Food and Drink History : The Evolution of Tea

With regard to the evolution of tea, we all know (or most of us are in agreement) that the Chinese invented tea. That was the beginning. :)

But did you also know that, in the beginning, before there were loose tea leaves, there were tea bricks; and these bricks were deemed so valuable that they could be used as currency.

In addition, there is a legend passed down through the ages (for about 5000 years) which credits a Chinese emperor named Shennong with the discovery of how to make a tea infusion. Yah! It seems the emperor was added to an extensive list of discoverers who discovered how stuff works by accident! :)

Fortunately, the rest of the world benefits and we can all enjoy cups of wonderful brewed tea.

♦ Lawrence Jean-Louis published Cool Mix Mingle; a cultural blog mainly about the diversity of the South Florida community - the Hispanic and African influences, the blend of East (Asian) and West (European and North American), the food, art, music and more. The preceding paragraphs above are a brief summary of her post which discusses the evolution of tea.  My discovery of her blog was also accidental. But what an awesome find!  :)

REFERENCE: Jean-Louis, Lawrence. "Tea: It's Evolution from the Tree to your Cup." Cook Mix Mingle. 15 Apr. 2015. Web.

♦ ♦ ♦

Related or Similar Links:

How the Tea Bag Was Invented

Is a Season Your Reason to Drink Tea?

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Autumn is here! Is a Season Your Reason to Drink Tea?

My coffee addiction often keeps me from drinking and enjoying a cup of tea. But other members of my household love to brew! They are not tea experts (yet!) and are always experimenting with different flavors – from caramel apple to licorice to green tea to black tea to … on and on and on.

Photo by Gabi Miranda on Unsplash

I found an interesting blog post written by Ryan Frey who works as a GO TO tech guy for ShareASale, Inc., an established affiliate marketing network corporation. He not only knows his tech stuff but his office co-workers also think of him as a tea aficionado. He must be. Why else would he suggest drinking tea according to the seasons of the year?  In his post, How To Brew Different Tea Varieties for Fall, he recommended five (5) tips for how to enjoy your tea during the autumn season. All excellent advice.  A quick summary of the tips is below.

• 1. Rooibos or “red tea” ... makes a great neutral base for both sweet and nutty flavors. During the Fall, expect to see flavor blends like chestnut, pumpkin, and chai.
• 2. Black tea is a totally oxidized (but not “fermented” like Pu’erh tea) version of your everyday tea leaves ... like Earl Grey and English Breakfast.
• 3. Green and white teas are more delicate, partially or unoxidized tea leaves and buds. ... often fruity, sweet, and complex.
• 4. Herbal teas or “tisanes” are like rooibos, in that they aren’t from the tea plant at all. They contain alternatives like spices, herbs, flowers, and fruit.
• 5. Try other brewed beverages like Pu’erh tea and Mate.

glitter-graphics.com

Hiware Good Glass Teapot with Stainless Steel Infuser & Lid, Borosilicate Glass Teapots Stovetop Safe, 27 Ounce / 800 ml, Clear

What to get for the tea lover who also loves chocolate? Chocolate tea! Numi Organic Tea Chocolate Rooibos

Source:  Webnuggetz.com

5 Unique Caribbean Teas and Herbal Benefits by Damian Powell

The Caribbean is an idyllic paradise comprising of different countries and territories that are savored by vacation tourists, pleasure-seekers, and people looking for relaxation in exotic locations. Trinidad, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, West Indies - take your pick and be transported to whole new worlds where you wish your days of freedom are not numbered. Your experiences will be very pleasant and memorable. 

If you have visited any of these locations then there is something you won't want to forget.

When browsing the local shops, you probably noticed certain herbal tea drinks which catch your attention with names like turmeric tea, soursop tea, bissy tea, cerasee tea, and fever grass tea. They may be native to other places but they were brought here to the islands and they were given a distinctly Caribbean twist. They could be Asian, African, or Latin American in origin, but Caribbean folks everywhere made use of them extensively and many people in the islands are familiar with them since childhood. Other herbal teas that are worth mentioning are peppermint, soursop, cinnamon, lemon ginger for its digestive aiding properties, and sorrel benefits of the hibiscus flower known as roselle.

