Recipes
Carob balls
(I use cups as the measurement as it is just too easy and simple, it can be any size cup you fancy!)
2 cups dates (and whatever dried fruit you like, if you want)
2 cups seeds (eg. sunflower and pumpkin)
2 cups nuts
2 cups carob powder (optional)
1 cup dessicated coconut
fresh root ginger - chopped
grated rind of orange or lime
1. Whizz it all up in a blender
2. Shape into balls (use damp hands)
3. Keep in the fridge or freezer
(I also often add coconut oil to give it more moisture and to help hold it all together)
Teas
Green Teas
Dragonwell Tea Benefits
Dragonwell tea benefits are derived from the antioxidants that are abundant in thecamellia sinensis plant where it and all varieties of green tea come from.
Dragonwell tea, also known as longjing tea orlung ching tea, is a type of green tea that is grown from Hangzhou in the Chinese province of Zhejiang. Most of it is hand grown in tea gardens in the high altitudes of the Tieh Mu mountains. It is said to be the most widely-drunk green tea type in all of China.
Dragonwell tea has four distinct attributes:
In recent history, dragonwell tea has also been fondly referred to as China 's national drink for it is the green teavariety typically served by Chinese government leaders to visiting heads of state. Dragonwell tea was the beverage served by Chinese leader Mao Tse Tung to U.S. President Richard Nixon when the latter visited China. Even today, it is said that a portion of the production of dragonwell tea is reserved for orders from the government.
Aside from its rich antioxidant content, dragonwell green tea is also rich in Vitamin C, amino acids and other healthy substances that make it a good partner in the maintenance of health.
Dragonwell tea is made by placing about two teaspoons of the dried leaves in a 150 ml cup of newly boiled water and left to steep for about 5 minutes.
Pregnant women should avoid dragonwell tea and other tea drinks due to the presence of caffeine which may give rise to birth defects and other problems.
The following are the health benefits attributed to dragonwell tea:
Dragonwell tea may help strengthen the immune system and help keep viruses, bacteria and infections at bay.
Dragonwell tea may help lower cholesterol and lower the risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Dragonwell tea may help enhance digestion.
Dragonwell tea may help 'melt' and burn fat and thus, help in efforts to lose weight.
Dragonwell tea may help fight against plaque and other oral problems.
Dragonwell tea may help against arthritis, rheumatism and other inflammatory problems.Wild Cherry, Sweet Peach, Special Leaf Oolong, Ti Kuan Yin...just a few to get you going
Dragonwell tea benefits are derived from the antioxidants that are abundant in thecamellia sinensis plant where it and all varieties of green tea come from.
Dragonwell tea, also known as longjing tea orlung ching tea, is a type of green tea that is grown from Hangzhou in the Chinese province of Zhejiang. Most of it is hand grown in tea gardens in the high altitudes of the Tieh Mu mountains. It is said to be the most widely-drunk green tea type in all of China.
Dragonwell tea has four distinct attributes:
- broad and flat leaves
- jade-like color
- mellow flavor
- sweet, fresh scent and aroma
In recent history, dragonwell tea has also been fondly referred to as China 's national drink for it is the green teavariety typically served by Chinese government leaders to visiting heads of state. Dragonwell tea was the beverage served by Chinese leader Mao Tse Tung to U.S. President Richard Nixon when the latter visited China. Even today, it is said that a portion of the production of dragonwell tea is reserved for orders from the government.
Aside from its rich antioxidant content, dragonwell green tea is also rich in Vitamin C, amino acids and other healthy substances that make it a good partner in the maintenance of health.
Dragonwell tea is made by placing about two teaspoons of the dried leaves in a 150 ml cup of newly boiled water and left to steep for about 5 minutes.
Pregnant women should avoid dragonwell tea and other tea drinks due to the presence of caffeine which may give rise to birth defects and other problems.
The following are the health benefits attributed to dragonwell tea:
Dragonwell tea may help strengthen the immune system and help keep viruses, bacteria and infections at bay.
Dragonwell tea may help lower cholesterol and lower the risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Dragonwell tea may help enhance digestion.
Dragonwell tea may help 'melt' and burn fat and thus, help in efforts to lose weight.
Dragonwell tea may help fight against plaque and other oral problems.
Dragonwell tea may help against arthritis, rheumatism and other inflammatory problems.Wild Cherry, Sweet Peach, Special Leaf Oolong, Ti Kuan Yin...just a few to get you going
Matcha tea benefits
Matcha tea benefits are said to greatly exceed those of other green tea types. This is mainly due to the fact that when matcha tea is drunk, it's as if the entire green tealeaves are ingested, and not just the brewed or infused water.
Matcha tea is finely-milled green tea leaves that come in powder form. The taste and flavor of matcha tea is quite sweet and has a somewhat creamy and milky touch.
The tea is traditionally consumed in Japan by mixing it with hot water and enjoyed in slow sips together with meals. A newer generation has come to enjoy cold matcha tea by mixing the powder with cool water and then drinking it casually throughout the day, or after engaging in vigorous activities.
Matcha is also used in Japan as flavor and coloring to foods such as mochi, soba noodles, ice cream and various sweets. Of late, the appeal of matcha tea has crossed over into different parts of the world, with the powdered tea leaves being used to flavor milkshakes, coffee drinks, cookies, candies and cakes.
To produce matcha tea powder, the leaves of the designated camellia sinensis plants are covered for several weeks. The best tea buds are then picked and laid down flat to dry. These buds will then crumble somewhat and then be ground to a powder that is vivid green in color, and smoothly fine in texture.
Matcha tea has different grades. These grades are defined by the location of the leaves on the tea bush, the treatment before processing, the stone grinding and the oxidation process.
