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Valentine’s Day with Tea
“That’s one of the things I look forward to about an evening like this. Someone to drink tea with at the end of it. For all I know, the whole point of civilization is to provide one with someone to drink tea with at the end of an evening”.
Aurora Greenway
Shirley MacLaine in Terms of Endearment
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! We hope you plan on drinking tea with someone this evening, Valentine’s Day with Tea! At Local Tea Company, we have two exceptional teas with which we celebrate our loved ones – Sweet Sin Rooibos and Chocolate Honeybush. Both are packed full of romantic flavors, and both are naturally caffeine-free herbal infusions. Perfect for drinking in the evening. You may recall an earlier Valentine’s Day post, “A Time for Tea,” that Glynis made a few years back. What tea has the most caffeine?
Sweet Sin Rooibos
Sweet Sin is a South African Rooibos tea blended with raspberry and rose petals. Rooibos is becoming more and more popular as tea drinkers discover the unique taste, excellent health benefits, and versatility.
How to pronounce Rooibos? Or, what is the proper pronunciation for Rooibos? We say ROY – BOSS.
Sweet Sin is fantastic served as a hot tea but equally useful as an iced tea. Maybe garnish with a rose today? We have a previous post about Rooibos tea and a more recent guest post titled “5 reasons you will LOVE Rooibos Tea” if you want to refresh your memory on where this herb is grown, how it is produced, and the tea’s excellent health benefits.
If you have not yet read any of Alexander McCall Smith’s books about the No.1 Ladies Detective, then do look them up and enjoy tales of Mme Ramwotse solving cases whilst drinking Rooibos tea. I am sure she would drink this tea with her husband to celebrate Valentine’s day with Tea. What tea has the most caffeine?
Chocolate Honeybush
Chocolate Honeybush is also from South Africa, and although Honeybush is a ‘bush’ tea, the plant is a different species. This tea is blended with rose petals, chocolate flakes, and caramel pieces.
Above all, this tea is perfect for ‘Chocoholics’ and ‘Romantaholics,’ and is very yummy served hot and very able to satisfy a sweet tooth without all the calories! Not quite as healthy as the original Organic Honeybush, but Valentine’s Day is a good excuse to indulge.
Whatever you do today, wherever you are, I hope you have someone special to share tea with at the end of the day. Therefore, taking tea together is very civilized, especially with ‘love’ in the air. Enjoy.
Tea Newsletter #6 – Green Tea vs Covid 19
Green Tea v Covid
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Happy 2021 Tea Lovers
Tea always seems to be in the news, especially in the first part of the year. After all, January is National Hot Tea Month, so we have been…drinking a lot of hot tea. How about you? What’s in your cuppa?
Green Tea v Covid
Also, in the news, Green Tea fights Covid? Really?? A research study from North Carolina State University says maybe. While you are waiting for your vaccination, why not put some green tea in a teapot? For an added boost, matcha! We wrote about the many benefits of Matcha powdered green tea here, and Glynis shared a recipe for Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream here. What tea is good for a sore throat?
Places
This is not news, but if you are ever near the Venice Airport, be sure to visit the SunCoast Cafe in the terminal. Chef Tony braises his pork for 13 hours and then compiles the best Cuban sandwich in my world. They serve our teas, but you really have to go for the Cuban with rice and beans.
The cafe is busy and always has reggae music playing in the open kitchen. There is a Bob Marley quote on the grill hood, and people really do fly in from all over for lunch at the SunCoast Cafe. You should too.
Tea Quotes
At the end of Dr. Doolittle, I found this quote and thought it was of special ‘tea’ interest. The last line in the book reads…
“You know, there’s always something rather attractive in the bad weather in England-
when you’ve got a kitchen-fire to look forward to…
Four o’clock!
Come along-we’ll just in nice time for tea.”
Hugh Lofting
Books
While we are on quotes, I loved ‘Steal Like an Artist’ by Austin Kleon, filled with quotes and inspirations. Here is one I liked from Salvatore Dali, and if you are ever near Tampa, be sure to visit The Dali Museum.
“Those who do not imitate anything produce nothing.”
