Oolong tea and weight loss

Sweet with hints of chocolate and roasted nuts……and it can help you to lose weight

If you haven’t tried it, you really must! It tastes delicious, fresh. mellow, fruity and sweet with hints of chocolate and roasted nuts. Perfect for quaffing this christmas time or in fact at any time at all.

What is it?

Oolong tea.  Well known in ancient Chinese medicine to promote weight loss.

Most likely if you ask for an oolong tea in a cafe, the waiter/waitress will just stare at you! Which is such a shame, because when it comes to tea, no category offers more complexity of flavour and body than oolong. It is a tea so uncommon in the west that we don't have an english word for it. It is also know in China a Wu-long tea.

Oolongs are the wide category of tea in between green and black. They come from the same plant as the other teas, the camellia sinensis and are semi-fermented. Black tea is fermented. Green tea is unfermented.

Oolong tea generally grows on the Wu-Yi mountain, hence it is also known as Wu-Yi tea in Asia. Good growing conditions are important, but the quality of an oolong is largely dependant on the skill of the person processing it. Oolong tea leaves are picked and kept under strictly controlled conditions and allowed to semi-ferment or partially oxidise. They are then heated to a certain point to set the flavour and aroma, from buttery florals to roasted nuts and hints of chocolate. And the best oolongs are harvested in the autumn to give a tea of superior taste than that of spring harvested teas.

As well as tasting great, oolong tea offers a wealth of health benefits.

The Chinese have long believed that oolong tea is beneficial in reducing and maintaining weight.  Speeding up your metabolism is the key to losing weight. Studies in Japan have shown that drinking oolong tea increases the metabolic rate by 10% and this effect lasts for 120 minutes after drinking the tea as compared to green tea which only increased the metabolic rate by 4%. Another study showed that drinking oolong increases the fat oxidation by up to 12%. And this this is backed up by a study undertaken by The School of Traditional Medicine which determined that the consumption of oolong tea can prevent obesity by decreasing body fat content and weight.

Oolong tea really can help in losing and maintaining weight. Just drinking 2 cups a day can help shed the pounds by boosting the metabolism and blocking the fattening effects of carbohydrates. And combined with exercise, like yoga, oolong tea helps to keep you slim and toned. Enjoy a cup of oolong 30 minutes before your walk, workout or yoga session to get the maximum results. And instead of having a milky coffee and cake in the afternoon stave off the sweet cravings and energy slumps with a cup of oolong instead.

As well as being effective in controlling obesity, oolong tea offers other health benefits. It contains high levels of anti-oxidants or polyphenols, which promote strong healthy teeth, improved mental function and general well being. This vitamin enriched tea with its anti-inflammatory properties may reduce the symptoms of eczema and other skin allergies and is beneficial for glowing radiant skin.  It can also boost your immune system helping to prevent colds, flu and other illnesses.

Drink at the beginning of the day to boost your metabolism and increase your energy levels and try drinking 15 minutes before a meal to curb your appetite and assist with the breaking down of the food.

In fact, its good for drinking at any time of the day. With a wealth of flavours, from rich, sweet, mellow, fruity, fresh to lightly roasted or buttery floral and chocolatey, choose one to suit your taste and palate.

Start your day the right way…… with a healthy cup of green tea!

Nothing quite like a cup of tea to get me going first thing in the morning! Its good for your mind, body and soul and will help you concentrate on the day ahead. Whatever you're going to be doing during the day, tea will improve your accuracy and attention, make you feel more energetic and alert. It will promote your mental clarity and boost your brainpower as well as your health.

Why?

Green tea contains a lot of nutrients such as caffeine, theobromine, vitamins, saponins, theophylline and epigallocatechin, that individually have several health benefits. These are also know as antioxidants, flavenoids and polyphenols.

So what are the health benefits from drinking green tea?

The compound epigallocatechin (EGCG)  increases the metabolic rate and helps to reduce the appetite and stimulates the nervous system making the fat burning process faster. Two to four cups of green tea burns 70 - 80 calories a day. And green tea helps you to exercise longer, it boosts your energy, and enhances your performance. So, combined with a workout, whether cardio, strength training or yoga, drinking green tea can really help you to lose weight.

