Tea Time
Enjoy the benefits of healthful summer drinks
Photograph by Kyle Chesser
For over 5,000 years, tea has been a popular beverage, its consumption exceeded only by water. A wealth of health benefits, such as weight loss and lowering of cholesterol, has been attributed to tea, and scientists are studying its potential to prevent diabetes, increase metabolic rate and lower stress hormones. It has sun-protecting polyphenols as well as flavanoids, which produce about 8-10 times the antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables. Add to all that the wonderful aroma, and you have a drink that provides a relaxing and flavorful experience.
Nonherbal teas are all derived from the leaves of a single plant, the Camellia sinensis. The way the leaves are processed determines whether the tea will be black, which accounts for 75% of world production, green (23%), or oolong (2%). On the other hand, tisanes are herbal infusions made without tea leaves. These herbal teas are composed of seeds, roots, and flowers steeped in hot water, strained, and then sweetened to taste. Think cinnamon, chamomile, or mint. As with the nonherbal teas, the sedative and stimulant properties of teasans also serve medicinal purposes.
Summer is a great time to introduce kids to the enjoyment of tea. Iced tea, a refreshing change from sodas and ice cream floats, is good for you, but with much less sugar.
Carbonated Green Iced Tea
3 cups of filtered water
3 teaspoons of loose jasmine-oolong tea
Chilled lemon-lime soda
Thinly sliced lemon, lime, or orange to garnish
1. Bring the water to a gentle boil in a small saucepan. Add the tea, cover, and remove from heat. Let steep for 4 minutes.
2. Strain the tea and pour the tea concentrate into a 2 1⁄2 quart heatproof pitcher.
3. When ready to serve, divide the tea among 6 tall glasses filled with ice. Top with soda and garnish with a fruit slice.
Matcha Float
2 teaspoons Matcha green tea
1⁄2 cup of hot water
5-6 ice cubes
1⁄2 cup cold milk
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
1. In a tall glass, mix the Matcha and hot water, and stir briskly until the paste becomes smooth.
2. Add ice cubes and pour milk slowly over them.
3. Top with ice cream.
Recipe courtesy of aoitea.com
Iced Mango-Ginger Green Tea
5 cups of filtered water
4 sachets of Biodynamic Mango Ginger Green Tea by Zhena’s Gypsy Tea
Ice and thinly sliced ginger, mango, or orange to garnish
1. Bring filtered water to a gentle boil in a small saucepan. Add the tea, cover, and remove from heat. Let steep for 4 minutes.
2. When ready to serve, divide the tea among 4 tall glasses filled with ice. Garnish with fruit slices and ginger.
Caffeine and Tea
Tea is rich in polyphenols, tannin, flavanoids, fluorine, and vitamins B, C, and K. Although teas contain caffeine, the amounts are far less than those in coffee and produce a softer, beneficial effect. Tea is known to banish fatigue, stimulate mental powers, and raise energy levels.
Approximate caffeine content per 8 oz. cup:
Black tea 75 mg
Green tea 50 mg
Oolong tea 60 mg
Coffee 175 mg
Health Benefits
• The moderate caffeine level in tea stimulates the central nervous system and promotes blood circulation.
• Tea acts as a diuretic, promoting better kidney function, and aids digestion.
• Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that green tea was the best antioxidant scavenger of deadly free radicals.
• Camellia sinensis is known to have some antiviral and antibacterial effects.
• While reducing the LDL (bad) cholesterol, tea elevates HDL (good) cholesterol.
• Research indicates that green tea protects against numerous types of cancer.
• According to dental research, the tannin and fluoride present in tea help prevent tooth decay.
Places to Visit
Puripan Tea Garden
377 Santana Row, Ste 1035
San Jose, CA 95128
Cha Seng Won Tea House
3330 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95052
Tea River
481 N. Santa Cruz Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Also read: Puerh and Passion
