Spring 2008 Bonus

Teatime Tips

A good cup of tea starts with fresh cold water and your favorite tea blend.

For tea bags, bring water to a rolling boil and pour over the tea bag in a cup or small pot. Let steep (stand) for 3 to 5 minutes depending on the blend of tea. Remove and discard the tea bag after steeping so the tea does not become bitter.

For loose leaf tea, warm the teapot with warm water; add 1 round teaspoon of tea leaves per each 6-ounce cup. Pour boiling water over tea leaves and steep. Again, it is best if leaves are removed and discarded or the tea is strained and poured into another pot.

If stored properly, tea will stay fresh from 1-1/2 to 2 years. Moisture, temperature, light and odors will affect its quality. So be sure to store tea in an airtight container that keeps light out. Keep the container in a cool, dry place. And store different types of tea separately to prevent them from mingling their flavors.

Healthy Habit. The fourth International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health met last fall in Washington D.C. to review the latest findings on potential health benefits from drinking tea. Here’s what they reported:

• • Theanine, an amino acid found in green, black and oolong tea leaves, has been shown to help improve attention span and concentration.
• • New tests suggest that drinking tea may help support the brain as we age.
• • Recent data shows that tea may help us maintain good health, by shifting metabolism to favor weight loss and better manage blood sugar levels. The flavonoids (a type of antioxidant) in tea may also improve blood vessel function.

Tea Accessories. If you’re a tea fancier, you’ll fancy these handy items available from Shop Taste of Home, our mail order catalog. For information and to order click here.