Loose Leaf

LOOSE LEAF

tea for everyday

How to make the Perfect Tea

April 2014

Letter from the Editor Welcome to the very first edition of Loose Leaf! I have been able to gather delicious photos and interviews from some of my favourite tea lovers and I have been lucky enough to spend the past six weeks immersed in one of my favourite beverages: Tea. I began work on the magazine by channeling my inner tea drinker - enjoying tea as much as possible.

ISBN 1-35514-097-3 All Rights Reserved.

Printed in Canada.

Believe it or not, tea is a powerful thing. Steep it dark or light. It’s a quick addition to any meal and best of all anyone can make it. Tea can be made in any cup, any style and just the way you want it. A cup of tea is so much more than a Sunday morning beverage; it can bring rejuvination and energy in an age of coffee.

Copyright 2014.

My Top Tea Picks:

4825 Mount Royal Gate S.W. Calgary, Alberta T3E 6K6

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

COMM 3620 Richard Erlendson Document Production Jordan Piraux Information Designer/Marketer/Photographer Mount Royal University First Edition.

Chai on Life (White) Cookie Dough (White) Precious White Peach (White) Lime Gelato (Green) Choconut Oolong (Oolong) Blueberry Jam (Black) Buttered Rum (Black) Red Velevet Cake (Black) Cherry Coca Cola (Black) Passion Berry (Herbal) Wild Orange Blossom (Herbal) Blood Orange (Pu’erh) Chocolate Orange (Pu’erh) Pink Lemonade (Rooibos) Pink Flamingo (Rooibos)

As I reseached stories I discovered so much information I wanted to share with everyone, but not enough room for all I had found. The information gathered is just enough to invite a new tea lover or move an existing tea lover to the next level. This magazine has all you need to know to become an avid tea drinker.

I have dedicated this entire issue to all things tea to celebrate my enjoyment of a wonderful cup of tea. I am dedicating this magazine to my family, we all share the love of tea. Every Sunday morning we share a cup of tea even though my parents and I are 965 km away from my brother.

I enjoy tea when I am around family and friends. Sometimes, though, loved oned re not nearby, and I find that having a cup of tea reminds me of them and draws us close again. This is what this magazine means to me: finding one way to connect with family no matter where they are.

If a perfect cup of tea makes you smile and lets your heart indulge a little, then what could possibly be the harm?

Please Enjoy!

x u a r i P n a d r Jo

3 7 9 10 11 15 18 21 24 27 28

History of Tea

Loose Leaf vs. Tea Bag Not Your Grandma’s Tea

Getting the Most of your Brew How to Brew the Perfect Cup Green Tea

Herbal Tea

Black Tea

White Tea

Accessories/ Extras Calgary Tea

Why choose Loose Leaf Tea?

Loose Leaf tea offers a more upscale appearance and artisian image. The sensory experience, presentation, aroma, taste and tea display are just more impressive than a tea bag in a cup. Loose Leaf tea offers a fuller flavor and the selection of Loose Leaf tea is much more extensive than that of bagged tea.

There is minimal packaging, unlike bagged tea which requires significant packaging resources and generates considerably more waste with its bags, boxes, and plastic wrappers.

“The sensory expereince, presentation, aroma, taste and tea display are more impressive than a tea bag in a cup”

Bagged tea is often made from Loose Leaf tea productions, resulting in a brew that is much less flavorable when it is bagged.

As Loose Leaf tea is sold by weight, only three grams are required for every cup, making it much more cost-effective than pre-packaged teabags.

Some benefits of Loose Leaf tea include: it is better for the planet, it has better flavor, and it has better value. Loose Leaf tea has a much smaller eco-footprint than tea bags.

“Loose Leaf is... much more cost-effective than pre-packaged teabags.”

In asking some of my fellow tea drinkers why they preferred using tea bags over Loose Leaf, the

answer always centered around convience. “Loose Leaf tea is nice, but doesn’t take longer to prepare?” It is a common notion, but it is actually false. Loose Leaf tea can be re-steeped more times than a single tea bag, and can hold more flavor.

After experiencing Loose Leaf tea, it’s hard to go back to generic tea bags. Loose Leaf teas have so much more to offer in so many aspects. So next time you have a guest come over and you want to offer a cup of tea, don’t pull out a typical tea bag.

“Loose Leaf teas have so much more to offer in so many aspects”

History of Tea According to the Chinese legend, in 2737BC, a few leaves were taken from a tree, beneath which the Emperor sat. They were mixed with a little water to quench his thirst. The Emperor enjoyed this experience and invented tea.

Tea orginally came from the southren province of Yunnan in China.

The tea was at first seen as a theapeutic drink. Not until later it was widely available, first in the form of compressed pieces that would be reduced into powder before being mixed with boiling water.

Tea was an immediate hit, and soon took the place of coffee in British people’s hearts. In the 19th century, China could no longer keep up with growing demand of tea, the British then introduced their culture in other countries: India in 1834, Ceylan in 1857 and other Asian and African countries, in Reunion and Argentina.