Salvator Dali
Next on my list for 2021 is the Queen’s Gambit novella by Walter Tevis.
Tea Pairing – I suggest Roasted Mate; all of our yerba mates bring out the cleverness in me and gives me a boost in the afternoon.
Sip Locally Tea Blog
Green Tea Fights Covid? – Green Tea v Covid 19. What tea is good for a sore throat?
Cremesh Coffee & Bakery – New Serving Partner in Bradenton
Green will Make you Happier (Guest Post by Tim Agnew)
Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens
Watching
I did NOT know there was a remake of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ when I mentioned James Herriot’s book in my last Newsletter. And, yes, I am enjoying the show very much! The accent reminds me of another Yorkshire lass:):) I’ll let Glynis pair a tea in the next newsletter.
Listening – Podcast
The podcast LBJ‘s War is a bit dry but a welcome escape. The last trip I took before the Pandemic was to Austin, Texas. An unexpected connection to Austin Kleon, who also lives in Austin! Anyway, we visited the LBJ Presidential Library, my only visit to any Presidential library. Very cool.
Tea Pairing – Something sweet, probably Sweet Sin Rooibos (also ideal for Valentine’s Day!) and probably iced tea or ice tea.
Listening – Music
I found Lloyd Cole on Twitter and have been listening to his Spotify Channel. A blast from the past, I hadn’t really thought about him or The Commotions in many years. East Lansing’s most important musical duo, Kwi-J, introduced me to Lloyd Cole’s music in the ’80s. Cole is now a golfer and maybe the next subscriber to GolfToons? He sells his handwritten lyrics. I think?
Tea Pairing – I’m going with Pioneer Tea, a blend of citrus, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and sweetened with beetroot and carrot flakes. Very unique, and so, also, a nod to Dali.
As always, your comments are welcomed, and thanks for your support.
Your Local Tea Team
Cremesh Coffee and Bakery
Tomorrow is the opening day for Cremesh Coffee and Bakery. Find Cremesh Bakery in the plaza next to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, Florida.
I have known Chef Pavel for over 10 years. I believe he was put on this earth to bake. He has finally created the bakery he has been dreaming about for a very long time.
Watch Out!!!!!
Pavel and his wife Tracy add to their popular and authentic Cremesh European Restaurant nearby. Pavel Hasenohrl is a Master Baker, and his bread and desserts will go fast, so go early.
You will find locally roasted coffee from Banyan Coffee Co. And, made-from-scratch muffins, pies, brownies, and scones will be available fresh from the oven. For lunch, they will offer a selection of sandwiches and soups. And, of course, you can expect other secrets from the Chef Pavel archives!
Before I mention the Tea Menu at Cremesh Coffee and Bakery, check out the floor!!!
And here is a review in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and here is a review in Neal Finelli’s Taste Dining & Travel.
The Teas offered include Sarasotan Breakfast Blend, Organic Earl Grey, Goji Green Tea, Organic Peppermint Herbal Tea, Selby Select Rooibos, and Mote Beach tea. Yes, a portion of all Mote Tea sold supports the operating budget for Mote Aquarium.
Enjoy!
How Green Tea Makes You Happier
‘How Green Tea makes you Happier’ is written by Timothy Agnew was posted to his Health & Wellness blog and reposted here with permission.
Note: This is part of a series of posts on the science of tea. Learn why it’s good for you, and all about the myriad kinds of tea (we love tea!)
Green Tea Makes You Happier?
Over 158 million Americans will drink tea on any given day, and it’s obviously the go-to-beverage when plain water won’t do. Among those 158 billion tea consumers are green tea aficionados. While only 15% are green tea drinkers, its growth is outpacing all other tea forms, with a 60% increase in consumption since 2004. Why the crazy growth? Well, green tea has a lot to make you happy about.
