The importance of this family tradition has prompted me to devote this page to our favorite beverage.

Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things.
Chaim Potok: The Chosen

According to legend, tea was discovered in 2732 b.c. by a Chinese emperor when some tea leaves accidentally blew into a pot of boiling water. Tea became very popular in the 1600 and played an important role in American culture and customs. The Boston Tea Party protesting the British tea tax was one of the acts preceding the Revolutionary War.

The naming of teas is a difficult matter, It isn't just one of your everyday games- Some might think you as mad as a hatter Should you tell them each goes by several names. For starters each tea in this world must belong To the families Black or Green or Oolong; Then look more closely as these family trees- Some include Indians along with Chinese.
T.S. Eliot~The Naming of Cats~

Black Teas: Bring cold water to a boil and add for each cup, one teabag or one teaspoon of loose tea. Steep for about 3 minutes, no longer than 5.

Green Teas: Bring water to a boil then let cool for about 10 minutes before pouring over leaves. Steep for about 1 minute then remove the tea.

Iced Teas: pour boiling water into a pitcher with about 8 to 10 tea bags. Let stand about 5 to 7 minutes then remove the tea bags and refrigerate.

Herbal Teas: For teas made from leaves, stems and flowers, boil water and pour over 1 to 2 teaspoons of the herb. Cover the cup to prevent the volatile oils from escaping. Simmer about 2 to 3 minutes.
For teas made from woody roots bring 2 to 3 cups of water to a boil, reduce heat and add 1 teaspoon of the finely chopped root. Simmer about 15 to 20 minutes. Always use glass or porcelain pot to brew, and I suggest using distilled water.

There is a great deal of poetry and fine sentiment in a chest of tea.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) Letters and Social Aims

The more popular tea in America is Black. This tea has been fully oxidized or fermented, and is characterized by it's hearty flavor and a deep amber color.

Though I personally prefer herbal teas, since they do not contain caffeine, Earl Grey is one of my favorites. Some of the other more popular black teas are English Breakfast Tea, Darjeeling and Orange Peko.

 

Index

Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.
Jean Luc Picard, star date 41697.9

Green Tea

Green tea which is not oxidized it is characterized by it's delicate taste and light green color. Though enjoyed mostly by those in the orient, it has become more popular elsewhere because of the polyphenols (antioxidants) found in this beverage. Recent studies show that these poly phenols prevent damage to DNA that lead to cancer. Green tea also contain catechins which prevent cancer cells from multiplying and may actually trap carcinogens and push them out of the body system.

 

Index

The first cup moistens my lips and throat; The second cup breaks my loneliness; The third cup searches my barren entrail but to find therein some thousand volumes of odd ideographs; The fourth cup raises a slight perspiration-all the wrongs of life pass out through my pores; At the fifth cup I am purified; The sixth cup calls me to the realms of the immortals. The seventh cup-ah, but I could take no more! I only feel the breath of the cool wind that raises in my sleeves. Where is Elysium? Let me ride on this sweet breeze and waft away thither.
Lu Tung (Chinese poet during T'ang Dynasty) "Tea-Drinking"

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea enjoys its popularity in China. It is partially oxidized and is characterized as a cross between black and green tea in color and taste.

 

Index

If you are cold, tea will warm you; If you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are depressed, it will cheer you; If you are excited, it will calm you.
Gladstone (1865) Victorian British Prime Minister

Herbal Teas

Here is a list of some of my favorites and their healing properties.

Chamomile: anodyne, antispasmodic and carminative, stomachache, tonic.
Parts used-flowers
I like to use this tea to calm my nerves and stomach after a stressful day.

Echinacea: a non-selective broad spectrum immune system stimulator. Studies show it may reduce the incidence of viral URIs (upper respiratory infections) and decrease severity of infections. Echinacea should not be taken for a prolonged period of time. I drink it during the "flu season" to help protect me from any increase viral exposures.
Parts used- roots and leaves and is more effective in teas instead of taken in capsules.

Lemon Balm: sedative, diaphoretic, antiperiodic and help regulate menses.
Parts used- leaves.

Ginger: antispasmotic, carminative, expectorant, prevents nausea.
Parts used- roots
I use this decoction whenever nauseated or just as a stimulating beverage.

Scullcap: antispasmotic, diuretic, nervine and tonic.
Parts used- herb

Valerian: relaxing tonic, calmative,diaphoretic, antispasmotic, laxative, nervine, sedative, liver restorative, uterine and bile stimulant.
Parts used- root
The decoction is used for sleep. Its properties are like valium without the side effects or risk of addiction.

Please keep in mind that all herbs should be used with the responsibility. Know when and how much can be ingested safely, and be aware of possible allergies. Fore example many herbs should not be used while pregnant, and some herbs like chamomile are related to ragweed, therefore should not be ingested if allergic or suffer from hay fever.

Anodyne: Reduces the sensitivity of nerves.

Antiperiodics: Reduces fever.

Antispasmotics: Relieves spasms.

Caddy: A small, decorative box or jar used for storing tea.

Caffeine: A toxic alkaloid, quite bitter, which is found naturally in tea (black=48mg, oolong=32mg, green=16mg), coffee (96mg) and cocoa. This drug stimulates the brain cortex, kidneys. heart and stomach.

Carminatives: Volatile oils from herbs that stimulate peristalsis and help expel gas

Cozy: A padded cover that fits over the teapot to keep warm.

Decoction: A process of simmering herbs, roots and seeds, for 10 to 20 minutes to bring out full flavor and properties.

Diuretic: Increases urinary output

Flavored tea: Tea that has been flavored either artificially or with essential oils derived from fruits, spices, or herbs.

High tea: Tea served with at least one hot dish or a variety of breads and cakes.

Infuser:(tea ball) A small perforated ball, usually metal, used to hold loose tea while steeping in hot water.

Infusion: The process of pouring boiling water over herbs and simmering for 5 to 10 minutes. Usually 1 teaspoon of dried herbs or 3 teaspoons of fresh herbs per one cup of boiled water.

Samovar: An urn with a spigot used to heat water originally fueled with charcoal. The name derived from a Russian word for self- boiling.

Sedatives: Herbs that lower functional activity.

Tisane: An infusion of herbs, originally barley, for medicinal beverages.

Tonics: Herbs that tone up the body system by stimulating nutrition