Tea for Two, Four, Six and More
Tea comes in a variety of different flavors and forms including black, green, white, bagged or lose leaf. India, China, Japan and Kenya are countries that produce a multitude of tea each year. Many prefer lose leaf tea over bagged because it is said to maximize taste.
Black tea is stronger in flavor than others and contains more caffeine. Unlike other teas whose shelf life isn’t very long, black tea keeps its bold flavor for years. Dargeeling is a black tea that is produced in India and is known as the champagne of tea.
Green tea originates from China and has spread throughout many parts of the world. It is exclusively made using Camellia sinensis leaves. Green tea has recently been affiliated with many research studies to determine is health benefits. It is believed to have antioxidants that aid in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. White tea has a sweet flavor and comes from buds and young leaves. This tea differs from other teas which are derived using more mature leaves.
Tea can also come in several flavors. They are flavored, either artificially or naturally, with oils, flowers, fruits, spices, chocolate, mint or even brandy. Tea brewing is important when tasting the aromatic flavors. For instance black tea is a stronger tea and should be brewed at 205-215 F for 3-5 minutes. Green tea’s brew time of 3-5 minutes is similar to black, but the temperature of 165-185 F is much lower. White tea, however, is much lighter than both and brews at a low 160-175 F for 2-3 minutes.
One of the best ways to relax is to grab a cup of tea and a favorite book. Tea is continuously coupled with any form of unwinding. It only takes 3-5 minutes to add a fragrant pause to any busy day.