Although we have provided you with our favorite recipe for green tea cake, keep in mind that you will find many variations. In addition, you might take the recipe we have and modify it using your own creativity. Regardless, a green tea cake makes a wonderful dessert when entertaining guests or snack for the kids after school. Green tea cakes are light, moist, and offer just the right amount of sweet.

You will even find that with this recipe for green cake tea fills the room with a wonderful, green tea fragrance. This type of cake can be made as a sheet cake, layer cake, or for different types of molds. As far as icing, you could choose whatever you like but we do suggest you consider a cream cheese based icing, which adds just the right touch of flavor to complement the cake’s ingredients. If you want to give this recipe for green tea cake a slight green color, you can add an additional amount of Matcha, which is green tea powder.

RECIPE FOR GREEN TEA CAKE
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 to 5 teaspoons powdered green tea
1 ¼ cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 eggs

RECIPE FOR ICING
1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
2 ½ teaspoons powdered green tea
2 tablespoons butter or margerine, soft
3 ounces cream cheese, soft
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoons milk

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch or two, 9-inch cake pans. In a bowl, sift the all-purpose flour with cake flour, baking soda, salt, and green tea powder, mix well and set aside. In another bowl, beat the white sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract. Gradually beat in the flour mixture, alternating with the yogurt. Mix well and pour the batter into the prepared baking pans. Bake the cake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a cake rack for 30 minutes before icing.

For the icing, sift the powdered sugar with the green tea powder in a bowl. In a second bowl, mix the sugar/tea mixture with butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and milk. Beat until smooth with an electric mixer. Spread the icing on the cooled cakes, distributing evenly. To enhance the appearance for this recipe of green tea cake, you could sprinkle a small amount of the green tea powder on top.

Julie Health writes about health benefits of green tea and has provided you with more recipes using green tea.

You may reprint the article above in its entirety provided the resource box and its links remain.

Over time, the initial green tea smoothie recipe has evolved. Now, while we are providing you with more than one green tea smoothie recipe, remember that you can add or delete whatever ingredients you want. This would be a great time to experiment, coming up with a smoothie that you love. Green tea adds a slight, sweet taste that works exceptionally well with fruits and vegetables.

You will even discover that your kids love smoothies made from green tea. Used as a breakfast food, afternoon or after school snack, or to improve performance and stamina, you cannot beat green tea. Oriental people have long appreciated green tea and now, people in this country are discovering the benefits. These smoothies can be made using actual brewed green tea or green tea powder, known as Match, which can be found at health or Asian food stores. Below we have listed recipes for green tea smoothies, which are delicious and nutritious.

Green Tea Smoothie Recipe – One

1 large peach, fresh, pitted, and sliced or cubed or ¾ cup canned peaches, drained
1/2 banana, sliced
1 ½ tablespoons honey
1 cup of brewed green tea, chilled
1/2 to 3/4 cup ice cubes

Brew the green tea and then chill for 45 to 60 mutes. In a blender, mix all the ingredients until creamy and smooth. If you like, this green tea smoothie can be decorated with a fresh peach slice.

Green Tea Smoothie Recipe – Two

1 cup milk
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla or vanilla bean ice cream
2 ½ tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1 banana, frozen and cubed

In a blender, add all the ingredients, blending until smooth.

Green Tea Smoothie Recipe – Three

1 1/2 cups cantaloupe or honeydew, diced
1/2 cup lemon or vanilla yogurt
1 cup green grapes, frozen
1 tablespoon fresh mint, minced
Lemon juice, fresh

In a blender, add all the ingredients, blending until creamy. If you prefer a tarter flavor, add additional lemon juice.

Again, we suggest you take a base green tea smoothie recipe and have fun coming up with your own creation. This would be an excellent project for the kids too while also having the opportunity to teach them about health and nutrition. In addition to cold smoothies, you might also consider creating hot smoothies, similar to green tea soup. Today, we often grab fast food simply due to a lack of time. Now, you could use a green tea smoothie recipe instead, knowing you are providing your body with rich nutrients while also having excellent taste. Quick and easy, it is no wonder green tea has become such a huge hit!

Julie Health writes about health benefits of green tea and has provided you with more recipes using green tea.

You may reprint the article above in its entirety provided the resource box and its links remain.

