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What is Tea?
Tea is a beverage made from the processed leaf of a plant whose Latin name is Camellia sinensis. This plant is from the evergreen family and is native to South East Asia. White Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea and Black Tea all come from the same leaf but go through different processes to become the teas we know and love. White Tea A choice pick of the plant usually the top two leaves and the bud, covered with a silvery white down which gives the leaf a white appearance. This special hand picked tea is usually an early spring harvest and results in limited quantities. White Teas offer a delicate taste, unique body and smooth finish, and are also very high in antioxidants. They brew a pale colour in the cup and are best consumed without milk or sugar. Green Tea Green Teas are unoxidized leaves from that are hand or machine picked, dried to remove moisture and then shaped by rolling or twisting depending on the final appearance desired. Many countries now produce Green Teas which create their individual taste characteristics. Green Tea is noted for its health benefits in strengthening one’s immune system while providing energy and great taste. Matcha is a fine powdered Green Tea that plays a prominent role in the history of tea culture. It is believed that Matcha was brought to Japan in 1191 A.D. by a Zen Buddhist monk named Eisai. Once Buddhist monks were introduced to Matcha they began to use the beverage to keep them focused and relaxed during long periods of meditation. We now know that the amino acid L-Theanine, found almost exclusively in the Camellia sinensis plant (tea), is responsible for relaxing the body while at the same time stimulating brain waves keeping us alert. Teaopia’s direct trade Matcha comes from the Uji, Kyoto region of Japan, which is considered the birthplace of Japanese Green Tea and one of the most famous Matcha producing regions in the world. This variety of Green Tea is unique because the leaves are grown under diffused sunlight for 20-30 days prior to harvesting, which increases its chlorophyll content. Our Matcha is created from the finest shade grown tea leaves, which are steamed, dried and then removed of all stems and veins. The dried leaves, referred to as “tencha”, are then stone ground into a powder creating the final product, Matcha. Since you are actually ingesting the whole Green Tea leaf when drinking Matcha, you receive the full health benefits that tea has to offer, in fact approximately 10x more than an infusion of Green Tea leaves. Matcha is the fastest growing health drink today because of its high antioxidant count and numerous health benefits. To get the most out of this incredible Green Tea, make Matcha part of your daily routine by adding it to smoothies, yogurt, baking, shakes and of course traditionally prepared. A telltale sign of a superior quality Matcha is its luminescent green colour, which is directly related to its chlorophyll content. Teaopia’s Matcha is bright green with a sweet, fresh taste, signifying that it is of the highest quality. All our grades and flavours of Matcha are beautifully packaged in sealed 30 gram tins, which make them ideal for storage and travel. Oolong Tea Oolong tea comes mainly from China and Taiwan. After tea leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant are plucked and withered, they are processed through careful drying, rolling and steaming and a short period of oxidation that turns the leaves from green to red brown. These teas produce a crisp, clean, refreshing cup that delivers a smooth even taste, some of which can be used for multiple infusions. Black Tea Black Tea methods of manufacturing and the varieties produced vary from country to country and region to region but the process always involves four basic stages – withering, rolling, oxidation and firing. This fully oxidized leaf represents tastes ranging from single estates and blends, to scented, flavored and spiced. A cornerstone of the tea drinker’s world. Rooibos Rooibos (pronounced ROY-BOSS) comes from the Cedarberg region of South Africa. It is a naturally caffeine free herbal, low in tannins and significantly higher in polyphenol antioxidants. Although Rooibos is fairly new to North America, it has been consumed in South Africa for generations. It is noted for its strong health benefits in aiding digestion, calming the nerves, building the immune system, and may offer protection from heart disease. Many people simply enjoy Rooibos for its great full bodied taste and beautiful red cup. Fruit Blends Teaopia’s all natural Fruit Blends consist of real dried fruit, natural flavourings and aromas. Since all of our Fruit Blends are naturally caffeine free and high in vitamin C they are the ideal choice for introducing children to tea. A great advantage to using Teaopia’s premium Fruit Blends, particularly when serving children, is that you can control the amount of sugar added to your hot or iced tea. Herbal Teas Full of goodness and natural remedies, herbal teas or tisanes are made from flowers, leaves, roots, berries and seeds from edible plants. Technically not a tea because they do not derive from the Camellia sinensis plant, they make a satisfying cup that is beneficial to your health and well being. Herbal teas provide a great way to balance out your day. Yerba Mate Yerba Mate or Mate as it is often called is a South American herb from the holly family. Yerba Mate is an all natural stimulant, which allows you to feel energized without having the side effects and toxicity of coffee. Unlike coffee, Yerba Mate is a great natural source of nutrition as it is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and amino acids, which make it