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Rooibos goes Green!

Actually, rooibos starts out green.

Green rooibos comes from the same plant as the popular red rooibos. It is actually nothing else than the un-oxidized (unfermented) form of red rooibos.

According to the Newlands website, green rooibos has many health benefits:

Green Rooibos has the same health claims as Rooibos, yet, since it is un-oxidized, some of the benefits are increased as much as 30 to 40 times!

Flavones are not only one of the strongest anti-oxidants, but are also essential for the complete absorption of vitamin C.

Furthermore, flavones are inhibitors of allergic mediator release from mast cells and have the ability to stop allergic reactions.

Green Rooibos has a soothing effect on the central nervous system, reduces tension in the body and can ease psychological tension as well, and is known to help people suffering from irritability, headaches, disturbed sleeping patterns, insomnia, nervous tension and mild depression or hypertension.

Green Rooibos aids in the relief of stomach and indigestive problems like nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach ulcers and constipation. Rooibos contains high quantities of a powerful anti-oxidant that mimics SOD (super oxide dismutase) activity, the most aggressive natural protection against free radical damage Rooibos contains minerals and is low in tannin

Isn't it nice to know that something that tastes good is also good for you? Steeped Tea's new Sweet Melon Green Rooibos is a wonderful addition to your tea collection. Since this tea is new to me, I thought I'd try my tasting with a lower steeping time. I steeped this green rooibos for 3 minutes (as opposed to 5 minutes or more for red rooibos). The Newlands website states that green rooibos may be steeped up to 10 minutes and that the active ingredients are stronger and more accessible to the body, so experiment with the steeping times to see what you like.

The fragrance of Sweet Melon Green Rooibos as it steeped and cooled was fresh, sweet and tangy. On my first taste, I immediately noticed that I do not detect the slightly nutty fragrance and taste that I associate with red rooibos. Instead there is a slight fresh hay taste that I find pleasant. On top of that is the fresh fruit tastes of crisp melon and sweetened by ripe berries.

This was a light, refreshing cup and I believe this tea would be lovely chilled as an iced tea, as well.

Valentines Day Chocolate Tea

For so many people, chocolate and Valentines Day just go together.

Those chocolates don't last very long, and I'll leave it to you to decide if that is a good thing.

If you consider a chocolate tea, you have something chocolate, and something that lasts a long time, since it only takes a teaspoon of loose tea to brew a cup. Consider a few different kinds of chocolate tea to give a nice selection:

Sinful Seduction is a herbal tea made up of roasted chicory with chocolate and cocoa pieces, and for a little spicy some red peppercornsand ginger pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

The rooibos family of teas offer a few chocolatea options:

Chocolate Orange and Chocolate Mint are both lovely non-caffeine options with that distinctive sweet and slightly nutty rooibos base.

 

If black tea is more style, try After Eight, which like its name suggests evokes the flavours of a dark chocolate mint. Or spice up your chocolate black tea with Dark Chocolate Chai.

 

Enjoy your chocola-tea Valentines Day! It's not to late to shop for these and have them in time!

 

 

Crunch Time!

Have you been browsing the new Winter flyer? There are so many new teas, with exciting flavour selections, and health boosting properties. Steeped Tea consultants, were fortunate to be surprised with a little Christmas gift in the mail last month from Tonia, the Steeped Tea founder. Just another great benefit of being a Steeped Tea consultant! This writer was also blessed with a surprise of tea in the mail. We received a tin of Hot Yoga and a tin of Toffee Crunch tea, along with a gorgeous photo card of Tonia and her family. I've tried both teas and like each for different reasons. Today, my focus is on the Toffee Crunch.

Although this photo doesn't show it well, Toffee Crunch contains slices of almonds, and little cubes of caramel along with cocoa kernels and the rooibos.

I steeped my rooibos in boiling water, leaving the infuser in for the cup for 5 minutes.