Unfortunately, not all supplements are the same. For that reason, we wanted to provide you with some excellent green tea supplement reviews to help you choose the best produce possible. Keep in mind that high quality green tea supplements do not have to cost a fortune, just as pricey supplements does not always equate to quality. Therefore, these green tea supplement reviews will show you some of the best brands on the market today, products that are processed in reputable facilities with closely monitored operations.

• Nature’s Plus Chinese Green Tea – 100% natural with no preservatives or coloring, Nature’s Plus is rated as a top brand.
• Nature’s Herbs Green Tea Powder – Available in both caffeine and caffeine-free formulas, this particular product is affordable and uses only the highest quality green tea leaves.
• Source Naturals – This green tea extract comes in 100 mg, offering all the wonderful benefits of quality green tea but in a new, convenient form.
• Jarrow’s Green Tea Powder – Containing 33% catechin, Jarrow’s is a top choice. While a little pricier than other brands, this product is worth the money.
• NOW Foods – Available in 400 mg green tea extract or 250 mg capsules, the formula consists of 40% catechins and 60% polyphenols for a very powerful solution.
• Natural Brand – This green tea extract provides quality antioxidants that help fight against cellular damage of the body.

Again, these green tea supplement reviews are just a small sampling of what you will find on the market. You could certainly purchase quality products from the larger or better-known health food stores but another option is buying online. The thing to remember when you purchase green tea supplements through the internet is that while most companies are honest, you still have some risk of buying from a company that does not follow proper processes.

Remember, the development of herbs is not controlled by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, buying from an unknown source could result in poor quality green tea supplements, or even dangerous problems. For example, a recent news story told of green tea that had been shipped from the United States from China. The problem was that this particular shipment of tea was contaminated with pesticides.

It is important you do your homework when buying green tea of any kind, checking various green tea supplement reviews so you have a better understanding of what you are buying. Purchase the proper strength and shop around. In addition to green tea supplement reviews specific to brands, you might also research various case studies and personal reviews for recommendations.

Julie Health writes about the health benefits of drinking green tea and other green tea products at her website.

You may reprint the article above in its entirety provided the resource box and its links remain.

The medicinal benefits of green tea have been well documented. Although enjoyed by the Asian population for centuries, we are now seeing green tea used in a variety of foods such as cookies, cakes, puddings, smoothies, and now, lattes. With any green tea latte recipe, you can add some of your favorite foods to customize it. Just imagine sipping on a hot or cold drink while also fighting disease such as cancer, arthritis, cholesterol, and cardiovascular, which is exactly what you do with a green tea latte recipe.

Green Tea Latte Recipe – One

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon green tea powder (Matcha)
6 ounces warm milk
Honey or brown sugar to taste

Mix two ounces of warm milk with the green tea powder, mixing just enough to create a thick paste. Place the paste in the cup, adding the honey or brown sugar, along with remaining milk. Mix well and enjoy!

Green Tea Latte Recipe – Two

1/2 to 1 teaspoon green tea powder
2 ounces warm water
4 ounces warm milk
3 teaspoons sugar or honey
1/2 to 1 cup ice cubes

Mix the green tea powder with the 2 ounces of warm water, mixing well to dissolve. Transfer this mixture to a blender. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.

Green Tea Latte Recipe – Three

3/4 to 1 teaspoon green tea powder
3 teaspoons sugar or honey
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup soy or regular 2% milk
1/2 to 1 cup ice

Place the green tea powder in a bowl. Add the warm water and sugar or honey. Blend well until the mixture is thoroughly dissolved. Transfer the green tea mixture into a serving glass and then add the ice cubes. To this, add the milk.

Green Tea Latte Recipe – Four

4 cups cold water
2 Chai tea bags
3 green tea bags
1 cup milk, chilled
4 tablespoons brown sugar or honey

Boil water and then add both Chai and green tea bags. Seep the tea for three to five minutes, removing the bags and discarding. In ad blender, blend the milk so it is frothy. Pour the tea into individual serving cups and then to each, add 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar of honey. To the tea mixture, add frothy milk. If you like, you can sprinkle a little green tea powder or cinnamon on top.

A helpful tip when brewing green tea is to retain the flavor while not losing the health benefits. For this, we recommend you use one tea bag for each cup of water. For the water, start with cold water, bringing it to a boil. As soon as the water reaches the boil point, remove it from the heat source and let is stand for three minutes. Then, add the tea bags and allow them to seep for three to five minutes, or place a tea bag into a serving cup, pouring the boiled water on top. While this might sound elementary, you will enjoy both flavor and health benefits for each green tea latte recipe by following these guidelines.

