``Sorry! I don't want any adventures, thank you. Not today. Good morning! But please come to tea–any time you like! Why not tomorrow? Come tomorrow! Goodbye!” With that the hobbit turned and scuttled inside his round green door, and shut it as quickly as he dared, not to seem rude. Wizards after all are wizards.
“What on earth did I ask him to tea for!” he said to himself. He had only just had breakfast, but he thought a cake or two and a drink of something would do him good after his fright. -- from The Hobbit, 1937

Today is the birthday of a well-loved famous author who loved tea. The author of ``The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy and ``The Hobbit'' was born on this day in in 1892. Tolkien was orphaned by the age of 12, having lost his father to rheumatic fever in 1895, and his mother to complications of Type 1 diabetes in 1904. In 1911, Tolkien and three friends formed a semi-secret society which they called the T.C.B.S which stood for Tea Club and Barrovian Society, alluding to their fondness for drinking tea Barrow's store near the school ... and mischievously in the school library as well.

At the age of 16, Tolkien met Edith Mary Bratt when J.R.R. (John Ronald Reuel ... they called him Ronald) and his brother Hilary Tolkien moved into the same boarding house. According to Humphrey Carpenter:

Edith and Ronald took to frequenting Birmingham teashops, especially one which had a balcony overlooking the pavement. There they would sit and throw sugarlumps into the hats of passers-by, moving to the next table when the sugar bowl was empty. ...With two people of their personalities and in their position, romance was bound to flourish. Both were orphans in need of affection, and they found that they could give it to each other. During the summer of 1909, they decided that they were in love.

Despite this decision of love, Tolkien's guardian, Father Francis Morgan, forbade this relationship as he was horrified at Tolkien's involvement with a Protestant girl. Tolkien was unable to see Edith again until he was 21. On the evening of his 21st birthday (January 3 , 1913) Tolkien wrote to Edith and asked her to marry him. She had already agreed to marry another man because she thought Tolkien had forgotten her. They met beneath a railway, renewed their love, Edith
dumped the other guy, Edith became Catholic and they lived happily ever after.

Bilbo Baggins above
J.R.R. Tolkien below
Am I the only one that sees the similarity?

I find another interesting similarity. The likeness between
Tolkien's monogram/estate trademark
above
the Chinese symbol for cha (tea)
below

Coincidence? I think not.

Source: Tolkien: A Biography. (1977) by Humphrey Carpenter

Oolong

Oolong tea is a variety of tea that falls somewhere between a black tea and a green tea. Anyone who has enjoyed tea at a Chinese restaurant has likely had oolong tea. It’s a natural choice for Chinese restaurants as it is the perfect complement to most meals and is reputed to cut through the grease of a meal. It is commonly called Wulong. Some Chinese translations of Wulong equate to ``black dragon’’ while others translate to ``blue mist’’. The black dragon translation is far more popular, but have you ever seen a black dragon without blue mist? It originates from Mount Wu Yi, or Wuyi Shan in the Fujian province, which is on the sea coast of China just across from Taiwan, another fabulous oolong producing country.
At another time I will explain better what makes an oolong an oolong. For today, I want to discuss the health benefits of oolong as they pertain to weight loss. Oolong has rapidly gained in popularity for weight loss attempts since an alleged endorsement by Oprah In recent years there has been a flurry of new businesses marketing oolong as an ancient Chinese weight loss solution, many of them based on these endorsements. It doesn’t matter if Oprah or Rachael endorsed oolong tea, there is science to support these claims. Studies done in China, Japan and the US all clearly indicate that people consistently consuming oolong lost weight through increased fat oxidation and further see blood sugar levels significantly reduced after a meal. My personal experience has been oolong helps me lose inches, while Pu Erh helps me lose pounds. That’s a perfect combo for me. It’s something different for everyone.
Be warned that the companies getting rich selling wulong slimming tea and the like are selling tea bags of oolong dust, the lowest grade of this tea. This is essentially what you can get at a take-out Chinese restaurant. They are selling typically a one-month supply (60 servings) for about $35 plus shipping. Many of these companies lock you into a auto-ship plan as well. Here is an informative website about oolong without trying to sell you something. In fact, the opening page examines the business practices of the most popular "oolong for fitness" sites.
http://www.wulongtea.org/index.php
A one-month supply (I recommend three cups a day) of nine ounces for ninety servings of organic loose leaf Wuyi Oolong from SensibiliTeas would cost (as of this posting) $25.88 and there is no auto-ship plan. Nine Dragons Oolong, a rolled oolong from the Wuyi region, is also organic and is exactly like what you would get in a Chinese restaurant would cost the same. If you would prefer flavors, all the flavored oolongs at SensibiliTeas are based on a Wuyi oolong. Citron Oolong ($4.50/oz) and Grapefruit Oolong ($3.00/oz) are the most popular.
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Today's quote is in memory of my older brother,
whom I will greatly miss

