more companies from the World Tea Expo. Two focus on Indian teas/tisanes and the third focuses on Native American tisanes.
The first one is a very new company. They're called Sesa Tea and they offer herbal blends, vetiver (similar to lemongrass, but harder to find in the U.S.), organic teas, and a few other things. Cool people with a good philosophy.
The second is not a new company, but its tisanes and teas are new. They're called Organic India and I wish there were more companies out there like them. Their tea/tisane line is made up of tulsi (Indian holy basil, a healing herb) tisanes and tea blends. I tried two at the Expo and they were both good. The really cool thing about this company is that they treat their workers very well and their products are all organic. Finally, more companies are taking the cue from Makaibari Estates! (Oh, I can't wait to visit them this summer!!!)
The last company is Native American Tea Company. They are Native American owned and operated and they sell herbal blends for a variety of medicinal purposes. I spoke with the owner for a while. Turns out he's also a Reiki master who blesses the tisanes before packaging them. Far out.
There are a lot of companies worth mentioning that I haven't really gotten around to talking about yet. Not that I'm getting better, I'll tell you about more of them. In the meantime, enjoy your tea!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Sick
I slept 11.5 hours last night. I awoke feeling somewhat better than last night, and with less of a fever. I went to the doctor, who was wonderful. (It is SUCH a relief to find a good doctor in NYC.) He says that I had a virus several weeks ago and that I never fully healed (because of travel and whatnot), so I ended up with sinusitis. Fun. Well, now I know what's wrong and can start to fix it. First, I'm off to pick up antibiotics. Then, I think it's time for some ginger tisane and a nap.
(I swear my life didn't revolve around sleep before I moved up here. It's just that I don't get enough of it, and then I get sick, and then I need a lot of it to get better. Perhaps I should just be a little less of a workaholic. Hah! Not likely.)
(I swear my life didn't revolve around sleep before I moved up here. It's just that I don't get enough of it, and then I get sick, and then I need a lot of it to get better. Perhaps I should just be a little less of a workaholic. Hah! Not likely.)
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