A Diverse History
Green tea was discovered in its greenest form over five thousand years ago. While stories vary, some versions of leaf’s history have a flower magically falling into a teacup. In contrast, another has an Emperor chewing a leaf, imaging how delicious it would be steeped in water. The most important book to set the record straight was Cha Jing, or Tea classic, written around 600 AD. The book detailed exactly how a cup of green tea should be made and how it should be served. Today, green tea is prepared in the same way (or should be), and drinking it has multiple health benefits. Green tea is the result of semi-oxidized leaves from camellia Sinensis. Flavors and aromas vary greatly depending on the season of harvest, country of origin, and method used to process. According to the Local Tea Company, flavored green teas are especially popular, where the best-sellers are Goji Green, Organic Strawberry Smile, and Acerola Green Tea. They offer 13 other green teas.
Feel the Power
Green tea is more than just a hydrating beverage that tastes great. The green tea plant contains a bevy of powerful compounds that make it into every cup. Rich in polyphenols (compounds great at reducing inflammation in the body), green tea is a cancer-fighting champion. Green tea also contains a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG is one of the most powerful compounds in green tea. Catechins are natural antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and provide other cellular protections. Together, these substances help reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage. These free radicals play a large role in aging and many types of diseases. The benefits of green tea are numerous, so it’s worth adding to your diet.
Perhaps the best news (and one that may make you happiest) is that green tea accelerates fat burning and boosts metabolic rate. Look at any weight loss supplement, and you will see green tea on the label; that’s because green tea is a dynamo for assisting weight loss programs.
Brain Protection
But let’s not leave out our most important organ, the brain. With an increase in brain-related diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, the brain needs protection, too. The bioactive compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on the brain. They may reduce the risk of dementia, a common neurodegenerative disorder in older adults. Multiple studies show that the catechin compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on neurons in animal studies, possibly lowering the risk of dementia and memory loss.
Green tea consumption worldwide is growing, not only for its wonderful taste but for its endless health benefits. And as science backs up these benefits, it will only grow in popularity. Try to choose a higher caliber green tea brand, as some of the lower quality brands can contain excessive amounts of fluoride.
What’s the best green tea? A great source is the Local Tea Company, featuring locally inspired loose leaf teas. Try their diverse blends of green tea and so many others.
Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens 2020
Today we restocked the Selby Gift shop with more Selby Select Rooibos, Secret Garden Green, and Little Monkey Fruit Tea. There is a wonderful holiday vibe when you enter the Gardens. Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens is underway.
Selby Gardens comes alive with brilliant lights, festive displays, and a spectacular Christmas tree made of bromeliads every year.
Guests stroll through a magical garden filled with sparkling lights, live holiday music, and children’s activities.
The Gardens look GREAT!!! My favorite is the flamingos with antlers! This year will be slightly different, though the ‘Botanical Elves’ at Selby Gardens do a tremendous job every year. See you at Selby!
This blog has a bunch of posts about Lights in Bloom as well as our FestiviTea. Tis the Season, and we did have a bunch of orders for FestiviTea over the weekend.
See Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens, the Open-Air Holiday Light Show through Jan 2, 2021.
Here is how Selby Gardens describes the event…
‘More than two million lights illuminate the gardens, and walkways are transformed into sensory light tunnels. Stroll through magical gardens filled with beautifully lit flowers, radiant rainforest butterflies, dragonflies, and more. Lights in Bloom®: An Open-air Light Show. has become a tradition for residents and visitors to celebrate the holiday season in Sarasota.’
So true, a wonderful Local Treasure.
Tea Newsletter #5 – Supporting Local, Thank you
Supporting Local, Thank you
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Happy Holidays Tea Lovers
Last week was Small Business Saturday and then Cyber Monday. We had record sales at our online shop. I am massively grateful and sincerely appreciate all the support AND the many kind notes received with your orders.
This year more than ever, supporting local businesses is vital. And it’s wonderful to see so many people finding clever ways of support.
Before we opened in 2007, we established our three operating tenets…
- Buy local products and services,
- Celebrate local treasures,
- Protect local environments.
We still use these ideals for how we operate today. And, while no tea is grown in Sarasota, we consider our teas ‘locally inspired.’
Thank you for supporting our Serving Partners. This month I am thrilled to add three new locations offering our teas; Cheesecake Cutie, Cremesh Coffee & Bakery, and Vernona Gourmet. While you have every reason to doubt my neutrality, all of our Serving Partners are the BEST!
