souvia.com Blog » Tea and Health

Trees, Caffeine, and iced Tea

wbwingert — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:04:53 +0000

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Teas and Trees

Caffeine

News

Featured Products

2 Liter Iced Tea Maker

makes brewing iced

tea a snap

Sencha Pina Colada

a summer favorite as

temps rise!

Cordless SmartKettle

heats water fast to

just the right tea

temperature

Urban Beans in Phoenix

now offer Souvia Teas

brewed in the shop

Got a college bound

student – Set up them

up with the “Dorm Pack“

Latest Tea Menu

Teas and Trees

Kerstin and I took a nice trip to Yosemite and enjoyed to cool air and huge trees! We brought along some new teas to try and tested out a new product a “SmartKettle” in our lodge. The Smart Kettle made tea brewing fast and easy since it heat the water to right temperature. We liked it som much it is in the store now…

As for teas,

Hawaiian Breeze will be back soon.
Organic Tulsi will join our lineup – we tasted two kinds at the Tea Expo and fell in love with the spicy taste – We will have both a Purple and Green Tulsi
We’ll have a Green Nilgiri on the menu – this is from the famous blue mountian in India but is a green tea, it has a unique flavor just as good as the black teas from that region

Caffeine: Friend or Foe?

It seems there is no real consensus among experts on the answer to this question. While some consider it harmful, recent studies praise its potential health benefits.

Fact is that caffeine is a bitter substance, naturally occurring in some plants as their protective measure against insects and microbes – a natural pesticide! In the human body, caffeine increases metabolism and stimulates the nervous system, which leaves us more alert, feeling less tired and a little more cheerful. Negative effects such as heart palpitations, headaches and sleeplessness are typically the result of too much caffeine or sensitivity to it. For most people, though, the moderate consumption of caffeine is not harmful.

Truth is also, that the level of caffeine in your favorite drinks varies greatly and that not all caffeine is created equal. Let’s take a closer look at the makeup and effects of caffeine in your cup of tea:

How much is in my cup?

This is one of the most asked questions we get. The answer is: “It depends”. A variety of factors determine the caffeine content in the dry tea leaf and in the steeped leaf.

Since caffeine is a pesticide, the younger shoots and leaves have more caffeine than the more mature tea leaves. The type of tea plant, soil texture, climate, and elevation all play a role in how much caffeine the tea leaf produces.

Processing methods also matter when it comes to the caffeine content in your cup. Green and black teas undergo different processing and the oxidation step of black tea production changes the cellular structure of the leaf in such a way that caffeine is more readily available to dissolve in water.

Steeping time and water temperature have a great impact on the caffeine level in your cup as well. Caffeine is water-soluble and the longer it is exposed to water, the more caffeine molecules are released – in short, the longer you steep your tea, the more caffeine you’ll end up with. This explains in part, why your green or white tea tends to have less caffeine than your black tea. The recommended steeping time for most green and white teas is 2-3 minutes, whereas black tea is typically steeped between 3-5 minutes.

How does tea compare with other sources of caffeine?

Due to the many factors contributing to the caffeine content, it is difficult to provide exact measurements. On average, however, an 8 oz cup of black tea has 85 mg caffeine and an 8 oz cup of green tea has 40-60mg of caffeine. In comparison, an 8 oz cup of drip coffee contains 135 mg, a 12oz can of Coke 34mg.

Why does tea give me a lift and not a jolt?

The caffeine in tea is called theine (tay-eene) and metabolizes differently in the body than the caffeine in coffee. Researchers found, for example, that the high

continued on our blog…..

Current Events

Here’s what’s current –

We know, we know, we have taken forever to get our Fall Class Schedule online – it’s there now!
Thanks to everyone who took the pledge to support local businesses during Independent’s Week
In addition to the SmartKettle and Iced Tea maker we also carry a simple electric kettle now. The feedback has been very positive on these time savers
More good news for tea drinkers and their hearts
Got a college-bound student – How about the our “Dorm Pack?” – a Zojirushi water boiler , Tea Magic, and Mug with your choice of any 3 flavored teas – $189.99 (saves $15 off of regular price AND the Zoji’s work well with college staples like Ramen and Oatmeal

Thanks for Reading…

Everyone did pretty well on the geography question last month. This month we are offering an 50g of Tulsi, Hawaiian Breeze or Green Niligiri for three people who answer the following question. What is another name for Tulsi? Send your answers to info@souvia.com . We had 3 winners last month for the Yoga Pura Certificates. I will draw 3 winners this month…

We hope you’ll visit us in the store, at one of our partners or online soon. If you can’t get in, remember… we ship same day and your tea will arrive quickly!