The famous Japanese tea ceremony called chanoyu centers on the preparation of matcha tea. The ceremony had its beginnings around the end of the 12th century, when the tea was used in preparation for the meditative practices of Zen Buddhism. It is performed in modern times to highlight the Japanese cultural themes of simplicity, humility, restraint, and discipline. It is also used to exhibit Japanese aesthetic beauty.
Because matcha tea is green tea leaves in powdered form, all the healing components of the leaves, such as the antioxidants, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and nutrients, are preserved in the powder. The following are the active constituents of matcha tea: antioxidants catechins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), amino acids, theanine, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium and caffeine.
One glass of matcha tea is said to contain the equivalent of 10 glasses of green tea in terms of its nutritional value and antioxidant content. In fact, a study conducted in 2003 by researchers from the University of Colorado found that the EGCG content of matcha tea is 137 times greater than those found in regular green tea.
This is because the drinker gets to take in all the health benefits contained in the leaves while the infused or brewed version of green tea only imparts the leaf essence in the hot water as the non-ingestible and soggy leaves are discarded.
The following are the health benefits attributed to matcha tea:
Matcha tea may help lower the risk of heart attacks.
Matcha tea may help lower the risk of strokes.
Matcha tea may help fight against inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and rheumatism.
Matcha tea may help cleanse the body of harmful toxins.
Matcha tea may help fight human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS.
Matcha tea may help strengthen the immune system and fight against diseases caused by virus and bacteria.
Matcha tea may help enhace the mood, sharpen concentration, as well as calm the nerves.
Matcha tea may help lower the risk of cognitive impairment for adults, thereby also lowering the risk for diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Oolong Teas
Ti Kuan Yin Benefits
Ti kuan yin tea benefits are potent and are derived from the antioxidants abundant in its leaves.
Ti kuan yin is a premium variety of the semi-fermented oolong tea that originated in the high altitude mountains of Anxi in the Fujian province of China. Over time, this tea was eventually cultivated in various other parts of China. Taiwan also has a ti kuan yin tea variety.
Ti kuan yin has a light and mild flavor. It has notes of orchid, walnut and collard greens. Its flavor can be described as floral and mildly astringent.
Ti kuan yin means 'Iron Goddess of Mercy', and refers to a beloved bodhisattva or 'enlightened being' in Buddhism. According to legend, Kuan Yin presented this tea in reward to a kind, poor farmer who lovingly maintained her old and crumbling temple. More modern legend attribute this name to the dark green hue of the leaves, which somewhat resembles the metal.
The processing of ti kuan yin tea is a time-consuming and intricate process that consists of the following steps:
- plucking
- sun withering
- cooling
- tossing
- some oxidation
- fixation
- rolling
- drying
The following are the potential ti kuan yin tea benefits that may be derived from this flavorful brew:
Ti kuan yin tea may help lower blood pressure and may lower risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.
Ti kuan yin tea may help in efforts to lose weight due to its ability to help lower the intake of fat as well as enhance metabolism.
Ti kuan yin tea may help strengthen the immune system and keep the health in check.
Ti kuan yin tea may help enhance bone density.
Ti kuan yin tea may help enforce resistance to fungi and bacteria that may cause a variety of ailments and diseases.
Pu erh Tea Benefits
Pu erh Tea Benefits have been well-known for centuries as being potent in the areas of blood cholesterol lowering, as well as in proper digestion and general well-being and longevity. Pu erh tea is known to be a drink that enhances the "qi" or the life force.
Pu erh tea is derived from the large leaf variety of the camellia sinensis plant from where green tea, black tea and oolong teaare also obtained. The term "pu erh" is taken from the Pu erh county in the Yunnan province of China where the tea is produced. The best pu erh tea is said to be produced in the a group of famous mountains in Yunnan that are renowned for their climate and environment.
Pu erh tea is processed or aged in different ways. Some pu erh varieties are purchased raw or green - meaning it has not undergone an extensive oxidation process (hence it is similar to green tea) - and some are purchased in the post-fermented stage where it shares a lot of commonalities with black and oolong tea. Though oftentimes classified as a type of black tea, pu erh tea is largely considered to be of a separate variety that holds a different and many say, higher status, than black tea.
Pu erh tea is usually aged and consumed several years after its production. The older the tea, the more valuable it gets. Like a good wine, pu erh tea ought to be slowly drunk while the leaves settle down in the cup.
Pu erh tea is available either in loose leaf form, or in tea bag form, or in compacted cake form (also known as brick). The cake form of pu erh tea usually attracts a lot of attention from tea collectors as many of the older teas are traditionally done in this form.
When aged well, pu erh tea produces a pleasant-tasting drink that is often served in Chinese restaurants after heavy meals. Its fat-breaking abilities are recognized by the Chinese people and the tea is often considered the perfect drink to complement an oil and fat-laden feast.
Pu erh tea typically takes on a dark, strong brown color that's almost akin to that of black tea, but possesses a somewhat mellower, liquor-like flavor.
Pu erh tea possesses many of the antioxidant qualities found in green tea, black tea and oolong tea. Pu erh tea contains polyphenols that attack free radicals in the body to help ensure protection against a host of diseases.
The following are the health benefits attributed to pu erh tea:
Pu erh tea is known to help lower bloodcholesterol levels.
Pu erh tea may help boost the flow of blood and help enhance circulation.
Pu erh tea aids in the proper digestion of food.
Pu erh tea may help invigorate the spleen.
Pu erh tea is known to help break down and thus reduce fat in the system.
Pu erh tea may help remove toxins.
Pu erh tea may help heal aches and pains.
This is where I go locally (Norwich) to get all my teas. http://www.wilkinsonsofnorwich.com/Default.aspx
The information provided here comes from Tea Benefits.
The information provided here comes from Tea Benefits.
