Steeping A Good Cup

Ok, so we are often asked,”How do I brew my tea to not have it taste bitter?” Well preparing the perfect cup of tea is a process to be savored. Come share with us and learn how to get infused.

It all starts with Water. The quality of tea is affected by the quality of water used to prepare it. Using filtered or spring water is best. If possible, avoid brewing tea with tap, distilled or mineral water. Never over-boiling water, as it results in flat-tasting tea.

Preheat your tea pot. For black and oolong tea a warm teapot will maintain the requisite temperature for superior tasting tea. While the water is heating pour hot water into your teapot and cups, let sit and then drain completely. Do not preheat the pot for white tea.
Next, add your favorite Praise Tea loose leaf tea. You can use your teapot with a removable infuser, paper tea sachet, or teaball. Try to avoid using small tea balls, as the leaves have less room to unfurl and develop their full flavor. Depending upon the tea type, use one teaspoons or one tablespoon per 6 ounces or cup of water.

As a general guide, follow the below guidelines for steeping the perfect cup.

	Tea Type	Leaves – 12 oz. water	Fire – Temperature	Infusion Time
	Black	1 rounded teaspoon	205 – 212˚ F	3-5 minutes
	Oolong	1 rounded tablespoon	185-205˚ F	3-5 minutes
	Green	1 rounded teaspoon	150-180˚ F	1-3 minutes
	White	1 rounded tablespoon	180˚ F	3-5 minutes
	Herb and Fruited	1 rounded tablespoon	205 – 212˚ F	5-7 minutes
	Pu-erh	1 rounded teaspoon	205˚ F	3-5 minutes

Steeping Notes: Although we recommend the proportions and infusion times above, you can experiment depending upon your own flavor and strength preference. With practice, you will discover the right steeping time for each tea and what works best for you. Also, for brewing green or white tea, you can bring water to a roiling boil, and then let it sit for 1-2 minutes before steeping to attain the proper water temperature. Happy Sipping!

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Pu’Erh – What is it?

This ancient wonder is renowned in China as a health elixir and has shown tremendous potential in helping to lower cholesterol naturally. Undergoing a special processing in the final drying stage the tea is then aged. It is comparable in taste and caffeine content to black tea. In China this tasty tea has long been used as a powerful digestive aid and natural detoxifier. But even more remarkable is the suggested cholesterol lowering benefits that have been experienced by so many.

Often called a “post-fermented” tea, Pu-erh teas from China’s Yunnan Province are, ironically perhaps, the ONLY teas to undergo a genuine fermentation. The processing of Pu’Erh although straightforward, is complicated by the fact that the tea itself falls into two different categories: the “raw” greeb tea and the “ripe” post-fermented tea. The point at which this drying is finished determines the type of tea you end up with. If the tea is dried immediately it will be a “green” tea like many of the Japanese teas. If the tea is dried after the leaves are partially oxidized it will be considered a “semi-fermented” tea.

The goal is to end up with a tea of incredible complexity and depth of flavor, a full rich body and a long, layered aftertaste. We invite you to savor this rarest of tea experiences through our selection of Pu’Erh teas. Savor the composed notes of the forest floor and herbal overtones all are present in every sip. Happy Sipping!

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One Tea Many Plants

All teas come from the same plant called Camellia sinensis. The thousands of different varieties of teas available in the world only vary on the region it was grown, the time of year picked, and the processing method. The differences stem from how they are processed.

How the leaves are processed will determine their final classification. The main categories of tea are White, Green, Oolong, and Black. The main difference between the many tea varieties is how much oxygen the leaves are allowed to absorb during processing. Much oxygen produces dark-colored black teas. Little oxygen results in green tea. Unprocessed leaves are called white tea.
Each type of tea has its own characteristics including a different taste, differing health benefits, and even different levels of caffeine.

♦White teas are the least processed of all. Quite simply, the leaves are gently withered and dried.
♦Green teas undergo slightly more processing. After plucking, the leaves are steamed or heated briefly and then dried.
♦Oolong teas require an additional step of partial oxidation. The leaves are gently bruised and exposed to the air for a carefully controlled period of time. This partial oxidation creates a tea with flavor between a green tea and a black tea.
♦Black tea, leaves are slightly withered, rolled, fully oxidized to develop a deeper flavor, and then dried.

There is no other beverage that can be so relaxing at times, while so invigorating at others; that can be enjoyed either hot or cold and that is so very easy to prepare yet produces flavors that are so complex as the incredible beverage that is commonly referred to simply as tea. Happy Sipping!


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What's In Your Cup?

Who doesn't want FREE tea? ::: Starting Friday, January 13 we are playing ::: What's in your cup?"

Here's how you play: (1) Upload a picture to our wall & tell us what's in your cup (2) Get your friends and fellow Praise Tea Lovers to "Like" your photo for a chance to WIN what's in your cup! Don’t have our blend in your cup? Well, well will send you a blend. Most "Likes" WIN! It's that easy!