Julie Health writes about health benefits of green tea and has provided you with more recipes using green tea.

You may reprint the article above in its entirety provided the resource box and its links remain.

Okay, so how do you make Chinese green tea? For starters, good tea is all about the right combination of water’s solvent properties, which is then heated to the right temperature so the chemical compounds from the tealeaves are extracted. Of course, some of the chemicals from the green tea are going to be extracted even in cold water but as you can imagine, many of the vital health benefits are lost.

When we are asked, “How do you make Chinese green tea?”, we always start by recommending you use the right type of teapot and utensils. The best teapot option is one that has a mesh container that sits down inside the actual teapot. With this, as water boils, the tealeaves are only slightly boiled while being more steamed. The result is incredible flavor but also the rich nutrients.

Next when asked, “How do you make Chinese green tea?”, we suggest you use cold, mineral spring water. Although warm tap water would do in a pinch, you would notice a significant difference in taste between the two options. After all, the finished cup of tea is going to be primarily water so the type of water you use will have a direct impact on flavor.

Okay, our information on “How do you make Chinese green tea?” continues with preparation of the tea. We suggest you make only the amount of tea you will drink immediately in that once tea sits it becomes bitter. Of course, the actual seeping time of the tea will vary according to the exact type of green tea. In other words, you would seep tea bags between three and five minutes while loose-leaf green tea may take slightly longer. For water temperature, you want the boiled or steamed water to be anywhere from 165 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finally, we want to add one more thing to the question, “How do you make Chinese green tea?” The amount of tea is important. Although tea bags are convenient and somewhat flavorful, you will enjoy the richness of tealeaves more. Again, the best method is by using an infuser (teapot with a mesh container) or a tea ball, both of which can be purchased through a variety of teashops and department stores. You can simply use one teaspoon of the loose-leaf tea for every six to eight ounce cup of water, depending on the level of intensity preferred.

Julie Health writes about the benefits of drinking green tea and other beneficial green tea products at her website.

You may reprint the article above in its entirety provided the resource box and its links remain.

The first recipe for green tea ice cream is used with Japanese Green Tea. The ingredients are as follows:

• 1 quart of milk
• ½ ounce of powdered Japanese green tea
• 15 egg yolks
• 2 ½ cups of sugar
• 1 cup of cream
• 1 cup of half and half

When you begin this recipe, you will want to start with boiling the milk then mixing the green tea. After this, you can place the yolks and sugar into the mix, than boil all of the ingredients together again. The last step will be to add the cream and the half and half, then to place the entire set of ingredients into the freezer. Typically, it will take an average of three hours for the green tea ice cream to be ready to serve.

An alternative to this recipe for green tea ice cream includes a different mixture of the same ingredients, with using a different type of Green Tea. This will depend on the flavor that you want when you are putting together your ingredients.

• 8 egg yolks
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 ½ cups milk
• ½ cup loose green tea
• 2 ½ cups heavy cream

As in the other recipe for green tea ice cream, you will begin by boiling the milk then adding the tea. It is important to wait for the green tea to mix in with the milk, considering that the tea being used is in the form of loose leaves. You can then whisk the rest of the ingredients into the mixture, than reheat the entire recipe. You will only need to heat this for an average of 5 minutes before placing it into the freezer and waiting for it to turn into your snack.

In some instances, you can add or take away other flavors for your ice cream, if you want to experiment with a different flavor. For instance, you can add 1 teaspoon of almond oil or vanilla. This will give an extra zing to the ice cream and can help you to enjoy a wide variety of ice creams, straight from your mixing bowl.

Following recipes for green tea ice cream is a simple way to make a snack that is healthy and has the flavor that you want. In a matter of 15 minutes, you can have the perfect snack, ready to serve not only for a treat, but also for a healthy ice cream.

Julie Health writes about green tea and has provided you with more recipes using green tea.

You may reprint the article above in its entirety provided the resource box and its links remain.

How green tea is used varies slightly from one part of Asia to another, as well as within other countries. For examples, green tea is usually consumed as a hot tea in Japan and China, often enjoyed in formal settings of a teahouse. However, when asked, “How is green tea used” referring to the United States, you will find that the powder is used for baking, to make fruit smoothies, as a cold beverage, and more.