The aroma makes me think of sweet and nutty at the same time, perhaps not surprisingly, given the ingredients. To me, rooibos naturally has those properties anyway, which is why it takes the addition of flavours so well. It smells like there could be something yummy baking in the oven.

This tea is a delightful mid morning or mid afternoon cup, especially when you maybe are fighting a craving for something sweet. It's smooth, sweet, and satisfies the craving nicely. It would be lovely sipping while enjoying a book and unwinding in the evening. Of course, if you decide to put a cookie with it, the tea is a nice complement. Yesterday, I served this tea to a friend, along with a plate of Christmas cookies and chocolate and the tea made the chocolate seem even creamier!

Steeped Tea has a lovely family of these Toffee flavoured teas now. The Toffee Dream, a white tea, has long been a favourite of mine. In the fall, the Superior English Toffee, a black tea was introduced, and now a roooibos version. So whatever your tea preference, you are bound to find a toffee flavour you can enjoy! I think I love all three! Recently, Tonia commented on Facebook that this is one of her favourites as well.

You can enjoy this tea for free (50g bag), when you place a $50 order this month. If you received some cash this Christmas, or if your tea stash is getting low, this is a great time to place an order and try this delicious new tea! If you don't have a Steeped Tea consultant, you can find one here.

 

November Specials

If you missed them earlier, here's a repeat on the November specials - it's not too late to take advantage of them by ordering on line, at a party or by hosting a party yourself! And there is a special on for new consultants, so why not sign up now and start earning some extra ca$h in time for Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These specials are perfect as we head into a season of entertainment and gift giving!

Tuesday Tastings

Earlier this month, we shared the rooibos primer. Here are a few more interesting facts about rooibos tea.

During the summer months the Rooibos plants are harvested, fermented and dried in nature's laboratory. Pure mineral water, fresh mountain air and the hot African sun induces the change from verdant green to the mahogany red of Rooibos tea. Rich in many essential natural elements - to bring you a delicious elixir that you will grow to love.

Initially, Rooibos was harvested as the wild-growing "Aspalathus Linearis" plants by chopping them with axes and then bruising them with hammers, leaving them to ferment in heaps, before drying them in the sun. Today, the basic method of Rooibos production from planting to harvesting is largely unchanged. However, the plants are cultivated rather than collected from the wild. In addition, production methods are far more mechanized and refined. Vast improvements in production technology and stringent quality control now ensure a superior quality product every step of the way, from seed to finished product. About 18 months after seedlings are planted, they become fully-grown and are ready for harvesting. Plants are harvested once a year during mid-summer. Cut Rooibos is bound in sheaves and milled to a uniform length, then bruised between rollers to trigger the important chemical process (fermentation) which results in the characteristic amber color, distinctive flavor and sweet aroma of Rooibos. Following fermentation, the Rooibos is spread thinly over large drying yards to dry in the hot South African sun after which it is sucked up by special vacuums. At this stage the product is generally referred to as "farm tea".

In the new Steeped Tea catalogue, a number of rooibos tea flavours were introduced. I've reviewed one already, the Dark Chocolate. Since then, I have tried most of the other new flavours and will share my impressions here.

  Spicy Cinnamon

It was a brisk fall day when I brewed up a pot of spicy cinnamon, letting it steep for about 5 minutes.

The aroma of cinnamon drifted up as I took a sip - warm and delicious, it was perfect for the kind of weather I'd come in from. Soothing and naturally sweet, it offered comfort in a cup. The catalogue describes it as reminiscent of fresh baked cinnamon rolls, and in retrospect I can agree with that. You know how aromas can trigger memories, right? The aroma of this tea reminded me of going grocery shopping with my mom and her giving me a stick of Dentyne at the end. The aroma is like that gum, but fortunately is without the sharpness of the gum flavour. While ideal for the gum, I would not want my tea to be that sharp, almost hot tasting. This tea delivers a pleasurable memory and soothing taste.