WASHOUT HERBAL DRINKS:

Most Caribbeans, locally and abroad, would remember rituals or must do's administered by their parents at the end of the holidays or summer vacation. They were to do a "washout" with a mixture of local herbal drinks bought from the store. They could include turmeric, soursop, bissy, cerasee, fever grass tea, and other herbals concocted by the elders. They are supposed to deworm or bring out the toxins from the kids' systems before they return to school.

Below you will find information regarding 5 Caribbean herbal teas that are not only good for you but are also delicious.  

1) TURMERIC TEA

Turmeric tea adds zest to your morning routine. Turmeric is sometimes mixed with other herbs and spices like ginger, lemon, honey, and cinnamon to add more flavor. There is also caffeine-free turmeric tea which helps balance and supports a healthy inflammation response. Turmeric is a popular spice made from the rhizome or root of the Curcuma longa plant. It is native to Southeast Asia and is a member of the Zingiberaceae or ginger family. It has been used as a herbal remedy for generations in Caribbean alternative medicine. A range of turmeric teas is available for purchase in health stores or online. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin gives turmeric its characteristic yellow color and is proven to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Curcumin has low bioavailability, which means the body has a hard time accessing and absorbing the compound. For this reason, the herbal benefits of turmeric tea, with its guaranteed high concentrations of curcumin, are in demand. Turmeric tea, brewed using grated turmeric root or pure powder, is considered one of the most effective ways to consume curcumin. Drinking turmeric tea is believed to bring about several health benefits: 

1.Reduces arthritis symptoms 

2. Boosts immune function 

3. Helps reduce cardiovascular complications 

4. Helps prevent and treat cancer 

5. Helps manage irritable bowel syndrome or IBS and other digestive conditions. 

6. Prevents and treats Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions. 

7. Protects against liver damage, gallstones, and manages liver conditions. 

8. Helps prevent and manage diabetes 

9. Helps treat and manage lung conditions 

With these health benefits, wouldn't it be nice to have some turmeric tea stocked on your pantry shelves at home?

2) SOURSOP TEA

It is derived from the Graviola tree that is native to Latin America. It is used to treat stomach ailments, parasitic infections, fever, rheumatism, and hypertension. It is also a sedative and can aid in sleep problems and has an effectivity that can compete with chemotherapy when it comes to battling cancer cells. Soursop herbal tea is also a good source of vitamin C which boosts immunity. Thus, it also promotes the destruction of free radicals to protect your skin from oxidative damage.

3) BISSY TEA 

Bissy tea originated from Africa but is a staple drink in many Caribbean homes. It is an antidote for poison and aids in digestion, relieves diarrhea and inflammation, treats fever, and is considered a tonic. Bissy tea shows antioxidant properties and bissy is also used to treat fever, relieve inflammation, and diarrhea. Bissy tea is sourced from grated cola nuts which can expel toxins from your system. Its high concentration of tannic acid is the reason why it has antioxidant properties. When you're busy and you want a hot beverage, why not drink "bissy" tea and take a break from your busyness? You can buy bissy tea online on Caribbean websites tropical supermarket if it is not available at your local grocery store.

4) CERASEE TEA 

Cerasee Herbal Tea is derived from bitter melon. Bitter herbs and food are very nutritious because they contain various plant-based chemicals that are beneficial to health. Cerasee tea is full of phytochemicals like triterpenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids that slow the growth of cancers and reduce the risk of heart disease. It also lowers blood sugar levels in diabetic people. Cerasee is also healthy for the gut because it takes care of worms and parasites. Thus, it can make you lose weight. Caribbeans are full of healthy surprises, and cerasee tea is one of the "bitter" but healthy truths.