Now, how green tea is used is not as important as making sure it is used. In other words, whether steaming, boiling, or using the powder form of green tea will provide antioxidants that have been proven through one study after another to boost health. For instance, is has been shown that green tea helps fight cancer, lowers LDL or bad cholesterol, prevents tooth decay, and even serves as a dietary supplement for people wanting to lose weight.

Since there are so many different ways for using this type of tea, we wanted to provide some tips on how green tea is used in our culture. For athletes, good carbohydrates, proper level of fat, and many nutrients are required to compete. Green tea is loaded with rich bioflavonoid elements that can improve performance. In other words, consuming the right amount of green tea daily would keep a person healthy and when used in smoothies, boost energy.

Okay, how is green tea used in fighting weight? Well, we know that Americans are currently fighting an epidemic of obesity. More than any other time in history, our society is eating worse exercising less, and walking around with excessive weight. As a result, we see a significant increase in heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, boosted blood pressure, joint pain, and more. By using green tea, appetite is often suppressed, which means less food consumption.

Next question would be how is green tea used for benefiting children? Again, when taken in the right quantity, green tea is harmless to adults and to children. You could introduce green tea into your child’s diet, knowing you are doing something positive for his or her health while also providing food rich in nutrients. For example, instead of sending your child to school with chocolate chip cookies, why not make carob and green tea cookies. The flavor is delicious and your child will be thrilled.

The bottom line is that how green tea is used is multifaceted. With so many proven benefits, we see dentists recommending it to patients to help prevent and fight bacteria in the mouth that causes plaque. We see stressed out businesspeople using green tea as a soothing drink to relax. Finally, we see green tea used in the battle against cancer. Therefore, when you hear, “How is green tea used” , you know the answer is in many forms, all helping to improve overall health.

Julie Health writes about the benefits of drinking green tea and other beneficial green tea products at her website.

You may reprint the article above in its entirety provided the resource box and its links remain.

With more than 3,000 different types of tea, it is fascinating to find that green tea is among the top choice. Grown on the Camellia sinensis bush, the leaves actually produce three distinct tea types depending on how they are processed. For instance, unfermented leaves produce green tea, semi-fermented leaves produce oolong tea, and fully fermented leaves from this same plant produce black tea. For green tea, the leaves must be dried quickly, which is typically done in Chinese form by pan firing or steaming, which maintains the beautiful color, as well as high content of catechin.

When discussing the ingredients of green tea, keep in mind that this is more a reference to the nutritional value. Of course, you can purchase green tea in various flavors, which would change the actual ingredients in green tea. For instance, you might find green tea blended with mint in which case the additional ingredient would be mint or perhaps green tea blended with jasmine tea, again the additional ingredient being jasmine. Therefore, we are referring to ingredients in green tea as the nutrients.

The most vital of all ingredients in green tea is the antioxidant known as polyphenol, specifically Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, more commonly called EGCG. This particular green tea ingredient provides significant health benefits such as preventing cancer, lowering blood pressure, reducing LDL cholesterol, and even fighting oral bacteria that causes plaque, thus the reduction or elimination of tooth decay.

Another ingredient in green tea is 0.06mg of caffeine. Then, one bag of green tea contain between 80 and 100 mgs of the polyphenols with EGCG accounting for about 25 to 30 mgs of that. Then, other ingredients in green tea include theanine, which is a type of amino acid, catechin, chlorophyll, butyric acid, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, F, P, and U, and certain minerals such as, saponin, saccharides, and pectin.

Each of these green tea ingredients works together to provide a wonderful product that is delicious, as well as healthy. Keep in mind that the way in which the product is made will determine the level of beneficial ingredients in green tea. For example, the Chinese people have long pan fired or steamed the leaves, retaining the highest level of nutrients. The Japanese will also steam, as well as boil and dry to create powder.

Today, you can purchase green tea in bags for brewing, in loose-leaf form, which is great for steaming, in supplements to include tablet and capsule form, or in powdered form. With powdered green tea, you can use it for baking cookies, cakes, pies, breads, or mixing in with other ingredients to make smoothies. The bottom line is that no matter how you consume this substance, the ingredients of green tea will benefit your life while providing you with a relaxing beverage or delicious food.

Julie Health writes about the health benefits of drinking green tea and other green tea products at her website.

You may reprint the article above in its entirety provided the resource box and its links remain.