Green tea is good for your body in so many different ways.

The antioxidants are said to be an active contributor in fighting all types of cancer. EGCG, the main polyphenol in green tea has anti cancer properties that may prevent the development of skin tumours. And these polyphenols help to minimise UV and sun damage to your skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles keeping your skin looking youthful for longer.

Research shows that people who drink 3-5 cups of green tea regularly have a lower risk of heart disease. The tannins in tea lower cholesterol naturally and the polyphenols inhibit a protein called VEGF which causes clogging of the arteries.

And, the polyphenol EGCG slows down the production of glucose in the liver which in turn lowers blood sugar levels. So drinking green tea can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Your immune system gets a boost by drinking tea. The antioxidants prevent cellular damage and help you to fight against colds and flu.

Bones benefit too. Regular tea drinkers have higher bone mineral density and strength than non tea drinkers. And the flavenoids protect against bone loss and osteoporosis.

Even you dental health and hair can benefit from drinking tea.  Green tea kills bacteria in the mouth lowering the risk of infection and the anti inflammatory properties boost hair growth as it inhibits the growth of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which hinders hair growth and hair fall.

If you're feeling stressed and anxious, a cup of tea will provide relief. Green tea is like a cup of yoga - it can calm your nerves whilst boosting you mood because the thiamine contained in green tea works as an excellent anti-depressant helping to relieve stress.

To get the maximum benefit always use high quality loose leaf tea from organic or pesticide free tea farms and not tea bags. Drinking tea brewed from loose leaves contain a higher amount of healthy nutrients than that of the tea bag.

So go ahead, put your kettle on and brew yourself a cup of tea,  for a healthy mind and body and for longevity!

BONES

Good news!  Tea is good for bones……

If, like me, you enjoy a daily cuppa or two, you may be surprised to learn that tea is good for bones! Our love of the humble tea leaf may lead to better bone mineral density (BMD).

Recent studies have shown that there appears to be a correlation between tea drinking and improved BMD among women in the UK. And it doesn't matter if you only drink one to three cups or more than four a day, the same positive benefits can be seen.

The study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was conducted in Britain with a focus on older women, 1256 women between the ages of 65 and 76 participated and were classified as Tea or Non Tea drinkers based on a questionnaire they completed. The researchers measured bone mass density of various body parts. Compared to Non Tea drinkers Tea drinkers had on average 5% higher BMD adjusted for age and BMI. The researchers attributed this to the flavenoids and other healthy nutrients found in tea and also suggested that the flavenoids may protect against osteoporosis.

Another study undertaken by Chinese researchers showed that people who drank two to three cups of tea a day were 37% less likely to suffer a fracture.  So drinking tea regularly could stop you from breaking a hip as well as help to keep osteoporosis at bay.

As well as flavenoids, tea contains fluoride, calcium and other minerals which help to make bones denser and stronger. The flavenoids speed up the building of new bone as well as slowing down the erosion of existing bone whilst the other nutrients strengthen the bone.

Good news indeed, when you consider that hip fractures alone cost the UK £2.3 billion a year in health and social costs. In total there are around 300,000 hip, wrist, spine and other bones broken each year. And when you take into account the 3 million Britons who have osteoporosis, weakened bones take a heavy toll on health.

Anything that helps to keep bones strong and healthy could have a massive impact!

So which is the best tea to drink to keep your bones strong and healthy?

Green and white teas, made from un-oxidised leaves, are the least processed teas and so contain higher amounts of the healthy nutrients as compared to other teas.  Long Jing, Jasmine Pearls, Anji White, White Peony, and Silver Needle all fall into this category of tea and have fantastic health benefits.  Organic tea and tea from pesticide free tea farms are considered to be of the highest quality. 

And remember to brew high quality loose leaf tea rather than tea bags.  Drinking tea brewed from high quality loose leaves contain a higher amount of healthy nutrients than that of the tea bag.

