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All Types Of Chinese Teas Explained

Posted by admin in Health Drink on Jan 21st, 2010 | 0 comments

Probably you are familiar with the Chinese saying, “Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea are the seven necessities to begin a day.” Though tea is last on the list, we can still see how important the tea is for the Chinese.

There are actually thousand of Chinese tea varieties. These are usually classified by procedure, quality, and preparation methods and so on. However, if we will consider tea in terms of quality, there are actually eight classes of Chinese tea. These include green tea, oolong, black, red, white, yellow, flower, and compressed tea.

Now, let’s take a look at these classes one by one.

Green Tea

Green tea is said to be the most natural type of Chinese tea. It is usually picked, naturally dried and fried briefly to get rid of its grassy smell. Unlike the other types, green tea skipped fermentation process.

According to some experts, green tea has the most medicinal value and the least caffeine content of all Chinese tea classes. The aroma of this type of Chinese type range from medium to high, while the flavor is usually light to medium. Today, about 50% of China’s tea is green tea.

Oolong Tea

This type of Chinese tea is halfway between green tea and black tea in a sense that it is half fermented. Chinese also call it “Qing Cha” and its typical leaves are green in the middle and red on the edges as a result of the process to soften tea leaves.

Oolong tea leaves are basically withered and spread before undergoing a brief fermentation process. Then, it is fried, rolled and roasted.

Black Tea

The Chinese black tea produces full-bodied amber when brewed. Also, this type of Chinese tea undergoes withering, then left to ferment for a long while, and then roasted. The leaves of this variety become completely oxidized after processing.

Red Tea

As the name implies, this type of Chinese tea has red leaves and red tea color. This color is strongly highlighted during the fermentation process. It is also considered that red tea has low aroma and medium flavor and it is now divided into three subclasses: Kung Fu Red Tea, Ted Tea Bits, and Small Species Red Tea.

White Tea

This type of Chinese tea is sometimes considered as subclass of green tea. Perhaps it is for the fact that it is only withered and then roasted. Just like green tea, white tea escaped fermentation process. And, it has low caffeine content.

Yellow Tea

Apparently, yellow tea has yellow leaves and yellow tea color. According to some experts, this type of Chinese tea is an uncommon class of Chinese tea. The flavor of yellow tea is usually mild and refreshing.

Flower Tea

Here is a unique type of Chinese tea – the Flower tea.  It actually subdivides into Flower Tea and Scented Tea. Well, the Flower Tea is just based on a simple concept that dried flowers are used, without much processing, to make tea.  The Scented Tea, on the other hand, uses green tea and red tea as base and mix with scent of flowers.  Generally, this class has light to medium flavor and medium to strong aroma.

Compressed Tea

The final type of Chinese tea is the compressed tea. This class uses black tea as base tea. It is steamed and compressed into bricks, cakes, columns, and other shapes. Also, compressed tea has all the characteristics of black tea. It can be stored for years and decades.

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Your Health and Your Protein Shake

Posted by admin in Health Drink on Jan 9th, 2010 | 0 comments

Protein drinks are drinks with high protein content. They are made by adding a protein source to fluids. There are also protein powders available in drug stores and groceries. They are considered food and nutrient supplements. With the popularity of protein drinks and powders, are these drinks beneficial or detrimental to our health.

Proteins are indeed necessary for our body. Protein helps in building muscles, skins, hairs, nails and internal organs. There are twenty amino acids needed for the human body to grow. Eight amino acids are produced by our body. They are necessary and should be present in the food we eat. While, the other twelve amino acids are manufactured within the body.

Manufactures and some study showed that after a protein drinks are necessary to drink after intense exercise or training where muscle tissues are damaged. Protein is needed and necessary to repair muscles after physical exertion. Therefore, it is imperative that a person who is exercising intensely should consume more protein.

But there are contrasting beliefs. There are some studies that agree that resistance and endurance training can really break down muscle protein and increase the need for protein consumption. But even so, there is no need to consume protein drinks. Why?

During intense exercise, there is an increased need for calories which is proportional to increase need of protein. So, when the amount of food that you eat increases, so does your calorie intake and your protein intake increases proportionally. Eating plant foods like vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts can get you the protein amount you need without drinking protein shakes and powders.

There are some studies concerning protein shakes and powders. These studies showed that when whey protein is added to rat diet, there is a relative increase of tumors and cancers. That is why most researchers and health care professionals, show concern on the high consumption of protein supplements.

But both sides agree that protein drinks should never be the only source of protein. As mentioned, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and whole grains can amount into about 50 grams of protein per 1000 calories. Consuming green vegetables would give you the needed protein without heart and cancer risks. Also, animal products are good sources of protein.

Aside from the protein that you will get from these vegetables, you also get natural antioxidants that can protect you against other risks of heart diseases, hypertension and cancer.

Too much is never too wise. In a survey, the East German Olympic team of 1964, which are composed of 600 athletes, there are less than 10 people alive today. Muscular growth and increased body mass with the aid of supplements and steroids increased the factors for heart attacks and other diseases in the long run. This served as a reminder for us, we need to consider the long tern effects of what we are consuming, eating or drinking right now.

Protein drinks and other kinds of supplements can definitely have an impact on out health. It could be bad or good. We should always consider the long term effects and not only the short term impact of what we eat and drink. But good health can never be measured with how big our biceps and laterals are.

Our physical size can never be the basis of good health. It can be judged by our strength, resistance to illnesses, longevity, and our youthful vigor as we grow old.