5) FEVER GRASS TEA 

Fever grass tea, also known as lemongrass, has long been a painkilling remedy for many households, may it be in the West Indies or Guyana, or elsewhere in the Caribbean. Drinking it for one month straight can increase hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count. It also prevents bloating. Fever grass is a perennial plant that is indigenous to Asia. It has long thin leaves and contains citral, an essential oil that has medicinal significance. Fever grass has a pleasant smell which makes it ideal as an additive when cooking rice. Fever grass tea, doesn't give you a fever, ask the locals. Instead, it heals fevers and many disorders associated with blood.

♦  ALL 5 TEAS have been part of Caribbean life and culture for generations. Their medical uses overlap each other, so each kind of tea should find its own space on your shelves. 

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About the Author: Damian Powell is the CEO at Islsnac LLC.  Caribbean Dreams teas are available via the official website and also via Amazon.

Image credit: Caribbean Islands Souvenir Blue Map Embossed Ceramic Coffee Mug Tea Cup 11 oz

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Matcha Tea is Body Fuel: Nutrition Trends: 2015 and Beyond!

Taking a quick look at the Nutrition Trends that started in 2015.  Health, fitness, and wellness experts identified food and drink they call "body fuel".  A car needs fuel to run properly and so does your body.  Matcha tea is body fuel.  Find out what other food and drink can power you up.

Many Americans strive daily to take extra steps to ensure their health and well-being. If Austin, Texas, “America's Fittest City”, is a representative sample of fitness habits around the USA, then nutrition trends show a shift in eating habits that will focus on partaking of food that can fuel the body.

In 2012, McCormick and Schwartz (well-known sellers of herbs and spices in the U.S. and the U.K.) released an 8-page report which stated that people would be moving towards honoring their roots; and their eating or dining habits would reflect a celebration of the origins of one’s own ethnic cuisine.

That was the forecast in 2012. Per Tori Jarzabkowski, who writes for Austin Fit Magazine, the nutrition trends for 2015 are in a direction just a tad bit different from eating the meals prepared by momma and grandma. This year (2015) there are five specific foods (listed below) that are “what's hot in the food and nutrition world”. Austin, Texas USA, boasts a very health-conscious community of citizens. Gyms are everywhere. People are into running, jogging, walking, biking, eating organic or whole foods, shopping at stores that specialize in homeopathic products, visiting the local alternative medicine practitioners for health check-ups, etc.

(1) Matcha Tea

Are you of Japanese heritage? The people of Japan have been enjoying this green tea since the 12 century. It was served as part of the traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. Not sure if they knew it was a super-food. If they did, they were way ahead of us.


(2) Bone Broth

Broth made from animal bones is loaded with nutrients. Bone broth improves immunity and has a host of other health benefits. Guess what? That's old news. My parents and my husband's parents always ate all the food on their plate, usually saved the meat serving for last, and when the meat was gone, they went after the bones. Sucked those bones dry! Like it was a religion. My dad and my husband's parents are from The Bahamas. My mother's roots are part African-American, part Native American, Cherokee.


(3) Fermented Foods

Everybody watches or has heard of that popular food show “Kimchi Chronicles”. Right? Well if you didn't know, you know now. Kimchi is a fermented food of Korean origin. Sauerkraut or “sour cabbage” is also a fermented food: German origin. Kombucha is a fermented drink, believed to have originated in China. They are good for healthy intestines and more.

SPOTLIGHT:  Clara Myers publishes Health and Wellness articles here at Writedge.com. In two of her posts she presents a thorough discussion on why we should eat fermented foods, and whether we should ferment our own food. Ms. Myers' expertise in the area of holistic health.

(4) Coconut Sugar

It must be coconut harvesting time. The coconut is being praised for everything! Coconut water. Coconut oil. Coconut jelly. Coconut fruit. Now there's coconut sugar. There is no need to sell me on coconut. Grew up in South Florida and we had a tree in our backyard. My brother used the climb the tree and throw down two or three coconuts. We'd whack them open and eat our fill. One year a hurricane knocked down the tree and my life has never been the same. Didn't realize there were so many good reasons why we were supposed to be eating coconuts.