I was almost afraid to try the Afternoon Blend because I could detect the scent of mint in it, and while I adore peppermint, spearmint triggers my gag reflex, so I do not enjoy it. But the tea was just so pretty, that I had to try it. I steeped this one for 3 minutes and it worked out. I could detect the spearmint, but it was not strong enough to destroy the experience for me. I do love our Provence tea, and could find some similarity, the flowery fruit tastes blending with the spearmint. Those of you who enjoy spearmint blends will find this to be a heavenly cup.

 

Rooibos Primer

Rooibos tea (pronounced roy-boss) hails from a very specific area of South Africa. Technically not a tea, since it is not part of the camellia sinensis family, it would be considered a tisane.

Rooibos has a naturally sweet, a lightly berry and slighly nutty taste that complements natural flavours so well. You will find Natural Rooibos in the Steeped Tea catalogue, but you will also find many flavoured rooibos teas for this reason.

Rooibos contains NO caffeine, making it a great choice for those who are sensitive to caffeine, children, pregnant women & nursing moms.

Rooibos contains NO oxalates, making it a great alternative for those who are susceptible to kidney stones.

Rooibos tea contains high levels of flavonoids, polyphenols and phenolic acid, powerful antioxidants that are considered immune-boosting and cancer-fighting agents, according to the University of Michigan Health System website.Recent research demonstrates a potential for rooibos tea to possess antimutagenic properties to prevent cancer cells from forming, states the University of Michigan website. An animal study mentioned on this site provides evidence that rooibos tea may prevent radiation damage commonly associated with the development of certain cancers. Additionally, rooibos tea may possess the ability to prevent skin tumors from developing.


Also according to the article, "Medicinal Crops of Africa," parents give their babies rooibos tea to settle colic, as it is an antispasmodic herb able to settle muscle spasms, or cramping. Consult a health provider before giving rooibos tea to an infant. It is also given to individuals who suffer from insomnia, irregular sleeping habits and headaches due to its decaffeinated state and relaxation effect on the nervous system, states the article. It adds that roobios tea has a high concentration of energizing minerals such as iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium and sodium, making it a viable option for those wanting to increase their physical output during a workout session or sporting event.

With so many flavours of rooibos teas, you are sure to find at least one you like. Why not take a few minutes to browse the catalogue or visit your consultant's online store?

Saturday Tastings - Chocolate Orange Rooibos

I'll be honest with you, the Orange Burst rooibos always left me wanting a little more flavour. To that end, I'd often blend it with other teas. One of my favourite pairings is with the Masala Chai rooibos. The orange flavour seemed to pick up against the backdrop of spices.  

So I was curious if the new Chocolate Orange rooibos would deliver on flavour. It's an attractive tea with lovely orange-y yellow petals and chunks of chocolate nestling with the bright reddish-orange rooibos needles.

I steeped the tea in my tea press for 5 minutes. The first scent to hit my nose was the distinctive slightly nutty, pleasing aroma of the natural rooibos. Underlying that was a mellow soft scent of chocolate.

The flavour is pleasing. If you've tried the Lindt orange and dark chocolate bar, you have to know that those bold flavours are not what is delivered in this tea. Rather, you experience the flavour of the rooibos - sweet and smooth. The rooibos flavour carries the subtle chocolate and orange flavours. The chocolate is soft and creamy, and the orange gives the tea a brightness, without screaming citrus. This is a pleasant and satisfying cup that I found disappeared quickly. This would be enjoyable as an evening tea, or try it in the late afternoon when you are experiencing cravings for sweets.

Buy it here.

Yet Another Use for Tea - Raising Frogs!

This news article comes from the BBC News Online.

 Exotic frogs reared in redbush tea in Gloucestershire

Eleven poison dart frogs have been raised by UK experts in pint glasses of redbush tea.

Amphibian keepers at the Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire, reared the amphibians from tadpoles in the brew to help keep them disease-free.

The caffeine-free African tea contains fungus-beating antioxidants, according to amphibian keeper Jay Redmond.

Mr Redmond said: "Every morning just before I made my cup of tea I made sure the tadpoles have had theirs too!"

