A lot of people these days are watching their waistlines. Adding a teaspoon or so of sugar or honey can add 15 to 25 calories to your tea.

Of course there are many low- or no-calorie alternatives to sugar and honey, but they come with risks or side effects. Over the years, a long list of dangerous side effects have been linked to the use of artificial sweeteners. Even the natural sweeteners made from sugar alcohol have their own drawbacks that range from leaving an aftertaste to headaches and diarrhea.

Recently I came upon an all-natural sweetener made from a Chinese fruit called Lo Han Kuo (Lo Han). Once the extract is powdered it becomes 10 times sweeter than sugar and has a mild, fruity flavor. The best part is that this sweetener is heat stable so it won’t break down in hot beverages like tea. Lo Han has been used for hundreds of years as a staple in Chinese healing. It’s a powerful antioxidant and packed with amino acids and vitamins. The Chinese have used it to boost immunity; moisten the lungs and skin; purify the blood; and treat coughs, sore throats, nasal congestion, gastric upsets, diarrhea, stress, and constipation. For the diabetic, this sweetener has a low Glycemic Index that does not cause extreme fluctuations in blood sugar. And there’s good news for anyone struggling to lose weight. Lo Han is low in calories having only about 2 calories in a 2 gram serving. Studies show that using this sweetener also tends to reduce cravings for sweets or foods in general and does not stimulate fat storage.

If you’re looking for an all-natural sweetener that has no known side effects and is good for you, give Lo Han a try.

I’ve been blessed with a good set of teeth, but it could also be due, in part, to my love of tea.

Did you know that green, black, and oolong teas all contain natural fluoride? They absorb it through the soil and water that they are grown in. Fluoride is helpful in strengthening teeth and preventing cavities.

A Japanese study also revealed that green tea contains high concentrations of catechin. The antioxidants found in catechin reduce the inflammation that mouth bacteria causes and can reduce tooth decay and gingivitis. The study suggested that one to four cups of green tea per day could reduce the risk of loosing teeth.

Another interesting study from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Center has promising research that green tea can help prevent oral cancer. Polyphenols are found in green tea and they seem to retard carcinogenic bacteria in the mouth.

Also, due to the limited fermentation process of green tea; it retains more of its antioxidant properties than black or oolong teas.

To get the most benefit from green tea, one should use high grade, loose-leaf tea made from young buds. This will ensure the highest concentration of catechin for better oral health.

Sencha Premium Green Tea

I got an early start today, running errands, and decided to stop at a local restaurant for my favorite breakfast. While I was waiting for my order to arrive, I gazed around the restaurant and an elderly couple caught my attention. They too were waiting for their food to be served. He was reading the morning paper and obviously drinking coffee. She was sloshing a tea bag up and down in her cup. When she was done, she wrapped the tea bag around the spoon and to my utter dismay, squeezed it to get out every last drop of liquid. As I sat watching her, I wondered how many people have really experienced a great cup of tea?

Pages could be written on how this woman took a so-so cup of tea and turned it into a drink that needed to be poured down the drain. I could discuss the quality of tea bags, or the way the tea bag was stored, or even the water temperature that her cup of tea was made with, but I want to focus today on what happened when she squeezed the tea bag dry.

It’s tempting to squeeze a tea bag. Who wants it dripping all over the place? Plus, with the cost of things today, shouldn’t we squeeze every last drop out instead of wasting it? Makes sense, but what are you really doing to that cup of tea?

When you squeeze out that last bit of liquid from your tea bag you release tannins and oils that make the tea bitter. Also, if you squeeze too hard, you run the risk of breaking the bag and releasing all of the fannings into your drink.

So the next time you use a tea bag, resist the temptation to squeeze it. You’ll end up with a more drinkable cup of tea.

(Evanor Teas)

PART III: A Safer Alternative to Sun Tea

 Lately I’ve been discussing the pros and cons of making sun tea. To recap; some articles have reported a risk that sun tea may develop bacteria that can make you ill. A safer alternative would be to make refrigerator tea.

 I’ve been experimenting and have found that refrigerator tea can be a delicious drink. So how do you brew tea in the fridge? Well, it’s pretty simple, place your tea packets in a glass container, fill it up with water, put a tight lid on it and place it in the refrigerator for 12 hours.

 The question is, can refrigerator tea go bad.? YES; tea, like any other perishable, will go bad if you don’t practice safe food handling or you keep it too long.

 Here are some common sense tips to keep your iced tea safe no matter how you brew it:

1. Always use a clean container that has been washed in hot soapy water and then well rinsed.
2. Consider avoiding those cute decanters with the built in spigot. It’s almost impossible to get the spigot clean and makes a perfect place for bacteria to hid
3. Use filtered water
4. Never leave sun tea brew for longer than 4 hours and refrigerator tea for 12 hours. No matter how you brew your iced tea, try to use it within 24 hours and discard any after 48 hours.
5. Keep iced tea refrigerated after brewing
6. Discard any iced tea if it smells sour, gets thick, or you see ropey strand-like particles. This is a sure sign that your tea has become contaminated with bacteria.
7. If you do have tea that goes bad, make sure that your brewing container or pitcher is scrubbed in hot soapy water then dipped in a bleach/water solution and finally rinsed well with clean water before using it again

PART II: The Cons

 Last post I told you how much my family and I enjoy sun tea. I’ve been brewing it for over 20 years without any problems, but some articles have come to my attention and I must share the information with you.