Tea belongs to the Camelia Sinensis family. The tea plant is evergreen and grows in hot, humid climates where there is plenty of sunshine and lots of rain. A tea plant can grow up to 10 to 15m high. To make it easier to harvest, tea plants are usually cropped to 1.10m high and maintained at this height. The life of the average tea plant is around forty years, it has been known for certain varities live for 100 years.

The oldest tea plant on record is Pu’er in the Yunnan province of China, it is 1800 years old.

The tea plants are harvested several times a year and they are still harvested by hand. The harvesting technique and the season of the harvest change according to each country. Each harvesting period gives the tea a different flavor.

It’s never to young to start drinking tea...

... with your very best friend!

Today, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world after water. In the U.S. tea has been experiencing tremendous growth. The Lu Yu Tea Institute has been the leader in the research, systemization, and development of tea equipment and tea brewing techniques. It has helped educate many in Taiwan, Japan, Korea and elsewhere in the proper methods and techniques of Chinese tea culture.

Each tea has a different history on how it was created, this will help you understand where and how the teas are made and where they came from.

get your favourite juice flavored tea today

2

applejuicetea.com 3

Fine Tea in Calgary

History of White Tea

White tea is the preferred drink of royality as far back as the Tang Dynasty in China. Prized for its mild and delicate taste, white tea was known as the Emperor’s drink and the general population could not partake in drinking this tea.

world in store, the retail ritual of sniffing, sampling and selecting the perfect blend is only the beginning.

History of Green Tea

Green tea has been consumed in Asia for centuries. When Green Tea was first discovered in China only the wealthy and elite drank the expensive beverage. It was essential for seafarers to consume since Green Tea consumption prevented scurvy. Green Tea was later brought from China to Japan. A Japanese Monk who had been studying in China planted seeds of the Chinese plant at his monastery and after serving the tea to the Japanese Emperor, he ordered for the creation of more tea cultivation sites and eventually different flavors of Green Tea were born.

History of Black Tea

No one is certain when and where Black Tea was invented, but there are two stories that may explain the first discovery of Black Tea. The “Wuyi” theory, thought to be one theory about the creation of oolong tea, is also significant in Black Tea history. When the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty demanded a shift to loose tea production, the tea producers made several attempts at making premium loose leaf tea. During this process, tea leaves would turn red as a sign of fermentation. Because of the red color of the leaves, black tea was readily known as red tea in China.

“With more than 90 varieties... imported from around the world” Leaves on the Loose at Kensington’s The Naked Leaf.

Last fall, Kensington welcomed a second tea merchant, The Naked Leaf, to 10th Street N.W. near the Oolong Tea House.

With more than 90 varieties of organic green, black, oolong, white and herbal-infused teas imported from around the

The teashop carries tea tins with about 20 different labels that feature the work of local and international artists, including exceptional painters Pam Weber, Karl Skaret and Connie Gibbens.

As gifts or for fundraisers, labels can also be customized using personal photos and artwork.

The collection of tea-related gear for sale includes Japanese castiron Tetsubins and whimsical collectible pots from The Teapottery shaped like kitchen appliances and furniture.

The store also carries matcha bowls, tea-infused chocolate imported from Belgium and, oddly enough, its own line of skin cream.

Although all the tea paraphernalia leaves no room to sit and sip a warm cuppa, owner Jonathan Kane will happily brew you one to go. (305 10 St. N.W., 403-2833555, thenakedleaf.ca) —J.M. source: www.avenuecalgary.com

The other story is that during the 16th century, Army Soldiers passing through Tong Mu Village temporarily stopped production of Green Tea. The soldiers made beds out of piles of tea leaves and when they left the village, the tea leaves had turned black. Tea processing was resumed with these black leaves and a new kind of tea was born.

History of Herbal Tea

The Chinese were using herbs for their medicinal properties for centuries and they were first to introduce herbs into tea drinking.

Fruits, vegitables, herbs and flowers were most often added for medicinal reasons as well as to improve the teaste of teas. Eventually a version of tea called tisane was created that didnt actually include any tea.

weddingchicks.com

4

5

Get the Perfect Cup of Tea in Calgary Not so long ago, tea meant black, bitter, over-steeped orange pekoe poured from a leaky steel pot (or by your grandmother from her pretty bone china). But not any more. Tea has become a sexy beverage to sniff and swirl like fine wine, or to contemplate as it unfurls like a perfect peony in an elegant tea ceremony. There’s green tea, white tea, black tea, Oolong, Darjeeling, strong Pu-erh and rooibos, herbal teas, flower teas, smoky Lapsang Souchong and grassy matcha.

Though there are plenty of places to buy and sip tea, Kensington is the real hotbed for tea-lovers. At the The Naked Leaf, Jonathan Kane sells more than 100 types of tea, all available in tins with

Just down the street, Oolong Tea House has a tea bar where you can taste and contemplate 150 types of tea.

Tea Trader in Inglewood is the city’s original specialty tea seller, with more than 100 loose teas including a great selection of black and Indian Darjeeling teas.

