“There are those who love to get dirty and fix things. They drink coffee at dawn, beer after work. And those who stay clean, just appreciate things. At breakfast they have milk and juice at night. There are those who do both, they drink tea.”
Gary Snyder – American poet
I recently started drinking tea (hot tea, not the wonderful iced, sweet tea so popular in the South). While it is no substitute for my morning coffee, I find that a mid-morning, lunchtime, or afternoon break from my typewriter is enhanced greatly with the addition of a warm cup of invigorating tea.
Beginning about the time that our patriotic ancestors, in defi ance of the British Parliament and King George, dumped a buttload of tea into Boston Harbor, coffee has been the beverage of choice for patriotic Americans. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many of us missing out on the benefits of tea drinking. But per haps that is changing. Many are now enjoying tea for its astonish- ing health benefits.
Tea is packed with antioxidants. These valuable antioxi- dants, called polyphenols, benefit our bodily functions, regulating blood pressure, body fat, liver function, and more. The specif- ic health benefits of tea drinking are profound.
Tea has been proven to boost metabolism and promote weight loss. It is a wonderful zero-calorie beverage, making it a good substitute for soda and other sugary drinks. Tea can also help curb your appetite between meals. Many fat-burning supplements on the market today include tea as one of their ingredients.
Recent research has revealed a direct link between tea drinking and a reduction in the risk of heart disease. Studies show that the more tea you drink, the less likely you are to die from heart disease, stroke, or respiratory disease. The polyphenols in tea help reduce cholesterol, improve the flexibility of our blood vessels, and can significantly decrease
the chance of having a stroke.
A recent study undertaken by the Mayo Clinic found that humans who consume more than
five cups of tea every day have a significantly lower risk of devel oping prostate cancer. The antioxidants in tea are believed to inhibit tumorigenesis in our organs, scavenging for free radicals and boosting our immune system function.
Drinking tea can help you stay mentally sharp as well. Compounds in tea have been shown to protect the neurotransmitters in the brain.
If you are so inclined to join the tea drinkers of the world, there are different types of tea you can enjoy. Here is a brief rundown: Green Tea – oldest and most popular, often sighted for the most health benefits, has lower caffeine content, pale in color w/sharp flavor. Black Tea – darker, red-colored w/robust flavor, some varieties known as Breakfast Tea, higher caffeine content. Oolong Tea – blend of green and black tea, complex fla vor. White Tea – uncured green tea, lighter in color and flavor.
Yellow Tea – sometimes called fresh tea, leaves dried naturally, similar flavor to green and white tea. Pur-erh Tea – often compressed in brick form, richer and earthier flavor.
Consider sampling many teas to find what you most enjoy.
This week I have been drinking Pinhead Gunpowder Tea (a delightfully good green tea), and English Breakfast Tea (a solid black tea – just the stuff that fueled British soldiers and pilots during the war).
Note – if you are drinking tea for the prescribed health benefits, do not surrender to the convenience of grocery store tea bags. These bags contain lesser quali- ty tea, along with perhaps floor sweepings and rodent hair, maybe even plastic. Bags steeped in hot water can leach out all kinds of putrid organisms, so it is best to stick with quality loose-leaf organic tea (search for tea online).
While there are many fancy accoutrements that can be used to brew tea (posh teapots with silly filters, funny looking balls with chains, etc.), I’ll share with you the simple redneck method. All you need is hot water, tea leaves, a large glass measuring cup or pot, and a kitchen strainer. Heat water and take off boil for a minute (ideal temp for brewing tea is 170-200 degrees F). Place tea leaves in container (use 1-2 tablespoons per cup – adjust to taste). Add hot water and gently stir. For best taste, leaves need to have room to expand. Let steep for 2-4 minutes. Use strainer and pour into your cup. It’s that simple.
No matter how you brew it, tea is good for you, so drink up and enjoy!
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