Think again! There are several ways to drink the tea that you love, including the form of iced green tea. If you are out in the heat, why not bring the tea with you. The easiest way to do this, of course, is to find the various companies that have green tea in a cold form. It is as effective as the warm tea that you are used to drinking, while still adding in the flavors that are beneficial to you.

Of course, you can always take an alternative route and make your own iced green tea. The first thing to do is to find a glass container that will hold in the tea and is heat resistant. You will add a pitcher full of warm water into the glass. The water should not be as cold as room temperature but does not need to be boiling either.

After this, you can add green tea bags into the water. You will want to mix the flavor into the water by moving the bags back and forth in the water. This will help the flavor as well as the extracts to move into the hot water, giving you everything you need for the perfect cup of green tea. If you want, you can use green tea leaves and do the same thing.

After you take the tea out, simply put the container in the refrigerator. You should keep this in the chilled area for at least an hour, just to make sure it fits the summer sun. After this, you have created magic! Iced green tea is at its best flavor and with the substances that you need in order to stay at your best health.

Whether you like your tea hot or cold, you can find the perfect combination to add onto your perfect day. Iced green tea is easy to find, as well as easy to make. By knowing the combinations, you can be certain to quench your thirst with an alternative method. This will help you enjoy your time in the sun, and allow you to internally benefit from the cold.

Julie Health writes about the benefits of green tea products at her website.

You may reprint the article above in its entirety provided the resource box and its links remain.

Many wonder what the fad about green chai tea is. Basically the original green tea from eastern countries has nothing to do with green chai tea. Western marketing firms created it in the 21st century. The word chai originated in the first place when the tea was different from the original green tea from India.

Westernized Chai

In several languages “chai” means tea and started in the Indian language. Chimney, chai, masala chai, milk chai and several others are the most famous chais in India. India is actually the origin of the original green chai tea, where it was typically served at houses and chai stops all over the country without milk. The addition of honey and sugar can enhance this particular green chai tea. For inspiration many western companies probably looked to this tea and decided to commercialize green teas because of their popularity. Soon they were added to the roster of products sold in western countries like the United States.

Green chai tea is now famous everywhere in the western world and is an alternative to coffee for many people who want a healthy drink that will help keep them fit without have to go to the east. Single-serve and ready to drink tea lattes are the most common forms. Day by day the green chai tea industry is growing strong as time goes by. This is because people are becoming more concerned with their food intake and health. They find that green tea derivatives fit the bill since they burn their fat or cholesterol and help boost their energy levels.

Kashmir green chai tea, spicy tea latte, organic green chai tea are just a few of the various flavors that green chai tea comes in. They are very high in antioxidants just like the original teas and are extremely useful to the bodies immune systems. They can last for a long time since they are well packed so they are both economical to purchase and healthy.

Colin Holcomb is writer of Green Tea Information. He also writes on green tea home remedies and different types of green tea product.

In an effort to connect the dots for myself and others, here are some random thoughts about tea and scents and their perfect marriage to one another.

Our complex olfactory system is constantly on overdrive and hard at work for us. Primitive man was able to smell danger literally hundreds of yards away and prepare for attack if need be. An opportunity not only to stay safe, but to find food and water as well shelter. The olfactory system smells scents even before you are aware of them and transmits the information to our brains so we can disseminate what action or non action to take.

Take fire for example, as a form of aromatherapy. The ability to smell smoke, elicits a wide variety of emotions or thoughts. To name a few, warmth, food, danger or other human activity. This is a large scale example to “aroma therapy”. Knowing that there is warmth near by and potentially shelter can be very therapeutic in nature for the travel weary and hungry!

To narrow it down a bit more, lets think of roses and notice what you feel/think as you read this paragraph. The old adage, “stop and smell the roses” may come to mind. For many the scent of the rose brings about a variety of feelings or emotions based on memory. Some wonderful and some, shall we say not quite as pleasant. To say, a rose is a rose is a rose in regards to scent, is just not accurate on many levels, especially when you take in to account several factors. Such as, each person has a unique olfactory pattern, each human brain relates data in different ways there by affecting the range of emotions that could be potentially experienced. Being the unique individual that you are, when you first read the word “roses” you may have had an immediate thought or memory of them. Or perhaps you read the word and could actually smell roses. Or one step further maybe you had an unpleasant experience with roses that caused to you to recoil in an instinct to protect yourself based on that memory. It is apparent that scents and aromatherapy can be quite powerful in our lives. And that it plays a continuing roll in how we interact with the world whether we realize it or not.