It’s tricky to find — upstairs above a camera shop — but these importers have some of the best prices in town.

“Tea has become sexy” There are teas with calming lavender and mint, rose petals and even chocolate. There are teas that energize, teas that relax, teas to cleanse your body, teas to make you sleep and teas to stimulate your immune system.

Head to the back of the Candy Kid Sweet Shop to find Red Bush Tea and Coffee Co., a shop with 80 different teas, lots of tea accessories and a small space to sit and have your tea.

labels created by Calgary artists. He also carries a wonderful selection of teapots and local tea-infused chocolate and skin creams.

anywhere, anytime, it’s a perfect tea time...

6

source: www.avenuecalgary.com

anytimetea.com

Loose Leaf vs. Tea Bag

Tea Bags

Loose Leaf

Tea bags are made from the opposite low tea grades, such as dust and fannings. Dust and fannings are smaller pieces of tea, so they have a larger surface than whole leaves. A larger surface area means more opportunities for the essential oild to evaporate, leaving the tea dull and stale. Freshness can be a major issue with typical teabags for this reason, especially if they are packed in paper boxes with paper wrapping.

“Whole leaf tea” means tea that’s primarily made up of whole, unbroken leaves.

Loose leaf tea is tea that is not brewed in a teabag. When you steep loose leaf tea, it has (or should have) room for the tea leaves to absorb water and expand as they infuse. This allows water to flow through the leaves and extract a wide range of vitamins, minerals, flavors and aromas from the leaves.

When you steep a teabag, its infusion is limited by the size of the teabag. Packing full-leaf tea into a small teabag won’t yield a very flavourable cup. The teabag industry adapted tea to the teabag. By filling teabags with smaller particles of tea (rather than whole), the surface area and infusion rate of the tea were increased.

Loose leaf tea is frequently the opposite variety, loose leaf tea may be speciality tea from a single region or even a single portion of a single estate.

Its flavor profile aroma and appearance vary from year to year and season to season.

Generally, estates, regions, processing styles and growing seasons are known for particular flavors and aromas, but there is a far larger range of flavors and aromas available from loose-leaf tea than there is from standardized blends. This depth of tea profiles appeal to foodies (people who are very interested in food flavors and politics) as well as other obsessive types.

Despite these innovations in teabags, many tea connoisseurs still snub them. The first has to do with adherence to traditinal and the enjoyment of tea rituals that do not include teabags.

The second is more seasonal, artisanal, foodie approach to tea. Tea bags are blended for standardization. Year to year, a particular grocery store tea will taste the same. This is because it’s blended with teas from around the world.

High quality loose leaf teas are made from the Camellia Sinensis plant’s finest hand-picked buds, whole tea leaves, large pieces of leaves or a combination of these parts.

Tea found in bags usually consists of smaller pieces of tea leaves or tea fannings which may give you a quicker brew, but lack the subtlely and full flavor of the larger loose leaf teas.

Loose leaf teas are always made with larger tea leaves so you can easily see the quality of your final tea blend.

8

Not Your Grandma’s Tea Tea has never been hotter. In flavours like chocolate mint and buttered rum, in exotic blends of oolong and rooibos, and in themed packages for various seasons, tea no longer means a mug of milky Red Rose with sugar, or a simple herbal brew.

Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada projects tea consumption in this country will grow by an astounding 40 per cent by 2020, compared to coffee consumption at 12 per cent growth.

Specialty tea shops have dotted the local scene for years, but their numbers are definitely on the rise. In recent months, national chains like David’s Tea and Teaopia have arrived in malls and city streets, further broadening the availability of exotic teas and introducing them to a whole new demographic.

“It seems like every week people hear about a new study that has come out about tea being good for you,” says Keith Hutjens, head of tea procurement for Tazo teas in Portland, Oregon. Customers are increasingly embracing tea, partly for health reasons, “and because people just savour the culture of tea and being able to step back -- a little bit of ‘me’ time.”

“Specialty tea shops have dotted the local scene for years, but their numbers are definitely on the rise.”

“The brand is just booming.

Forty stores in two years -- it’s just phenomenal,” says Tuti Do, spokesperson for David’s Tea, a Montreal-based operation that recently opened stores in Ottawa and Edmonton. Teaopia, an Ontario chain, has opened 34 stores since 2005.

“It just covers all ages -- it’s incredible,” says David Bellisario, president of Teaopia. “A lot of youth are moving to tea because of health and wellness and the whole tea lifestyle, which is all about slowing down and taking some time for yourself.”

“Tea has never been hotter.”

For tea shops, part of the work is educating consumers about the vast array of teas available and their various flavours and properties, says Bellisario. But he has also been surprised and pleased to discover a largely untapped market of tea drinkers out there who already know what they want.

“They’ve taken an everyday commoodity that you can find at a grocery store and they’ve modernized it, they’ve made it more fun.”

