Archive for July, 2010

  • 12 Jul

    Posted by
    elynevay


    Category

    Green Tea and Oral Health Connection

    2

    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

  • 02 Jul

    Posted by
    elynevay


    Category

    Stop! Don’t Squeeze That Tea Bag.

    0

    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)