Moving right along, when thinking of scents, perfume, herbs and the lot, one may wonder, which came first the plant or the fragrance? In a word, both. Plants are quite aromatic in and of their own nature as we saw in the example of the roses. It is easy to enjoy the scent of flowers and other aromatic herbaceous plants all year round depending on your location. At some point, humans became enamored of scents and the emotions they illicit. With a desire to capture those scents and have them with them at all times whether the plant was in season or not, came the quest for creating a way to capture this olfactory beauty.

Cultivation or harvesting of aromatic substances has been around for thousands of years. Whether it be for cooking, spiritual ceremonies, disease control, healing or simply for pleasure. Humans found that certain plants were excellent for healing certain ailments. Often the plant material was eaten raw, or in some cases boiled or infused as a beverage. Plant materials contain oils that are essentially the chemical make up of the species. Those essential oils can be released and capture in several ways. Crushing or bruising a leaf or flower will release the “essential oils”. This method could be used for ingestion of non toxic plants or even as a compress for wounds and other afflictions.

Infusing plants in water also releases essential oils or boils them out. The essential oils in plants are what potentially elicits healing or pleasure from the plant in question through smell and ingestion.

Hence the birth of herbal beverages and the one in question today, tea. Tea is a caffeinated beverage, infusion made by steeping the dried leaves or buds of the shrub Camellia sinensis in hot water.

Now that the eating and drinking of plants had commenced, at some point humankind sought to keep these scents with them and perfume their bodies. What may be the worlds oldest known perfumery, set atop a Cyprus hillside, was excavated by a team of archaeologists from the Italian Institute of Technologies Applied to Cultural Heritage, this last March. Showing that the desire for perfume has held strong for literally thousands of years.

We have talked about the benefits of smell and various ways to incorporate them into our lives, but how do you choose which medium is right for you?

Personally I use a combination approach. Others wouldnt dream of leaving home without a spritz of their personal favorite perfume. Still others would not function without their morning tea and an aromatic shower.

Some situations where perfumes or scents would not be appropriate would be a work place with a scent ban. You can rest assured that you can still have your aromatic fix without violating any rules or offending other olfactory palettes near by. If you love vanilla and would bathe in it all day if you could, you can have your vanilla in the form of tea. This allows you a subtle yet still powerful connection to your favorite scent. The oils from the tea are released into the air and your olfactory system finds comfort in them, before you even realize it your body and emotions may relax. Really, the possibilities of olfactory bliss are endless, chai spices, jasmine green tea, herbal remedies, you name it, it can be yours.

So, what about the scenarios which dont allow you to have a cup of your beloved tea or herbal beverage? The answer quite simply is perfume, lotions or oils worn on the body to illicit the desired effects. Just as there are thousands of teas to choose from, there are even more scented perfumes to fill that gap.

So, the short and the long of it, is that you have many ways to harness the powerful effects of scent at any time and in any place. Therefore, tea and scents made sense to us, and thus ScentbySpirit.com was born!

Use of this article is permitted as long as there are clickable links back to us at: http://wwws.scentbyspirit.com and all credit is given to the author.

ScentBySpirit.com is a woman-owned and family-run business in the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Scent by Spirit was born from the desire of owner Rachel Johnstons vision to combine the tactile sensations of blending fragrance, herbs and, most of all, teas. Use of this article is permitted as long as there are clickable links back to us at: http://wwws.scentbyspirit.com and all credit is given to the author.

Making a truly great cup of tea is more than dunking a bag into a mug of hot water. It is a delicate art that some may learn by trial and error or by reading tea-making books. Others may never learn at all.

There are seven factors that are required in brewing tea:

Quality of Tea Be sure that the tea you buy is from a reputable source. The tea must be fresh, and should have been processed correctly if it is to produce optimal results.

Quality of Water Water mustnt be taken for granted. Begin with fresh, tasty to brew the perfect cup of tea. Those poor souls who start with distilled water will never know the taste of good tea.

Measurement There is no magical formula for measuring tea, as personal preference plays a major role in the finished product. Some like a strong cup of tea, while others prefer a light brew. Generally, the standard ratio is one rounded teaspoon of tealeaves for one eight-ounce cup of water. Find your own perfect measure based on the density of the tealeaves you use.

