What is a Quality Black Tea Garden?

Black tea has helped to revolutionize the beverage market. Over the years, the exotic drink had become the world’s most popular tea. In fact, 80 percent of the tea consumed in the U.S. is actually of the black tea variety.

Perhaps black tea is so popular because of its boldnessit is darker and stronger than green tea is.

The Preparation Process

After plucking, black tea leaves are spread out so that they can dry. Then, the leaves are rolled and fermented. As little as two hours later, the leaves are heated so that the moisture can be removed. The quality of black tea varies according to a number of different factors.

These include the origin of the black tea, the conditions in which it’s grown, and the competence of the manager of the tea estate. Therefore, a quality black tea garden is dependent as much on the skill of the grower as the soil conditions of the actual plot of land.

In general, black tea grows best in areas that are warm and are of altitudes of anywhere from 3,000 to 7,000 feet. Because teas at high altitudes tend to grow more slowly, they produce a tea of greater flavor. The tea gardens of India’s Darjeeling region and Sri Lanka’s Uva district are greater than 6,000 feet high. Although tea grows best in a dry season, rain is necessary for the tea leaves to survive.

Taking a Closer Look at Tea Varieties

Fortunately, there are a number of tantalizing tea varieties you can try that are as rich in quality as they are in flavor. For instance, you might consider Honey Pear, a version of black tea which combines the fruity taste of the pear tree with the sweet taste of honey. Served hot or iced, Honey Pear is reminiscent of an exotic dessert.

An intriguing alternative would be Nepalese Afternoon Tea, a tea which is derived from the base of Mount Everest in Nepal. This loose-leaf tea combines lotus, honey, and sandalwood to form a delicious, memorable blend.

Yet another possibility is Pu-erh, a loose-leaf tea which is among the most popular tea blends in Asia. Pu-erh is known for its sweet, earthy scent and its multitude of health benefits.

Exceptional Flavor

One of the key points to keep in mind about black tea is its distinctive flavor. Because of the manner in which it has been processed, it can easily be differentiated from other forms of tea. Once you’ve sampled black tea, chances are you will never be nostalgic for other types of tea. While black tea may be an acquired taste, once you’ve become accustomed to it, you’ll probably want to make black tea-drinking a lifelong habit.

Health Benefits

Research indicates there are many health benefits associated with black tea. For instance, since caffeine can improve airflow to the lungs, drinking black tea may be beneficial to individuals with asthma. Some research also indicates that the polyphenols in black tea have antioxidant qualities which may make them helpful in the fight against cancer.

In addition, researchers believe that black tea may be helpful in preventing cavities and heart attacks. There are some indications that the beverage may enhance memory, improve mental performance, and enhance alertness. Interestingly enough, drinking black tea may also help to prevent osteoporosis by improving bone density in older women.

The Safety of Black Tea

It should be pointed out that the Food and Drug Administration does not monitor the safety of herbs and supplements. As a result, it is important that you check with your doctor before radically changing your daily diet to include copious amounts of black tea.

In general, people who have an allergy to caffeine or tannin should not drink black tea, since such consumption may lead to a skin rash or hives. The caffeine in black tea may also increase urine output, decrease blood sodium/potassium levels, and can worsen incontinence.

In addition, caffeine can increase the amount of acid in the stomach, leading to ulcers and can increase blood sugar levels. As a result, black tea may not be appropriate for people who suffer from complications from diabetes. Individuals who have serious liver disease may also be impacted negatively by the caffeine in black tea.

Some Final Thoughts

Finding a high-quality black tea is really not that difficult, considering all the various varieties that are available today. Once you begin drinking black tea, you may find that you are hooked for life. The more you drink this unusual beverage, the more you’ll come to appreciate its many attributes.

Even the most finicky tea connoisseurs tend to have high praise for black tea. While it may not be called the beverage of champions, it certainly is a stellar brew that can appeal not only to your taste buds, but to your desire for good health as well.

Jon Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, black tea and wholesale tea go to www.goldenmoontea.com

By Jon Stout Published: 4/21/2007

GM Papaya for India?