Onto the Holidays in Sarasota…
Places
The Selby House Cafe is one of our Serving Partners; they sell a lot of our tea at Selby Gardens. What is better than walking around this botanical waterfront oasis with a hot cuppa?
Lights in Bloom starts on December 12th when Selby Gardens is transformed into a holiday celebration. The Bromeliad Tree is lit, so grab a cuppa and enjoy the splendor!
Tea Pairing – Selby Select Rooibos was our first locally inspired tea and still our best seller.
Sip Locally Tea Blog – recent posts
5 Things to Remember when Gifting Tea
GIY – Grow it yourself
I found this article about creating your own Herbal Tea Garden filled with great tea details, and the wonderful quote below.
Tea Pairing – Organic Egyptian Chamomile
“We often think that drinking anything without caffeine is innocuous,
but herbal tea has power.” Timothy d’Offay
Places
Recently, Dianne and I visited The Ringling Museum to check out the Kabuki exhibit. Fantastic.
Every visit to Ringling is special. The Gallery with the enormous Rubens is my favorite spot in Sarasota, absolutely transportive. It feels like Firenze!
We revisited the Japanese Tea Room, then walked to and along the waterfront near the Ca d’Zan, back past the newly filled wading pool and the Mable’s Rose Garden. We are lucky to have this treasure in Sarasota.
Tea Pairing – I’m going with the Big Top Tea, and next time we’ll go into the Circus exhibits.
TV
Every version of Fargo is a blend of suspense and odd humor. Always a twist and filled with surprises.
Tea Pairing – Pinhead Gunpowder Green Tea a dangerous-sounding tea!
Books
It is a short one, but I started ‘The Voyages of Doctor Doolittle’ this week. Growing up, I wanted to be a veterinarian because of both Dr. Doolittle and James Herriot’s books. And now I sell tea!
Tea Pairing – Little Monkey or DragonFruit Green Tea! Both good choices:):)
As always, your comments are welcomed, and thanks for your support.
Your Local Tea Team
5 Things to Remember when Gifting Tea
5 Things to Remember when Gifting Tea is a repost with updates and additions.
After spending Thanksgiving at my Aunt’s home, I found a neglected tea cabinet that I immediately corrected. The details are irrelevant, other than to say I started from Square 1.
As I put together a list of teas, I realized it might help others thinking about gifting tea for the holidays. You can find the actual list at the bottom of ‘5 Things to remember when Gifting Tea.’
5 Things to Remember when Gifting Tea
As a gift, tea is a wonderful way to show your love, appreciation, respect, and that you are thinking about someone. That is the point of any gift. While the gift of tea can be personal, everybody has a tea they love. Some just don’t know it yet!!!
Here are a few thoughts to consider when giving the gift of tea…
1. Caffeine or Herbal (caffeine-free)
Which tea has the most caffeine, or what tea has the most caffeine? We hear that all the time. Caffeine is an important consideration. Caffeinated teas are a great way to begin the day or a superb lift in the late afternoon, but caffeine can create problems for the novice or the beginning tea drinker.
A wonderfully flavored black tea like our Organic Strawbango might not be the best tea to drink after dinner. I always ask the server for their home number when ordering herbal or caffeine-free beverages at a restaurant, so if I am awake at 2:30 AM, I know who to call.
When in doubt, go with a caffeine-free herbal, rooibos, or fruit tea. You can’t go wrong with our Organic Peppermint, Selby Select Rooibos, or Siesta Tea (fruit tea).
For my ‘Thank You’ gift, I went with a mixture of both—a few blacks, a few greens, and then an equal number of caffeine-free teas. And here is a post about how green tea can make you happier.
2. Loose leaf tea or tea bags
We are quite partial to loose-leaf tea at Local Tea Company. Experienced tea drinkers tend to prefer loose leaf tea. The tea typically will be of better quality, fresher, and a much better value. It cost money for the convenience of bagged tea!
Loose-leaf teas also provide more flexibility in how much tea you might want to brew; tea for two or three or a big pot for your sewing circle.
That said, teabags, especially the biodegradable ones we offer, SOILON sachets, are very convenient for anyone traveling or those interested in trying a new tea.
