The temperatures here in Phoenix are still pleasant, but the inevitable summer heat is just right around the corner. Many of my tea-loving customers have already  switched to the cooler version of tea and drink it iced!

The creation of  iced tea had its beginning at the World Fair in St. Louis, MO  in 1904 where trade exhibitors from around the world clebrated the 101st  anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. Richard Blechynden, one of those exhibitors  was an Englishman who owned a tea plantation in Sri Lanka.  He wanted to give away free hot tea samples to promote his product. Unfortunate for him, a heat wave rolled in and nobody wanted his hot tea, but was looking for something more refreshing.  Since ice was another featured item at the fair, Blechyndon took the opportunity and poured his tea over bits of ice and served the “new” drink to the thirsty visitors. Iced tea gained in popularity and today about 80% of the tea consumed in the U.S. is iced tea.

Making iced tea from loose tea leaves is simpler than ever and may even have higher levels of antioxidants than bottled teas (a recent UCLA study found “no measurable catechins (an antioxidant) content at all” in two popular mass market bottled iced teas).   In addition, when you make the tea you control the sweetness and the freshness.

To make ice tea from loose tea, all you need is a pitcher, tea filters (“t-sac”),  and of course a good tea.   There are two methods to make iced tea: the hot method and the cold method.  In both recipes you’ll need 1 teaspoon (about 2 grams) of loose tea for every 6 ounces of water.  To make 2 quarts you will need just over 10 teaspoons of tea.

Cold brewing method– using room temperature water in a pitcher or similar container, add the right amount of your selected tea.  Fill the container with water and allow to steep 2-8 hours (overnight works fine).  Cold brewing is easy and makes for a very nice smooth taste

Hot Brewing method – bring water to the temperature appropriate for the tea you have selected (boiling is fine for black and Rooibos but allow the water to cool 1 minute for green tea brews).  Steep as appropriate for the respective tea varietal.  Remove the leaves promptly and allow to cool and serve over ice.

Many teas and herbals are great iced. Nilgiri from India is one of the best iced black teas if you are a purist and Rooibos (caffeine free) is rich in minerals and therefore a great way to replenish electrolytes. Rooibos is also very low in tannin which gives it a smooth flavor that especially children like. To add a little variety, try some of our special summer flavors like “Lemon Soufflé, Banana Split, or Razzleberry!

Regardless which tea, tools and technique you choose, preparing your own iced tea has never been easier.  More and more studies indicate that tea is a healthy drink and iced tea is a great way to enjoy tea.

During April , National Stress Awareness Month,  we are promoting herbs that can help our body to better handle and adapt to the stressors in our lives.

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus),  also known as Siberian Ginseng falls into the category of tonic herbs that balance physiological functins and positively influence health and well-being.

Eleuthero is a tall spiny shrub from the ginseng family. The bulk herb is used to make tea and tinctures.

When should you take Eleuthero? If you feel tired, run-down or are going through major changes in your life – if you are under stress or if you would like to improve your athletic performance – Eleuthero is your herb!

Eleuthero is an herbal remedy that belongs to a group of herbs called “Adaptogens”.  These tonic herbs help the body adapt to stress and changes in your life. Eleuthero has been seriously studied in Russia since the 1970s and was given to their athletes for better performance in competitions. It has been shown to

• give you more energy
•  strengthen your immune system
• improve alertness and cognitive function
• act as a nervine positively affecting sleep and hyperactiviy

Eleuthero is perfect for the stressed-out typ “A” personalities who work long hours, don’t get enough sleep and eat a less than healthy diet. It may help you overcome jet lag faster and balance your adrenal glands to avoid burn-out!

Dosage and Preparation:

Tincture:

The best thing is that herbs like Eleuthero are considered safe and can (should) be taken over extended periods of time.

As wit all medicines, herbal or not, always check with your doctor first before starting a new regimen.

A research study conducted at Boston University found that two cups of tea per day may help boost a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant. Compared to the control group who did not drink any tea, women in the experimental group proofed to be 27% more likely to become pregnant when drinking tea regularly.