“Every time we’ve opened a store, people just walk in and start buying looseleaf tea. I believe there’s a ton of closet tea drinkers and they’ve been drinking bagged tea because

9

source: www2.canada.com

they haven’t had a lot of choice, or they’ve been buying looseleaf teas in Chinatown in whatever city they live in or in little markets. “It’s just that it’s not readily available, and as soon as it is readily available, they buy it,” he says.

“I was amazed when we opened the doors (of our first store) and the first people that walked into the store came up to the wall and said, ‘Oh, wow, they’ve got tarry Lapsang souchong, I love that tea.’ And it’s such a unique tea, I couldn’t believe that was the first tea we ever sold.” Teaopia sells more than 100 separate varieties of tea. At David’s, tea comes in more than 140 types. Generally, the teas are either black, green, white or oolong, in a huge array of flavours. Herbal and rooibos “teas” are actually infusions or tisanes of herbs and/or fruits.

“They’ve taken an everyday commodity that you can find at any grocery store and they’ve modernized it, they’ve made it more fun,” says Do. “They have seasonal teas, just like in fashion.

David’s Teas is like a fashionable, young, hip brand. This is not your grandmother’s tea.”

Getting the Most from your Brew The steps that you should follow to get the most out of your tea brew are as follows; 1. Choose your tea 2. Heat Water 3. Steep your tea A great cup of tea starts with high quality tea leaves. Make sure your leaves come from a quality tea garden and aren’t dust (leftover after tea has been processed). Choose your favourite selection.

Heat the water to the temperature recommended for your tea using a kettle or stovetop kettle.

Once your water is heated, steep your tea for the recommended time (it varies by tea) in a teapot or press. Add rock sugar or honey if you prefer and pour into your favorite cup.

Be Patient Making the Perfect Cup of Tea Scientists have discovered that the key to the best tasting brew is to let it sit for six minutes before drinking.

“all around sensory experience” Not only does it avoid scolding but by then it has cooled to 60C, the optimum temperature to let the flavours flood out. They concluded that the best method was to add boiling water to a tea bag in a mug and leave for two minutes.

Then remove the bag and add the milk and leave for six minutes until it reaches optimal temperature of 60C. Leave too long and it drops below 45C and the flavours destroying the “all round sensory experience”.

However, the addition of milk significantly reduced these and replaced them with toffee and vanilla. The more milk that was added the more these sweeter notes intensified.

Mr Brown, a food and nutrition expert, said: “When enjoying a cup of tea, our palette requires a balance between bitterness and sweetness. “Milk quantities

10

and brewing time were key factors studied throughout our investigation into the perfect brew.

“You might not expect to find toffee flavour in black tea, but by adding milk, toffee and vanilla flavours are intensified while the wood and grassy notes are reduced. “This may explain why 98 per cent of Brits love tea with milk.”

“our palette requires a balance between bitterness and sweetness” Instructions for perfect cup of tea for one; 1. Add 200ml of freshly boiled water to your tea bag (in a mug).

2. Allow the tea bag to brew for 2 minutes.

3. Remove the tea bag.

4. Add 10ml of milk.

5. Wait 6 minutes before consumption for the cuppa to reach its optimum temperature of 60 degrees centigrade source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/ science-news/8577637/How-to-make-theperfect-cup-of-tea-be-patient.html

How to Make the Perfect Tea

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Tea After all the excitment of the holidays, January brings quiter tones to many people’s lives. That collective release of stress molds perfectly with the designation of January as National Hot Tea Month.

The many types of tea depend on how the leaves of the plant (Camellia Sinensis) are processed and the amount of time they are exposed to oxygen.

Types of Tea Black Tea Most common of all the teas.

It includes flavors such as earl grey, english breakfast, blueberry jam, brazillionaire and buttered rum.

Green Tea While black tea is fully oxidized, green tea is not at all. It includes flavors such as matcha and green seduction.

White Tea As a sweet, light and mild tea, while tea leaves are actually new buds. It includes flavors such as chai on life, mango madness and secret weapon.

Herbal Tea Herbal teas are blended with spices, leaves, flowers, barks and roots. They are the only type of tea not made from the Camellia Sinensis plant. It includes flavors such as bear trap, exotica and midsummer nights dream.

How to Prepare Tea

Black Green Oolong White Herbal Blooming

Mate Rooibos

Amount tsp/8oz water 1 1 1 1.5 1.5

Steep Time (min) 3-5 1-2 2-3 1-5 8-15

1 ball 1.5 1.5

3-4 5-6 5-6

Steeping Times Tea

Black Green Oolong White Herbal

Temp.

212`F/100`C 175`F/ 85`C 195`F/79`C 185`F/85`C 212`F/100`C

Other teas include; Blooming 180`F/82`C Mate 208`F/95`C Rooibos 208`F/95`C

Steep Time (min) 3-5 1-2 2-3 1-5 3-6

3-4 5-6 5-6

If stronger flavor is desired, add more tea, not time. Sensitive teas will taste bitter if infused longer than recommended steep time.

If brewing two or more teas together, follow the steeping instructions for the tea with the shortest steep time and lowest temperature.