(5) Seaweed Snacks

Last on the list for foods that fuel the body is seaweed. Seaweed is being touted as the “kale of the sea”. It's the new quinoa. It's green!! The rule is: the darker the green, the better! This particular food is not exactly the tastiest (my opinion) but after experimenting with flavors ranging from wasabi to coconut, check your grocery shelves for seaweed chips. It will be a healthy alternative snack to potato chips.


Gleaned a lot from reviewing the #AFMbestof article. Hope you liked my rehash. :)  

• REFERENCE: Jarzabkowski, Tori. "Nutrition Trends for 2015." Austin Fit Magazine: Best of 2014 Issue Jan. 2015: 22-23. Print. AFM Issue #207. Est. 1997. Official website: http://www.austinfitmagazine.com/

 ♦ ♦ ♦ Original content published January 10, 2015 at Writedge. ♦ ♦ ♦

Gifts for Tea Lovers : Do you Like Pretty Teapots?

Do you often find yourself reflecting back on many fond childhood memories? Many children, especially little girls, can probably remember having a tea party. My big sister had a blue and white tea set and she enjoyed pretending we were having a tea party. I wasn’t allowed to play with the toy dishes by myself since they were breakable. So when I wasn’t playing with my sister, my other memory is of playing with clay. What was an easy thing to make with clay? A teapot with teacups and saucers (which my sister taught me how to make). My clay creations did not look as pretty as her teapot, cups, and saucers. But creating those clay teapots encouraged my appreciation for pretty teapots.

Yixing is an area in China referred to as the Pottery Capital of China. The name (義兴) translated into English means “righteousness and prosperity”. The Yixing clay teapots date back to 1500 (or possibly 1300). A Chinese potter is to be credited for this invention; however, historical records do not provide a name. Originally made for individual use, they were molded from a single sheet of purple clay. Rather than use a separate drinking vessel, i.e. a cup, people often drank directly from the teapot. At first, the design was simple but later evolved into artistic creations. That was the beginning. In the late 1600s to early 1700s, teapots were exported to Europe. Eventually, the Europeans began to make their own. The earliest example of fine British tea-ware “may have been Josiah Wedgwood’s improved cream-coloured earthenware, which was introduced in the 1760s”. (Quote Source)


* More reading on the history and design of the teapot.


Nowadays teapots are commonplace and can be found in most homes all around the world. In fact, I think that the perfect gift for anyone is a lovely teapot or a tea set.


What about you? Do you fancy pretty teaware?

Toys and Games:  Tea Sets for Children

Exquisite 5 PCS Blue-And-White Peony Design Ceramic Tea Pot Tea Cups Set In Beautiful Color Gift Box by THY COLLECTIBLES

Dollhouse miniature Food,Tiny Food Collectibles ( Heart Coffee Tea Cup Set ) Enjoy Afternoon Tea on Valentine’s day

Disney Beauty & The Beast Live Action Enchanted Tea Set Playset

Kidzlane Play Tea Set, 15+ Durable Plastic Pieces, Safe and BPA Free for Childrens Tea Party and Fun

Tea Sets ~ Collectibles and Unique Gifts

Contemporary Art Decor Porcelain 5 PCS Tea Set Teapot Teacup Plum Blossom

Atlantic Collectibles Chinese Calligraphy Red Glazed Porcelain 27oz Tea Pot With Cups Set Serves 4 Beautifully Packaged in Gift Box

StealStreet SS-CG-10181 Red Cherries Overflowing in Wooden Barrel Teapot Collectible

Stained Glass Teapot Accent Lamp Tiffany Style Tea Pot Kettle

Tea for One?  It doesn’t always have to be tea for two.

« Previous Next »

Bits and Pieces – Tea For One Peacock Porcelain Teapot and Cup Set – Elegant Peacock Design With Delicate Tassel on Teapot Handle Makes Great Decoration – Includes Decorative Gift Box

Tea Bloom:  Teabloom Reintroduces 

the Art of Brewing the Perfect Cup.

The World’s Most Beautiful Flowering Tea Gift Sets ~ A TEA LOVER’S PARADISE

Teapots Made in England

So many lovely gift ideas; from vintage to modern.

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Source: Webnuggetz.com