The same study found that consuming two sodas daily seems to reduce a woman’s prospect of becoming pregnant by 20%. There was no difference between sodas containing sugar and sugar-free versions.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk/health

Living in the desert is tough on your skin. With little humidity in the air, we have to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate……inside and outside. Drinking plenty of water helps you stay hydrated and keeps your skin nourished.

For the occasional boost, however, you can take advantage of mother nature’s abundant healing herbs and sooth that dry and flaky skin with a toner this toner that truly calms and soothes dry,chapped or even sunburned skin. It is so easy and inexpensive to make – and it really works!

Take 4 tsp of lemon balm and 6 tsp chamomile flowers.

Add these to 2 cups of boiling water, remove from heat and let the herbals steep until the water has cooled off. Strain the herbs and pour the liquid through a clean container.

Apply the toner to your skin with a clean cotton pad, or fill the toner into a spray bottle and carry it conveniently in your purse to use it whenever you need to.

It’s as simple as that -  try it yourself!

According to scientific research, green tea can help fight bad breath! A study conducted at the Institute of Technology in Israel found that antioxidants in tea destroy a number of compounds in the mouth that can lead to bad breath, tooth decay and mouth cancer. The study, published in the journal Archives of Oral Biology, examined particularly the properties of the antioxidant called “epigallocatechin 3 gallate” (EGCG).

Oral cavity, oxidative stress and inflammation consequent to cigarettes’ deleterious compounds may also be reduced in the presence of the antioxidants found in green tea.

While more studies to substantiate these findings are necessary, scientists agree that there is an increasing interest in finding out how green tea benefits oral health.

Maca  (Lepidium meyenii) is an herb native to the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia. Even though it is not part of the ginseng family, it is often called “Peruvian Ginseng” for its similar benefits. The fleshy tap root  is very nutritious and used as a root vegetable.

Medicinally, maca root is pulverized and used as a powder to increase stamina, promote hormonal balance and to  provide relief from menopausal symptoms. Maca root is also said to boost libido and sexual performance and to enhance fertility in both men and women.

Experience the rejuvenating effect of Maca in our  Warrior Hot Chocolate!

You will need:  2 tbsp Cocoa Powder

2 tbsp Maca Powder

8 oz. milk (regular, almond, soy, etc.)

8 oz brewed yerba mate tea

1bsp. sweetener

Mix all ingredients in a blender, then transfer to a small pot. Gently heat until warm, but do not boil.

Pour and enjoy!  Alternatively, you can also enjoy this drink over ice

Cheers

What sounds like the title of a suspense novel, is the story about the beginnings of a tea which can be considered one of the most popular among traditional black teas.

While there are numerous opinions about when and how this tea blend was created, they all center on a political figure of the 18^th century – Earl Grey.  Earl Grey, the person, was born Charles Grey II in England in 1764. He spent most of his life in politics and in 1830, became Prime Minister of Britain. The Earl was very passionate about human rights and used his position to not only abolish slavery in the British Empire, but to also reform the child labor laws. These are the facts recorded in history books, however, what is a little bit more obscure and not so easily agreed upon, is how a very popular tea came to be named after this famous gentleman.

One of the versions I read tells that during his political career, the Earl was very taken with a diplomatic gift he received – a chest of flavored black tea. He liked the tea so much that he asked British tea merchant Richard Twining to match the flavor of this mysterious tea. Twining created a blend of Indian and Ceylon black tea and added a bit of smoky Chinese Lapsang Souchong. He also used a special and rare ingredient which lent this tea its unique citrus fragrance and flavor. Since Twining blended the tea especially for the Earl, it was only fitting to name it after him – Earl Grey!

The secret of Earl Grey – the tea that is, – lies in this special ingredient, the oil of bergamot fruit (Citrus bergamia risso). As secret as the ingredient, as secret is the place where we find bergamot. It is in San Gregorio, a tiny village in the province of Reggio Calabria, the southernmost part of the Italian boot where bergamot grows in luscious orchards that supply 95% of the world’s bergamot – this inedible fruit that gives Earl Grey its unique character and citrus flavor.