So go ahead, brew yourself a nice cup of tea, enjoy the fine delicate taste, and help to strengthen your bones and perhaps even prevent you from breaking a hip!

White tea. The new Green?

I’m hooked. On white tea that is! Most of us are aware of green tea’s status as a super healthy drink of the last decade, but how many of us have ever heard of, let alone tried, white tea?

White tea is the tea drunk by Chinese royalty and although both teas come from the same plant (camellia sinensis), white tea is much less processed than green tea which means it contains more of the healthy antioxidants and anti-ageing properties. In fact, some would go so far as to say that it is the “supreme drink of health”.

 So why is white tea so good for us? Because it contains tannins, fluoride, and flavenoids such as catechins and polyphenols, in other words, nutrients, in higher levels than other teas, that protect the body against various diseases. Health benefits include reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular disorder and improvement in oral health. White tea can help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and so reduce the risk of stroke. The fluoride rich white tea helps to prevent the growth of dental plaque which is the chief cause of tooth decay, and it can help the kill bacteria living in the mouth and so abolish bad breath. The antioxidants and anti-ageing properties help to maintain good health and keep skin looking younger for longer and protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV light. Extracts in white tea inhibit wrinkle production by stimulating elastin and collagen to help guard against fine lines and wrinkles.

Recent studies have shown that the anti-bacterial properties in white tea can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi in the body with more success than other teas. So drinking white tea can boost the immune system and help guard against the common cold, flu and pneumonia. Flavenoids, which are a class of antioxidant, found in white tea, also inhibit the growth of cancer cells and help protect against cancer.

And there’s more! Drinking white tea regularly may have beneficial effects for sufferers of arthritis and osteoporosis as it can help to strengthen bones. It may reduce blood sugar levels and help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of diabetes. And research has found that people who drink several cups of white tea a day are 50% less likely to die after suffering a heart attack.

White tea is truly a remarkable tonic for all sorts of ailments!  If you’re feeling stressed and fatigued it can help you get up and going again.

Loose leaf white tea is best.

Drinking tea brewed from high quality loose leaves guarantees the presence of nutrients. Much better than tea bags which have undergone processing and so lose some of the precious benefits.

So which tea to buy? They are all good. It is all down to your own personal taste.

White tea has a delicate, sweet, floral, soft taste, as compared to green tea which has a more intense flavour. White tea is a light, silky, subtle refreshing tea perfect for drinking at any time of the day, and, like a fine vintage wine, should be sipped when you have the time to enjoy every moment.

Why not start with some of the tea Taster Packs on offer to buy online.

An ideal way to try out the different white teas that are available. Because the tea leaf is larger and has undergone less processing it contains much less caffeine per cup than green tea and so may be quaffed all day long, like water.

It is no wonder that white tea has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Why not add some white tea to your daily regime today, just 2 -3 cups a day can help you to live longer and have better health. Not only does is taste superb it also offers some seriously fabulous health benefits!

Tea leaves v Tea bags

I drink only fresh loose leaf tea. Why?

Quite simply, because it tastes far superior to tea bag tea. And like a fine wine, tea leaves retain their distinctive flavour and characteristics.

Tea has been drunk for over two thousand years without a tea bag! Tea bags, are in fact, a relatively recent creation. In the early 1900’s Thomas Sullivan, a New York tea merchant sent out tea samples in small gauze bags. His customers placed these bags in their cups with hot water, and voila the tea bag was born!

Never tried loose leaf tea? Why not? Is it the cost, the convenience, or is it too difficult and messy to make? The answer is no.

Loose leaf tea is not expensive! Of course there are some really pricy teas on the market but there are also some excellent teas reasonably priced, and don't forget you can infuse the tea leaves several times, so it probably works out less expensive, a better deal, and certainly a better tasting, healthier cup of tea.

Loose leaf tea is no more difficult to manage than a tea bag. Yes you have to measure it yourself and it may take a few attempts to achieve the best leaf to water ratio for your taste. But in general it’s one teaspoon of loose leaf tea to a 6oz cup. Experiment. It wont take you long to discover the right amount of tea to use to brew your perfect cup if tea.

