Category: Health Benefits

Posted on

Live Longer: Drink Tea

live longer drink tea

The number of people living into the triple digits (Centenarians) has increased 51% from 1990 to 2000, due in part to advances in health, education, and disease prevention and treatment. The average life expectancy has increased by a whopping 30 years during the 20th century — the greatest gain in 5000 years of human history.

Research suggests that drinking freshly brewed loose leaf tea, whether green, black, or oolong, provides many health benefits from phytonutrient antioxidants. Scientists have identified high levels of catechin flavonoids in both green and black tea. These catechin flavonoids have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects. Green tea, in particular, contains the catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which may be the basis of green tea health benefits.

Tips to help increase your health and longevity:

  • consume at least 3 cups of tea daily (green, black or oolong) to help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke
  • 10 cups of tea per day has a significant link in primary cancer protection, including lung, mouth, skin, stomach, colon, prostate, bladder, and pancreas
  • 10 cups of green tea daily lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and raises “good” HDL cholesterol
  • increase your metabolism by four to five percent and fat oxidation by 10 to 16 percent by drinking green tea
  • drink fresh brewed hot or iced tea only; bottled iced teas and iced tea mixes are low in antioxidants and loaded with sugar

Your daily habits may seem unimportant now, but they can influence how long and how well you will live. You only need one or two cups of freshly brewed tea daily to start on the road to becoming a member of the Centenarian club.

Posted on

Top 3 Reasons to Drink Tea for Your Health

heres to health drink tea

The Tea Advisory Panel, a group of scientists, doctors and nutritionists who study the health benefits of tea advise that consuming four cups of tea a day, whether green or black tea, can go a long way toward improving your health.

Tea is Loaded with Healthy Compounds

  1. Polyphenols found in tea are antimicrobial, meaning they reduce the effect of colds, flu and infections. As far back as the 1800’s tea was recommended to treat styes, and tea was prescribed to soldiers during the 1900’s to treat typhoid.
  2. Catechins (a form of antioxidant) found in tea are antibacterial, and have been found to remain in the mouth up to one hour after rinsing, helping to inhibit bacterial growth in the mouth for improved oral health. The catechins in green tea especially, may help to stop the absorption of fats and sugars in the body, and can help boost your metabolism. Drinking tea without milk and sugar provides a delicious zero-calorie beverage when watching your weight.
  3. L-theanine, an amino acid, works in conjunction with the caffeine in tea to calm you, and improve your mood and mental function at the same time. Tea improves your concentration, mental alertness and brain function.

With such an endless choice in the variety and flavor of tea available today, everyone can enjoy the healthy benefits of drinking tea.

Posted on

Iced Matcha Latte Recipe

Iced matcha latte

Iced tea season is somehow coming to an end, even though it’s still hovering around 100 degrees in Tea Phactory’s little corner of the world. There is however one iced tea drink that never goes out of season, the iced matcha latte. It’s perfect spring, summer, and fall.

You’re probably familiar with this little gem, available at your favorite coffee house. Did you know it’s super easy to make at home? So why are you standing in long lines and paying a ridiculous price? A regular size can run about $4, want a bigger one and it’s close to $5. You can make it yourself, avoid the hassle and crowds of the coffee house, all for around 90 cents.

Our delicious recipe is not only low cost, but also low calorie. Not to mention it’s organic as well as gluten and dairy free.
Iced Matcha Latte

Iced Matcha Latte Recipe

5 mins
Serves 1

Ingredients:

Equipment:

  • Sifter
  • Matcha whisk
  • Matcha bowl

Instructions:

  1. Sift 2 tsps matcha powder into a matcha bowl.
  2. Heat fresh cold water to a boil and let cool to 175°F (about 2-3 minutes).
  3. Whisk 4 tbs water into the matcha powder until a fine foam forms on the surface.
  4. Combine matcha, vanilla syrup, and almond milk in a mason jar with a lid. Shake vigorously. Pour over ice.

If you’re in a hurry, and not worried about the perfect smoothness of the matcha, just put all the ingredients in the jar and shake before pouring over ice.
You’ll be glad you learned how to make this one yourself. It’s healthy and delicious enough to be an everyday treat especially when it doesn’t break the bank.

Posted on

Yerba Mate Double Berry Booster

Yerba Mate Double Berry Booster

We understand, it’s early spring and the last of the winter doldrums are still lingering. You’ve lost enthusiasm for your New Year’s resolution to get healthy but you realize swim suit season is still right around the corner. You need something to boost your metabolism and your spirits. We have just the thing.

Enjoy Tea Phactory’s Yerba Maté Double Berry Booster which starts off with yerba maté, well known for providing a smooth increase in energy, and combines it with the metabolism-enhancing punch of goji and maqui berries.