While it is unclear how the fruit ended up in Italy, San Gregorio is the only place where bergamot is successfully grown on a larger scale.

The fruit weighs about 3.5 ounces and is harvested in early spring.  In the early days, the essence was extracted by squeezing the rind manually and collecting the liquid onto natural sea sponges that were wrung into bottles. This slow and messy work was later replaced by the macchina Calabrese, a wooden grinding wheel with a box to collect the essence. It takes 100 pounds of fruit to make one pound of essence, making bergamot an expensive flavoring agent.

While there are less expensive, synthetically created essences that resemble the flavor of bergamot, the purest and finest bergamot essence can only be found in Calabria and a powerful agricultural consortium, the Consortia Del Bergamotto is responsible for overseeing its production and for making decisions which affect the global tea industry.

The next time you purchase Earl Grey, let your tea purveyor lift the secret of its secret ingredient and make sure you get to enjoy a cup of true bergamot scented tea!

As for the equally well known “Lady Grey” black tea blend, which by the way is only blended and sold by Twining, it is named after Mary Elizabeth Grey, wife of Charles II.

People used to say that Earl Grey was too strong for the delicate female constitution and could cause rather strange impulses. Therefore, Lady Grey was blended to suit the female palette better and to ease women’s minds and hearts. Next to the traditional bergamot essence, the flavor of Lady Grey is softened by the addition of flower and fruit essences.

Whether you prefer Earl or Lady Grey, make sure you are enjoying the true secret of the oil of bergamot in your cup.

Cheers!

Yesterday morning, I woke up feeling achy and feverish – your typical flu symptoms. Knowing that time is of the essence, I immediately took 40 drops of Echinacia tincture every three hours. Echinaecia is an immune system stimulant and if taken immediately at the onset of a cold/flu, can prevent a full blown break out.  Fortunately, I had just made a fresh batch of Echinacea tincture and Elderberry Syrup, the latter helps break up congestion and prevents viruses and bacteria from setteling in your chest. Combined with rest and vitamin-rich food, I was back on my feet today. Mother Nature came to the rescue!

Instead of buying expensive herbal extracts/tinctures, you can easily make these at home. For the Echinacea tincture, you need the following:

-          Dried Echinacea (Echinacea Pururea, Echinacea Angustofolia) cut and sifted

-          A clean glass jar (mason jar )

-          Solvent of choice (grain alcohol such as Vodka, glycerin)

-          Funnel, Labels, small tincture bottles

Preparation:

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.

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

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

Your Echinacea tincture will keep for 3 years!

Dont know where to get the herb Echinacea?  Try us at Souvia – we just got certified organic, cut and sifted Echinacea Angustofolia in!

Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too!  Just add a little matcha to the mix and you can can calm your guilt ridden concious that it is okay to have another piece of this delicious shortbread – afterall – while your are indulging your sweet tooth, you are also getting a boost of green tea antioxidants.

I give these Matcha shortbread cookies a thumbs up!

Ingredients:

2 cups of cake flour

3/4 cup plus 1 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp matcha

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

1/3 cup sugar

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and alt until blended.

Beat the butter at medium speed  until creamy and then slowly add in the granulated sugar. Set mixer to low speed and add flour mixture  and matcha in several steps until it forms a soft dough. Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and chill.

Preheat oven to 350F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or leave ungreased.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to a 3/4 inch-thick slab, about 5 by 8 inches. Transfer to baking sheet and bake until lightly golden and firm tot he touch – about 40 minutes.

Slip the parchment with the shortbread onto a hard surface immediately sprinkle the shortbread with sugar. While still warm, cut the  shortbread into  1 1/2 -inch  pieces.

Makes about 2 dozen  1 1/2 inch squares.

Not only does the shortbread taste delicious, the matcha also gives it a very festive green color!

Happy baking….and save some for Santa!