Shop-bought tea

The yellow-banded and green-banded poison dart frog tadpoles were raised in pint glasses, topped up with the shop-bought redbush tea, which is sometimes called rooibos.

Some species of poison dart frogs, native to South America and among the most toxic on earth, are critically endangered.

A combination of deforestation, introduced species and a fungus which kills amphibians has damaged population numbers.

Mr Redmond added: "It is a bit of advice that people know in the industry that to keep them disease-free they should swim in redbush tea for the first few weeks of life."

More Entertaining with Tea - Entree Idea

Wild Salmon

Tea ingredient: Herbal tisane

By: Chef Hugh Acheson, Five & Ten Restaurant (adaptation)

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups white wine
1 1/2 cups water
1 fresh thyme branch
1 lemon, cut in half and seeded
4 black peppercorns
2 bay leaves, dry (if fresh just use one)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 tablespoon Orange Burst rooibos

1/2 tablespoon Masala Chai rooibos
4 six-ounce portions wild salmon
To taste use sea salt and ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a large pot (large enough to comfortably fit your four portions of salmon without crowding) combine the wine, water, thyme, lemon, peppercorns and bay.  Bring to a boil and reduce the total volume by a third.  Lower heat to a simmer.

Note: poaching is not boiling. It’s cooking at a bare simmer.

Add the butter and tea to the court bouillon and then simmer immediately or the tea will steep too much in the court bouillon.

Season each portion of salmon with sea salt and pepper.

Now it’s time to cook the salmon.  Look at how thick your salmon portions are and then figure out your cooking time before you begin.  I do six minutes per inch of thickness but I like my salmon a bit rarer than many palates. 

Once you have a pretty good idea of how long it’s going to take, gently place the salmon portions into the court bouillon and poach away. 

Remove and place each on a plate, topping each with about a tablespoon of the pickled cucumbers.

Note: I like to then squeeze a little lemon on each and circle each fish with a top-notch extra-virgin olive oil from Spain or Italy.

Tea Tasting Impressions 2010 - Rooibos

Two flavours of rooibos teas rejoin our product line, back by popular demand. Rooibos isn’t truly a tea, but a herbal tisane. Belonging to the aspalanthus family, it comes from South Africa and is high in unique antioxidants, minerals and has a naturally sweet flavour. Like other “teas”, place 1 tsp per cup into the pot and add boiling water. Cover and let steep for 3-10 minutes. Some websites even suggest you can steep up to 20 minutes! The longer the steeping time the more antioxidants you will receive. Unlike some true teas, the longer steep time will not bring on bitterness, only more nutrients! Rooibos is very versatile. You may drink it hot or cold with milk or honey. In fact, some say that rooibos is the one tea that is enhanced by cream. It is a great way to start or end the day. Enjoy!

Chocolate Mint

Brewing Temperature: 214^oF

Brewing Time: 5 minutes

Dry Leaves: Short reddish-orange leaves intermixed with yellow calendula and chunks of cocoa bean

Liquor: orange-red

Aromas: As soon as you open the bag, you will smell the fragrant rooibos aroma. The wet leaves smell like toasted grain.

Body: Medium

Flavours: Sweet nutty rooibos layered subtly with mint and creaminess.

· Note – if you want bold chocolate mint flavour, may I suggest the After Eight black tea. This rooibos tea is more subtle in its suggestion of chocolate mint but lovely.

Bourbon Street Vanilla

Brewing Temperature: 214^oF

Brewing Time: 5 minutes

Dry Leaves: short medium reddish-orange leaves intermixed with almond slices and yellow calendula petals.

Liquor: orange-red

Aromas: As soon as you open the bag, you will smell the fragrant rooibos aroma. There is a rich, almost rummy aroma. The wet leaves smell sweet and fruity.

Body: Medium

Flavours: Soothing and sweet vanilla flavour tops the rooibos flavour. Very nice without being cloying.

Remember with rooibos, the steeping times can go longer, drawing out even more flavour.