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Black Tea - And Loving It!

Is there a difference between the kinds of teas we see in today’s market? Yes. Each variety of tea has its own characteristics and qualities. The Indian tea plant is used almost exclusively to make black tea. Black tea demands its own following.

Black teas are fully oxidized (the tea leaves are bruised to give them more exposure to air), making for assertive flavors and aromas. Darjeeling is a black tea that comes from the Chinese tea plant but grown in India. The character of Darjeeling tea (also Indian) depends on when the leaves are picked: The first flush in early spring produces light, fragrant teas; the second pluck, in the summer, is more robust; fall’s harvest tends to be mild. Likewise Ceylon tea comes from the Chinese tea plant, but grown in Sri Lanka, formerly called Ceylon. Sri Lanka’s black Ceylon teas have a crisp citrus aroma and mellow fruit flavor. India’s Assam region produces full-bodied, malty black teas. Chinese black teas are generally less astringent than South Asian ones, and include peppery teas such as Yunnan Gold and floral varieties like Keemun.

The benefits of black tea, while it shares some properties with its white and green friends, have a much higher caffeine content than green, white, or oolong teas due to how it’s processed. Therefore making it a favorite for breakfast and a renowned metabolism booster for dieters.

Other benefits of black tea are:
The Energy Boost - high caffeine content
Heart Health - black tea drinking has been known to improve arterial health
Cancer Inhibitor - the antioxidants in black tea (and other similar tea varieties) protect the body from a range of ailments
Better bones and skin - other elements in black tea protect the skin and build stronger bone
It’s good to try several types of black tea to decide which you like best. So Happy Sipping!

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25% OFF Customer Appreciation Sale

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We Appreciate YOU ::: Customer Appreciation Sale

25% OFF ALL TEAS...Hurry, One Week Only!

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Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) has long been enjoyed as a fruity, mild-flavored beverage by the locals where it is grown in South Africa. The mild flavor of rooibos (pronounced Roy-Boss) has made it a very popular ingredient in various herbal tea blends.

Green rooibos is often preferred because it contains a considerably higher level of antioxidants. The fermentation step does decrease the antioxidant activity of the tea, possibly due to the 25% loss of polyphenolics during the process. The tea gets withered and steamed immediately thus preventing oxidation. This results in a lighter and more aromatic taste and a deep green color of the beverage.

Rooibos has no caffeine and is low in tannin, so it can be enjoyed all day long without any unpleasant side effects. Unlike many other teas, this one is naturally caffeine free. A cup of rooibos tea before bedtime can be soothing and help you relax if you are suffering insomnia or stress..This also makes it a great tea for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Matcha - The Perfect Pick Me Up

The ceremonial drinking grade of Matcha is perfect for daily consumption. This daily treat contains the highest color quality, nutrient value, and taste for the average consumer. Matcha is the only tea variety that is ground into fine powder form. When drinking Matcha or enjoying a food or beverage made from Matcha – you consume the entire tea leaf. Thus receiving the full nutrition benefits of the whole tea leaf, high concentration of green tea antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Matcha is extremely rich in 3 very important nutrients that are of high interest for healthier lifestyle living: Insoluble Fibers, Antioxidants, and L-Theanines.

Tea Smoothie (makes 8oz cup)

Fill an 8oz cup with 4-5 cubes ice and plain soy milk*. Pour into a blender and add 1 Tbsp (15g) of Matcha into the blender and blend until smooth.

Tea Latte (makes 8oz cup)

Combine 8oz of plain soy milk* and add 1 Tbsp (15g) of Matcha and steam the soymilk using a steamer until it creates a fine froth.

*Regular Milk or Plain Soy milk

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Often time customers will ask us about pricing as it relates to price per cup, price per ounce, of hot tea, or price per cup for a gallon of brewed iced tea. We will break down the cost per cup of tea for you.

If you divide all of our prices by 4, you will get the price per oz. Example: Lemon Soleil Green Tea - $12.00 per 1/4 lb. (4 oz.) package = $3.00 per oz. In a 4 oz. (1/4 lb) bag of tea there are approximately 50 cups. This equals 24 cents per cup of brewed tea. If you choose to re-steep your tea, a second time, that price is cut in half.

Iced tea uses 1oz. per gallon of brewed tea. That equals approximately eleven (12 oz.) glasses of tea. $11.00 for 1/4 lb of Blood Orange Herbal Tea @ $2.50 / oz. of tea = 21 cents per glass of iced tea. REMEMBER, almost all of our teas can be steeped twice. That cuts the actual cost in half. a fantastic value for you!!

Teas are a great value for your hard earned dollar. So enjoy!!




