All about Tea – Part 3

As we seem to be having cooler temperatures lately, we find more customers switching to hot tea. In the third part in our series on tea, we provide some interesting facts about tea, including great health benefits of tea and tips for making great tea at home.

HISTORY

• The custom of drinking tea developed in China almost 5,000 years ago
• Tea came to Europe overland from the East (by way of the Ottoman Empire and Russia) and the West (with European merchants) in the 17th century
• The first public sale of tea in London was in 1657
• The custom of adding milk to tea developed because teacups used to be made of faïence, a delicate material that would break if the tea were too hot. Putting a little cold milk in the bottom of the cup preserved the family china
• Contrary to popular belief, iced tea was not invented at the St Louis World Fair in 1904. Recipes for cold tea beverages go back at least as far as the early 19th century

HEALTH

• Although tea contains more caffeine by weight than coffee, a pound of coffee makes only about forty cups, whereas a pound of tea will make as many as two hundred. So a cup of tea will contain far less caffeine than a cup of coffee
• Recent research suggests that tea, especially white, green and oolong varieties, is a potent anti-oxidant
• Tea is a natural source of fluoride and can help prevent tooth decay
• Tea is also thought to be a valuable element in reducing cholesterol

HOW TO

• The best water for making tea is the water that tastes best in the glass. Filtered water is preferable to distilled water, as dissolved oxygen gives a better flavor
• You can eliminate most of the caffeine in tea by pouring boiling water over the leaves and immediately discarding the water. Then brew the tea with the rinsed leaves
• Steep black tea for about 5 minutes, oolong and green tea for about 3 minutes, however the exact timing is a matter of personal taste
• Never re-use black tea leaves, they will be too tannic. White, Green and oolong leaves can be used a second time & more if so desired.