Tea is the world's most highly consumed beverage, second only to water.  There are an endless variety of flavors and characteristics that can be garnered from a cup of tea.  Tea is all-natural, contains no additives, artificial flavorings, colors, and is calorie and sodium free.  It contains fluoride and has traces of vitamins A, K, C, beta-carotene, folate and other B vitamins. 

Tea is rich in antioxidants, in fact, it contains greater concentrations than any other food or beverage.  Antioxidants are important natural substances that guard against free radical damage in the body resulting from pollution, pesticides, and radiation.  This damage, which we are exposed to daily, can cause cancers and aid in a host of other disease processes.  An abundance of studies show the incredible effectiveness of tea, especially green teas which are particularly high in antioxidants, in combating these diseases and helping to return the body to its normal state of health.  Tea is truly the best overall health tonic you can take, and the relaxing experience of enjoying a cup of tea is an added and welcome benefit in this fast paced, stressful world in which we live.

So, we recommend that, at least once a day, you sit back, relax, and enjoy a cup of tea!  Follow these easy guidelines:

 Elaine’s Tea Shoppe

 How to Prepare a Proper Cup of Tea

Best methods of preparation vary somewhat depending on the type of tea you are brewing.  But, in general, it is best to begin with fresh, cold water (filtered is even better as it removes chemical tastes such as chlorine).  Bring the water just to a boil to properly oxygenate the water for a better tasting cup of tea; over-boiling drives off oxygen.  Pour the hot water in the pot to warm it, and discard.  Then add the tea leaves directly to the pot, or use an infuser of some type.  The French Press is a convenient and contemporary way to prepare loose leaf tea, not to mention very elegant.  Pour the hot water over the leaves.  This moment is called “The agony of the leaf.”

How much tea to use in brewing is a matter of taste as well.  However, a good rule of thumb is approximately 1 teaspoon per 1 cup of tea, and an old adage adds one for the pot.  By the way, an easy way to reduce the caffeine content of your tea is to steep for 30 seconds and discard.  Then infuse the same leaves for 3-5 minutes.  Most of the caffeine comes out in the first brief infusion, and the resulting cup will still be flavorful but very low in caffeine.

Black teas should be infused 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.  But remember: the longer you steep, the more bitter the tea.  Never steep over 5 minutes.  Instead, simply add more tea leaves to make a stronger tea.  Good quality tea leaves may easily be re-infused 2-3 times.

Green tea need only be steeped 2-3 minutes, however, 5-6 minutes or several subsequent infusions from the same leaves will extract more of the anti-oxidants from the tea, and still provide good flavor.  Make sure you let the boiling water cool down for a minute or two before pouring over a green tea.  White teas, a special type of green tea, are brewed the same as other greens, but may be infused 5-7 times due to the extremely high quality of the leaf. 

Oolongs only need 1 1/2 - 2 minutes to produce a fine first cup.  Since good quality oolongs stand up to numerous infusions, add 30 seconds for each subsequent steeping, up to 4 times.

Honey, milk, sugar, or lemon may be added depending on your tastes, but never use cream.  It is too heavy and will overpower the delicate flavours of the tea.   **You should not add anything to Green Teas or Oolongs as they are meant to be taken straight up.**

Herbal tisanes that are blended for improved health should be brewed for 10-20 minutes to extract all the health benefits from the herbs.  Tisanes blended more for flavor, i.e., ones with more fruit content such as apple bits or cranberries can become bitter if over-steeped.  3-5 minutes is sufficient for fruited tisanes.  Never add milk to these, as it will curdle.  Rooibos, a tisane from the South African Red Bush, requires 8-10 minutes for a full flavored cup, but it is caffeine free, high in anti-oxidants, and well worth the wait.

 Enjoy!    The TeaLady