12

How to make the Perfect Cup of Iced Tea Making homemade iced tea is very similar to making hot tea, however, there are a few differences. Follow these simple steps on making a great tasting gourmet iced tea.

1. Double amount of loose leaf tea used in a regular brew Tea

Black Green Oolong White Herbal

Amount tsp/8oz water 2 2 2 3 3

Other teas include; Blooming 2 balls Mate 3 Rooibos 3

Steep Time (min) 3-5 1-2 2-3 1-5 8-15

3-4 8-15 8-15

2. If you prefer sweet tea, add rock sugar while steeping for the best taste, rather than adding white sugar to finish the tea. The rock sugar will enhance the natural sweetness of the tea and will easily dissolve in hot water 3. Immediately after the hot tea is brewed, pour into a glass or pitcher filled almost to the top with ice. The sudden cooling keeps the flavor and scent of the tea intact 4. Garnish your iced tea with a slice of lemon or sprig of mint for a perfect glass of cool, refreshing ice tea

13

What teas are the best for iced tea?

In general, rooibos, black and herbal teas are great over ice.

Iced green teas can be delicious too, provided you choose a flavored or scented tea that you enjoy.

Mixing two or three teas together will create a unique iced tea brew that is often better than any single tea. So try something new!

Blending Teas

Tea blending is the creative experience of mixing more than one type of tea together for a unqiue taste, aroma or health benefit.

Many herbal tea blends are packed with the delightful taste of fruit and herbs, especially when mixed with other flavored loose tea. Rooibos tea adds more fruit flavor as well as adding antioxidants to your cups. Plus, when mixing rooibos into a herbal tea blend the resulting blended tea still remains caffeine free.

Cool before refridgerating.

Putting hot tea into a cold fridge will make your tea cloudy.

Allow your tea to cool before you refridgerate. If you do end up with cloudy tea, try adding a bit of boiling water to it - it will sometimes do the trick!

TOP SECRET iced tea ingredient: Sugar Syrup.

let them have

POPULAR & CHEAPEST DRINK

tea

IN THE WORLD

AFTER WATER

billion cups

cups

6

consumed daily worldwide

per day

Green 17%

= less risk of heart disease

Whi te 5%

Oolong 2%

Black 82%

5 out of 6 Canadians are tea drinkers Water has 0mg of Caffeine 10 to 40mg 50mg

Tea Cola 75mg 80mg

4

20oz Energy Drink

OF PEOPLE DRINK MILK IN THEIR TEA &

NUMBER OF RECOMENDED

CUPS OF TEA

30% 98%

TAKE SUGAR IN THEIR TEA

TO DRINK EACH DAY

FOR OPTIMAL BENEFITS

the antioxidants found in

A CUP OF BLACK TEA

Espresso

1

8oz Energy Drink 120mg

Big Brand Coffee

ty pe s of te a in order of preference

Brewed Pot Coffee 250mg 300mg

14

is equivalent GLASS OF to the amount RED WINE found in these other items

3

GLASS OF ICED TEA

6

RED APPLES

3

THE MOST

Green Tea

Heart Health

Tea consumption is also associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

Green Tea

Research published by Harvard demonstrates that people who drink at least one cup of tea daily have a 44 percent lower risk of heart attack. Some animal studies have demonstrated that tea also lowers cholesterol levels.

it will also let you measure out exactly the right amount of water you are going to use. Toss out any remaining water from the teapot.

While we are waiting for the water to cool a bit more, let’s measure out some leaf for our infusion.

Pour the hot water from the two small cups directly into the teapot and brew with the lid on.

please enjoy a free sample:

Pour from the teapot into the teacups little by little from cup to cup, going back and forth evenly.

Green tea originated in China, but it has become associated with many cultures throughout Asia. Green tea has recently become more widespread in the West. Green tea has become the raw material for extracts used in various beverages, health foods, dietary supplements, and cosmetic items. Many varieties of green tea have been created in the countries where it is grown. These varieties can differ substantially due to variable growing conditions, horticulture, production processing, and harvesting time.

Besides being a delicious, inexpensive beverage that has no calories, tea has a unique set of natural chemicals that provide various therapeutic benefits. As more research is conducted, tea, specifically green, demonstrates significant antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticavity properties.

Bone Health

Routine tea consumption, especially for more than 10 years, has been associated with decreasing the risk of osteoporotic fractures. It’s thought that tea helps diminish bone loss through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, tea’s health-promoting properties are thought to suppress the breakdown of bone while increasing the amount and activity of bone building cells.

Weight Loss

Evidence is still inconclusive in this area, but it’s thought that the catechins found in tea, specifically green tea, create thermogenesis-the production of heat within the body which is related to burning calories.

These compounds may inhibit certain chemicals in the brain, therby prolonging thermogenesis. In one study, participants who drank four cups of tea daily had remarkably higher fat oxidation (by 12 percent) and burned an average of 67 additional calories a day. Drinking at least three cups a day is recommended to raise the body’s metabolic rate.