 According to some reports, sun tea may harbor bacteria that can make you ill. Theoretically speaking there is a common bacteria called alcaligenes viscolactis that is found in water and may multiply in the environment found in sun tea. According to the articles, water heated by the sun only gets to about 130 degrees Fahrenheit and that’s not hot enough to kill off this bacteria.

 Even though the danger exists, there is no known evidence that there has been any illness related to consuming sun tea. In reality, any risk is more likely due to poor food handling techniques rather than from the tea itself.

 Common sense should tell you that, no matter how you brew your iced tea, if it develops a sour smell, becomes thick, or you see ropey strands, it has gone bad and should be discarded immediately.

 Next blog I’ll share with you a safer alternative to sun tea

  Sources:

 Pro

http://www.teageek.net/blog/?p=190

 Con

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=210415&mpage=

PART I: The Pros

I’ve made Sun Tea for years. Every year, my family and I anxiously await that first delicious gallon of tea. I use a 1 gallon glass pickle jar with a screw on lid. The jar is always scrubbed well with hot soapy water and well rinsed with plain water. Then I add my tea packets, filtered water, and tightly screw on the lid. Finally, the jar is placed out side in a sunny location and allowed to steep for 3 to 4 hours. When the tea is a deep, brown color, the tea packets are removed and the tea jar is immediately placed in the refrigerator. We are tea enthusiasts and a gallon of SunTea rarely lasts longer than one day.

Here’s a great recipe that my husband’s Gramma gave me

Gramma Sitko’s Iced Tea

1 gallon of filtered water

3 packets of a good black tea (I recommend using Pascoe’s Woodlands Iced Tea packets)

¾ cup of sugar

5 to 6 ounces of lemon juice

Fill glass jar with 1 gallon of filtered water, add tea packets, and tightly cover with lid.

Place jar in sunny location for 3 to 4 hours.

Remove tea packets from jar.

Mix sugar and lemon juice in a 1 gallon size pitcher, then pour in the warm Sun Tea.

Stir well and refrigerate immediately.

Read my next blog for the Cons of Making Sun Tea

Today I would like to give you some tips on how to protect your tea investment.

Did you know that tea has a shelf life? Generally speaking, under ideal conditions, Black and Oolong teas could remain fresh up to 3 years, and the lesser-oxidized teas, such as the Greens and Whites, could last up to 2 years if stored right. Also, loose teas have a longer shelf life than bag teas.

The secret to prolonging a tea’s freshness is to properly store it. The five things that will destroy a tea’s flavor and aroma are air, heat, light, moisture, and odor.

Store your tea in air tight, opaque tin or ceramic containers. Never store tea in plastic containers. If you store your tea in a glass jar, make sure the jar is kept in a dark cabinet and away from light.

Tight fitting lids are a must to keep air, moisture, and odors out.

Avoid storing tea in humid areas of your kitchen.

Keep your tea away from heat sources. Store your tea in cool, dry places, but never freeze or refrigerate it.

Tea will absorb odors so do not store it along side strong smelling food items like herbs, spices, or other strongly scented teas.

Following these few simple steps should ensure a fresh tasting cup of tea every time!

Tea Tins

China has experienced unusual adverse weather conditions this Spring. Some areas have seen the worst drought in 50 years, while others were affected by cold weather. Such a poor Spring will definitely impact some tea products from this region. The weather has delayed crops and has affected quality and quantity. To this extent, some teas will be available in extremely limited quantities or will not be available at all. This will lead to some tea prices rising as much as 10 to 15%. Some of the tea offerings at Evanor Teas may experience a significant price increase. Now is the time to stock up on your favorite teas.

 Remember that tea needs to be stored properly to retain its freshness. Store loose-leaf tea in airtight, opaque containers and never expose tea to heat, light or humidity. If stored properly, tea will maintain its freshness up to one year or more, depending upon the type of tea.

 Evanor Teas will continue to bring its customers the best quality teas at reasonable prices.

 Sources:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03/27/content_9651260.htm

http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=11013&sec=2

http://www.worldteanews.com/index.php/20100421930/International/Severe-Weather-Effects-Tea-Production-in-China.html

Ok, Father’s Day is coming up and what are you buying him this year? Another tie? Why not try something different and give him the gift of tea. Evanor Teas has a tea blend formulated especially for men.

 Our Ayurvedic Men’s Activity Tea has a spicy and tangy herbal taste that men love. With a hint of sharpness, this tea helps poor old Dad’s weariness melt away. One of the ingredients, Peppermint, is great for treating insomnia and anxiety due to work-day stress. This tea also works great as a stomach strengthener and helps control gas.

 Surprise Dad this year with something truly different; a tea that is great tasting and revitalizing.

In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “Knowledge of Life” and is pronounced ( eye – yer – vay – da ). Ayurvedic is an ancient India holistic health care system that has roots in traditional Indian philosophies. Known to enhance the balance of a person’s everyday life through the use of herbs, plants, fruits, and spices, Ayurveda teas result in delicious and aromatic drinks.

According to Ayurvedic practices, all of life’s functions are controlled through three energies called Doshas; dosha kapha, dosha vata, and dosha pitta.

Ayurvada kapha affects endurance, strength and promotes self-healing. Ayurvedic kapha teas, spicy in nature, relieves congestion and is useful as a digestion tea.

Ayurvada vata dosha governs the life force and is good for dry skin and poor circulation. Ayurvedic vata teas usually have a toasty and sweet citrus taste.

Ayurvada pitta dosha balances metabolic energy while regulating digestion and promoting appetite. An Ayurvedic pita dosha tea is usually cooling and refreshing.

(Ayurvedic Tea)