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The Chinese Tea Secrets

January 17, 2010 By 4 Comments
Red, black and green tea
Image by mat.teo via Flickr

As connoisseur of teas, whether real or herbal, a sample of the all natural, organic oolong tea was a refreshing change. A trip to the local coffee house gave me the opportunity to try this Asian delight. The taste was smooth with a small bitter aftertaste that can be remedied by a small splash of crème or milk. The color was a dark yellow or orange and the aroma smelled of an herbal garden in the noon day sun. It was a relaxing cup of tea without the usual overtones of fruit or spice as with some of the Celestial brews that come from Colorado. It was hearty but not with overshadowing added flavors.

Grown in China using traditional, organic methods, the Oolong Tea is becoming more and more popular in the United States. It seems that the taste and aroma is not the only reason people are drinking this powerful liquid. The health benefits of Oolong are numerous and have shown proven results in Japanese studies. The tea is a mixture of black (fermented) tea and green (non-fermented) tea. The two teas are blended together to make a wonderful combination of taste and health benefits. The green tea is shown to reduce oxidants thus reducing the risk for cancer. Cardiovascular disease is also shown in reduction with intake of the green elixir. Research has shown that consumption of Oolong tea in quantities of 4 cups a day is even seen as a control for body weight and obesity. As with any herbal product, the results are different with each individual and should not be used as a sole dietary plan. Exercise and sensible eating should also be used as part of the daily routine. [Read more...]

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Coffee or Espresso?

January 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A modern espresso machine.
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Coffee refers to a drink prepares by grinding the coffee beans to a powder and mixing with hot but not boiling water till all the flavors of the coffee bean have been extracted. However espresso is prepared by forcing a jet of hot water under pressure through coffee powder. While coffee is lighter in that has the consistency of water with a slight oiliness, espresso is much more thicker and is a concentrated version of coffee. The coffee bean spread from the Middle East to Italy and then to the rest of Europe and subsequently the world. The main reason for the popularity of coffee lies in its stimulating effect mainly due to the compound caffeine. A favorite of workaholics and now health junkies as well. Coffee has been shown to have a number of beneficial effects, especially on the Central Nervous System. Studies indicate that coffee consumption lowers significan'tly the risk of developing dementia, Parkinson's Disease etc. This beneficial effect of coffee has been evident since the discovery of coffee since ancient sources name coffee as a remedy to ailments such as an upset stomach. While coffee has been brewing since its discovery, the espresso is a recent invention of the Italians. The espresso originated in 1821 and since then it has been the foundation for numerous variations. Being really concentrated in the coffee flavors, espresso is often used as the base for the preparation of mochas, lattes and cappuccinos. Topped with vanilla, cream or chocolate, espressos are a long time favorite. However, while a coffee can be prepared at home with a humble pot, to make an espresso, an espresso machine is needed. And due this reason, when the craving for an espresso strikes most people head to the coffee shop round the corner. Maybe that is why I prefer coffee. There is the joy of making it myself coupled with the delicious taste of coffee. But there are also health reasons why you should prefer coffee to espresso. While caffeine is good, coffee also contains lipoproteins. It is these fats and oils which appear on the top layer of coffee upon brewing. Filter coffee to remove these fats. But in an espresso most of these harmful fats are still present and also in higher amounts.

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The Green tea health benefits

January 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
idealized curves of human blood glucose and in...
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Green tea may help reduce inflammation associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two types of IBD. If green tea proves to be helpful for preventing colon cancer, this would be an added benefit for those with IBD because they are at risk for colon cancer.

Diabetes

Green tea has been used traditionally to control blood sugar in the body. Animal studies suggest that green tea may help prevent the development of type 1 diabetes and slow the progression once it has developed. People with type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin, a hormone that converts glucose (sugar), starches, and other foods into energy needed for daily life. Green tea may help regulate glucose in the body.

A few small clinical studies have found that daily supplementation of the diet with green tea-extract powder lowered the hemoglobin A1c level in individuals with borderline diabetes.

Liver disease

Population-based clinical studies have shown that men who drink more than 10 cups of green tea per day are less likely to develop disorders of the liver. Green tea also seems to protect the liver from the damaging effects of toxic substances such as alcohol. Animal studies have shown that green tea helps protect against the development of liver tumors in mice.

Results from several animal and human studies suggest that one of the polyphenols present in green tea, known as catechin, may help treat viral hepatitis (inflammation of the liver from a virus). In these studies, catechin was isolated from green tea and used in very high concentrations. It is not clear whether green tea (which contains a lower concentration of catechins) confers these same benefits to people with hepatitis. [Read more...]

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Organic Coffee Beans – Why You Should Make the Switch Now

January 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Structure of coffee berry and beans: 1: center...
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We see a lot of organic coffee beans available in the market. Are they worth it? Here is a look at some of the reasons for making the switch to organic coffee beans.

The Future of Agriculture

From all indications, the future of agriculture lies with organic farming. For the consumer, this means healthier produce. Organic farmers make use of sustainable farming processes and avoid the use of dangerous chemical pesticides and fertilizers. These harmful substances are known carcinogens.

In order for produce to be certified as organic in the U.S., it must pass strict requirements by an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For organic coffee beans, these requirements include proof of being grown in an area that is proven to have no exposure to prohibited pesticides and chemicals for at least 3 years. Additional requirements for certification include a sustainable crop rotation plan which avoids soil depletion and pest control through non-chemical methods.

Try a New Organic Lifestyle

It's becoming easier these days to adopt an organic lifestyle, since organic products are now more common in the market. Your diet can now include all kinds of organic foods, from milk to meat to fruits and vegetables. There is no question that lowering your exposure to deadly chemicals and pesticides is vitally important to your health. It's only natural to make organic coffee beans part of your organic lifestyle.

Respect the Earth

Many farmers who grow organic coffee beans also make a commitment to protect the earth in other ways besides avoiding pesticides and chemicals. Many plant their coffee under trees in the rainforest, rather than clearing the trees. This helps preserve the diverse bird population that calls the rainforest home. [Read more...]

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