Interesting Facts

·         The tea plant is an evergreen that belongs to the Camellia family.

·         There are more than 3,000 varieties of tea. Like wines, they take their names from the areas where they are grown, such as Darjeeling and Assam.

·      There are three types of tea: black, green and oolong. All three types come from the same tea bushes. It’s the processing that makes them different.

·      Over 97 percent of all tea consumed in the United States is black tea. The fermentation process turns the leaves black and they produce a brew with hearty flavor.

·      Green tea is not fermented, so the leaves stay green in color. It is light in color when brewed.

·      Oolong tea is a compromise between black and green tea. It is semifermented, so the leaves turn greenish-brown. It, too, brews light in color.

·      The familiar word “pekoe” refers only to a size of leaf and not to a type or variety. Other names of sizes are Orange Pekoe, Souchong, Broken Pekoe, Fannings and Fines.

·      Next to water, tea is the most popular, least expensive beverage in the world.

Brewing the Perfect Cup of Tea

Properly made tea helps you feel relaxed and refreshed. It gives a gentle lift, a feeling of well-being. This is due primarily to the caffeine and tannins in tea. Caffeine, the stimulant, is found in many things we eat or drink: chocolate, cocoa, coffee, tea and the cola beverages. The average cup of tea when made according to package directions contains about ¾ grain of caffeine. On a comparative basis, the average cup of coffee contains about 1½ grains of caffeine.

 

For Hot Tea

1.       Fill tea kettle to correct level with fresh cold water. Bring the water to a rolling boil.

2.       Pre-heat teapot with fresh hot water. Water that has been reheated gives tea a flat taste. 

3.       Empty teapot and add tea, measuring out one rounded teaspoon per 8 ounce cup. Always remember to add one teaspoon "for the pot" when making six or more cups of tea!

4.       Pour boiling water into teapot and allow to steep for three minutes (but no longer than five minutes).

5.       Remove infuser or transfer tea to fresh pot to prevent over steeping.

6.       Add sugar or lemon to taste.

 

For Iced Tea

Follow the rules for making hot tea, but use 50 percent more tea to allow for melting ice. For example, use 4 teaspoons of leaves to make 4 cups of hot tea, but use 6 teaspoons of leaves to make 4 glasses of iced tea. To make a two-quart pitcher-full, use this easy method:

1.       Bring 1 quart freshly drawn cold water to a full rolling boil in a saucepan.

2.       Remove from heat and immediately add 1/3 cup loose tea.

3.       Stir. Cover and let stand 5 minutes.

4.       Stir again and strain into a pitcher holding an addition quart of fresh cold water.

5.       May add sugar and lemon to taste.

 

For Sun Tea

Let the sun brew your favorite tea.

1.       Fill 2 quart container with cold water.

2.       Add 4–5 tablespoons loose tea. Stir and cover loosely.

3.       Place in full sunlight for 3–4 hours according to the desired tea strength.

4.       Strain into a clean container and chill.

5.       Add sugar and lemon to taste. Serve over ice.