Steeping Time This also varies depending on the type of tea. Black teas take 4 to 6 minutes; Oolongs 3 to 8 minutes; Darjeeling, green and white teas take 2 to 3 minutes. Puerh teas need at least 7 to 8 minutes, with some requiring up to 20 minutes steeping time. Herbal infusions require a minimum of 5 minutes, with some reaching optimal brew at 10 minutes or more.

Steeping Temperature Different varieties of tea require different steeping temperatures. Black tea is best brewed with water boiled at 212 degrees. Oolong tea should be brewed between 190 to 203 degrees. Use water at 160 to 180 degrees for green tea, and 150 to 160 degrees for white tea. Herbal and puerh teas should be brewed with boiling water for best results.

Room to Brew Tea should be brewed in large, deep pans to enable the leaves to expand 3 to 5 times their original size. Tea balls are not the best choice, as they do not allow room for expansion and prevent the full flavour from being released into the liquid. Brewing leaves loose in the pot still produced the best tea flavour.

Separate Leaf From Liquid Most teas will turn bitter if steeped too long. Use a tea infuser or strain the leaves from the brewed tea.

First thing in the morning to late at night, while socializing or simply stealing a quiet moment of solitude, tea is a wonderful complement any time of the day. Follow a few simple steps and you will master the art of brewing the perfect cup of tea.

Linda Davis writes for several web sites, on food and beverages topics.

Insomnia Fighters – Tea Recipe And Home Made Sachet Instruction To Relieve Anxiety And Help You Sleep Better Excerpt from “…Healthy Sleep: A Guide To Natural Sleep Remedies!” http://www.sleepsecrets.info

Lavender

Lavender (L. angustifolia and others) is a shrubby flowering bush indigenous to the mountainous regions of the western Mediterranean and is considered have been first domesticated by the Arabians, then later spread across Europe by the Romans. Lavender was brought to North America by the Pilgrims and was one of the first garden plants imported to Australia in the 19th century. It can be found in abundance in the wild in many parts of the world as well as being garden grown in a sunny, well-drained area, preferably in mildly alkaline soil. The smaller species will also grow quite easily in well-drained pots. This popular flowering herb’s essential oil has been demonstrated to depress the central nervous system in a manner comparable to pharmaceutical tranquilizers.

Lavender is very useful and effective in its usage as a sleep aid. In addition to the use of lavender flowers in a brewed tea, it may also used in the form of an essential oil distilled from the leaves, flowers and stems of the plant. Lavender oil can be applied topically to relax the muscles or its aroma can be inhaled for a calming effect. Rubbing lavender essential oil on the feet is a particularly effective method for application, as anything on the feet is absorbed quickly.

It is widely used in aromatherapy and can be added to bathwater, dispersed in a vaporizer or simply dabbed on a tissue and breathed in. The essential oil leaves and flowers can also be employed in a sachet underneath the pillow. It should be noted that allergic contact dermatitis has been documented in some individuals applying lavender products externally.

To safely detect an allergic reaction it is always a good idea to do a spot test before administering a full application. Also note that not all varieties of lavender are tranquilizing — some, such as Spanish lavender, can have just the opposite effect. Lavender Mint Tea (One serving) Ingredients: * 1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers (or 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender flowers) * 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried mint) * 1 cup boiling water * Rosemary, lemon balm or lemon verbena, and rose geranium may also be added for an interesting multi-herb herbal tea.

Preparation: In a teapot or saucepan combine the lavender flowers and mint (either loose or using a tea infuser). Pour boiling water over the mixture; steep 5 minutes. The infuser can then be taken out or the leaves removed with a strainer. Homemade Lavender Sachet You will need: * Lavender plant (stems, leaves or buds) * Lavender essential oil * A handkerchief * 2 needles (1 large to fit 1/4″ ribbon and 1 regular size) * Thread * Ribbon (1/4″ wide) It should be easy to find all the necessary items listed above from your local craft or floral supply store. You may use lavender harvested from your own plants or order the lavender buds online (just enter “lavender” or “lavender buds” into your favorite search engine to find an online retailer). Instructions: 1. Fold handkerchief in half, and then fold it in half again. You can iron the handkerchief for a crisper look, or simply leave it as is. 2. Now, sew three sides together using needle and thread (or a sewing machine). 3. Open the unsown side of the handkerchief and proceed to fill it (like a pillow) with lavender plant pieces and/or buds. Be sure to use a lot of plant material, but don’t stuff it too tight. The end result will be a lot like a beanbag. Sprinkle the pieces with lavender essential oil. 8 to 10 drops should be more than enough. 4. Thread your large needle with 1/4″ ribbon and loosely thread to keep the plant materials inside your homemade sachet. 5. Tie the whole thing off with a knot. 6. Enjoy your new sachet Valerian Root.

