Tea Diva

Total Tea Products

 

January is National Hot Tea month. I was recently contact by Copco, a Wilton Products Company, that designs and manufactures a variety of tea kettles, kitchen products and food preparation tools. They wanted to know if I would be interested in receiving a sample of one of their Total Tea Products to test and review for the Tea Diva blog.

I have a large collection of loose leaf teas, so I'm always looking for innovative products to help me brew my tea into the perfect cup of tea.

Total Tea products

Tea Making Accessories

I received a sample of the Total Tea basket tea infuser and their stainless steel thermal. I really like the stainless steel thermal, it makes a terrific travel mug. It features a twist-to-stop steeping feature incorporated directly into the lid. Simply fill the infuser with loose leaf tea, pour hot water over the tea leaves, let steep, then twist the lid to stop the steeping process.

Total Tea stainless steel thermal travel mug

Top of travel mug removed, showing removable tea infuser

Fill the removable infuser with your favorite loose leaf tea

 

Turn infuser lid to steep, in/out or stop

Suggested Retail Prices

Here's a list of some of the products available in the Total Tea line, along with their suggested retail price.

• Snap open tea infuser - $9.99
• Basket tea infuser - $7.99
• Lily pad tea ball - $6.99
• Twisting stick infuser with lily pad - $8.99
• Soft grip tea thermal - $10.99
• Stainless steel thermal - $14.99

A variety of Total Tea gadgets also available including an infuser ball, tea bag squeeze with stand, a honey/sugar bottle and a stainless steel tea scoop.

Finding Total Tea Products

Total Tea products and accessories can be found at a variety of retail stores including Target, Sears, JC Penney, Kmart, Walmart, Linens & Things and Macy's.

Website: www.copco.com

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA Tea Diva

French Press Coffee

My husband and I are true coffee aficionados. We have a coffee grinder, to grind whole bean coffee, a coffee machine, an espresso machine and a French press pot.

French Press Coffee
When my husband is traveling out of town, on business, I still like to have a cup or two of coffee. I am a freelance writer, and work out of my house, so I usually have a couple of cups of coffee almost everyday. When I'm by myself, I often use our French press coffee pot, instead of the large coffee brewer.

French press coffee, has a smooth and creamy texture, which reminds me of hot chocolate. I tend to put a bit more creamer in French press coffee, then regular brewed coffee, just the way I've gotten used to drinking it I guess.

Christopher Bean Coffee
Although I could use the coffee grinder, to grind up whole bean coffee, I usually use pre-ground coffee with the French press. In addition to being a full-time freelance writer, I am also a sponsored, amateur athlete. Christopher Bean Coffee, based out of Daytona Beach, Florida is one of my sponsors for the 2009 race season. Every quarter, Christopher Bean sends me 6 packages of their delicious, pre-ground coffee.

Making French Press Coffee
To make French press coffee, I fill the electric tea kettle with water and turn it on. While the water is coming up to temperature, I prepare the rest of the items. My French press coffee pot makes 4 small cups of coffee, enough to fill 2 large coffee mugs. I place 4 tablespoons of coffee grinds in the bottom of the French press.

When the water comes to a boil, I turn off the tea kettle, wait for the water to stop boiling, then fill the French press with the hot water. I place the lid on the French press, and let the coffee brew for 4-6 minutes. Then you press down on the lid, which is fitted with a permanent metal filter, until the lid hits the bottom of the pot. Then I pour a tablespoon of flavored coffee creamer in a large coffee mug, and fill the mug with freshly brewed French press coffee.

Additional Brewing Tidbits
Coarsely ground coffee should be used in a French press pot. If you have a coffee grinder, you can use whole bean coffee, and grind it specifically for use in a French press coffee pot. I have a Bodum French press coffee pot, the carafe is made out of glass, while the lid, handle and bottom are made out of red plastic. The plunger/filter is permanently attached to the lid.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Tea Diva

Recipes for Herbal Teas

Teapot Song
I’m a little teapot, short and stout
Here is my handle, here is my spout
When the kettle’s boiling, hear me shout
Tip me over, pour me out.

Herbal Tea Formulas
Here are some formulas for creating tea blends out of your favorite herbs and spices. Use one part of each ingredient listed in the tea recipe you are following. To make a single cup of tea, use 1/2 teaspoon of dried herb leaf for each ingredient listed. You can make these blends in bulk, to have on hand when you are ready to make a cup of tea.

British Herb Tea
This tea makes a caffeine free blend which is similar in taste to traditional black tea. Oswego tea (AKA bee balm or bergamot) was used by Native Americans as a refreshing beverage. Colonial Americans, through their contacts with the various Indian tribes, became aware of this herb and its myriad uses. Oswego tea was one of the many herbal tea substitutes used by the American colonists during the Revolutionary War, which was set off by the events of the Boston Tea Party.

• Sage
• Bergamot
• Lemon balm

Cough and Cold Brew
The anise hyssop adds a natural sweet flavor to this tea. Brew a cup of this tea anytime you are starting to feel a cold come on.

• anise hyssop
• angelica
• cinnamon basil
• catmint

Lemon Drop Tea
This tea tastes terrific served with a bit of honey, and a fresh slice of lemon.

• lemon balm
• lemon basil
• lemon grass
• lemon verbena
• loose green tea leaves

Stress Relief Tea
Take this blend 1/2 hour to an hour before going to bed to help you unwind, relax and get a restful nights sleep.

• chamomile flowers
• lavender flowers
• lemon balm
• catnip

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Tea Diva

Tea Party Recipes

My daughter and I have hosted a number of tea parties at our house over the years. Last year we held a tea party, called the Girl's Club Tea Party, for mom's and their daughters. I used the tea party as a way to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Societies Team in Training program.