Check out the many options of our tea samplers available in loose-leaf or sachets. If they don’t love it, the tea can always be served to guests.
I noticed a box of tea sacs during my visit, so I’ll send both loose-leaf teas and teas in sachets.
3. Flavored tea or pure blends
Would you rather a gift of Organic Sarasotan Breakfast blend (an unflavored, blended tea) or our Organic Earl Grey (flavored with Oil of Bergamot)? This may be the easiest comparison. Flavored tea or pure?
There are so many spectacular blended teas from our Goji Green or Jasmine green tea with flowers to our Cochin Masala Chai or our many rooibos blends.
What is better than a strong cup of pinhead gunpowder green tea or a pure Organic Sencha on the pure side of the discussion? Maybe a pot of our Organic Red Berries that you can share with the kids or enjoy as an iced tea later in the day.
Tough one, but that is why you are an expert gift-giver, and you really can’t go too wrong!!
For my gift, I erred on the side of abundance and included both.
4. Accessories
Is your gift for a serious tea drinker, someone loaded with tea accessories? Do they really need another tea ball with an elf fob?
There are ‘heaps’ of options. For the newbie just starting their tea journey, a box of tea sacs or a few mesh balls of different sizes will spark a conversation.
Or get them an inspired gift, maybe a bamboo tea basket, and challenge them to figure it out! And there is also the whole category of things that can be added to tea that make wonderful gifts; honey or jams are always welcome.
Another void during my visit was honey? So, I included a bottle from Sarasota Honey Company. Yes, this is quite a gift!!!
5. Overthinking
Most important is not to overthink your gift. The person you are gifting will appreciate the gesture you are making. Remember, it’s the thought that counts.
Find a clever and creative tea. Find a tea with some meaning, or be realistic, something that can easily be ‘Regifted.’
I will be back for another visit in February and plan to take a tea inventory! Here is my complete list of the gift I sent yesterday. The total cost before shipping was $99.
-
- Organic Sarasotan Breakfast Blend (Loose-leaf)
- Organic Earl Grey (Sachets)
- Island Mango Black (Loose-Leaf) … Cochin Masala Chai would have worked here as well.
- Organic Sencha Green Tea (Loose-Leaf)
- Goji Green (Sachets)
- Mote Beach Tea (Sachets)
- Selby Select Rooibos (Sachets)
- Organic Peppermint (Loose-Leaf) … Organic Egyptian Chamomile was considered!
- Raw Wildflower Honey from Sarasota Honey Company
***I threw in some printed GolfToons for their cartoon-littered fridge!
Please visit www.LocalTeaCo.com or send us a note in the comments section of 5 Things to Remember when Gifting Tea, and we will help you select tea gifts.
The Time of Year for Chai Tea
Cochin Masala Chai
The cooler weather is here, and people are starting to order chai tea. We wrote about Chai Tea in a blog post a while back (here is a link) and thought it was time for an update. I was reminded that January is National Hot Tea Month, so I am getting a jump on that important holiday! What tea has the most caffeine?
Our Serving Partners offering our Cochin Masla Chai include the following; Cafe in the Park, Oasis Cafe, Burns Court Bistro, The Breakfast House, The Bean Coffeehouse, Pastry Arts, The Selby House Cafe at Selby Gardens, and Morton’s Gourmet Market. Thank you for supporting local businesses.
Thanksgiving is next week, and a cuppa Chai before or after your meal might keep everyone awake for the Football games or the Dog Show! This is the time of year for Chai Tea.
Time for Chai Tea
Chai is the generic word for tea in much of the World. The British adopted the word as slang, and ‘cha’ or ‘char’ became the meaning of a teacup. So what is true Masala Chai?
This beverage from the Indian subcontinent is made by brewing tea with a mixture of aromatic spices and herbs. The traditional process of making chai involves actively boiling the tea leaves over sustained heat with spices. While there are many preparation variations today (some not too good either!), there are four components that remain true to chai tea’s original idea.
- Strong black tea – usually Assam, but can be Ceylon. The loose leaf tea is strong, so spices and sweeteners do not overpower the flavor.
- Sweetener, usually white sugar, palm, or coconut sugars. A large quantity is required to bring out the flavor of the spices. You can use honey or agave also. Condensed milk can be used, which also adds sweetness.
