Brewing the Perfect Cup of Tea
January 13th, 2010
Filed in Fruits, Veggies and Herbs
Tags: healthy living, herbs, tea
Tea, the second most popular beverage, after water, has a horticultural connection. In fact, if you want, you can grow a tea plant on your patio. Black, green, white and oolong tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis. Tea leaves are just that: the young leaves from the tips of the branches of this plant. Each type of tea mentioned above is dried and prepared differently, resulting in a different nutrient profile, and different health benefits. Herbal tea is an infusion of herbs, fruits, nuts, or any plant that does not come from the Camellia sinensis plant.
C.sinensis grows outdoors in zones 8 and higher, but they do well in pots, as well. Bring them inside during the winter, and keep in a sunny spot that isn’t overly warm. A garage window facing south is best. During the summer, they need to stay in the shade, so they don’t get sunburned. They need slightly acidic, sandy soil to thrive.
Brewing Tea
Katie’s Teavana 16 oz Perfect Tea Maker. It really is the perfect way to brew looseleaf tea: easy, inexpensive, and quick
Even if you don’t grow a tea plant, you still might want to experiment with different types of tea. One of the most interesting (and fun) places I’ve become addicted to is a Teavana store, or on their website. They even have a free iPhone app now that assists you in concocting your own delicious brews! You can also create your own herbal teas from herbs and edible plants growing around your garden. Always use plants that have not been treated with pesticides, and always look in a trusted medicinal herb reference before using herbs you harvest yourself.
Each type of tea requires a different temperature of water and length of brewing time. Green and white tea needs a cooler temperature—around 175 degrees, Fahrenheit—or, when the water is just steaming. Herbal and black teas steep best in water that has just BARELY begun to boil.
Health Benefits of Tea
Tea leaves are full of antioxidants, compounds in plants that help neutralize the affects of cells that have oxidized or are missing necessary components, and travel about the body causing damage to other cells. Tea leaves themselves, have many anti-oxidants. Herbal teas, and tea blends with fruits and other herbs also contribute other vitamins and beneficial compounds to the diet.
To your health!
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