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Just in time for spring, Praise Tea offers over 20 new tea and herbal varieties. Many of them are Fair Trade and Organic...check it out.

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2011 New Tea Blends

At Praise Tea Co, we strive to truly be purveyors of premium loose leaf tea. In order to continuously provide fresh, high-quality teas and blends each year, we must retire or improve some teas. We will be adding several new Organic and Fair Trade tea blends and discontinuing old ones. While you may have a favorite may be discontinued, we have similar teas and new blends teas to both please and challenge your palette. Once the new 2011 teas are announced (by the end of January), we will update you to their availabilty on the website.


A sneak preview of some the flavors:


Divine - white tea with lychee and peach notes

Bolivian Green, Organic - organic green is light, delicately grassy, gentle & airy

Harmony, O, FT - Green tea with pear

Formosa Oolong - oolong from Taiwan's northwestern Hakka area

Milky Oolong - unique tea from Nantou, with hints of cinnamon and sugar

Se Chung Oolong, Organic - oolong with a nutty profile

Oolong Royal - oolong, aronia berries, mango and rose petals

Darjeeling Autumn, O, FT - Grown high in the foothills of the Himalayas on the famous Bio-dynamic Makaibari estate

China Pu-Erh, Organic

China Keemun, Organic

Assam Black Tea, Organic

Mary's Heart, Organic - black tea, apple, mango

Mango, Orangic - black tea, mango...a new blend

Lemon, Organic - black tea, lemon.. a new blend

Raspberdy, Orgnic - black tea, raspberry... a new blend

Cranberry, Orgnaic - black tea, cranberry... a new blend

Pure Rose, Organic - pu-reh tea and rose petals

Masala Chai, Organic - black tea, chai spices..a new blend

Gojiberry Pom - black tea, gojiberry and pomegrante

White Pearl - white/green tea, jasmine, apricot, rose

Roobios Tropics - rooibos, mango, strawberry

Mango n Friends - herbal blend of mango, pineapple and papaya

Peach Rave - herbal blend of Peaches, hibiscus, apple bits, elderberries, and sunflower petals

Summer Passion - herbal blend of apple, pineapple, papaya, bamboo, lemon

Lemon Twist, Organic - mate, lemon myrtle, mixed spice, new blend

Roasted Yerba Mate, Organic - roasted yerba mate, new blend

Yerba Mate, Organic - traditional mate, new blend

Envy, Organic - yerba mate, apple, apricot

Chocolate Mate - mate, rooibos, cocoa bits, cinnamon, etc

Pink Sonoma - wine infused white tea, rose petals, jasmine, cabernet

Assam Jungle - wine infused black tea, licorice root, cinnamon, cabernet

Herbs 4 Men

Herbs 4 Women

Fasting

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January: National Hot Tea Month

January is National Hot Tea Month and most of us have already made resolutions of one sort or another. Those that are simple to incorporate into our lives are the ones we are most likely to keep past January. Make tea a part of your daily routine and lifestyle.

Research states that, tea is one way to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Maybe being healthier is one of your most important health resolutions for the New Year? Why not incorporate tea into your drink options and a little less of other types of drinks.

For those who are looking to shed a few holiday pounds. A study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that substances in tea may even promote weight loss by increasing the amount of energy spent by the body. The theory is that green tea, because of the catechin (pronounced "cat E kins") content, has thermogenic properties that promote fat oxidation, may work together with other chemicals to increase weight loss.

This antioxidant, nutrient-rich beverage has also been credited with protecting against and helping to lower the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol.

So do your happy dance and get your teapots steamed up for a cup your favorite Praise Tea. Tea lovers rejoice!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year filled with Tea and Good Health,

Tea Time Facts…
•The caffeine content of tea is 40 mg in one cup of tea as compared to 99 mg of caffeine in a cup of coffee.
•Black and Green teas contain a certain type of antioxidant called flavenoids.
•To be labeled "decaffeinated," the caffeine content per cup of tea must be approximately 5 mg.
•The difference between Black, Green, and Oolong tea is a result of the changes that occur during processing of the tea leaves. They are all made of the same type of tea leaves.

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Marbeliz Message Mugs make the perfect gift

Brown Marbleiz Mug: "Mornings wouldn't be so bad, if they just started later."
Blue Marbleiz Mug: "I'm on a 30 day diet so far I've lost 15 days."
Cream Marbleiz Mug: "Too much of a good thing is wonderful."
Red Marbleiz Mug: "You will always be my friend you know too much."

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Who Says The Savings Start on Black Friday

Shop Early and SAVE!! Sale starts today and ends MIDNIGHT Thanksgiving!! Visit us at http://www.praisetea.com/

Veterans Day Special

As a special thank you to all our Veterans, enjoy 20% off all online purchases.

Coupon Code: Vet20

Expires midnight Saturday, October 13th.

Happy Sipping!

