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!
http://praisetea.com/blog/2012/02/one-plant-many-teas/
Friday, February 10, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
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!
http://praisetea.com/blog/2012/01/whats-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!
http://praisetea.com/blog/2012/01/whats-in-your-cup/
Friday, January 6, 2012
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!
http://praisetea.com/blog/2012/01/black-tea/
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!
http://praisetea.com/blog/2012/01/black-tea/
Friday, December 9, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
25% OFF Customer Appreciation Sale
http://praisetea.com/blog/2011/07/we-appreciate-you-customer-appreciation-sale/
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
http://praisetea.com/blog/2011/07/rooibos-tea/
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.
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.
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