- Milk, usually whole milk for richness, but alternatives like Soy, Almond, and Oat can be used. 1/4 to 1/2 parts are required.
- Spice, usually warm spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, peppercorn, and cloves, with cardamom being the predominant flavor. Other possible additions are nutmeg, rose, licorice root, almond, and saffron.
Cochin Masala Chai
At Local Tea Company, we offer an outstanding Cochin Masala Chai, authentic and warm traditional flavor. It bears the name of a busy port, which also has a long history in trading spices.
We like to drink it without anything added, though I admit to having caught the Oat Milk craze. Other options include Almond Milk, Soy, and good old-fashioned milk.
Go ahead and try a few different options and see which one you like the best. What tea has the most caffeine? Then put your feet up, stay warm with a cup of Cochin Masala Chai, and celebrate the holidays!
Tea Newsletter #4 – Why Loose Leaf Tea is Better
Why Loose Leaf Tea is Better
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Hello Tea Lovers
It may be late in the year for Iced tea (or Iced tea.) Even here in Sarasota, we have the windows open, and it’s great sleeping weather. But I have a story I want to share with you about Why Loose Leaf Tea is Better.
Debbie S is a long time customer who uses our Organic Sarasotan Breakfast Tea to make ice tea. I recently connected with her, and she told me she steeps her tea THREE times, with outstanding results.
Cold Brew Iced Tea
She makes large tea bags using the Tea Sacs #4 – Large and 38g of tea. In the first batch, she uses the ‘Cold Brew‘ method; a gallon of cold water in a sealed container, with the Tea Sac in the fridge overnight.
For the next batch, a second steep in cold water, but this time she leaves the container in the fridge for at least 24 hours. Debbie told me the tea is a little bit lighter, but it’s still a nice cup of tea.
For the third steep, she uses the same tea sac in a large bowl and hits it with a quart of boiling water. She lets the tea steep until it cools, adds cold water to make it a gallon, and then puts it in the fridge.
Debbie is a creature of habit and drinks tea all day long. My preference is hot tea, and I like a bit of variety. Above all, this is just one reason why loose leaf tea is so much better. In this case, so much more economical than tea bags. Debbie is an inspiration to anyone, everyone who wants to get the most out of their tea. It is possible, and I thought it was interesting to share it here. Thanks, Debbie.
Tea Station at Home
We have a tea shelf loaded with tea options at our home, and then near the kettle, we keep the teas we are drinking most often. I found this article about creating a tea station at home ( or a coffee station) with tons of details and good ideas.
The author is Lorena Roma, and the article is at Porch, a company focused on helping people take better care of their homes. Pretty cool, and I hope you find this helpful.
Correction to Last Month’s Newsletter
Thank you for the emails telling me ’Live from Here’ got canceled. Drag! I need a whole new Sunday Tea routine.
Netflix
I am a sporadic viewer of the Great British Baking Show, but I found ‘Biscuit Week’ to be especially ”Tea Focused” I don’t bake at all, but the show grabs me with the characters and the vocabulary. I love the way the brits turn a phrase. Hilarious, and they don’t take themselves too seriously, even in competition.
Enter Rowan. He laughs his way through a few episodes, stopping for a cuppa amidst the chaos. For the ‘Showstopper’ challenge, many contestants created variations of tea services made from biscuits. Clever. However, I still have a few episodes to go.
Tea Pairing – Chocolate Honeybush with store-bought biscuits.
Places
Faith Stewart-Gordon, the owner of the Russian Tea Room, has died. She was 88. Obit here. Fun Fact – Madonna was a coat 
check clerk and was fired for slipping her demo tapes to guests. Stewart-Gordon had a goal “to make the restaurant look the way people remembered it, not the way it was.” RIP, and I raise a cuppa Lapsang Souchong in a decorative glass teacup in her memory.
Sip Locally Tea Blog – recent posts
5 reason you will love Rooibos Tea
Teapots for TeaParties – Teapotty
Books
I am reading ‘Titan’ by Ron Chernow. My ‘big book’ for the year from the author who wrote Hamilton. I don’t see a rap version of this story about John D Rockefeller, but then again, Lin-Manuel Miranda is a genius.
