The Lowdown on the Rise of Green Tea and Other Tea Beverages

Thanks to online tea merchants like ScentbySpirit.com, this new trend of going green (tea that is) is able to help people tap into the varied potential benefits.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB via PR Web Direct) July 27, 2005 -- Thanks to Starbucks and Folgers, the average American may enjoy a latte or cup of coffee each morning, but more and more folks are also reaching for a good cup of tea just about any time of the day or night. We're not just talking about tea and crumpets anymore. The recent rise in "Red Hatter" clubs, tea houses and all new tea bars like Cambridge's growing TeaLuxe franchise has set the world tea market on fire. For the first time, people across the United States can enjoy quality loose leaf teas and their potential health benefits at reasonable prices.

According to a 1999 article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, "when compared to a placebo and caffeine, green tea extract consumption produced a significant 4% increase in 24-hour energy expenditure. If you consume 2,000 calories per day and don't gain or lose weight (you're in energy balance), an increase of 4% would translate roughly into an 80-calorie daily difference. Over a year, this could result in 89 pounds of weight loss." Thanks to online tea merchants like ScentbySpirit.com, this new trend of going green (tea that is) is able to help people tap into this, and other potential benefits.

What you may feel safe purchasing from a grocery store shelf or your local latte stand may not contain the key ingredients of green tea you are looking for. Most mass production tea is made with lower quality tea. "If you are going to fuel your body, do it with the best possible tea products," explains ScentbySpirit.com founder, Rachel Johnston. "The bottom line is your body will thank you in the long run."

The ScentbySpirit.com tea line includes green, white, black, flavored, rooibos herbal, fruit teas, as well as many organic and fair trade teas. Their Tea Starter Pack includes all the beginning essentials for brewing loose leaf teas in a snap.

Rachel states: "It was really important to us that we not only offer products that enhance well being through teas and scents, but that we made them to fit a variety of budgets and needs of a wide consumer base. We are so thrilled that so many people are able to explore the world of fine teas and scents in a friendly environment. Where they can ask questions and learn more about the balance of mind, body and spirit."

When asked whether the huge expansion of teas and now the advent of the Green Tea Frappuccino® by coffee megalith Starbucks makes her nervous, Johnston responded, "As far as we're concerned, the more awareness of tea and the benefits it can offer, the better for the market place at large. We are interested in educating consumers as well as providing quality teas and scents."

About ScentbySpirit.com

ScentbySpirit.com is a woman-owned and family-run business in the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The company was born from the desire of owner Rachel Johnston's vision to combine the tactile sensations of blending fragrance, herbs and, most of all, teas. Ms. Johnston's mission is to offer the opportunity for everyone to experience what used to be considered luxury items with tremendous joy and outstanding quality, while having only a moderate impact on the pocket book. Rachel believes that luxury, indulgence and pampering is our birthright. As children of Spirit, we owe it to ourselves to nurture the divine within and care for ourselves on levels: emotional, physical, mental and spiritual.

You can check them out at:

http://www.scentbyspirit.com

Interview Contact:
Rachel Johnston - Founder
PR@scentbyspirit.com
Scentbyspirit.com

4004 NE 4th St. – Suite 107-207
Renton, WA 98056
Voice: 425-227-GENI
Fax: 888- 696-4517
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More Information: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/7/prweb266182.htm

What happens when you purchase a tea you may not have enjoyed as much as another? Or what if you have a favorite tea that you are almost out of and can't get right away? Throw it away? No! Give it away? No!

Create something new! What you can do is make your own blend. I know a lot of folks already do this. This can be as creative as you like. See the herbs or teas as a painter sees their palate. Say you got some rum tea and thought BLECH no way. Add it to something else instead of tossing it or giving it away.
Say pineapple or coconut or vanilla.

I am going to use an example using Scent by Spirit teas (of course) because it is an easy way to go and you don't have to invest in a ton of supplies. :)

1. Think about your favorite flavors.

1a. Say it is Spiced Apple Cider, Decaf Spicy Vanilla Chai, Vanilla Moon and Chamomile.

2. Which flavor is the strongest and which do you want to be the most predominate in your blend?

Some ideas or examples would be:
I LOVE Vanilla and would like just a hint of apple and a dash of chamomile which some say tastes/smells like apple (got me, I never really translate it that way through my olfactory palate).

What you would do is start by taking

1 bag of Vanilla Moon and put it in a bowl or zipper bag or another container that you want to ultimately store you blend in.
1 bag is roughly one oz of tea when you are talking about actual black or green tea. The trick here is to think of the tin as a part and not worry so much about the actual weights per se.

Then you would take 1/2 tin of the Spiced Apple Cider and add it to your container.

Then you would take say 1/4 tin of Chamomile or however much you like, but it would be the smallest part of the blend if you really want a vanilla taste.

and then a dash of the Spicy Vanilla Chai

Mix it all together and test on your friends. NO first test on yourself. LOL

If you love it then don't change it, if it doesn't have enough of one flavor, just add until you get it right.

It isn't rocket science, but it does take a bit of practice. In a lot of ways it is just like working with scents.

In closing, not only is a highly creative endeavor, it is also a perfect way to use a tea that you maybe aren't that hot on.

Make something different. Sometimes certain flavors are best when blended with another stronger flavor. It can lend an underlying hint of something different and it can be your secret ingredient.

Go Leonardo Go go!

If you have questions post them here.

Many people contact me about the "terrible tea ball" dilemma they experience when attempting to utilize one for loose leaf teas. Tea won't fit into the ball, or it gets everywhere, or their tea is bitter (because of too many leaves), the list goes on and on.

The trick with any infuser is that the tea leaves must have room to expand so that the water can permeate them and create a perfect cup of tea each time.

Select your tea ball










or Pincher infuser












You may ask
What Size Ball Do You Need?

Use a 1.75" ball for small cup sizes
Use a 2" ball for large cup sizes
Use a 2.5" ball for a small teapot
Use a 3" ball for a large teapot or iced tea pitcher size

Open your infuser
Fill only 1 half with your loose tea.
Snap closed put in your cup or tea pot and add hot water!

Easy as 1, 2, 3

You will probably have some escaping leaves, but it won't be to bad.

As always, if you have questions, please feel free to contact us directly. :)