Cancer

Numerous research has demonstrated that tea is beneficial in preventing cancer including prostate, pancreatic, breast, colorectal, esophageal, bladder, lung, and stomach. The catechins found in tea prevent cell mutation, deactivate certain carcinogens, and reduce the formation and growth of tumors. Drinking as many as four cups a day may be necessary to reap the anti-cancer benefits.

16

What’s It Made Of? GET THE MOST FROM YOUR GREEN TEA Heat your water. This is where most mistakes are made. The proper brewing temperature for most sencha green tea is between 70C ~ 80C (158 F ~ 176 F) degrees. Note that this is much lower than boiling point of water which is 100C (212F).

The hot water is first poured into the empty teapot and allowed to sit for a minute or two. This will simultaniously drop the water temperature to about 80 C (176 F) and pre-heat the teapot.

Researchers think the healthgiving properties of green tea are mostly due to polyphenols, chemicals with potent antioxidant properties. In fact, the antioxidant effects of polyphenols seem to be greater than vitamin C. The polyphenols in green tea also give it a somewhat bitter flavor.

Green tea also contains alkaloids including caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. They provide green tea’s stimulant effects.

L-theanine, an amino acid compound found in green tea, has been studied for its calming effects on the nervous system.

FREE SAMPLE DO NOT CONSUME!

Toasted Walnut

This is the kind of tea you spontaneously want to cozy up to on a cold winter afternoon. The comforting, lightly bitter taste of toasted walnuts is sweetened and deepened with dried pineapple, coconut, almond and organic green tea. Sip it in front of an open fire and chase away the cold.

Contains walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and coconut.

Pour hot water from teapot into the empty teacup(s). This will simultaneously cool your water further, pre-heat the teacups, and

17

Herbal Tea Herbal Tea

Herbal tea, is any non-caffeinated beverage made from the infusion or decoction of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water. These drinks are distinguished from caffeinated beverages like coffee, mate, kuding, and the true teas (which are prepared from the cured leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis), as well as from decaffeinated tea, in which the caffeine has been removed. In addition to serving as a beverage, many tisanes are also consumed for their perceived medicinal benefits.

Herbal teas make for wonderful, low calorie and relaxing drinks. Apart from having a beneficial effect on health, herbal teas are fragrant and appealing. Let’s take the mystery out of the herbal teas and discover together which teas are good for which symptoms…

Our delicious herbal teas are made only from the best ingredients. From the sweet to the spicy, Teavana’s herbal tea selection has something for everyone. And these teas are made from ingredients so fresh that you can actually eat them!

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a popular herb that’s used in teas worldwide. Chamomile soothes the stomach and relieves bloating and indigestion. Chamomile also calms the mind and helps people relax and deal better with their stresses. Some people are allergic to chamomile and should avoid taking the tea. People who find it hard to go to sleep should drink a cup of chamomile tea before going to bed. Chamomile is known to fight insomnia by relaxing the body and the mind, enabling the person to fall asleep naturally.

Ginger Tea

Ginger is an energizer and a stimulator. Drinking ginger tea both stimulates and soothes the digestive system. Ginger has been known to aid people experiencing nausea. Arthritic people have found ginger tea helpful since it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is a fragrant herb that makes for a soothing drink. Peppermint helps you digest foods better and also reduces flatulence and digestive issues. Peppermint is prescribed to people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and gallstones in capsules. A cup of peppermint tea will ease nausea and vomiting, especially if you suffer motion sickness. If you have heartburn, don’t drink peppermint tea as this might

19

aggravate your condition.

Peppermint Herbal teas make for wonderful, low calorie and relaxing drinks.

Apart from having a beneficial effect on health, herbal teas are fragrant and appealing. Let’s take the mystery out of the herbal teas and discover together which teas are good for which symptoms…

Hibiscus Flower Tea

Dried Hibiscus flowers are made into a tea that offers very high health benefits. Hibiscus tea is known to lower blood pressure, reduce high cholesterol and strengthen the immune system (it’s rich in Vitamin C). Hibiscus flower infusions have known to reduce hypertension as well, in people prone to this condition.

A recent study reveals that hibiscus tea is rich in antioxidants, which protect the body against cell-damaging free radicals. Red zinger tea and sorrel tea contain hibiscus.

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR HERBAL TEA Infusions are made from the more delicate parts of the plant, including the leaves, flowers and aromatic parts. These fragile plant parts must be steeped rather than simmered because they give up their medicinal properties more easily than do the tougher roots and barks.

please enjoy a free sample:

FREE SAMPLE DO NOT CONSUME!

To make an infusion, simply boil 1 quart of water per ounce of herb. Start out with the above proportions and then experiment.

It’s claimed they can help with everything from easing a cold and indigestion to fighting infection and nausea.

But when choosing a herbal tea remedy, make sure you pick the right one. While fruit flavoured teas - such as rosehip, apple and orange - tend to be delicious, they are developed for their flavouring more than anything else.

20

Bear Trap

Seriously, this might be the best way to stop a bear in its tracks. They love berries, and this tea is full of them.