Will a Genetically Modified Papaya Seed Help Indian Farmers? ‘Tamil Nadu Agricultural University aims to eliminate a virus plaguing India’s papaya crops’ – Span, July 2008 (New Delhi, India) via Agbi…   Read more…

Soap Nuts For Allergy Relief

With a long history to back the claim, soap nuts are very effective in treating people having skin allergies including eczema and psoriasis. Used for generations in India and Nepal, soap nuts have ma…   Read more…

» Pakistan Needs to be Liberated – Blogger News Network

The sooner India, the world’s biggest democracy, shakes off it’s positive allergy to discussing this democratic issue (remember the democratically held Kashmiri plebisite?) the soone…   Read more…

Market Wire News Seven Corners Announces Medical Insurance Plan …

kochi: one lakh shopping istants shops selling eastern curry powder in kerala be free medical insurance by eastern, mohammed meeran, chairman of eastern group. special correspondent ad india (m…   Read more…

Recognizing And Dealing With A Nut Allergy 

Do you know how to properly recognize and deal with serious nut allergies? It is one thing for you to have a simple food allergy that you need to deal with on a regular basis. For example, there are plenty of people that are lactose intolerant but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they totally avoid milk in all instances. For the most part, they simply know that if they do happen to ingest some milk that they are going to pay the consequences which are uncomfortable but somewhat mild. The same is not true for an individual that is dealing with a nut allergy. Although for the most part, they’re reaction is going to be somewhat mild, it is also possible for the nut allergy related reaction to be so severe that it can quickly take their life.

It is not a matter of learning how to overcome a nut allergy because that is impossible according to medical science. Instead, it is a matter of learning how to deal with the nut allergy so that you do not have the problem in the first place. As a matter of fact, avoiding food that contains nuts in any form is your first line of defense and is one that you should certainly do on a regular basis. Of course, it is going to mean that you’re going to have to be knowledgeable on the subject but since it involves your very life, it is a knowledge that you should do your utmost to take in.

Although it is important for you to avoid these nuts in the food that you eat, there may be times whenever an accident does occur. Perhaps there is a hidden ingredient that you did not realize in the food that you ate whenever you were out for a meal. It is important that you are prepared for just such an emergency by carrying some anti-histamine with you as well as any prescription that your doctor may have given you, just in case you happen to have a severe nut allergy reaction.

Dealing with a nut allergy can be very difficult and it causes us to alter our lifestyle to a certain extent. Since you don’t have any other option rather than to learn how to deal with it, make sure that you make the most of it and be informed enough that you can make good decisions, even on the fly. In doing so, you will in sure that you’re doing everything within your ability to prevent yourself from having a nut allergy related reaction that you may not be able to overcome.

By: Ray Keong

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Do You Know The Warning Signs To Save A Family Member’s Life From A Serious Nut Allergy? Go Here To Find Out More About Recognizing & Dealing with Nut Allergies: www.healtholic.com/nut-allergies/index.php

A Breakdown of the Symptoms of Nut Allergies – Artipot

This article talks about allergies and the types of foods that are available for people who suffer with this problem.   Read more…

Celiacs in the House: Gluten-Free Pasta not for Nut Allergy Sufferers

Gluten-Free Pasta not for Nut Allergy Sufferers. At a recent celiac conference, I saw some imported pasta at one of the vendor tables. I read the ingredient list and saw the pasta contained lup…   Read more…

Peanut Allergy and Other Food Allergies Blog: Nut Allergy Death …

Dr Desa Lilic, a consultant immunologist at the University Hospital of North Durham, was quoted by the Northern Echo as advising people with nut allergy not to consume curries they have not mad…   Read more…

Schneier on Security: "Nut Allergy" Fear and Overreaction

Professor Nicolas Christakis, a professor of medical sociology at Harvard Medical School, told the BMJ there was "a gross over-reaction to the magnitude of the threat" posed by food allergies, …   Read more…

bakebakebake: request- kid-friendly cookies for those with nut …

B/c peanuts aren’t actually nuts, they’re legumes, so most people with a "nut allergy" are allergic to one or the other but not both. If you find out exactly what she is and isn’t …   Read more…