Tea pairing – Organic Earl Grey with a splash of Oat milk.
GolfToons
I play more golf since the Carriagehouse Tea Room at Selby Gardens closed. GolfToons is a side hustle I’ve been working on with Dianne’s brother, Marty. Have a look, and please pass along to any golfers you know. Or, you can subscribe and Laugh at the Agony!
Tea Pairing – Organic Strawbango Mushed up words that sound funny!
As always, your comments are welcomed, and thanks for your support.
Your Local Tea Team
5 Reasons Why You Will Love Rooibos Tea
This article by Timothy Agnew was posted to his Health & Wellness blog and reposted here with permission. Love Rooibos Tea
Note: This is the first in a series of blogs on the science of tea, and here is a post about how green tea can make you happier. Learn why it’s good for you, and all about the myriad kinds of tea (we love tea!)
Consumed in southern Africa for centuries, rooibos tea has a growing fan base and enormous health benefits to go along with the eclectic flavor. Also known as a red or bush tea, rooibos tea uses leaves from a shrub called aspalathus linearis, often grown on the western coast of South Africa. While it uses the “tea” moniker, The South African Rooibos Council considers rooibos an herb, not a true tea. But don’t let that dissuade you from trying this marvelous beverage.
Love Rooibos Tea
How to pronounce Rooibos? Or, what is the proper pronunciation for Rooibos? We say ROY – BOSS.
Like most tea, prepare rooibos tea by steeping the fermented leaves. In addition, the beauty of rooibos is the longer the steep, the more delicious the flavor in your cup (unlike black teas, which tend to get more bitter). Rooibos tea offers something for everyone. Let’s take a look at the health benefits of drinking this unique tea. You will love Rooibos tea.
1. Loaded with Antioxidants
For anyone concerned with a healthy lifestyle, rooibos is loaded with powerful stuff. Aspalathin and nothofagin are two vital antioxidants designed to boost your immune system and protect your body against all types of diseases (especially diabetes). Rooibos contains polyphenols, flavonols, flavonoids, and dihydrochalcones. These protective compounds have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimutagenic qualities. Polyphenols are organic chemicals known for their antioxidant capabilities. Flavonoids can help lower the risk of coronary heart diseases. This study suggests that regularly drinking organic red rooibos tea provides anti-inflammatory support, and the Sloan Kettering Institute suggests rooibos slows tumor growth.
2. Improves Heart Health
Since rooibos tea is anti-inflammatory in nature, the tea is a natural angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. This helps regulate blood pressure and boost heart health. Many studies confirm the protective cardiovascular effects of red rooibos tea. Quercetin, another powerful antioxidant found in rooibos tea, helps prevent many heart conditions. It also promotes an increase in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and inhibits LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) from binding to arteries and blood vessels’ walls.
3. Managing Diabetes
Aspalathin, one of the antioxidants found in rooibos tea, has several unique traits. The Rooibos Council found that aspalathin in rooibos tea can help balance blood sugar, improve insulin resistance and glucose absorption by muscles, and boosts insulin secretion from the pancreas. Above all, rooibos has a dramatic protective effect on diabetes.
4. Skin Care
Because of the richness in antioxidants, vitamin D, and the array of minerals (zinc, manganese, calcium, magnesium, and more) present in the tea, roobios is a dynamic force on the skin. Its anti-inflammatory components help with acne, eczema, and rashes, as it helps neutralize free radicals. And it makes you look beautiful!
5. Caffeine Free
What tea has the most caffeine? Or, which tea has the most caffeine? Rooibos tea is completely caffeine-free and is the perfect choice for patients who have insomnia and for those who need to keep caffeine low in their diet. Similarly, a cup of rooibos tea just before bedtime can help you sleep better (and maybe enhance your dreams). You will love Rooibos tea.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a truly healthy lifestyle tea, this strong and delicious tea has many benefits. Where to buy rooibos tea? A great source is the Local Tea Company, featuring locally inspired loose leaf teas. They also offer 9 diverse blends of rooibos and so many others.