This powerful brew, with delicious berry notes, is made slightly sweet with the addition of stevia. We recommend enjoying at least two cups a day to get the full energy enhancing and metabolism boosting benefits. Replace your morning coffee or tea routine to get your day started right and repeat the ritual in the afternoon for the perfect pick-me-up.

Yerba Maté Double Berry Booster Recipe:

15 mins
Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 2tsp Yerba Maté
  • 1tsp Stevia leaf
  • 1tbsp Dried goji berries
  • 1tsp Maqui berry powder

Heat 16oz fresh, cold water to a boil then cool to 160°F. Place yerba mate, stevia leaf, dried goji berries, and maqui berry powder into infuser basket. Steep 5 minutes, strain.

Tip: Take care not to use boiling water and always remove leaves from water to prevent the brew from becoming bitter.

yerba-mate

Tea Phactory’s high quality Yerba Maté is made from the dried leaves of the evergreen holly Ilex paraguariensis. It offers the health benefits of tea while providing the kick of coffee without the irritating jitters. It boasts a clean, calm energy and promotes a state of alertness.

goji-berries

Maqui berries are small, dark purple berries grown on evergreen shrubs in southern Chile’s Patagonia region. This ancient, antioxidant-filled berry was used for centuries by Mapuche Indian warriors to improve strength and stamina. The slightly tart flavor offers hints of blackberry and pomegranate.

Posted on

What is Matcha?

What is matcha

Matcha is a powdered green tea that was brought to Japan from China by Zen Monks around the seventh century. Buddhist monks used matcha for their Japanese tea ceremony, Cha No Yu, which the people of Japan still perform daily. Harmony, respect, purity, and serenity define the principles of the Cha No Yu.

Matcha is derived by grinding green tea leaves in a stone mill to form a fine powder. Powerful and concentrated, Matcha is rich in vitamin C. Somewhat bitter, with a slight aftertaste of spinach, Matcha is traditionally served with something sweet just prior to drinking the tea.

Brewing Matcha Tea

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon matcha powder
  • 8 oz of water, heated to 175°

Directions:

  1. place matcha powder in bowl
  2. pour in warm water
  3. whisk slowly, at first, and then faster, in a ‘W’ formation until tea is frothy (about 1 minute)

I like to drink Matcha in the early afternoon as a quick all-natural energy boost.

Posted on

Stevia – Nature’s Sweet Herb

Stevia Natural Sweetener

Are you looking for a natural, calorie-free way to sweeten your tea without the use of sugar and its empty calories? Give Stevia leaf a try. You can add a pinch of natural stevia leaf to all loose leaf teas and herbals as they steep to enhance their flavor. Stevia is especially effective in eliminating the astringency of some black and green teas. I also enjoy stevia brewed on its own as a sweet, zero-calorie tea.

The herb Stevia rebaudiana is a member of the sunflower family and has been used as a natural sweetener for hundreds of years in South America.

Stevia is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement and is available in two forms:

  1. Natural whole leaf, dried or powdered, is about 10-30 times sweeter than sugar.
  2. Pure stevioside extracts in white powder or clear liquid form that are 200-300 times sweeter than sugar.

I prefer to use the whole leaf stevia to sweeten my tea.

What you Need to Know About Stevia:

  • Stevia has been tested extensively for safety with no known toxicity associated with stevia herb.
  • Glycoside molecules in stevia produce a sweet taste that adds 0 calories and no carbohydrates, making it a great alternative to those who cannot tolerate sugar or other sweeteners.
  • Stevia is stable when heated, making it suitable to use in recipes.
  • Stevia sweetens and enhances the flavor of other foods.
  • Stevia accounts for 40% of the commercial sweetener market in Japan, sweetening products such as chewing gum, candy, soft drinks and juices, baked goods and other low-calorie foods.

Health benefits of Stevia:

  • Stevia is sold in some South American countries as an aid to diabetes and hypoglycemia.
  • Stevia has been traditionally used to lower blood pressure, relieve nausea, aid in digestion and to reduce obesity.
  • Stevia increases energy levels and mental focus.
  • Stevia herb, used as a mouthrinse or added to toothpaste, has been shown to inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay for better dental health.
  • Stevia concentrate may be applied directly to blemishes, acne, or lip and mouth sores, and is also effective for dermatitis and eczema.

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sources: The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine by Brigitte Mars, A.H.G. Stevia, naturally sweet recipes for desserts, drinks and more! by Rita DePuydt

Posted on

Why Water Quality Matters when Brewing Tea

Water Quality Matters Brewing Tea

Fine tea and good quality water are the only ingredients you need to make a delicious cup of tea. Using the best water available to you whenever possible will brew a flavorful cup and improve the pleasure you experience drinking your favorite teas.

The ideal water will taste fresh and lively with no aftertaste. Taste your water at room temperature, it shouldn’t taste salty, bitter or acidic. The minerals in hard water will make water taste chalky or metallic. Chlorine gives water a slightly acidic taste, and over-carbonation can make water taste dirty.