ideal for those trying to promote and maintain optimum health. In fact Yerba Mate has more antioxidant power and is higher in polyphenols than tea, which both helps the body’s immune system and protects your body from various diseases. With 52 more active compounds than Green Tea, Yerba Mate is praised as an all natural health booster. It is also believed to detoxify the body, reduce blood pressure, tone the nervous system, slow the again process and reduce fever. Not only does Yerba Mate keep your mind alert and your body healthy, it also acts as an appetite suppressor, making it an ideal addition to any weight loss program. Mate invigorates the mind, body and soul, promoting an overall feeling of well-being. Wellness Teas Teaopia's exclusive Wellness Teas are infusions made with herbs, flowers, roots, spices or other parts of plants. Since herbal infusions do not contain tea leaves, they are generally caffeine free. Some view herbal products as natural remedies for the treatment of varied disorders and illness. Self-prescribed herbal preparations are widely used for a whole host of common conditions including insomnia, arthritis, colds, coughs, ulcers, allergies, constipation, infections, high blood pressure, intestinal disorders, headaches, fever, anemia, weakness, aging, stress, nervousness, and indigestion. The essence of these exclusive Wellness Blends is to set you on a journey to achieve harmony between mind, body and soul. Drinking these teas can help you maintain a feeling of overall wellness. Tea Brewing Instructions There are three very important components to brewing the perfect cup of tea: 1 Water temperature 2 Length of brewing time 3 Amount of leaf to water
Iced Tea Brewing Instructions Brewing Iced Tea 1. Follow the regular brewing instructions printed on the back of our bag or tin, using twice the amount of leaves. If sweetener is desired, we recommend adding it while the tea is still hot so that it dissolves completely into the liquid. 2. Fill glass or pitcher with ice. 3. Immediately pour the hot tea over the ice. If desired, add a slice of lemon, lime or decorate with a sprig of mint. Tip: Try making ice cubes out of tea to keep the flavour from diluting as the ice melts. Shock Freezing By pouring the hot tea over ice, the principles of shock freezing are applied. The sudden cooling preserves the full aroma as well as the active ingredients of the tea. This method also prevents the usual cloudiness that often develops in Black Teas as they cool off. The cloudiness, however, is purely optical and has no negative impact on the flavour of the tea. Our Favourite Iced Teas:
Click here to view our Iced Tea page! Flowering Tea Brewing Instructions: Place one flowering tea in a glass teapot. (remove strainer) Pour hot water (80°C / 175°F) over tea. Watch as the flower unfolds. (2-3 minutes) Flowering tea may not completely bloom during first infusion. Our flowering teas may be infused 2-3 times. FAQ’s Q. Does tea have caffeine? A. All tea has caffeine. The amount of caffeine in tea is considerably lower than in coffee (almost a third less per cup). To further reduce the amount of caffeine in tea by 60%, simply steep your loose leaf tea in hot water for 30 seconds and discard the liquid. Then, add water to the leaves and brew for the amount of time that is appropriate for that particular tea. Caffeine is a naturally occurring component of tea that plays both a controversial and misunderstood role in tea consumption. Many people are under the impression that caffeine is bad for their overall health and wellness when it fact it is not. Health Canada states that a balanced diet can include a moderate intake of caffeine with a recommended daily limit of between 400-450mg. While the caffeine levels in tea vary depending on the blend and how long it is brewed, the average cup contains only 25-34mg of caffeine. This is great news for tea lovers, or those who are looking to make the switch from other beverages to the health smart choice of tea, because according to Health Canada’s guidelines you can consume approximately 10-12 cups of tea every day! Another misunderstood aspect of caffeine is that it promotes osteoporosis by reducing bone mineral density (BMD) however; current scientific research concludes that this is not the case. While not conclusive, some studies suggest that tea may in fact strengthen bones and play a positive role in bone health. Therefore, not only is caffeine nothing to be concerned about when consumed in moderation, by drinking tea you are receiving numerous health benefits and protective properties from its antioxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids and catechins. Caffeine has its own benefits as well, including its ability to increase alertness, improve mental and physical performance, stimulate metabolism, which aids in weight loss and increase dopamine levels, which helps to elevate your mood. Q. How many servings are in 50 grams of tea? A. Typically, 50 grams of loose leaf tea will make 15-20 8oz cups of tea. Q. What is the best method for storing tea? A. Tea should be stored in an opaque jar with a sealed lid, out of direct sunlight. Q. Where does tea come from? A. All teas come from the leaves of one plant: “Camellia sinensis”, which is processed into four types, White Tea, Green Tea, Black Tea and Oolong Tea. Q. What is the difference between Green Tea and Black Tea? A. Black and Green teas are all made from the same plant but differ in their methods of preparation. All tea leaves are withered, rolled and heated; however, Black Tea goes through an oxidative process before the final heating stage. For even more information about the health benefits of tea visit Wellness Tea |
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