light em up!

Great news for those without any self respect. A new study has found the drinking copious amounts of green tea may help to dampen the effects of smoking on your lungs. Now if only it could help with the secondary smoke your kids have to suck in, the nicotine stains on walls and clothing and the damage it does to the environment. heres the article


CORONADO, Calif.—Drinking green tea could alter the effect of smoking on lung cancer, according to a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research-IASLC Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer Jan. 11-14.

Researchers enrolled 170 patients with lung cancer and 340 healthy patients as controls. They administered questionnaires to obtain demographic characteristics, cigarette smoking habits, green tea consumption, dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, cooking practices and family history of lung cancer. They also performed genotyping on insulin-like growth factors as polymorphisms on the following insulin-like growth factors: IGF1, IGF2 and IGFBP3, which have all been reported to be associated with cancer risk.

Among smokers and non-smokers, those who did not drink green tea had a 5.16-fold increased risk of lung cancer compared with those who drank at least one cup of green tea per day. Among smokers, those who did not drink green tea at all had a 12.71-fold increased risk of lung cancer compared with those who drank at least one cup of green tea per day.

Researchers suspect genetics may play a role in this risk differential. Green tea drinkers with non-susceptible IGF1 (CA)19/(CA)19 and (CA)19/X genotypes reported a 66-percent reduction in lung cancer risk as compared with green tea drinkers carrying the IGF1 X/X genotype. Heavy smokers carrying susceptible IGF1, IGF2 and IGFBP3 genotypes also had a higher risk of lung cancer compared with nonsmokers carrying non-susceptible IGF1, IGF2 and IGFBP3 genotypes.
Sources:

* American Association for Cancer Research: Green Tea Could Modify the Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Lung Cancer Risk

tea poetry

If you are cold, tea will warm you;
If you are too heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are excited, it will calm you.
-William Gladstone, British Prime Minister (1809-1898)

tea poetry i picked up while visiting templar tea

white tea inhibits fat!

German Researchers: White Tea Can Affect Fat Life Cycle
Friday, 15 May 2009
Concern over increases in obesity-related diseases prompted research into the effects of white tea extract on the human body.

Researchers in Germany conducted in vitro studies to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying fat metabolism, more specifically the effect of white tea extract on cultured human subcutaneous preadipocytes and adiopocytes (fat cells).

The findings, published this month in Nutrition & Metabolism, found that white tea extract effectively inhibits adipogenesis (the production of fat) and stimulates lipolysis activity (the destruction of fats). According to the abstract, this means white tea extract “can be utilized to modulate different levels of the adipocyte life cycle.”

The abstract and full study can be found here, on Nutrition & Metabolism’s Web site.

tea cocktail winning recipes

Top Tea Cocktail Finalists

Chocolate MarTEAni
Submitted by: Hale Tea Company
Tea Used: Organic Vanilla Black Tea and Creamy Cacao White Tea
Dessert anyone? The delightful blend of organic Vanilla and creamy Cacao teas make this decadent drink very smooth on the palate, yet light on the calories. Serve with vodka and crème de cacao.

Recipe:
4 parts organic vanilla and white cacao tea blend, sweetened
1 part creme de cacao
1 part vodka
DoMatcha-tini
Submitted by: DoMatcha Japanese Green Tea
Tea Used: Matcha
DoMatcha’s signature martini – Cacao DoMatcha-tini brings out the best of the best. 360 Vodka, Remy’s Cognac, Crème de Cacao and our Ceremonial DoMatcha. A bitter sweet taste of fire.

Recipe:
1 oz Grey Goose Vodka
1 oz Remy’s Cognac
1 oz Crème de Cacao
¾ tsp DōMatcha Ceremonial matcha
ice cubes
powdered chocolate (optional)


Eight Treasures
Submitted by: Serene Feng, Radiance Tea House & Books
Tea Used: Jasmine Tea
A slightly modified version of this traditional favorite with a wonderful display of colors and taste, served over ice bringing a sweet refreshing feeling perfect for those hot summer days.

Recipe:
Jasmine tea, momordica fruit, ginseng root, licorice, goji berries, dates, raisins, chrysanthemum, rock sugar, agar-agar, sweet rice wine and a scoop of green tea ice cream. Genevrier Verte
Submitted by: Max Solano, Table 10
Tea Used: China Mist Pure Blackberry Jasmine Iced Green Tea with Lemonade
Max Solano, Mixologist for Emeril's Table 10 and Delmonico's Steakhouse, creates a tasty drink that he describes as a herbaceous fresh botanical tea drink. The frothy "Green Juniper" complements this China Mist Pure Blackberry Jasmine Iced Green Tea with Lemonade exquisitely.

Recipe:
1.5 oz China Mist Pure Blackberry Jasmine Iced Green Tea with Lemonade
1.5 oz of Hendricks Gin
¾ oz of Agwa Coco Leaf
½ oz fresh lime juice
¾ oz of vanilla/clove infused simple syrup (or bar syrup)
1 egg white
Garnish with cucumber wheel and mint

Iron Buddha and the Flower
Submitted by: Barnes & Watson Fine Teas
Tea Used: Organic Iron Buddha & Chrysanthemum
A “crowd pleaser” martini style cocktail combines the quintessentially unique flavors of the heady ti-kuan-yin and earth-rooted chrysanthemum flower. Aromatic maraschino liquor, lemon and yuzu create a refined elegance complete the refinement.