“ORIENTAL MEDICINE FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH”

wbwingert — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:11:51 +0000

Digestive problems are all too common these days and there seems to be a new drug on the market every month, promising relief from stomach upset, indigestion and heartburn. While allopathic medicine focuses on symptom control, Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a more holistic approach to digestive health, including the intrinsic character of food as well as related emotional or energy problems. Join us on Saturday, May 8th at 1pm here at Souvia when Dr. Moore will explain:

How herbs and acupuncture work to promote health and treat Disease, regulate the nervous system and biochemicals.
How acupuncture can facilitate good digestion
How you can improve digestion through proper nutrition and herbals

Complete Dr. Moore’s digestive health questionnaire and receive a complimentary analysis.

Making an Herbal Tincture in your Kitchen

wbwingert — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:18:41 +0000

Tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts. They are more potent than infusions and deliver a more consistent amount of the plant’s healthy chemical compounds. They are best taken diluted in warm water or juice.
How to Make Your Own Lemon Balm Tincture
Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis is a great herb to use if you need a little relaxation or have a nervous stomach. It helps those frayed nerves to calm down.:
What you need:
- Fresh or dried lemon balm
- Cutting board, knife or food processor
- A clean glass jar (mason jar )
- Solvent of choice (grain alcohol (e.g. vodka), glycerin)
- Funnel
- Labels

Step 1: Chop the herbs either by hand or in the food processor. Often dried herbs are already cut and sifted and don’t need to be ground any further.

Step 2: Place 1 part of the herb to 5 parts liquid in the jar. Liquid needs to cover the herb well. Label the jar (name of herb and date) and place the jar in a warm, dark place for at least 4 weeks. The longer the herb sits in the solvent, the more potent the tincture will be. Shake the jar daily and add more liquid if necessary.

Step3: Strain the tincture through a fine wire-mesh strainer lined with a cheesecloth or coffee filter, in to a measuring cup.

Step 4: Pour the liquid carefully into dark bottles, using a funnel and label these with the name of the herbal and date of preparation.

Stinging Nettle – The Natural Allergy Remedy

Kwingert — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:58:36 +0000

Name: Urtica dioica

Parts used: fresh or dried leaves

Use: Internal and external

Contraindications: None known

Side Effects: None known

Drug Interactions: None known

Character: cool, dry, astringent

Actions: astringent, diuretic, tonic, nutritive, circulatory stimulant, promotes milk flow, lowers blood sugar levels,

It is the season……Allergy season that is! Eveything is in bloom and many of us have a difficult time seeing nature blooming and blossoming out of our watery and itchy eyes. Allergies are rampant this time of year and many of my customers have asked me if there isn’t a way to treat allergy symptoms naturally. There is indeed!

Nettle is one of the most effective natural treatment for allergies, especially itchy eyes and sneezing. The reason for this is that stinging nettle contains natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatories which can open up constricted bronchial and nasal passages and thereby reducing unpleasant allergy symptoms.

Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, uses and and recommends this herb for seasonal allergies and in 1990, the National College for Naturopathic Medicine in Portland Oregon was able to scientifically support what herbalists have know for a long time. There, a double-blind study was conducted to explore the efficacy of a freeze-dried preparation of stinging nettle on allerigc rhinitis. The study showed that the group treated with the nettle preparation showed moderately better results than the participants in the control group which were given a placebo.

As with any medication, botanical or otherwise, before pursuing a course of self-treatment, always consult your physician if you are pregnant, nursing a baby, or being treated for any serious condition.

In addition to helping relief allergy symptoms, stinging nettle has many other benefits and makes a deliciously tasting infusion:

Nettle leaf is a blood builder
It is rich in calcium and Vitamin C (which aids iron absorption)
It is used to reduce uric acid and to treat gout and arthritis
Acts like a light laxative and diuretic (high in potassium)
Used to treat skin conditions (eczema)
Builds adrenal and kidney function

Infusion:

1-2 teaspoons of dried leaves per 6oz water, steep anywhere from 5-15 minutes. (The longer the steeping time the more potent the medical properties of the infusion)

Update on Souvia Saturday forums

wbwingert — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:17:45 +0000

The Souvia Saturday Forums allow our local to community to interact with a variety of local experts on a variety of topics. The informal sessions last from 10am until Noon – No rsvp necessary just stop by!

