Jan 03 2008
The Art of Chinese Tea
Tea has been cultivated in China for many centuries. In Britain during the 17th and 18th centuries tea was largely limited to royal houses. But the liquid made from the camellia sinensis bush has always been consumed by everyone in China. Whether as a quick pick me up or as part of an elaborate ritual, tea drinking is an indelible part of Chinese life.
Tea comes in three primary ‘colors’: green, oolong and black (though white tea exists, too). But the different shades are not the result of using different varieties. They stem from the amount of oxidation the leaf undergoes before being further processed.
Black tea certainly exists in China today, as it has for hundreds of years. But 90% of it is exported to the rest of the world. Green (and, to a much lesser extent, oolong) remains the favored style. The Chinese are known as a wise people and evidence for this can certainly be found from this choice. Green tea is not only delicious, but very healthy.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants. Those help cleanse the blood stream of free radicals (charged atoms that can damage cells), aiding greater heart health. Green tea is also rich in Vitamin C, isoflavones and other healthy ingredients.
But tea is not drunk in China only as a boon to good health. The Chinese are not frenetically obsessed the way Americans are with every twitch of the health meter. Tea is considered a pleasing drink, one that adds to a meal and also provides an opportunity for socializing. They don’t as often spend hours preparing and serving tea in a ritual as elaborate as their Japanese cousins. Nevertheless, tea in China is part of a way of life.
It also provides an important adjunct to a fine style of dining known as dim sum.
Dim sum provides a large variety of small foods that are often selected off a cart. Selections might consist of dumplings stuffed with meats or vegetables, or one might be a small cake for dessert. But whatever the food chosen, tea is an essential component of the dim sum dining experience.
Carefully brewed and typically served in a cup with no handles, drinking a fine tea completes a Chinese meal. Unlike its British counterpart it is served plain, without milk or sugar. It serves to cleanse the palette between choices. It soothes and refreshes. But, like its ritual-pair in Britain, it provides a moment of civilization in a chaotic world.
(NC)—Adding new flavour to traditional foods can be fun and be a great way to get family members to try new foods. Indian flavoured products are becoming widely available and provide a great opportunity to create mouthwatering recipes for the whole family. This shrimp korma recipe is a quick and easy one for the entire [...]
(NC)—Mulligatawny soup originally became popular with the British stationed in India (employees of the East India Company) during Colonial Times. When they returned home, they brought the recipe back with them to England, and to other members of the Commonwealth. In fact Mulligatawny is the Anglicized name of two words for “pepper water,” molegoo (pepper) [...]
(NC)—Here are two easy ways to bring some excitement to your next children’s party – Wacky Waikiki or Purple Razzle Dazzle Shakes. For dozens more delicious treats to thrill your child, visit www.homebasics.ca.
Wacky Waikiki Shake
2 large ripe bananas, peeled and quartered
1 can frozen pineapple or pineapple-orange juice concentrate, thawed (6 oz)
1/2 cup milk
4 scoops Breyers [...]
Savor the Flavor Every Day, Every Way
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(ARA) – Long overlooked, mushrooms are nature’s hidden treasure for helping those focusing on living a healthful life. To promote the nutritional benefits of fresh produce this back-to-school season, Weight Watchers continues Pick of the Season, a public health initiative spotlighting seasonal fruit and vegetables, with recipes this quarter [...]
Skyrocketing gas prices and escalating grocery costs have put getting more for a dollar top-of-mind for many consumers. Many Americans are tailoring their grocery shopping lists to ensure they get more bang for their buck. That means purchasing items that provide the best nutritional punch for their value.
Luxury items like prepackaged or single serve meals [...]
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I have to admit, I like spicy foods. Mind you, I don’t like to cry while dining, or break a sweat, but a good kick is always appreciated (I don’t think I’d ever survive eating in England!).
Late summer is a great time to get to know chiles, whihc are Latin Am,erican fruits, by the way.
Chiles [...]