V&Z Tea Company Newsletter

September 2007 

The Company- V & Z Tea Company

My hope is to bring my customers something of quality, such as fine tea within a beautiful package that will add comfort and peace to your day. These teas are looseleaf and imported from exotic locations where acres and acres of tea gardens grow. Teas are delicious and soothing to your body and spirit and are healthy for you.

There are many  health benefits of teas, and they are being drank now more than ever for these benefits.” Read about the benefits in "Tea Health." Tea is full of antioxidants, why not start sipping your tea today? You will find a variety of teas for your pleasure and a few tea accessories for you leisure. If you enjoy drinking tea, you will be able to find a tea that fits your fancy, and maybe a teapot from which to steep your fine brew. If you haven't drank tea as a part of your everyday experience, it's never to late to start!

Tea is drank in the west due to the influence of the East. China and India are among two of the biggest tea growers. The wonderful tea plant, Camellia Sinensis, grows in thousands of acres of tea gardens or estates, is picked by hand and then produced to bring you black and green teas. For centuries, the famous tea rituals have been a part of each day. Tea is drank as a custom for wellness of body, mind and spirit, and is now exported from these countries, and appreciated the world over as a loved and needed beverage next to water. I appreciate these fine lands of exotic and beautiful teas, and urge you as well, to continue to explore teas and tea customs. There are great possibilities in the world of teas!

Antioxidants are found in both black and green teas, which include flavanoids. Flavanoids help with heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing stroke by approximately 12%. They also are found, according to studies, to reduce bad cholesterol or “LDL” cholesterol, reduce the risk of blood clots and hardening of the arteries. Also according to studies, at least three cups of black or green tea should be consumed per day for the best protection of heart health.

Getting to know your tea History:

History of Tea Part 1  Tea comes from the plant “Camellia sinensis.” Tea is made from one type of leaf or a blend of leaves. Black tea and green tea both come from the Camellia Sinensis. Red Tea is originally from is caffeine free and also has some antioxidant properties. Herbal tea comes from roots and berries and is called a “Tisane.” Herbal Tea is not considered a true tea however, and does not have the antioxidants that black, green, oolong and red teas have. Tea comes from originally and is picked now all over the world, such as , South China , , , , and other countries.  The T’ang Dynasty was in 618-906 AD, and during this time Taoist and Buddhist monks used tea for spiritual reasons. The origin of tea can also be found in the “cha ching” wrote by Lu Yu. “The Jade Queen” was also a name for tea and symbolized the mysteries of the universe. People of this time would drink teas made of things such as orange blossoms, onions, peppermint and lotus. Tea, however, was prepared in which to experience peace and serenity, and to drink and meditate with. During the Sung Dynasty of 960-1279 tea bricks were thrown away while the tea leaves were ground into a fine powder to make a whipped frothy tea. The cups used were wide brimmed and were brown, blue, and purple in color. During the Ming Dynasty of 1358-1644 the west was introduced to tea. Tea cups used were white in order to enhance the color of the tea.     The Samovar discovered tea in 1638. The ambassador Vessily Starkor delivered 140 lbs of tea to the Czar Mikhail Fedorovich. Tea was at court, an instant success, but still took an additional 200 years to become a common drink. The Czar Alexander traveled to Paris in 1814 with a large supply of tea. He introduced the French to tea from , which is in fact a Russian black tea with a smoked flavor.  By the mid 19th century, tea became popular and was taken to remote villages. The Samovar came from and was made of bronze or copper and gold or porcelain. The Samovar holds water and keeps the water hot for many hours at a time, which was heated by charcoal. “Tscheinik” is a form of concentrated tea and fills a small teapot placed at the top of the Samovar. There is a small spout at the bottom of the Samovar in which to pour the hot water directly into teas and glasses. Today, the Trans Siberian railroad provides a Samovar to travelers who bring their own tea on their travels.