Recipe:
organic cane sugar & cracked black pepper – for edge of rim
2 ounces organic Iron Buddha & chrysanthemum concentrate
1 ounce Maraska maraschino liquor
½ ounce meyer lemon juice
3-5 splashes yuzu seasoning base*
lemon twist garnish

Moisten the edge of the martini glass and dip into the sugar-black pepper mixture to coat the edge of the rim (about ¼ of the rim). Pour the liquid ingredients over ice in a shaker. Shake well and served “up” in a martini glass. Garnish with a long lemon twist.

* Yuzu is a citrus fruit with a distinct fragrant aroma and a brisk tartness - Yamajirushi is a good brand found in Asian markets

Iron Buddha-Chrysanthemum concentrate:
Combine 1 ounce of Iron Buddha with ¼ ounce of chrysanthemum together in a 2-cup measuring cup. Add boiling water to about the 2 cup mark. Steep for 3-4 minutes. Strain, cool to room temperature and store refrigerated for use. Jasmine gingerTEAni
Submitted by: Adagio Teas
Tea Used: Adagio Jasmine Green
Using a versatile simple syrup infused with Adagio Jasmine Tea and fresh Ginger, this fragrant cocktail will be the highlight of any gathering. Try this instead of the usual Mint Julep for the upcoming Kentucky Derby party.

Recipe:
Make a Jasmine Ginger simple syrup:{ in a non-reactive pan (glass works great), bring 1 cup of water to 180 degrees, add 3 teabags of Adagio Jasmine Green tea, steep for 3 minutes, remove tea bags and add 1/2 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, stir to dissolve the sugar and heat to almost boiling. Sieve out the ginger, store the syrup in a covered jar for up to one month.}
Mix 1 1/2 ounce premium vodka with 3/4 ounce Jasmine Ginger simple syrup in a martini shaker filled with ice. Pour into chilled martini glass, enjoy!

La Vie en Rose
Submitted by: Two A Tea
Tea Used: Adagio Raspberry Tea
Imagine a starry night in Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the background and the scent of roses in the air. That's what you'll get with this heavenly concoction of rosewater, raspberry tea, and rose champagne. C'est si bon!

Recipe:
2 teaspoons fresh tangeringe juice
1 teaspoon Grand Marnier
1 teaspoon rosewater
1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
2 oz. brewed raspberry tea (1/4 cup)
4 oz. rose champagne (1/2 cup)

Combine tangerine juice, Grand Marnier, rosewater and simple syrup in a champagne flute. Add chilled raspberry tea, and top with rose champagne. Matcha Ginger MargariTea
Submitted by: Lavender Lounge Tea
Tea Used: Matcha
A blend of Matcha, ginger and spearmint combined with tequila bring a unique twist to the classic Margarita. Smooth refreshing and a little too easy to drink!

Recipe:
1/2 teaspoon Matcha
1/2 teaspoon dried spearmint
1/2 teaspoon dried ginger
6 1/2 oz water
1 1/2 oz. Tequila
2-3 teaspoons Agave Nectar
3 cups ice
Sugar for garnish

Steep the ginger and spearmint in 6 1/2 oz. 180' water for 5 minutes, let cool. To a 18 oz. shaker add 2 cups ice, add the tequila, Matcha, steeped ginger-mint tea and agave nectar, shake very well to blend. Pour into a sugar rimmed 10 oz. glass over the remaining ice.

moTEAjo
Submitted by: Chris Cason, Tavalon Tea
Tea Used: Green Tea
A healthier version of the classic with all the same great flavors, plus green tea!

Recipe:
4oz moTEAjo mix (green tea+lemongrass+peppermint)
2oz light rum
1oz fresh lime juice
Small bunch fresh mint (about 10 leaves)
Crushed ice
Lime wheel (for garnish)

Muddle mint and lime juice with pestle, add ice, rum and tea mix. Stir thoroughly to combine, garnish with lime wheel. October Harvest
Submitted by: The Green Tea Frog Inc.
Tea Used: Masala Chai/Autumn Harvest Fruit Melange
A mouth water tantalizing spicy apple/autumn harvest sensation.

Recipe:
Pot spoon of Autumn harvest fruit melange
1/4 teaspoon of Masala Chai
2 tablespoons powered apple cider
1 shot of Smirnoff Twisted Green Apple Vodka

Pure MojiTEA
Submitted by: China Mist Brands
Tea Used: China Mist Pure Blackberry Jasmine Iced Green Tea with Lemonade
A tea-riffic twist on an island favorite our refreshing MojiTEA is sweetly satisfying and minty fresh. Tommy Bahama Rum tart limes and cool mint complement our China Mist Pure Blackberry Jasmine Iced Green Tea with Lemonade.

