Tea Facts and Quotations

• "I am a hardened and shameless tea drinker, who has for many years diluted his meals with only the infusion of this fascinating plant; whose kettle has scarcely time to cool; who with tea amuses the evening, with tea solaces the midnight, and with tea welcomes the morning." - Samuel Johnson
• Contrary to popular opinion, both green and black tea leaves contain similar amounts of caffeine. Support for this conclusion lies in the fact that both types of tea are derived from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, and that the processing differences between the two types of tea have little effect on caffeine content. Possible explanations for the perception that green tea gives less of a caffeine kick than black tea include the shorter brew time for most green teas and the cooler water temperature recommended for green teas, both of which may lower the amount of caffeine released by the leaves during brewing.
• On a dry weight basis tea has twice as much caffeine per pound as does coffee. However, as a brewed beverage tea has approximately 1/3 as much caffeine as a similar serving of coffee. The reason for this is that a pound of tea yields about 200 servings while a pound of coffee yields (according to the National Coffee Association) between 40 and 50 servings. On average, a 5 oz. cup of tea contains 40 milligrams of caffeine and a 5 oz. cup of coffee between 80 and 115 milligrams depending upon the method of brewing.

Tea Recipe: Fruity Iced Tea

Flavored with mint citrus, this refreshing blend is a perfect way to add pizazz to standard tea.

• 8 cups water
• 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon Peach and Ginger tea
• 1/4 cup tightly packed fresh mint leaves
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups strained fresh orange juice
• 1/2 cup fresh strained lemon juice
• Fresh mint for garnish
• 1 orange, halved and thinly sliced, for garnish
• In a large saucepan, heat water until it just comes to a boil. Stir in tea, mint and sugar. Boil for 3 minutes. Immediately strain tea through a fine sieve. Stir in orange and lemon juices. Let cool to room temperature. Place tea in a large pitcher. Serve over ice. Garnish each glass with a sprig of mint and a slice of orange. Makes 10 drinks.

Tea and Health News

New study shows that habitual tea consumption reduces the risk for high blood pressure. Human and animal trials have been inconsistent when it comes to demonstrating the relationship between tea intake and high blood pressure. Scientists in Taiwan recently examined the effect of tea drinking, which they measured in detail for decades, on the risk of newly diagnosed high blood pressure in over 1500 subjects, 20 years old and older. Six hundred of the subjects were habitual tea drinkers, meaning they consumed 4 ounces or more of tea a day for at least one year. Compared to the non-tea drinkers, these subjects had a 46% lower risk for high blood pressure. More impressive, those who drank at least 20 ounces of tea per day had a 65% lower risk. The study controlled for variables such as physical activity, diet, sodium intake, weight, smoking, etc. Subjects in this study consumed "moderate strength green and oolong tea," and the researchers concluded that consuption of at least 4 ounces of this type of tea for one year significantly reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure in the Chinese population. Archives of Internal Medicine, July 26, 2004; 164(14): 1534-40.

Tea and Health News provided by: TheTeaTable.com

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