And in fact, it is no more difficult to scoop the fresh tea leaves in to the infuser, teapot or cup as it is to drop in a tea bag! And you can use the leaves more than once and when you are finally finished with them they make an excellent fertiliser for the garden!

Do you think it takes too long to make loose leaf tea?  It is just the same as with a tea bag. You boil  the water, place the tea in the pot, steep the tea, remove the tea and enjoy a delicious fresh tasting cup of tea.

And you don't need any special equipment. Just a tea pot, and if you don't have a teapot you can use your favourite cup, mug or glass.

And there is of course a huge taste difference. You just need to make sure that the loose leaves have room to expand and absorb the water as they infuse. The water flowing through the leaves can then extract the wide range of vitamins and minerals, flavours and aromas.

The lower grade tea generally used in teabags together with the fannings and dust are smaller pieces of tea and have a larger surface area than whole leaves which means that the essential oils and vitamins evaporate to leave the tea tasting dull, stale and sometimes bitter. Tea bags also tend to be blended mixed tea so you always get a cup of tea tasting the same and lacking the subtlety and full flavour of loose tea.

Loose leaf teas may be from a single region or even a single part of a whole estate. It’s flavour, aroma and appearance my vary from year to year. There is a far larger range of flavour and aroma available for loose leaf tea as there is from standardised tea bag blends.

So, how to trash the bags and switch to loose leaf tea? It may seem overwhelming at first, but just think about which flavour profiles you like and seek them out. Read the tea product information on-line and match to your taste. For example, do you prefer black tea or green tea or something with a definite flavour, like jasmine?  If you prefer black tea, try some different  black loose leaf tea, like lapsang souchong. And don’t forget, tea sample packs are a great way to try out a new tea.

Of course if you want, you can invest in some nice new tea ware to go with your chosen loose leaf tea but you can just use what you already have! Experiment! Try some different teas. You may prefer a certain tea in the morning and a different one at lunch time and in the evening to relax and unwind. Follow your taste. Enjoy a quality, fresh, flavoursome cup of loose leaf tea. You’ll never look at teabags in the same way again!!!!

Tea is good for your health.....

…… but did you know it is also extremely good for the garden too?

 Many of us enjoy a refreshing cuppa throughout the day and are aware of the countless health benefits of drinking tea, but how many of us know that tea leaves make a great organic fertiliser?

Tea leaves are good for lots more than just brewing tea, they are also a good source of nitrogen for your garden. Just as tea energises, refreshes and nourishes us, it can do the same for the garden too.

Now that the better weather is upon us and  we can get out to tend to our flower beds or veggie patches, why not try putting your used tea leaves to work in the garden? And you’ll be doing your bit for the environment too by preventing the tea leaves from ending up in a landfill site!!

So, how can tea leaves be used in the garden?

Sprinkle used tea leaves around the base of acid loving plants such as roses, hydrangeas, azaleas, and rhododendrons, and dig in around the plants to condition and fertilise the soil and add nutrients to the root systems. Adding a layer of tea leaves aids moisture retention and helps ward off weeds. Don't overdo it though as too thick a layer of wet leaves could attract unwelcome bugs!!!

If you are using tea leaves in the vegetable garden, mix the leaves thoroughly into the soil, which will enable the nitrogen to be incorporated more quickly. Tomatoes, peppers and aubergines love the antioxidants and nitrogen contained in tea!!! As tea is high in nitrogen adding a layer to the soil can also ward off unwanted insects and pests such as slugs and snails.

Sprinkling used tea leaves around the base of plants helps to increase drainage, promotes earthworms, increases the oxygen level and maintains the soil structure. Thus using your left over tea leaves provides a good shot of nutrients for the soil and acts as a soil conditioner and organic fertiliser!!!

And… if you want to encourage your seeds to germinate, soak them in cold tea, the tannins contained in tea will soften the seed casing and promote germination.

So whether you garden indoors or outside and want your roses or african violets to bloom beautifully, put your used tea leaves to use and do your bit for the environment!