Tea Facts and Quotations

• Many of you probably realize that Sri Lanka is one of the largest tea producers in the world. The tea producing regions are far enough inland and at a high enough elevation that the devastating tsunami in December did not directly impact the tea industry. Nevertheless, U.S. tea organizations have been collecting funds for tsunami relief. These funds are going to Operation USA (www.opusa.org). If you are interested in making a contribution, you may make a check payable to the Tea Council of the USA and send to: Tea Council of USA, Tsunami Relief Fund, 420 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10170.
• The $5.4 billion tea industry is expected to grow between 30-40% during the next 5 years.
• There are about 1700 tea rooms in business nationwide, up from a mere 200 in 1990.
• White tea is gaining popularity due to reports of its health benefits. It takes about 30 pounds of the youngest tea leaves to make a pound of white tea, which accounts for the higher prices of this brew!
• Sir Kenelm Digby (1603-1665): "The hot water is to remain upon it (the tea) no longer than whiles you can say the The Misere Psalm very leisurely."
• Riddle: You're about to add some milk to your hot cup of tea when you are called to the phone. You want the tea to remain hot when you return. Should you add the milk before leaving it or wait until you return? Answer: Add the milk first, which will reduce the temperature of the tea, causing less difference between the temperature of the tea and air, thus reducing the heat loss to the air. Hot tea alone will cool faster.

Tea and Health News

Recent studies indicate that rooibos, also known as "red tea," may help prevent several cancers, heart attack, and stroke. Rooibos (pronounced "roy bus") is made from the needle-like leaves of a caffeine-free bush native to South Africa (so it is an herbal beverage, not real "tea"). It has been known for its soothing properties and has a place in traditional treatments for a variety of ills. Now laboratory studies show that rooibos helps protect against free-radical damage, which is implicated in cancer and heart attack. It seems to protect against DNA damage while also boosting our ability to detoxify cancer-causing substances. Topical application of rooibos extract has been shown to inhibit skin cancer in mice. Researchers suspect that its unique antioxidant composition is responsible for these healthful effects.

Tea and Health News provided by: TheTeaTable.com

Return to current newsletter.   ~   View archived news.