April A to Z Blogging Challenge: Tea Leaf Reading Dictionary “H”

Of course, you love tea in all of its glory – no matter if it is the traditional black tea, the healthy green tea, or the
versatile herbal tea. But do you know exactly how long you should steep your tea for optimal taste and effect?
Let me share some information about tea steeping times with you, right now!

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1. Black Tea
Black tea should steep from 3 to 5 minutes. A tea steeped for 3 minutes is rather stimulating while a tea steeped for 5 minutes is calming. If you steep black tea any longer than 5 minutes, then the brew becomes bitter.

2. Green Tea
Green Tea should not steep longer than two minutes, to allow the more delicate tea to truly become delightful. After 3 minutes the tea becomes very bitter. In order to assure the highest flavor do not burn the tea leaves with boiling water, rather allow the water to rest a minute after boiling before adding the tea leaves. Too hot water will also make it bitter.

 

3. Herbal Tea
Herbal tea can be steeped a little longer – 5 to 8 minutes. 10 minutes is the standard for infusions, and teas drank for
health purposes only. If you are simply wanting to enjoy a cup of herbal tea 5 to 8 minutes are sufficient.

4. Fruit tea
After bringing the water to a full boil, allow the fruit tea to steep 6 to 8 minutes to reach its full effect. This is only
recommended for full fruit teas, not fruit/black or fruit/green tea blends. For blends use the steeping time recommended for
the tea type that the fruit is mixed with.

Now, it is time to return to our tea leaf reading symbol dictionary.

Letter H:

Hammer: those little tasks you do not like to take care of are piling up. Do not disregard them, otherwise they will overwhelm you. You tend to procrastinate the little stuff

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Hand: a good sign. Potential connection with a new brotherhood or deeper friendship, that lasts for a long time.

Handcuffs: there is trouble on the horizon, without any movement toward getting better. Time to face the consequences of past action

Hat: hats are a good sign that speak of overall success, in rare cases a visitor might show up soon, who brings good news.

Hedge: be persistent in overcoming the obstacles on the way, they are worth the work at the end

Hens: domestic discomfort. This symbol is always centered around the home. Money worries and marriage quarrels are indicated

I hope you enjoyed this weeks Tea Leaf Reading Symbols. I will not  be posting tomorrow, as the A to Z Challenge takes Sunday’s off, but I am looking forward to connecting with you again on Monday with the next letter.

 

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7 Things I Learned While Writing A Book About Tea And Mindfulness

Disclaimer: The following post includes affiliate links to our Sponsors – Amazon and Creative Life. 

When doing research for any project, it is very interesting to see what kind of crazy, wonderful and sometimes disturbing facts can be discovered. Thankfully, I have not run across anything disturbing, so I am happy to share with you a few little tidbits of information that you might find as interesting as I have, about the subject of tea. I will share some insights about mindfulness in an upcoming blog post.

Tea and your bones: 

Studies indicate that phytochemicals in tea, such as flavonoids, may protect against bone loss: Regular tea drinkers have higher bone density than non-tea drinkers.

Crazy for Kombucha? 

What it is: Sometimes called mushroom tea because of the microorganisms that float in it and form a mushroom like shape this fermented form of sweetened tea with a funky vinegar taste is made with live bacteria and yeast and often fortified with B vitamins.

Proponents say this ancient Chinese drink has medicinal benefits, namely that it boosts the immune system, prevents cancer, and aids digestion and liver function.

My Favorite: Hibiscus Tea:  

A recent study revealed that hibiscus teas contain a number of different antioxidants that may help to protect against cell-damaging free radicals. These teas also may help control high blood pressure. You can find hibiscus in such teas as sour tea, red zinger tea, or sorrel tea.

Do You Like Olives? 

People in Italy enjoy an olive leaf tea made with the leaves of the olive tree types Manzanillo and Mission. So now you can drink your olives too!

This tea should keep you warm: Butter Tea 

Butter tea is a Tibetan tradition, made with Yak Butter, black tea and salt. It has gained some following all over the world. Not my cup of tea.

“Happy Tea” will be available May 2016 on Amazon.

Questions:

What are your favorite teas? And what are the craziest facts you know about tea?

Have a wonderful Day!

The above post is a part of the following blog hops:

Thankful Thursdays

Thankful Thursdays Link Up # 40

No Rules # 167

Inspire Me Wednesday 

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