In the wild, Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) is found in high pastures and dry heath land. It flowers in late spring.

The principle components used for medicinal purposes are the roots and rhizomes, which are typically harvested in September and then dried to produce the commonly available herbal product.

Valerian is also known by various folk names: All-Heal, Amantilla, Bloody Butcher, Capon’s Trailer, Cat’s Valerian, English Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, Phu, Red Valerian, St. George’s Herb, Sets Wale, Set Well, and Vandal Root.

Unlike many other natural herbal sleep aids, to gain the benefits of the effects of valerian root it is necessary to use it on a regular basis, with the full effects coming to fruition slowly and steadily over time.

It should be used for about one month to produce results. Regular use of valerian root promotes deep relaxation and sleep. Studies suggest that valerian is by far the best natural solution for insomnia and general sleeplessness for most individuals.

Research by P.D. Leatherwood, Ph.D., and F. Chauffard, Ph.D., at Nestlé Research Laboratories in Switzerland, determined that a 450 mg dose of valerian in an aqueous extract is the optimum dose as an insomnia treatment; a higher dose typically results in grogginess without increasing effectiveness, and therefore care should be taken when administering valerian as a treatment for insomnia. Furthermore, in 1982 Leatherwood and colleagues performed a double-blind crossover study of 128 subjects, which found valerian root to not only be effective as a sedative for insomnia, but also effective in improving the overall quality of sleep in test subjects.

The effects of valerian on the body are similar to that of benzodiazepine, an active ingredient in Valium™, but without dulling effects or next-day lethargy (it has been suggested that Valium’s name was inspired by valerian, although the two are completely different chemically and should not be confused as being the same or even related). Valerian is commonly prescribed as a calming sleep aid and widely recommended for treating anxiety-related sleep problems.

Unlike other commonly prescribed sleep medication, it is entirely nontoxic, does not impair the ability to drive or operate heavy machinery, nor does it exaggerate the effects of alcohol.

It has been documented that valerian can act as a delayed stimulant for some individuals depending on body chemistry.

In the case of certain metabolic conditions, the effect is one of initially calming them down only to cause a surge of energy several hours later – not an effect desired by those interested in using valerian as a nighttime sleeping remedy. Some professional herbalists suggest taking fresh valerian root extract as opposed to extract from dried valerian, as it is less likely to cause such a reaction.

http://www.sleepsecrets.info

To Download 2 Free Chapters from “Learn While You Sleep” just send blank email to sleepexit@film.par32.com Mike Slawomir Cecotka – Publisher

Recently it has become popular to cook with green tea. In powder and liquid form it’s so easy to use, delicious and good for you it’s really no surprise. You may ask why people would try to cook with such a thing. Well green tea is filled with a wide array of health benefits. It lowers cholesterol, is high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. In fact most Asian countries have used green tea for cooking purposes for these very reasons. The other reason would be flavor. Green tea has a very distinct flavor that many enjoy and cannot be easily emulated by anything but green tea itself.

So now the big question, “How do I cook with green tea?” Well as I said earlier it’s really very easy to do. A very simple way is to substitute the water in a recipe with brewed green tea (at room temperature or as specified by the recipe). This is probably the best way for someone who is experimenting with a recipe or this style of cooking. When you do this keep in mind that you want the green tea to be strong. The stronger the tea is the more flavor and color will remain in the end product. This is why loose leaf tea is generally recommended.

You may also just want to look for green tea recipes. I see new ones popping up every day. Simply go online and search for “green tea” and your favorite recipe. You may be surprised to find several already available.

A lot of green tea recipes will ask for green tea powder or matcha. This is ground up green tea leaves. Matcha specifically is ground up Gyokuro leaves and is used for tea ceremony purposes. You will find matcha generally more expensive than green tea powder, which can be made from almost any green tea. However you may find matcha worth the extra price for those specially recipes.

If you have never done it, I recommend buying green tea powder or matcha and trying it on some of your favorite recipes. You will find it amazing how much color and flavor one teaspoon of this stuff can provide.

Author: John Newman is an author for Teanobi.com. Matcha