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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Antioxidants and Tea


Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize the body’s naturally occurring but cell-damaging free radical molecules. Damage by free radicals over time is believed to contribute to the development of many chronic disease including cancer and cardiovascular disease. While tea cannot replace fruits and vegetables in the diet, science has shown that tea leaves contain more of the compound than most antioxidant-rich produce. The antioxidant activity in two cups of tea is equal to seven glasses of orange juice, five medium-sized onions or four medium-sized apples.

Rooibos (Roy Bus)


Rooibos, (pronounced like "roy-bos" - I say "roy-bus"), Afrikaans for "red bush"; scientific name Aspalathus linearis) is a broom-like member of the legume family of plants. The generic name comes from the plant Calicotome villosa, aspalathos in Greek. This plant has very similar growth and flowers to the redbush. The specific name linearis comes from the plant's linear growing structure. The plant is used to make a herbal tea called rooibos tea, bush tea (esp. Southern Africa), redbush tea (esp. UK), South African red tea, or red tea. The product has been popular in Southern Africa for generations and is now consumed in many countries. It is sometimes spelled rooibosch in accordance with the old Dutch etymology, but this does not change the pronunciation.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Teacup Lovely




A teacup is a small cup with a handle, generally a small one that may be grasped with the thumb and one or two fingers. It is typically made of a ceramic material. It is usually part of a set, composed of a cup and a matching saucer. These in turn may be part of a tea set in combination with a teapot, cream jug, covered sugar bowl and slop bowl en suite. Teacups are wider and shorter than coffee cups.
Some collectors acquire numerous one-of-a-kind cups with matching saucers. Better teacups typically are of fine white translucent porcelain and can be decorated with floral patterns. They may also memorialize a location, person, or event. Such collectors may also accumulate silver teaspoons. These usually have a decorated enamel insert in the handle with similar themes.
The first small cups specifically made for drinking the new beverage tea seen in Europe were exported from the Japanese port of Imari. Tea bowls in the Far East did not have handles, and the first European imitations, made at Meissen, were without handles, too.
Chinese teacups are very small, normally can hold no more than 30ml of liquid. They are designed to be used with YiXing teapots or Gaiwan.
Photo Credit: Patti Friday Kennedy




Thursday, January 28, 2010

So What Is Tea Anyway?


Tea is the agricultural product of the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of the Camellia sinensis plant, prepared and cured by various methods. "Tea" also refers to the aromatic beverage prepared from the cured leaves by combination with hot or boiling water, and is the common name for the Camellia sinensis plant itself.
After water, tea is the most widely-consumed beverage in the world. It has a cooling, astringent flavour which many enjoy.
There are at least six varieties of tea; white, yellow, green, oolong, black and pu-erh of which the most commonly found on the market are white, green, oolong and black. All tea are made from the same bushes but processed differently, and, in the case of fine white tea, grown differently. Pu-erh tea, a post-fermented tea, is also often used medicinally.
The term "herbal tea" usually refers to an infusion or tisane of leaves, flowers, fruit, herbs or other plant material that contains no Camellia sinensis. The term "red tea" refers to an infusion made from either black tea (mainly in Chinese, Korean, Japanese and other East Asian languages) or the South African rooibos plant (containing no Camellia sinensis).

My NEW Steeped Tea Business




Welcome to my brand new 'teapreneur' blog!!!

I am so excited you found me. I am proud to be a Canadian Consultant for Steeped Tea Inc.


Allow me to introduce you, your friends and family to a truly "Steeped" experience.At Steeped Tea Parties, I do all the planning and bring the party to your home. I go to great lengths to personalize each party and pride myself on ensuring that you have a wonderful experience.A complete "Steeped" Party Package, brought to your home includes:Tea Consultation prior to event (½ hour).Tea pots.Half price items with every $250 in sales.3 teas for sampling at your party, chosen by the hostess at the consultation.
How about?
An afternoon tea with your girlfriends?
A Sunday afternoon tea with family?
An afternoon tea or lunch-time tea at your office or workplace?
A fundraising tea party?
A children's tea party?
A pampering spa-themed tea party?
Let's plan it!
pattifriday(at)hotmail.com
I am also looking for professionals to become Steeped Tea Consultants across Canada. Please let me know if you think you might be interested in this lovely & timely 'tea' business. If yes, (wonderful!) - Let me know so we may set up a telephone call to further discuss your future success. Please email your contact information to me at pattifriday(at)hotmail.com. As a leader at Steeped Tea I will be responsible for coaching and mentoring the ambitious members on my team.I look forward to hearing back from you.To book your Steeped Tea Party, please email me at pattifriday(at)hotmail.com and I will be in contact with you shortly.
More 'Tea' information and inspiration on our BLOG HERE.
View gorgeous 2010 Catalogue HERE.




Mission Statement

"Our mission is to promote a spirit of inner wellbeing by sharing a message of health, wellness and personal enrichment which is cultivated through the natural beauty of friendship. We believe in encouraging women to inspire one another to achieve their dreams and aim to create an intimate connection that is the natural result of sharing a decadent cup of Steeped Loose Tea."