Appearance and odor are also good indicators of water quality. Check for clarity or cloudiness by swirling a small amount of water in a clear glass. Simply smelling the water just above the water line you should not detect sulfur, plastic or chemicals.

The best choices of water for brewing a great cup of tea are:

  • Fresh spring water – the high oxygen content brews a brisk cup of tea, making spring water the optimum choice, if available.
  • Filtered water – many moderately priced carbon filters are available on the market, including water pitchers and filters that attach directly to your faucet.
  • Bottled water – the FDA requires labels designating the source of the water, for example, spring, glacial, or artesian water. Choose carefully, as some bottled water contains salts and other minerals that can spoil the flavor of the tea.

Make good-tasting, high quality water a priority when brewing your tea and you will notice the difference.

Posted on

Rejuvenate Your Mind and Body with Yerba Mate

Rejuvenate Mind Body Yerba Mate

When I want something to start my morning or pick me up during the day, I brew a cup of Yerba Maté. It gives me a calm boost of energy without making me feel jittery or over-caffeinated.

Yerba Maté is not a true tea, but an herbal made from the cut leaves and twigs of the South American holly tree Ilex paraguariensis. The people of South America have used Yerba Maté as a social beverage for hundreds of years, usually served in a gourd and sipped with a metal straw or bombilla, which strains the tea from the herb.

Brewed Yerba Maté is smooth with a sweet grassy flavor, similar to some varieties of green tea. It’s especially tasty with a slice of lemon and makes a delicious iced beverage.

According to Brigette Mars, A.H.G., an herbalist and nutritional consultant, Yerba Maté has some remarkable health benefits. In her book, Healing Herbal Teas, A Complete Guide to Making Delicious, Healthful Beverages, she states that Yerba Maté:

  • stimulates the mind, respiratory system, and the nervous system
  • is often used to improve memory and concentration
  • won’t interfere with sleep
  • cleanses the blood
  • decreases the appetite
  • boosts energy, and more

As always, check with your doctor before using any herbal product.

Posted on

Five Health Benefits of Rooibos

Rooibos has been receiving a lot of attention in the tea world recently, and rightly so. Rooibos is a naturally sweet, caffeine free herbal tea safe for anyone to consume, from infants to the elderly. The people of South Africa have been drinking Rooibos tea for centuries.

Red Rooibos

Rooibos, or “Red Bush”, derives its name from the color of the leaves after the oxidation process, which turns the leaves red. Rooibos brews up a deep copper-red tea that is also known simply as “Red Tea”.

Green Rooibos

Green Rooibos, the unprocessed leaves, has the same health properties as “Red Tea”, with some of the benefits increased by as much as 30 to 40 times.

5 Things You Should Know About Rooibos:

  1. Rooibos contains over 40 polyphenol compounds that exhibit antioxidant effects.
  2. Rooibos is rich in vitamin C, and minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, and zinc.
  3. Rooibos contains a compound called Superoxide Dismutase, which has been known to boost the immune system.
  4. Rooibos contains a natural substance called Quercetin, an antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory properties that may help those suffering from seasonal allergies.
  5. Rooibos tea maintains the balance of sodium and potassium mineral salts in the body after exercise.

Rooibos is a very versatile herbal tea. You can:

  • serve Rooibos tea hot or cold
  • refrigerate and reheat it without a change in flavor or appearance
  • steep it for long periods of time without bitterness due to the low tannin content
  • flavor it with lemon or milk, or add cooled Rooibos tea to fruit juices and smoothies.

I use Green Rooibos tea in Splendiferous Rooibos popsicles, a healthy sugar-free popsicle that I enjoy making for my nieces and nephews.

Posted on

Raspberry Rush Yogurt Pops Recipe

Raspberry Rush Yogurt Pops Recipe

There is nothing better than homemade popsicles when summer weather hits! Making popsicles at home saves money and allows you to be creative and use healthy ingredients like tea, yogurt and fruit.

Kids enjoy helping out in the kitchen and eating the fruits of their own labor with this simple recipe for healthy Raspberry Rush Yogurt Pops.

Raspberry Rush Yogurt Pops

Makes about 8-10 popsicles
Takes about 15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 3 T Raspberry Rush Tea
  • 1 C water
  • 1 3 oz package of raspberry flavored gelatin, or flavor of your choice
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup greek-style yogurt

Directions:

  1. Steep Raspberry Rush in 1 cup of hot water for 5 minutes.
  2. Pour tea into blender, add gelatin and blend until well combined.
  3. Blend in banana and yogurt until smooth.
  4. Pour mixture into molds and freeze until hard (overnight is best).

A great bonus of this healthy popsicle recipe is that they are dripless! Make up a bunch and beat the summer heat.