The aroma of black currants, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries is totally irresistible. Plus it’s calming, which is important when taming wild animals. Just don’t try to take it away from them.

Black Tea

1-2 cups a day) had a 70% lower chance of having or developing type 2 diabetes.

Stress Relief

Black Tea

We all are aware and well experienced about the calming and relaxing benefits of black tea. Black tea has also been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol when consumed in moderate amounts on a regular basis.

Health benefits of having a cup or two of black tea on a regular basis, though it should be noted that it is recommended that black tea should be consumed without any additives like milk or sugar to truly harness its benefits.

As identified by Arab L. et al. in their 2009 research paper called “ Green and black tea consumption and risk of stroke: a meta-analysis”, it is seen that regardless of people’s country of origin, individuals who consume 3 or more cups of tea had a 21% lower risk of a stroke than people who consume less than 1 cup of green or black tea per day.

Antioxidants

Black tea contains polyphenols, which are also antioxidants that help block DNA damage associated with tobacco or other toxic chemicals. These antioxidants are different from those obtained from fruits and vegetables and therefore as a regular part of our diet they can provide additional benefits towards a healthy lifestyle.

Cancer Prevention

A lot more research is required to confidently suggest cancer prevention techniques, some research suggests that antioxidants like polyphenol and catechins in tea may help prevent some types of cancer. It has been suggested that women who drink black tea regularly have a lower chance of ovarian cancer than their counterparts.

Put the kettle on. I love my electric kettle and use it all the time.

Warm the Pot. While the water is heating up, run the hottest water you can get from your faucet into your teapot and cover. This will pre-warm the pot.

Assemble your tea setup and ingredients. Retrieve your favorite tea cup, find your strainer, slice some lemon, find the sugar bowl, choose your tea, find your measuring spoon.

Black tea is generally stronger in flavor than the less oxidized teas. Two principal varieties of the species are used – the small-leaved Chinese variety plant (C. sinensis subsp. sinensis), used for most other types of teas, and the large-leaved Assamese plant (C. sinensis subsp. assamica), which was traditionally mainly used for black tea, although in recent years some green and white have been produced.

A Better Heart

HOW TO GET THE MOST OF YOUR BLACK TEA

FREE SAMPLE DO NOT CONSUME!

Measure your loose tea into your pot. I use 1 teaspoon of loose tea for every 8 ounces of water, unless the tea tin instructs me differently.

Better Immune System

Black tea contains alkylamine antigens that help boost our immune response. In addition it also contains tannins that have the ability to fight viruses and hence keep us protected from influenza, stomach flu and other such commonly found viruses in our everyday lives.

Increased Energy

Pour on the water. When the water reaches the boil, turn off the kettle and pour it over the tea leaves and into the teapot. Put the lid on and cover with a cosy to keep warm.

Steeping your tea. For black tea, steep anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes. I like a good, strong cup of tea, so I tend to go the full time.

You may want to set your timer.

Unlike other drinks that have a relatively higher caffeine content, the low amounts found in tea can help enhance blood flow to the brain without over-stimulating the heart.

Lower Risk of Diabetes

Based on a research study conducted of elderly people living in the Mediterranean islands it was discovered that people that had been consuming black tea on a long-term basis on a moderate level (i.e

22

please enjoy a free sample:

23

Blueberry Jam

Blueberries might just be the greatest fruit around.

Hundreds of years before moms were making them into jams, jellies and cakes, blueberries were called “star berries” and revered for their healing powers. Another little known fact about blueberries is that they make for one great cup of tea – when you blend them with black tea, elderberries, cornflowers and stevia, it’s the perfect companion to your morning toast.

White Tea White tea comes from the buds and leaves of the Chinese Camellia sinensis plant. The leaves and buds are allowed to wither in natural sunlight before they are lightly processed to prevent oxidation or further tea processing. The name "white tea" derives from the fine silvery-white hairs on the unopened buds of the tea plant, which gives the plant a whitish appearance. The beverage itself is not white or colourless but pale yellow.

White tea is fast becoming a new addition to grocery shops and markets everywhere. Along with white tea’s health benefits, you may see claims that white tea can cause weight loss. Let us weigh the facts before you go out to buy white tea for the purpose of losing weight.

White Tea has been used as medicine for centuries. Now modern science is discovering what people in China and throughout the world have long known: tea is good for you. While green and black tea are very healthy, white tea is the least processed tea and has the highest antioxidant levels. It may be the supreme Drink of Health.

White Tea Antioxidants

Antioxidants are nutrients that protect the body from damage by free radicals. Free radicals are nasty things that go around wreaking havoc on your body, damaging DNA and accelerating aging. Antioxidants scoop them up and neutralize them. White tea is loaded with these protective nutrients.

Cancer Prevention

White Tea

White tea may have profound power against cancer-causing cells and against many different types of cancer, such as colon, prostate, and stomach cancers. Flavonoids, a class of antioxidants, inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent the development of new ones. In some cases, white tea has been found to work as well as prescription drugs, but without the side effects.