Here are the next three

March 6th – LeAnn Hull – Candidate for US Congress District 3

LeAnn Hull is running for US COngress, District 3

LeAnn Hull is a local business owner who has entered the race for US Congress – She Will be at the store to discuss issues affecting all of us and her views of potential solutions.

Read more about her at www.leannhullforcongress.com

March 13th – “Best Laid Plans”

Do you have a living will, POA and an estate plan?

Marsha Goodman, Attorney PLLC

March 27th – DWD – Driving While Distracted

Charlie Sobczak of Driving MBA will be here to discuss the dangers of distracted driving including texting and cell phone use. He’ll have a simulator to show how distracted driving will impair your ability to avoid accidents.

Charles has a diverse background ranging from a traffic agent responsible for weight and balance of aircraft to hazardous material coordinator, customer service supervisor as well as sales. From 1993 to 2003 Charles was in charge of certification and on-going training of sales personnel in automotive retail.

Souvia Tea update for January

wbwingert — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:59:20 +0000

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Quick and Current

Tea and Chocolate

Goings on

If you missed the

Segment on Tea and

Chocolate for

Valentine’s Day

it is archived here

Featured Teas

Several New teas arriving

Lomi Lomi Herbal infusion

is a delight for the senses

Taiping Monkey King is

a unique and rare green

tea with a long leaf style

Sencha Kombucha is a

green tea with kombucha

powder. Plum like

flavor is simple to make

Fog Tea is a green tea

also known as “Clouds

of Mist” or Wu Lu. Grown

in misty mountains it makes

a great tea.

Quick and current

February not only contains Valentine’s Day, but is also American Heart Month. Tea is a great way to tackle both! Black Teas have been shown to strengthen the cardiovascular system and tea fills the bill in many other ways for Valentine’s Day. In this edition:

Souvia Teas can be found in more places like The Java Spa in the Sachi Salon and the Water Mart at Camelback and Miller. Ask for Souvia Teas at your favorite haunts – we can deliver anywhere in the country!
The popular Souvia Saturday Forums continue on February 13th at 10am, providing speakers on a variety of general interest topics. They are free and run from 10am-Noon on selected Saturdays. Next up: Greg Peterson on “Creating your own Urban Farm”
See below for tea pairing, teas that are arriving and teas that are going away

Tea and Chocolate

Can you imagine a chocolate chip cookie without a glass of milk, a peanut butter sandwich without jelly, vanilla ice cream without hot fudge? There are certain food combinations that take the taste from just good to simply delicious!

Wine, for example, is often paired with foods and desserts to enhance the flavor in both. Tea shares many of wine’s complexities and pairing it with food can enhance the taste experience of both. Since February highlights chocolates and sweets as the perfect gift for your Valentine, why not take it to the next level and create tea and chocolate pairings for that romantic Valentine’s dinner that will surprise and delight?

One way to look at tea and chocolate is as friends, where similarity in characteristics enhance the flavor, or as lovers, where contrasting characteristics will complement each other through their differences. Since tea and chocolate share the same flavor profiles, floral qualities and bite from astringency and tannin, they practically invite you to create fun and tasty combinations. While you should always trust your taste buds to find the right combinations, there are some general guidelines that might help you get started.

White teas have a very delicate flavor and pair well with mild chocolates and fruit. Try a Silver Needle or Bai Mu Tan with chocolate covered strawberries or a white chocolate cheese cake.
Green teas have vegetal flavors and aromas and pair well with creamier tastes such as berry flavors and milk chocolate. A Japanese Sencha with its savory profile, for example, is a good match for white or milk chocolate.
Oolongs are partially oxidized teas, are very complex in flavor. The lightly oxidized, greener oolongs go well with rich sweet desserts like caramel filled pralines, milk or dark chocolate, while the more oxidized oolongs complement the stronger flavors of dark chocolate.
Black Teas tend to have a stronger flavor, more body and their tannin content matches up well with rich and full flavored dark chocolate, maybe with a hint of berries, citrus or nuts.

We like rich and creamy desserts and, therefore, choose for a perfect Valentine’s dessert would be a Ti Kuan Yin Oolong from China with its slightly toasted notes and a slice of creamy chocolate caramel cake.

