My Tea Break

Rediscovering Tea around the world

Monthly Archives: January 2012


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1 year! Thank you Tea Lovers!

We started our blog a year ago!! I cannot believe a year has passed! The blog has enabled us to learn about the amazing world of Tea – from the Tea plant to new Tea concepts. It has been quite an adventure! We have met extraordinary people in this past year – to all, we thank you so much for your availability and patience to teach us more and more!

We also want to thank all our readers and Tea addicts! Thank you for reading and  commenting on My Tea Break and also for your participation. You are amazing!

There is a lot of good quality Tea out there. We hope we can continue to taste it and share our experiences with you!

Tânia & Mariana


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Guest post – A Japanese treasure – Kasutera, Castela

Hello everyone,

I was recently given a very nice Japanese green tea cake called Kasutera, Castela. After telling about it to Mariana, I was invited to share my experience and what i´ve recently learned, here at My Tea Break!

This cake is a speciality of the city of Nagasaki, however, its origins go back to the 16th century, when the portugueses arrived in Japan. In 1543, a period of strong and deep cultural exchange started between the Portuguese and the Japanese – this trade went from the most basic daily activities like learning new words, way of dressing and new cooking recipes to scientific and artistic fields.

The portuguese were responsible for sharing and teaching, mainly in Nagasaki, the recipe of the bread of Castela, know in Portugal as the “Pão de ló”.  This recipe was improved and a bit transformed during the past centuries, to suit the Japanese taste, and is now one of the most well known cakes in  Japan – the Kasutera. This cake is highly consumed during Christmas time.

Kasutera was initially very simple, using natural ingredients. Many varieties have been created using powdered green Tea, honey or brown sugar. The one in the pictures is made with green tea and it was light and delicious!

Xinha


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How To Choose The Right Tea for You?

Hi Tea Lovers,

Jesse Jacobs, from the Samovar Tea Lounge, can help you decide which is the right Tea for you. You should answer the following questions:

  • How do you wanna feel?
  • What am I eating?
  • Tea Category and what kind of flavour do you like?

Check out his video –  

Happy Tea Beak,

Mariana


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Why blanch the Tea leaves?

Some people rinse the Tea leaves once before actually steeping it. Blanching the tealeaves is not a ritual, but rather a step to get a delicious cup of Tea.

This is important because allows the Tealeaves to open up  and removes residual microbes  that can affect the taste and also enables an effective infusion.

Blanching the Tea leaves is even more important when the Teas are mature or post-fermented. For example phuer Tea are usually blanched twice before the first infusion.

In practical terms, the first brew should be disposed. You blanch the Tea for about a minute and discard the water. You can then start brewing your real Tea.

Happy Tea Break. :)

Tania


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Tulsi – The Mother Medicine of Nature

Hey everyone,

I received a very interesting gift recently – an herbal Tea called Tulsi Ginger, from The Organic India.

I have to confess I had no idea what Tulsi was, so I did some research. Guess what? I am really impressed with this new finding! Tulsi or the holy basil is considered the “The Queen of Herbs” for its health benefits.

Research shows that Tulsi contributes for:

  • reducing stress,
  • enhancing stamina,
  • boosting the immune system,
  • lowering cholestrol levels and high blood pressure
  • eliminating toxins, as it is full of antioxidants and  other nutrientes,
  • reducing inflammation,
  • preventing gastric ulcers,
  • lowering fevers,
  • improving digestion
–

It is also stated that Tulsi has preventative and curative potential in relation to “many degenerative disorders, such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis and diabetes.”

So, lets start drinking Tulsi!

The combination I have is Tulsi Ginger. It has a strong herbal, spicy smell and a great taste.

There are a lot of other combinations: The Original Tulsi, Tulsi Chai Masala, Tulsi Green Tea, Tulsi Jasmine Green Tea, Tulsi Sweet Rose, Tulsi Mulethi, Tulsi India Breakfast Tea and Tulsi Sweet Lemon Tea. Just pick one!

For more information please visit: http://www.organicindia.co.in/

If you want to research more about Tulsi please visit - http://www.organicindia.co.in/tulsi.php

Thank you Neeraj!

Happy Tea Break, Mariana


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Guest Post: I heart Tea by Joana.

Hello, Joana here, i write a blog called myseastory, about my life in the caribbean, and I’m so happy to be guest posting on myteabreak today.

I have this ritual every morning, I make myself a big pot of green tea. Somehow I feel it helps me start the day with a mini cleanse! So there you go, you can tell I love everything tea!

Would love to share a few of my favourite tea things from around the web – enjoy!

clockwise from top left: you are my cup of tea poster from etsy; earl grey tea macarons by lette; my favourite pantone tea mug from selfridges; cute tea napkins from zara home; the perfect tins to keep your tea from cath kidston; delicious tea honey from crate and barrel; tea candle from the conran shop; tea of choice from kusmi tea - joana


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Guest Post – The Tea Cup, London

My Tea Break has invited its first guest to share a Tea experience. My dearest friend Joanna Harris-Tench has been to The Tea Cup in London and has given us her views about this Tea house.

“I was lucky enough to stumble on The Tea Cup on a cold afternoon during Christmas week.  It serves as a welcome respite from chain store coffee shops on the high street. As soon as I opened the heavy black door I felt that I had arrived in the past.

White tablecloths, patterned wallpaper and welcoming smile from behind the counter. I indulged in a cream tea accompanied with an Earl Grey tea. The scones were warm and light, perfect with strawberry jam and clotted cream, the tea was smokey and refreshing.  Costing £6.10 it was an affordable treat on a winter’s afternoon.”

Contact details:
The Tea Cup - Brewers Lane - Richmond - Surrey - TW9 1HH
Tel: 020 8914 8402

Website: http://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/richmond/business-guide/feature/the-tea-cup/81860

Happy Tea Break,

Joanna and Mariana!


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New Year Detox

After Christmas and New Year’s excesses with the non stop eating, drinking and partying we all feel like going on a detox diet. Be aware that just going on a detox during the month of January is not the answer and you don’t have to fast for a month to burn all those calories.

There are a few sensible steps that can help:

1. Exercise 30 min a day

Source: kaitgettingfit.tumblr.com via Lydia on Pinterest

2. Avoid alcoholic drinks

Source: save-on-crafts.com via Shutterbit on Pinterest

3. Avoid fat foods and eat more fruits and vegetables

Source: weightlossresources.co.uk via Tryphania on Pinterest

4. Drink water and Tea to cleanse the body from toxins

Source: garmaonhealth.com via Katie on Pinterest

Tea is an easy and powerful way to get rid of toxins, stimulate the processing of excess fat, stimulate circulation and provide antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

If you need to avoid caffeine you can create a homemade detox infusion by mixing freshly boiled water, 1 teaspoon of maple syrup (you can also use honey as an alternative), freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon, a zest of ginger and a hint of cayenne pepper (don’t go too crazy on the pepper)!

Source: kimberlysnyder.net via Brenda on Pinterest

Happy Detox Tea Break.

Tania

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