Heart Protection

By thinning the blood, lowering blood pressure, and reducing cholesterol, white tea protects the heart and the entire circulatory system. Researchers have also discovered that people who drink 2 or more cups of tea a day are almost 50% less likely to die after suffering a heart attack. White tea is truly a remarkable heart tonic.

25

Antibacterial & Antiviral

White tea is a natural killer of bacteria and viruses. The antioxidants so abundant in white tea tone the entire immune system, providing protection against a variety of invaders and a wide range of diseases. Its helps guard against the common cold and flu, and can ease the symptoms of HIV.

Add Your Tea Leaves: Put 3-4 teaspoons of dry Bai Mu Dan in the teapot. If you prefer stronger, you may add more dry leaves if you like. Adding too many leaves will not harm your stomach or intestines, in fact, stronger white tea will contain more anti-oxidants, so adjust the amount of tea you use to get the flavor you most enjoy.

Choose an ideal teapot: The ideal teapot will be made out of ceramic or glass. Using a teapot will allow you to brew more of your tea easily and conveniently, so a teapot is a very good choice for those of you who love to indulge in afternoon tea.

please enjoy a free sample:

Mugs Davids Tea $19.50

White tea protects against cancer, heart disease, and stroke, the leading causes of death in the industrial world, as well as numerous other conditions. It eases the symptoms of illness and promotes recovery. White tea Pour Water into Your Teapot: strengthens the circulatory and immune systems as well as bones Pour 85-90 ºC (185-200ºF) water and teeth, and builds healthy skin. into the teapot, and allow the leaves to steep for 3-5 minutes.

The leaves and the buds of the Bai Mu Dan are tender so the temperature can not be too high or it will brew up yellow with a bitter astringent taste, and the nutrients in the leaves will be destroyed.

HOW T O GET THE MOST FROM YOUR WHITE TEA

Accessories and Extras

However, if the temperature is too low the leaves will not brew correctly and the flavor will be too light. It is best to keep the temperature of the water just under boiling so that it brews correctly and the resulting tea will be both delicious and nutritious.

Enjoy: Finally, you can serve the brewed White Peony, straining out the leaves and pouring the clear bright apricot colored liquor into your teacup. You and your friends can enjoy the refreshingly sweet mellow taste of a good Bai Mu Dan White Tea.

26

Tea Pots

Words Brand $15.00

Sweeteners

Davids Tea $24.50

Vary Locations Vary Prices

FREE SAMPLE DO NOT CONSUME!

Davids Tea $19.50

Davids Tea $19.50

Travel Mugs

Davids Tea $3.50/10pk

Davids Tea $29.50

Infusers

Spoons Davids Tea $5.50

Chai on Life

What do you reach for when you need a little pick-meup? Or perhaps you prefer the feel-good glow of something super healthy.

This lemongrass-spiked white tea is the best of both worlds. It’s a uniquely fresh and delicate chai, filled with traditional warming spices from Ayurvedic medicine, like cinnamon, cloves, ginger and black pepper. Sweet, smooth and refreshing, this blend is revitalizing, comforting and tasty to boot.

Davids Tea $24.50

Davids Tea $29.50

Tea Tins

Amazon $10.99

Amazon $9.00

Heaters

Davids Tea $2.50 Varying Color

Teavana $3.95

Coasters Meninos Online $25.00

Crate & Barrel $69.77

Teavana $10.95 Varying Styles

Meninos Online $60.00 Davids Tea $149.50

27

Uncommon Goods $48.00

Top Tea Locations in Calgary Naked Leaf

305 10 Street NW (403) 283-3555

Oolong Teahouse 110 10 Street NW (403) 283-0333

Tea Trader

1228A 9 Ave SW (403) 264-0728

Tea Affair

#5, 2221 41 Ave NE (403) 228-3655

Tea Desire

218, 4916 130 Ave SE (403) 278-0832

Teavana Marlborough Mall

515 Marlborough Way NE (403) 444-9273

Teavana Sunridge Mall

2525 36th Street NE (403) 266-6411

Teavana Eaton Centre 324 8th Ave SW (403) 261-2017

Teavana Market Mall

David’s Tea Stephen Ave 203 8th Ave SW (403) 264-0325

David’s Tea 17th Ave

843 17th Ave SW (403) 245-3794

David’s Tea Chinook Mall

6455 Macleod Trail SW (403) 252-1722

2525 36th Street NE (403) 280-5118

David’s Tea Market Mall

3625 Shaganappi Trail NW (403) 247-0622

Teavana Chinook Mall

David’s Tea South Centre

28

David’s Tea Gift Card

please enjoy a complimentary tea on us!

David’s Tea Sunridge Mall

3625 Shaganappi Trail NW (403) 247-8900

6455 Macleod Trail SW (403) 251-0021

Who do You Choose?

100 Anderson Road SE (403) 262-1548

Teavana Gift Card

please enjoy a complimentary tea on us!

WHAT’S YOUR FLAVOR?