BBC captures how the world enjoys tea »
Posted by jenny - June 27, 2011
The BBC captures tea and coffee drinkers from around the world
The BBC website has launched the first in its series of some fantastic images sent in by readers of people around the world preparing and drinking tea and coffee. Tea is prepared in so many different ways in different cultures and these images reflect some of the diverse ways and traditions people enjoy their favourite cuppa!
Utensils include tea boxes, trees and walking sticks
Amongst the images there's some fascinating tea discoveries for example Sudanese tea sellers brew hibiscus tea, locally known as 'karkade' under the shelter of a tree. We learn how in Niamey, Niger's capital, tea is normally sold by men who carry all their necessities around in little tea boxes. On the Kiambethu tea farm in Kenya we see how after 6 months of growth, the tea crop bound for the UK is selected by using a walking stick!
The frothy tea ceremony
As far as tea ceremonies are concerned, Mali, in Western Africa definitely has its own! The measure of a good brew depends on the preparation. Once the tea leaves and water has boiled, sugar is added and then the fun starts! The resultant brew is poured about a dozen times backwards and forwards from the teapot into a cup so that the tea will be aerated. This technique yields wonderful frothy tea!
Tea, a family affair
There is a West African saying that the first tea brewed is for men, the second for women and the third for children reflecting the weaker brew achieved each time the tea leaves are infused.
We're looking forward to seeing more images from around the world as we continue to follow this project.
BBC News In Pictures: Enjoying Tea and Coffee in Africa
» Jenier World of Teas from Africa
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Tea, the amazing leaf »
Posted by jenny - May 23, 2011
Whatever the kind, white, green, yellow, oolong or black, all tea comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. It is simply the way the plucked leaves are processed, that changes its character, chemical composition and appearance.
White tea, the youngest leaves
White tea is thought by many to be one of the highest prized teas you can drink. Always handpicked, a high quality white tea is given such care ensuring the natural withering process and gentle drying are the only process the leaves are exposed to. Just as in green, black and oolong tea, white tea is from the plant Camellia sinensis. New growth buds and young leaves are plucked before they are fully open and it is the silver hairs on the new buds that give the young leaves a white appearance. The removal of any real processing is believed to yield the high antioxidant health benefits associated with white tea identified in recent studies.
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Flowering Teas »
Posted by Anita - May 22, 2011
There's no doubt flowering teas, also known as Artisan, Blooming or Display teas, are very beautiful to behold. Their basic structure comprises of tea leaves sewn together around a flower or a number of flowers and dried into different shapes, the most common being a pod like shape.
Where do Flowering Teas originate from?
The art of hand sewing tea leaves has been evident in China for hundreds of years but was most probably used as simply a display tea as mentioned in Chinese literature dating back to the Song Dynasty where tea leaves were tied up with flowers to entertain the Emperor. It is unlikely that the tea was consumed as was most probably very low grade tea and most likely tasted awful. This could well be where some of the confusion has arisen with some who believed flowering teas are a new product, as it is only within the last 20 years or so that flowering teas have been made with high quality tasting teas and blooms combined to produce magnificent displays that can be enjoyed as a refreshing tea too.
However, as with all teas, there are still some lesser quality blooming teas produced, often from mass machine production, and as such it is really important to buy from a reputable supplier.
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Tea and Tradition in Japan »
Posted by jenny - May 22, 2011
Japanese Green Tea
Green tea is a central character in Japanese History. Folk lore evolved and grew to include songs and stories about tea drinking. It is believed tea was introduced to Japan after a Buddhist priest had visited China and whilst there, had enjoyed drinking tea. He was so taken by the beverage he brought the recipe for making tea back with him to Japan.
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Rooibos Tea, the detective's choice »
Posted by Anita - May 21, 2011
What is Rooibos tea?
If you haven't tried Rooibos tea, or Redbush tea as it's also known, then you're in for a treat. Rooibos tea is grown in the beautiful region of the Cederberg Mountains, South Africa
Rooibos is not a true 'tea' as such as it is not from the Camellia Sinenis plant but is classed more as a herbal tea or tisane. Made from the leaves of the Aspalathus Linearis plant (or red bush) the name is slightly misleading as the bush and leaves are actually green, that is until the leaves are picked and left to oxidise, when they turn the characteristic rich red colour.
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Leaves, Flowers and all things Spice! »
Posted by Anita - May 21, 2011
Nettle Leaves
Stinging nettle leaves are often used to make a herbal infusion more widely known as Nettle Leaf Tea. Nettle tea is often described as a diuretic and as a result is thought to be an aid to help prevent urinary tract infections and kidney stones. It is thought that by maintaining the flow of water through the kidneys and bladder any crystals are prevented from forming into stones and bacteria is flushed out.
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Peppermint - the wonderful hybrid! »
Posted by Anita - May 21, 2011
The world didn't start out with peppermint, first, there were spearmint and water mint plants but over time, the two plants crossed pollinated creating the hybrid 'peppermint' as we know it today.
Mentha piperita, to give peppermint its scientific name, is known for its most active ingredients menthol and menthone but also contains B vitamins, calcium and potassium and is totally caffeine free.
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