FACTS ON GREEN TEA. MOROCCAN TEA RECIPE AND TEA CULTURE.. TEN GREEN TEA TIPS.

FACTS ON GREEN TEA.

MOROCCAN TEA RECIPE AND TEA CULTURE

Traditionally the Moroccan tea is served three times, and the amount of steeping time, gives each of the three glasses of tea a unique flavor, as described in this famous proverb:

Le premier verre est aussi amer que la vie, le deuxième est aussi fort que l'amour, le troisième est aussi doux que la mort.

The first glass is as bitter as life, the second glass is as strong as love, the third glass is as gentle as death.

Morocco is one of the biggest tea importer in the world. See how mint tea is being prepared, at the last section of this post.

TEN TIPS ON GREEN TEA - 

1-How many types of tea and what is green tea?

There are three varieties of tea- black, green and oolong tea, and are sometimes infused with different flavorings

2-What about lemon, mint or chamomile etc? They are herb tea not tea as in #1 above. Actual teas are made from the Camellia sinensis leaves

Herbal tea is derived from the roots/ leaves/ flowers/fruits of herbs/plants.

3-What is anti-oxidant and in tea?

Antioxidants are agents that protect body cells against damage caused by free radicals , also reduce damage caused by LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol in the blood.

Polyphenols are natural plant chemical found in tea, which have strong antioxidant properties. Tea leaves contain a particular variety of polyphenols, known as CATECHINS.

4-How to preserve these catechins “anti-oxidants”?

This is done by quick steaming or heating of the tea leaves to prevent breakdown (oxidation) of the CATECHINS as in green tea. It is suggested that green tea may have greater health benefits than black or oolong tea, which was obtained through a longer processing time.

5-Why is LDL/  bad for heart and how is green tea on this?

According to Japanese research, green tea reduces the levels of LDL, or ‘bad’ blood cholesterol, and this may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Another study in Europe found that there’s 36% lower risk of heart disease  for tea drinkers.

Tea polyphenols prevent sticky blood, thus tea helps reduce artery from blocking. Do not drink artificially flavored tea.

6-How to boil or steep green tea?

Hotter water will produce a bitter taste in green tea. It should be steeped around 80 to 85 °C (176 to 185 °F) for 2 minutes; the higher the quality of the leaves, the lower the temperature. If you mix other herb tea for  example, steep these herbs tea first and much later, add in the green tea.

By comparison, Oolong teas, are steeped for shorter periods, sometimes less than 30 seconds. Black Darjeeling tea, the premium Indian tea, needs a longer than average steeping time.

7-How to compliment the green tea benefits?

It is good to have a detox now and again, it is important that your  detox organs - colon, liver, kidneys – are working well. This will compliment the anti oxidants. Lemon is a great detox. Add lemon to your tea.

8-Other tips to compliment the tea?

Investigations showed that the benefits of tea are lessened when milk is added, so add honey instead. Drinking tea increases overall energy level.

Use clay tea pots like the traditional brewing pot and use spring water, as the minerals in spring water tend to bring out more flavor in the tea.

9-How many times can I steep my green tea?

High-quality green and white teas can have new water added as many as five or more times, depending on variety.

Moroccon tea pot

TEA CULTURE is defined by the way tea is made and consumed
by the way the people interact with tea,

by the aesthetics surrounding tea drinking and

by the aspects of: tea production, tea brewing, tea arts and ceremony.

Don’t forget to drink Green Tea. It so effectively increases your metabolism and reduces your appetite. It has also been used for more than 4000 years in Chinese medicine, to cure ailments ranging from headaches to depression.

Sensational?  Read this- from Katrina of woman724-  link here

“ My daughter switched her favorite chocolate drink (MILO) to green tea about two months ago.. told me she lost 5 kg ! “ 

I think, her not drinking Milo (with milk) also helps shed some weight. If it reduces the appetite, logically,  we should drink green tea half hour before meals and not after meals- don’t you agree?

MOROCCAN GREEN TEA WITH MINT

The Moroccan people  make tea performance a special culture in the flower country. Moroccan tea- a sign of friendship, hospitality and tradition. is commonly served with rich tea cookies and fresh mint leaves, in colorful tea glasses and pots. Drinking Moroccan tea is not only a luxury of the tongue, but also of the eyes.

-1 large handful of fresh mint leaves (Moroccan mint leave tastes slightly different )

-6 teaspoons loose gunpowder green tea (imported from China)

-Boil 1 liter of hot water between 70°c (158°F) to 80°c (176°F)

-Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of sugar

If you have a Moroccan teapot or a heat proof teapot, set the tea pot over low heat and bring the tea to a low simmer.

Then, immediately remove from the heat, add mint leaves and sugar, allow to steep several minutes more.

Pour tea in a glass, then pour it back into the teapot. Repeat a few times, to  dissolve the sugar

Carefully pour the tea into the glass, from a high distance. Doing this will help create a thin layer of foam at the top of glass. When pouring, make sure the tea pellets stay inside the pot.

Garnish with extra mint leaves, it will look great if you use the proper Moroccan glasses.

Moroccan tea pots have long, curved pouring spouts and this allows the tea to be poured evenly into tiny glasses from a height. For the best taste, glasses are filled in three stages.

Traditionally the tea is served three times, and the amount of time the tea has been steeping gives each of the three glasses of tea a unique flavor- bitter, mild and gentle.    wiki and a few other sources