If you are interested in learning more about this topic and would like to sample some creations, sign up for our “Tea and Dessert Pairing” class on Sunday, March 7^th from 2 until 4 PM.

Lots going on at the store…

Lots happening over the next month or so

Souvia Saturday forums started last month. These are presentations of general interest to the community. No registration necessary, just stop in and learn something new. Got an idea for a topic or speaker? Send us a note
New teas are on the shelves: Fog Tea, Lomi Lomi, Sencha Kombucha, and Taiping Monkey King – check them out!
The New Class Schedule is posted for the first half of 2010. Next up Herbals for Detox, Tea and Dessert Pairing and Tea 101
Tea Tuesdays at the Kerr Cultural Center – Music sponsored by Souvia, so there is no charge for refreshments or the programs! March 9th – “Viola Studio, Students of Nancy Buck”
The Chinese New Year starts in February and it is the “Year of the Tiger” – We have an instore drawing for a boxed set of some of the top teas from China
New arrivals in March – Licorice Root and White Cherry
Leaving us soon – Pumpkin Pie, Nutcracker Suite, Assam Mangalam, Snow Buds Special, Spring Green, Cupids Arrow, Gingerbread House, Ginseng Oolong

Thanks for Reading

Win a Souvia T-shirt for answering the following question – Name two herbals that are good for your heart. Send your answers to info@souvia.com. I will draw 4 winners this month…

We hope to see you in the store or online soon. If you can’t get in remember we ship same day and your tea will arrive quickly!

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Souvia Tea on the Radio – Topic? Tea myths

wbwingert — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:05:41 +0000

Souvia is going to be on the radio as a guest of Pete Peters and Deborah Brown.

The show is The Boomer and the Babe Show and it airs every Monday – Friday at 11AM on KXXT, 1010 AM in the Phoenix market.

we will talk about things you think you know about tea – but don’t! “There are a lot of myths about tea, caffeine, cultures, and more” says Bret Wingert, Co-owner and Founder of Souvia Tea.

You can also listen or watch the show live or recorded on www.boomerandthebabe.com. The link to the video of the show will be on the home page on the upper right.

If you would like to join me at the show, they have seating available for about 20 people. The Boomer and The Babe Show is broadcast from the We Are Family Thrift Store at 107^th Ave and Peoria in Sun City, Arizona.

We hope you’ll enjoy the show

We will be on the show Tuesday 2-2-10 at 11am MST

Souvia Saturday Forum: January 30th

wbwingert — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:23:35 +0000

January 30th – 10:00 am
- Delta Payet
– Owner of “Delta in Skin”
“ Have you ever wondered what Microdermiabrasion feels like?”
- find out how this treatment works
– find out how to treat and reverse sun damaged skin

“Also Known as the “Lunch Time Peel” This treatment is for the wrinkles, sun-damage, acne/acne scars, too much oil, too little oil, stretch marks, pore size, the bumps on the back of the arms to unwanted pigmentation and yes, even those ingrowns. How it works: A closed loop system utilizes both highly regulated suction and pressure that moves inert abrasive crystals over the surface of the skin. This action causes no pain while it removes the outer layer of the skin.”

Tea as a Guilt-Free Dessert

wbwingert — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:07:04 +0000

Kerstin just finished making a ton of great cookies and sweets for Christmas. I absolutely love German goodies and look forward to them every year. I really enjoy something a little sweet after dinner. While my kids can eat sweets without any outward signs, I have to spend more time hiking the mountains or on the treadmill to counteract the effects. Fortunately, there are some alternatives that satisfy but don’t pile on the calories. Teas and Herbals can provide the sweet treat without the guilt – Teas like Pumpkin Pie, Tiramasu Marscapone and Gingerbread House are examples of very low calorie teas that even when not sweetened, curb the cravings.

Kerstin was recently on Sonoran Living Live here in Phoenix to talk about this and even gave a recipe for a Chai Latte that has less than a quarter of the Big Chain’s calories with no compomise in flavor.

While I plan to occasionally indulge with the home baked goodies, it is nice to have a alternative for days when I don’t have the time to work it off.

Have a great Holiday time whatever your tradition!

Some new articles on Tea and Health

wbwingert — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:37:06 +0000

The world of tea and health is dynamic and new information is always emerging. Here are a couple of recent articles

- Tea and Breast Cancer - The Examiner

- 12 signs you’ll live longer - Prevention.com

The news is consistently good and the even better tea tastes great. it is a win-win!