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20% off Special Offer from Praise Tea

The Holidays are around the corner and to celebrate this holiday season, Praise Tea is ready to serve your gift giving wants. Praise Tea is offering you 20% off of your next purchase. Order online to receive the discount. Online Promo Code: HOLITEA20 Expires December 1, 2010

Gift Cards - Gorgeous cards in any denomination and will never expire. This month 10% off all cards! Coupon Code: Gift10

Tea Ritual Clubs - Several 6 and 12 month Tea Club offerings. A tine of tea goes out every month.

Give the gift of health, beauty and calm - Praise Tea. We appreciate your business, "Enjoy Life, One Sip At A Time".

Brew or not to brew….cold!

Ahh, so you want iced tea (yes even in the fall), but to go through all the hassle of heating water, steeping, icing and THEN drinking. Well, there is another method and that’s cold brew or cold infusion! It is one of the easiest way to brew iced tea.

The cold brewing method has two surprising and very pleasant benefits. Cold water draws out or pulls the flavor from the leaf as opposed to hot water, used in traditional brewing, which pushes the flavor from the leaf. Subsequently, cold infusion is a much slower, gentle method that results in a smooth, more subtle, naturally sweet tasting tea.

Iced tea that sits in your refrigerator will normally become cloudy. Cold brewed iced tea will not, and will remain transparent and more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Iced tea made this way will also have less tannins, which means less astringency. Tthe astringency of the tea leaves will not be released into the water creating an infusion that may not be quite as richly flavored as a hot water brewed tea, but a much less bitter brew. This type of brewing is terrific for oolong teas, Pu’erh tea, and black teas

To prepare a cold infusion you will need;
1. A glass jar or container with a top
2. 4 – 6 tablespoons of premium loose-leaf tea
3. 8 cups of cold water

Poured water over the tea leaves and place the container in the refrigerator for 8-10 hours, perferably overnight. When the tea is ready, remove the leaves and enjoy.

One word of caution, brewed tea has a shelf life! So,

Tea stored in the refrigerator should be kept no longer than 3 days

Tea stored at room temperature should be kept no longer than 2 days.

What added tea flavor? Try making ice cubes out of the tea and serving them with the iced tea to keep the flavor from diluting as the ice melts.

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How Do You Make The Perfect Cup of Tea

You need a good teapot to truly enjoy a good cup of tea. And, it all starts with the vessel – the Yixing Teapot. For centuries, the aesthetic Yixing teawares are known to be the best vessel for brewing tea. Yixing teapots are famous in China and abroad for it’s renowned beauty and practicality.

History
Yixing teapot was first produced during the Sung Dynasty (A.D. 960 – 1280) but did not flourish until the Ming Dynasty (1600). This traditional style commonly used to brew tea originated in China, dating back to the 15th century, and are made from the world’s only source of uniqye clay produced in the region of the town of Yixing in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu. This clay is called “Zisha” or purple clay. During the Ming Dynasty traders have bought these teapots to Europe. Demand throughout China and from Europe had spurred a high level of artistic mastery in teapot design. The Yixing craftsmen inscribe Chinese art, classical literature, and calligraphy on the body of the teapots. Due to the exceptional artistry, they became sought-after treasures and were often found in the homes of royal families and social elites.

The Benefits
The Chinese have made teapots from different materials: jade, agate, crystal, lacquer, bamboo, iron, chinaware, sand, and clay. Yixing clay teapots have endured the test of time and are the most popular teapots in China. Individually handmade, the Yixing teapots are made from purple clay. With continued usage the porous and unglazed teawares will absorb the aroma and flavors of your tea. It is said that if you use a Yixing teapot for many years, you can brew tea by just pouring boiling water into the empty pot. The exceptionally strong purple clay will also increase in luster and color with repeated use. They have the ability to withstand high temperatures and are slow to conduct heat; therefore, the handle remains comfortably cool even when pouring very hot tea.

Preparing The Teapot
Prior to FIRST use:
1. Remove lid and add tealeaves into the teapot. Use tealeaves that you intend to brew in the future with your Yixing Clay Teapot.
2. Pour boiling water into your Yixing Teapot.
3. Let your teapot soak in the tea for 24 hours.
4. After 24 hours, remove the contents of the teapot.
5. Rinse well with hot water. This removes the natural earthy aroma of the teapot and rinses away any clay residue from the inside of your pot.
6. Let it air dry uncovered.

Cleaning Your Yixing Teapot
After each teapot usage, follow instructions below:
1. Pour the tea sediments away.
2. Rinse out the pot with hot water.
3. Wipe the outside dry with a soft cloth.
4. Leave in a dark dry corner to dry naturally.

Caution: Never use soap, cleansers, or detergents on your Yixing teapot

Having at least one Yixing teapot is essential to the tea lover’s kitchen collection!

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