 

Lemon ricotta cheesecake

I am always looking for unique and delicious treats to serve at the tea party. These recipes could also be served at bridal showers, breakfast buffets, or even as part of a holiday dessert party.

1. Lemon Poppy Seed Teacakes; Recipe for a Cookie-Like Treat Enhanced with Citrus and Poppy Seeds.
2. Ham and Cheese Quiche; Recipe for a Hearty Egg Custard Pie.
3. Banana Bread and Banana French Toast; Two Recipes for Sweet and Delicious Recipe Dishes.
4. Walnut Chicken Salad with Herb Butter; Delicious Finger Food to Feature at a Tea Party or Bridal Shower.
5. Rosy Jellyroll Cake; Recipe for a Raspberry and Vanilla Cream Filled Dessert.
6. Blueberry Muffin Recipe; A Sweet Treat with a Cinnamon Enhanced Strudel Topping
7. Sage, Lavender and Mint Desserts; Shortcake, Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies and Lavender Custard Recipes.
8. Quick Bread Recipes; Chili Cheese Cornbread, Garlic Herb Bread and Parmesan Cheese Biscuits.
9. Gingersnap Cookie Recipe; How to Create a Soft and Chewy Ginger Flavored Dessert.
10. Orange Thyme Teacake; Recipe for a citrus enhanced dessert.
11. Pumpkin Spice Muffins; Recipe for an easy to prepare, moist and spicy muffin.
12. Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake; Recipe for a creamy citrus and herb enhanced dessert.
13. Quick and Easy Tart and Creamy Lemon Bars; Recipe for a classic lemon dessert.
14. Vanilla Bean Dessert Recipes; Learn how-to make vanilla pudding, vanilla flavored sugar and vanilla infused hot chocolate.

Quiche

Try making one or more of these goodies for your next party.

 

Lemon tea cake

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Cuisine Diva

Drinking Tea Fights Cancer

Fighting Skin Cancer with Tea
Article by Beth Johnston
Owner Teas Etc.

It appears that both oral consumption and topical administration of tea may have beneficial effects when it comes to skin cancer. Various studies found the following results.

A University of Arizona study conducted on participants who drank iced black tea and citrus peel found a 42% reduced risk of skin cancer.

Hot black tea consumption is associated with a significantly lower risk of squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer. The potential protective effects are thought to be influenced by the strength, temperature and amount of time the tea is brewed.

Topical application of green tea prior to UV exposure inhibited DNA damage or UV-induced skin cancer.

Scientist are gaining interest in and funding for further studies on the effects of tea on human health. More human trials are underway and additional studies are on the horizon. Many of the findings highlighted above are preliminary and only begin to scratch the surface of what lies ahead.

Tea leaves, freshly brewed, possess significant levels of some of the most powerful antioxidants mother-nature provides us. Depending on how it is brewed, tea is low in caffeine. Further evidence strongly suggests that tea can ease the effects of tension and stress, a benefit we can all use more of especially as the holiday’s approach. I have yet to find any evidence that drinking tea is harmful, so why wouldn’t you increase your consumption, potentially warding off the damaging effects of living in our world today?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Beth Johnston, a tea importer and noted tea expert, publishes an informative monthly newsletter on tea, tea history, health and lifestyle enhancements. To learn more about the world of tea, join her free newsletter at www.TeasEtc.com/Newsletter.asp or visit www.TeasEtc.com.

REPRINT PERMISSION
This article, including the copyright and “About the Author” section, may be freely reprinted online in its complete and unaltered form provided you send a copy or link of the reprint to us.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TEA
Read Beth’s Tea Blog - www.teasetc.com/blog/beth/

Tea Brewing Methods

Basic Tea Brewing Methods
For each serving of tea you want to make, bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a non-metallic pan. An enameled, non-stick or glass pan works well. Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 teaspoon of dried or 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs to the pan. Let this mixture steep for between 3 and 4 minutes. This shorter infusion time yields a refreshing beverage, letting the mixture steep any longer may result in a bitter tasting beverage.

Place a lid on top of your container while it steeps to prevent it from cooling off too quickly. Strain the herbs from the water and pour the infusion into your favorite mug or tea cup. You could also use a French press, or tea pot with a built in infuser basket when making larger amounts of tea. Just be sure to adjust the amount of herbs you use according to how many cups of tea you are making. Those little tea balls you find in some kitchen gadget stores can also be used to make a single cup of tea.

Making Iced Tea
If you prefer iced tea, double the amount of herbs used. Don’t double the amount of time you steep the herbs, as the tea could end up developing a bitter taste. Use 2 teaspoons of dried or 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs for each cup of water you are using when making iced tea. The extra amount of herbs used allows for dilution by the melting of ice cubes that you have added to your iced tea.

Additions to Your Tea
I’ve never been a fan of adding milk or cream to my tea. A cup of coffee, definitely, but I prefer to serve my tea with a bit of honey and sometimes add a slice of lemon. You may add any of the following ingredients, in moderation, to help enhance the flavor of your herbal tea:

• honey
• white sugar
• sugar cubes
• peppermint candy pieces (kids love this idea)
• brown sugar
• demerara sugar
• lemon slices
• orange slices
• lime slices
• stevia*

*Read the Tea Diva's article: Zero Calorie Stevia Sweeteners on the Suite101 website.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Tea Diva

Tea Folklore Article

Tina Samuels is a Feature Writer for the Suite101 website. She recently wrote an interesting article titled Strange Tea Superstitions; Lore From Far and Away.

Article Summary
Delicious to drink, tea is also privy to many superstitions from everything from the preparation, to the carrying, to the drinking.

Read the full article on the Suite101 website.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Tea Diva