Green Tea: Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking It

Posted by admin in Health Drink on Sep 20th, 2009 | 0 comments

Everybody wants to have a healthy body. But, with today’s very comfortable lifestyle, it can be quite difficult to do. It seems like everyone is becoming unhealthier and unhealthier every single day. You might eat the right kinds of food, and you might be exercising regularly, but your doctor may still say that it’s not really enough. So, what’s missing? To answer this question, you may want to start drinking green tea.

So, just what’s all the hype about this centuries old brew that it made everyone absolutely crazy about it? From scientists, to health buffs, to regular people, what it is about green tea that is so great that it seems that almost everyone is drinking it?

First of all, this brew existed for thousands of years. The Chinese and the Japanese have been drinking this for centuries, and is still part of their daily life, and they even said that this tea can keep your body healthy.

Today, scientists have found that there is more to green tea than your average everyday tea. To start, it has antioxidants that are known to help fight off or prevent cancer, and it is also full of certain vitamins and minerals that contribute to making your body healthier.

To name all the benefits, here are 7 reasons why you should start drinking this miracle brew:

• Cancer

As mentioned before, green tea is filled with antioxidants that helps counter the effects of oxidants or what we commonly know as free radicals. By fighting off free radicals, it will help prevent cancer.

• Diabetes

Most people who are diabetics have been found to have low metabolism rate. This means that they cannot get rid of carbohydrates easily which will be stored as fat in the body. This will also increase the blood sugar levels in your body. With green tea, it will increase your metabolism rate and increase your energy levels, which will help in preventing diabetes. Studies on lab rats have found that it is very effective in preventing diabetes and also proves to be an inexpensive way to do so.

• Bad breath

Green is known to help in keeping the teeth and gums healthy. Also it helps in keeping the mouth clean and free from odor-causing bacteria. If you have a bad breath, then this brew can definitely help give you a fresher and nicer smelling breath.

• Acne

Because green tea has antioxidants, it can help in preventing acne as well as treating it. Also, it helps in reducing the inflammation that is associated with acne. By drinking this brew, you will definitely see it as an inexpensive way to treat acne and help you get a smoother skin.

• Alzheimer’s disease

Another benefit that green tea provides is that it helps in protecting the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. Green tea has been found to prevent plaque deposits in the brain, which is the cause of this very serious disease. With green tea, you will definitely have a healthier brain and a sharper mind.

• Cholesterol
Studies have found that green tea can help in fighting and reducing bad cholesterols. It is also a natural anticoagulant. All in all, it will help in keeping your blood pressure low, as well as prevent heart diseases and strokes. Green tea is also about giving you a healthy heart.

• HIV

Last but not the least; green tea has been linked to help in preventing HIV. Because green tea naturally increases the body’s immune system, studies have found that the EGCG that is naturally found in this brew can boost your immune system. Therefore, it may not be very far in the future that green tea will contribute a lot in HIV prevention and cure researches.

These are 7 reasons why you should start drinking green tea. Indeed, this brew can do miracles to the body. If you want a healthier body, then this brew is definitely for you.

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Blender Drinks and Other Treats that can be Done Made

Posted by admin in Health Drink on Sep 10th, 2009 | 0 comments

Smoothies, anyone? This is just one kind of the many blender drinks that you can do upon getting yourself this kind of appliance. Are you getting thirsty already? There is a solution to that. It is to explore your kitchen and start making your own creations.

More than a Blender

There are more into this appliance than being a blender that will help you create smoothies and fruit juices. Here’s a list of how else can you utilize this product.

1. If you have the talent for cooking but don’t do it often because you just don’t have the time to chop the ingredients that you need, then blenders can help you with the dilemma and make cooking easier for you to do.

2. You can easily do baby food. This way, you are assured that your baby is taking in safe ingredients that you yourself have prepared.

3. You can entertain at your home easily with the kind of mixes, spreads and the likes that your family and friends will surely love. This way, whenever you have friends or loved ones visiting you, they will have something to look forward to. And you can also make this your specialty. You can even make a business out of this. All it needs is just a little practice and a lot of experimenting.

4. A good blender will also help you create the needed ingredients for your baking venture. This will not only be useful. This will allow you to spend less with the ingredients that you will need in baking because you can already make them by yourself.

5. Blenders will make great sauces. But of course the genius lies in you. So research about the ingredients and let this little appliance bring magic to your creation. Eating will be so much fun and an exciting feat if you’ve mastered the things that you can do with your blender.

Don’t Forget about the Smoothies

The blender was invented in 1922 with the aim to create soda fountain drinks. This was done by Stephen Poplawski by placing a blade at the bottom of a tall container. Through time, more developments happened with the appliance. Until now, this is a popular sight at most people’s kitchens.

There are ready made mixes for smoothies that can be bought at your favorite groceries. All you have to do once you reach home is to use your blender and add your favorite flavors to create something for your own delight. You can also develop your own flavors that you can serve whenever there is a special occasion happening at your home.

It doesn’t matter if the weather is hot or cold. Smoothies and other fruit juices that can be created with the help of your trusted blender will always be appreciated by the people who will be able to taste such treat.
The way to do this is through research. You can ask around for ingredients and you can also do your own. Experiment if you must. Just remember that however you do it and no matter what the outcome is, you should enjoy the process of making them.

There are other things that you can do with this genius appliance more than blender drinks. But just thinking about those drinks, especially the smoothies will surely make you run out to the nearest store to buy your favorite flavor.

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