tea

July 4, 2009

Great Brews With Coffee Maker Accessories


Coffee has become a necessity especially for people who constantly need a pick me up of extra energy during the day. The best way to have coffee is having it fresh every day, thus the creation of coffee makers for do it yourself coffee has become a huge success.

Arabica and Robusta beans are the two most common blends known to coffee lovers; while there are other flavors offered by countries throughout the world to fit one’s exquisite palate for their regular caffeine fix.

Coffee maker accessories are as vital as the actual coffee maker itself. These days, one will find it odd not to be able to see a coffee maker inside an office or one’s household. It is the best way to have coffee as it is able to provide fresh, savory brews with every pot.

Most people are not aware that there is a difference in the taste of coffee with the water used to brew each pot. Regular tap water is also known as hard water which is filled with monumental amounts of minerals which can alter the taste of coffee and shorten the lives of their coffee makers. This is why water filters, though not necessarily coffee maker accessories play a key role in creating the perfect brew. It produces soft water which is free from any unnecessary mineral deposits for better tasting coffee.

Another of the coffee maker accessories are the coffee filters. These filter the ground coffee which one needs to be able to produce a pot. These are used especially in drip coffee machines; these prevent the ground coffee from getting in the rest of the brew thus making sure one does not accidentally sip any coffee residue in their cups.

There are paper coffee filters which are easy to use and are disposable; they may be cheap though when accumulated can also be costly, plus the fact that it is made from paper poses a factual risk that the brew may have some paper taste in it. There are also cloth coffee filters which are said to be Earth friendly; one does not need to constantly purchase one as it is reusable and only needs to be rinsed in between each use. Also, there is a less common filter which is lined with real gold; the gold coffee filter is reliable and durable; though for some it is rather impractical to purchase due to its initial cost, though it does not leave the brewed coffee with any odd tastes.

Another accessory is the coffee grinder or the mill; it allows a person to freshly grind coffee beans to produce fresh pots of coffee as they please. Each grinder is equipped with high powered blades to ensure fine grinding.

However one wishes to have their coffee, they can guarantee a fresh and satisfying cup with the aide of their trusty coffee maker and all the other accessories which make every cup more satisfying.

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Filed under Coffee by Peter Jordan

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June 27, 2009

Five Merits Of Purple Clay Teapots


The Chinese have a secret that lets them fully enjoy their fragrant, healthy tea – they brew it with purple clay teapots. And you know what? These teapots really have qualities that set them apart from the pack. So today I’ll share some secrets as to why tea drinkers have come to adore a strange thing called purple clay.

There is only one place that this clay can be found: Yixing, China. Actually, there are three main colors of this so-called purple clay: red clay, green clay, and purple clay. Because the clay contains a high number of natural minerals, it can display a full range of colors after firing. And its internal structure is quite interesting too – a double layer of porous, sandy particles that give it an extra kick.

Chinese tea lovers are very keen on Yixing purple clay teapots. On one hand, they are gracefully designed in a multitude of shapes and styles suitable for decorations and collections; and on the other hand, brewing tea with a purple clay teapot has many unique advantages that can make your tea time a great pleasure.

1. Purple clay teapots let your tea utterly show off its intrinsic characteristics in color, scent, and savor. From Chinese emperors to ordinary people, they all know a purple clay teapot is the best match to their tea. Make the best use of things, and let your tea has nothing to hide from you.

I love green tea, so I bought a green-colored purple clay teapot several years ago. Then I hurried back to my home, and brewed my favorite tea leaves with the pot. When I took a sip, the soup tasted much better than I used to feel before. I wondered: ‘Is it the same tea?’ Then I suddenly saw the light: I finally know my tea thanks to this purple clay teapot!

2. Tea soup in purple clay teapots refuses to turn sour for the longest time. The numerous invisible pores of a purple clay teapot allow fresh air to seep in. Strong or bland, the tea will always be pure with no peculiar smell and taste. A sweltering weather makes no difference as well.

If you have something urgent to deal with in the morning after brewing tea, go for it! The tea soup in the pot will stay fresh and be considerate enough to wait for you at the end of the day.

3. A purple clay teapot can change slightly as you make tea with it, because of how absorbent it is. It takes in tea aromas and tastes, and then lets them off in the next infusion. The flavor gradually grows and you can always expect for a better brew of tea each time.

Also, the longer a purple clay teapot is used, the more lustrous and beautiful it becomes. That’s because the tea inside moistens and lubricates the pot. Also, every time a purple clay teapot is touched, it absorbs some of the oils from your hands and becomes more lustrous.

Lastly, the color of a purple clay teapot will change slightly according to what kind of tea you brew. Watching the slow change of color is quite interesting.