Recipe:
6 oz of China Mist Pure Blackberry Jasmine Iced Green Tea with Lemonade
1.5 oz of Tommy Bahama White Sands Rum
8 Mint Leaves
1tbsp of simple syrup (or bar syrup)
½ oz of fresh lime juice
1 lime wheel split in half
Garnish with lime wheel and mint Sencha Kamikaze
Submitted by: TeaZen
Tea Used: Sencha Lemon
The green tea adds a soft light green color and lemon flavor making the drink tasty and refreshing. Tea gently smooths alcohol taste making the cocktail simple delish.

Recipe:
2 oz Dry Gin (Bombay Recommended)
2 oz Triple Sec
2 oz Sencha lemon tea instead of lime juice

Shake the ingridients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime twist

Sencha n' Tonic
Submitted by: Maeda-En USA
Tea Used: Sencha
Try our fresh tasting, easy to brew Sencha with Shochu (Japanese wheat liquor), tonic, and a splash of lime. It’s a fun Eastern twist on a Western classic.

Recipe:
To make sencha infused shochu:
Take 1 PRTB Sencha and steep in 1/2 cup of shochu. Recommended Shochu brand: Ginza no Suzume, or something as mild

1 part Sencha infused shochu (Japanese Wheat Liquor)
2 parts tonic
Some lime wedges

Fill a glass with ice. Pour in shochu, followed by tonic water. Add a splash of lime juice, and garnish with a wedge. St. Jasmine
Submitted by: Art of Tea
Tea Used: Jasmine Pearls
Organic Jasmine Pearls meets wild Elderflower Liquor with a sweet floral and sublime taste Served Up.

Recipe:
1.5oz Hanger1 Vodka
3oz AoT Jasmine Pearls Tea – steeped double strength for 3 minutes
Splash of St Germaine Elderflower Liquor – about ¼ teaspoon
Two wide zests of lemon – use vegetable peeler

Combine in mixing glass over ice.
Stir to chill.
Pour into cocktail glass.
Garnish with two jasmine pearls that have been steeped and opened & three dried jasmine flowers floating on top.

ZEN GODDESS
Submitted by: Zen Green Tea Liqueur
Tea Used: Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong Tea
Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong Tea blends with ZEN GREEN TEA LIQUEUR, Smooth Cabo Wabo Tequila and Passion Fruit Juice to create the ZEN Goddess. Garnish with a large, thin Grapefruit slice.

Recipe:
1½ parts ZEN GREEN TEA LIQUEUR
3 parts prepared Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong Tea
1 part Passion Fruit Juice
1 part Cabo Wabo Tequila (White)

Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice.
Shake and strain into glass.
Garnish with large, thin Grapefruit Slice.

news flash- chubbies to become skinnies

its decided. we are now opening a challenge to everyone who wants to bust a little butt and become meaner and leaner.

the Mate del Sol dieters challenge!!

we will be accepting applicants to go on a yerba mate diet that we will specially structure. the rules will be simple. become hot!
the best part - we will be sponsoring looots of yerba mate. that way even if you gain weight (unlikely) at least you will have drunk lots of yerba, and be a generally happier person for it

the best thing about coffee -the smell

people continuously ask me if i drink coffee. i think its a kind of a challenge, implicit in the question are: - are you a health nut (freak!!)/nope, you got something against stimulants(whoose!!!)/nope, are you trying to make a statement(trouble maker!!)/nope again, you've probably never had a good cup of coffee(ignoramus!!)/well, actually i do know a thing or two about the bean, i do drink it occasionally (very rarely impressed) but quite honestly the most use i have for it, is smelling it!

coffee is a great way to clear your nose between cupping and flavouring of tea. its a great way to clean your slate, and "look" at a new tea from a fresh perspective.

rough!

proof that its a no brainer to made a great cup of tea. here is news clip i picked up


Mississippi woman alert, coherent after being shot in the head
Thursday, April 16, 2009 By CHERIE WARDStaff Reporter
PASCAGOULA — A rural woman shocked deputies when they found her alert and coherent after being shot in the head at close range by her husband.

She even made a cup of tea, according to one of the deputies.

"There's no way she should be alive," Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd said. "The bullet completely passed straight through her brain. It entered at the middle of her forehead and exited from the back of her head. She should be dead. It's one of the most unreal, bizarre things I've ever seen."

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Huevos Haminados - brown tea eggs!

Awesome! Pesach (Passover)is upon us. i have many fond memories of writhing in discomfort on the side of a road after gourging myself at passover seder. my wife standing over me gently proding me with a toe to see if i was still alive or if she should carry on walking home. good times! so i present here a recipe for a sefardic classic Huevos Haminados - tea eggs!! traditionaly prepared as part of the passover seders ritual meal in the homes of Jews deriving from Spain before it turned pear shaped.
tea. eggs. passover. matzah! im excited already
list of cooking stuff
1. eggs however many you like
2. onion peels
3. salt
4. oil
5. water
6. black tea

method
put the salt, eggs, glug of oil, onion peels and tea into a casserole dish with water. make sure there is sufficient water in it to cover the eggs. put into an oven and leave overnight on a low temperature.
the tea will colour the eggs through the shell, you can even lightly crack the shells when they are mostly cooked to make some patterning. the eggs themselves will have a rich and creamy texture.