Wednesday, May 30, 2012

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

41 comments:

  1. Wow love the info. Good thing I have been drinking the tea but i discove I have been doing it all wrong. Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. hi dear, i used to drink after meals... until i discovered the right way. have a great weekeenbd

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  2. Hi Wan, this is really a very good posting, love it. Very educational.
    I have been drinking Chinese green tea past 35 years, without fail.
    Past 20 years I drink 5 to 6 cups a day, and alternate between Chinese and Japanese sen cha green tea.
    But I'll take a pass on mint tea.....ha ha.
    Oh ya, I drink my green tea cold.

    I take green tea before and after every meal, more when eating oily foods....or spicy ones.
    You keep well, and have fun.
    Best regards.
    Lee.

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    1. hi lee, thank you for your inspirational compliments- really appreciate this.. wow, i think i should drink green tea as much as you do, to maximise the health benefits...and cold too. have a great weekend. i love mint tea-cooling

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  3. My favourite tea Wan! I could drink this all day, even hot it is refreshing.
    Thanks for another great post, I like to know more about things I love too.
    Have a lovely day dear!

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    Replies
    1. hi marie, wow, you are another green tea drinker, thats really good for your health. have a g great weekend dear.

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  4. really great info about green tea. nice post.

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    1. hi spice up the curry-- can i have your name please ..ha ha.. thanks for your visit, glad to know you. have a great weekend

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  5. sounds sooo good..love it..:)
    green tea is my hubby's all time fav..& I would be
    preparing more often..
    Tasty Appetite

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    Replies
    1. hi jay, then it would be easier to make green tea as you all time fav too...follow your hubby. have a great weekend

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  6. wow awesome information on green tea luv it dear! this is really inspiring me to get into the green tea habbit! thanks for sharing this info!

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    1. hi anu, yes and you can maximise the benefits by steepinbg it the proper way and drinking at the best time.. have a great weekend

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  7. I've been drinking more tea lately. Thanks for the helpful post!

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    1. hi yummy chunklet.. i love it with lemon, good detox for me. have a great weekend dear

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  8. In my office many of my Chinese friends drink this... Once I also tasted but does not like... But ur info makes me to change my mind... Will try this again... Thanks for sharing dear...

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    Replies
    1. hi akila, the benefits of green tea are too good to resist. glad you change your mind. have a great weekend

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  9. Great post,really helpful,love tea,have started drinking more green tea these days,will try adding mint.sure will be refreshing.

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    1. hi suja, i am sure you are used to tea, the darjeeling is of great quality- taste just as bitter.. so i think you can easily like green tea.. like you, i also want to drink more now. have a great weekend

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  10. Green Tea, my doter's figure really trimmed nicely..

    Just yesterday my sis in law drop by and gave me a packet of High grade rooibos tea, tea from South Africa - says on the packet from leaves and twigs of aspalathus linearis grown in the Cedarberg region of Cape of Good Hope.

    Told me it is good for those with high blood pressure?
    Have not tried yet.

    Cheers

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    Replies
    1. hi katrina, thanks for your visit and also for the tip on your doter's.. thats amazing. its tips from friends that sounds more convincing and people tend to follow.
      i have never heard about that african tea. have a great weekend.

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  11. We usually have green tea only..great post!!

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    Replies
    1. hi julie, oh you drink green tea also..seems its a very popular choice here. have a great weekend

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  12. Very informative Wan! Actually I am coffee lover but after reading your post, and discovered the benefits that green tea can give, I would love to be one of those TEA LOVER NOW!:)

    Thanks for this post!:) Keep sharing more! Hugs for this!!:)

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    Replies
    1. hi linda, i am a coffe person too, but we can always drink green tea in between, instead of plain water. have a great weekend. hugs hugs

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  13. I am drinking green tea Wan for my heart but I didn't know it should be half an hour before meals..I usually drink it after which is wrong..thank you for this info..visiting you ;)

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    1. hi sie, hope green tea will bring maximise health benefits to you. yes sie, we seem to be eating or drinking a healthy stuff, but the wrong way-- ha ha, what a waste of most of the benefits... have a great weekend, take care

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  14. For last couple of years I've been 'trying' to drink green tea. Finally, I can say I like green tea now - a friend of mine brought Korean green tea (with roasted rice)....Not bitter at all!

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    1. hi jasna, happy to know that you are well again. many thanks for your beautiful giveaway, received them 2 days ago.
      soon you will e a regular green tea drinker. have a great weekend..

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  15. one more wonderful post...absolutely love this moroccan tea !!!!!

    http://www.onlyfishrecipes.com/

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    1. hi sonali, i wonder how the tea drinking ceremony or methods can be so delicate or detailed... perhaps , they started as fun... then became a serious tradition.. i guess the taste is pretty much the same..

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  16. Very informative...thanks for this wonderful article :)

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    1. hi rosh, thanks for your sweet compliments and visit. have a great weekend

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  17. I am loving the green tea with mint. Feel like having a glass of of the same. Lovely and looks so tempting.

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    Replies
    1. hi nava, i like green tea with mint too- cooling eh?
      also with lemon.. have a great weekend. green tea is a thirst quencher.

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  18. Green Tea is beneficial for health. Green tea is good for Lowers cholesterol levels. Green Tea is good for skin.


    Stage 4 Cancer

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  19. hi advin, thanks for coming over with your sweet comment. glad to know you. have a nice day

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  20. good information, I have an abundance of mint in my garden, I will have to try it with green tea. Thankyou...

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    1. hi 1-2Punch. wish i have lots of those mint leaves.. i like to eat them as salad with rice. i can finish one plate of it.. have a great weekend

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  22. While searching on internet for tea benefits, i found your blog post and i say it's awesome after reading the Moroccan tea recipe, Read my post on Moroccan mint tea, Want to buy green tea online then visit halmari tea.

    ReplyDelete