If you are interested in the last two advantages of purple clay tea ware, just click over to my site to read more:

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Filed under Food-And-Drink by Jason Jia

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Green Tea Diet – The Most Healthy Drink


You may have noticed the various Health Tea products on the internet in recent times, and wondered just what, exactly; a tea can do for you? You may even be wondering whether the term health benefits of tea means anything at all, or whether it’s just another way to part you and your money. Of course, the answer depends on the exact preparation you are talking about, but even conventional teas offer significant health benefits. Have a look at these surprising facts:

1. Green tea, also known as Chinese tea, and most certainly a healthy drink, has been shown to help prevent, and slow, certain forms of cancer, including prostate and breast cancer, thanks to its unique anti oxidants. White tea, another much lauded tea, from the same plant as green, and ordinary black tea, has since been proven to be more effective in fighting cancer than even it’s better known cousin, which certainly makes it another healthy drink.

2. By increasing a natural process called thermogenesis, which simply means the rate at which calories are burned, green tea, which is definitely a health tea, increases the metabolic rate, and speeds up weight loss.

3. Tea, whether black or green, boosts immune function, which was proven during a study where two groups, one drinking tea, and one coffee, had their blood tested. The tea drinkers’ blood tested higher for disease fighting T-cells, all important to our immune function. So not only is it health tea, its immune booster tea too!

4. Reduction in stress is another proven effect of green tea, probably the ultimate health tea out there. By reducing stress hormones, the production of cortisol, and reducing the likelihood of clotting, tea effectively prevents stress levels from rising, and reduces the risk of heart attack, so common among stress sufferers. Green tea fights bacteria and viruses, but this ultimate health tea has also shown itself to be effective against snake bite venom! Amazingly, a compound in the tea is effective in treating a number of different types of snake bites, and an extract made from this compound is used to treat bites, particularly when the snake species is unknown.

5. Last on our list, but certainly not least, a study at UCLA has proven that tea drinkers, whether black or green is their preferred health tea, are less at risk than those who don’t drink tea.

With all these and more benefits in black, green and white tea, it becomes clear that the term health tea applies not only to the newer types of super tea out there, but the more common varieties as well. And with so many benefits from the humble tea leaf, would it not also be fair to say that all tea is health tea? Of course, there are many other specific health teas out there, with varying claims and efficacy, however, if ordinary, run of the mill tea can do so much, and more, is it not entirely plausible that there are more health teas out there, that can do other amazing things for you?

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Filed under Health-and-Fitness by Hardi Raweet

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June 23, 2009

Chinese Tea – Do You Know the Real Benefits of This Beverage?


If we talk about Green tea or Chinese tea, it is nothing new. In Asia, Chinese tea and its health benefits have been known for centuries. However, recent promotion of this incredible natural beverage has begun gaining large Western followers. Here are our top five little known facts about this health giving refresher.

Preventing Tooth Decay – Believe it or not, Chinese teas contain anti bacterial compounds and aside from boosting your immune system’s ability to fight off disease before it even begins. These compounds also help fight oral bacteria which can lead to tooth decay and other dental problems. Of course – it will never replace good dental hygiene in efficiency but it will certainly help.

Weight Loss – There may have been a skeptical approach to the weight loss benefits of Chinese tea in the past but it has been proven in a recent study that men given caffeine and green tea extract who ate the same amount of calories as other study members not receiving Chinese weight loss tea extract, actually lost more weight. In fact, it has been shown to contain several similar chemicals and some more powerful, as red wine, long lauded as a weight loss and good health, staple!

Cancer Prevention – Chinese tea has proven cancer fighting benefits! Thanks to a chemical known as EGCG, it’s able to slow the progress of or prevent cancerous cells from forming. The great news is that as a natural anti oxidant, EGCG has no harmful side effects unlike other conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy. When it comes to cancer and other serious diseases, prevention is most certainly better than cure, so if you think you may be at risk, stock up on Chinese tea now and don’t take chances!

Lowering Cholesterol – Not only has Chinese tea been shown to help lower cholesterol levels, it has also been discovered that this amazing drink helps prevent blood clots. With problems like deep vein thrombosis a real concern, particularly to international air travelers, the idea that enjoying a cup of Chinese tea to help prevent them is certainly welcome!

Headache Treatment – Believe it or not, Chinese green tea has been used in China for years to treat headaches! It’s even been used as a natural therapy for depression. So if you’re stressed out – drinking a cup or two of Chinese tea may be just the thing you need to offset the symptoms of which depression and headaches are certainly two.

With so many benefits for so many aspects of our health, it seems brewing up a pot and enjoying a cup of Chinese tea may be just the thing out busy schedules demand – after all, even if we don’t have the time to eat right or exercise all the time, our health is precious and we should be doing everything we can to make sure it stays tip top. So drink up and enjoy better health!

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Filed under Health-and-Fitness by Hardi Raweet

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