Bob Burgess 01/12/1953-01/02/2009

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

---Robert Frost / The Road Not Taken

Pu Erh

If people come into the shop looking for the ``weight loss tea’’, I usually recommend one of two teas. One of them is Pu Erh. We'll discuss the other perhaps tomorrow. Pu Erh (pronounced Pu-Air or Pu-Er) comes from Pu Erh county in Hunan province. It is not uncommon for it to be made up of leaves plucked from ancient trees rather than from carefully cultivated bushes. It is a post-fermented tea. This means that all the normal processing to be a black tea, a green tea, or a white tea has already been done, and then the tea is aged. Essentially, it is composted, but likely without the worms and all. While in the past this composting occurred in highly guarded caves belonging to the emperor, it is now likely occurring in a climate controlled setting. During this processing the tea takes on an earthy quality. Tea can then be pressed into cakes or tuo cha, small single servings of Pu Erh that resembles a tiny birds nest (pictured in this post). It is also available in a leaf form, which seems earthier, but more popular due to the ease of preparation. Some say it tastes like dirt. I’ll tell you the black tea version, which is what I carry at the shop, certainly smells earthy. The older it gets, the more mellow it becomes. I find it to be a very smooth, relaxing cup of tea. It is believed that the caffeine level is reduced during processing. The most popular Pu Erh I carry is Immortal Nectar, as found in this collection.
http://www.sensibiliteasonline.com/teapuerh.html
I admit. I hated the first cup I ever drank, but told myself I must be professional about this, and I continued to drink the sample. By the end of the sample, I wanted more. It had become my go-to tea. And I had lost weight, to boot!

While there is no carefully controlled scientific evidence available to support the notion that Pu Erh is effective as a weight loss tea, I’ve had in-shop results. I invited 15 willing participants to drink Immortal Nectar for 10 weeks – one cup with each meal, for a minimum of three cups a day. Many of those participants had physicals before they started so they knew their exact weight, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and C-reactive protein levels. Of the 16 participants, 15 lost weight. After 6 weeks, we started receiving reports about cholesterol and triglyceride levels being greatly reduced.

Cholesterol reduction was the most popular result. After 6 weeks, the average cholesterol reduction was 60 points. One woman saw a reduction of 123 points while another saw a reduction of 102 points. When someone comes to the shop looking for Pu Erh now, it is not uncommon to learn that they have been sent by a doctor. For many, this may be an easy all-natural, organic way to avoid being put on cholesterol reduction meds.

Together they lost 164 lbs. The participant who gained weight (6 lbs.) learned that drinking this tea was not a license to eat Crispy Creme donuts for breakfast and lunch. May common sense prevail.

Love spicy food? Pu Erh is the perfect spicy meal complement.
I asked the father of a Chinese friend of mine how he could explain the effectiveness of Pu Erh in a weight management program. He surprising replied … ``Maybe it’s not the tea.’’ He went on to explain he theory that historically, Chinese consume most meals with a cup of tea while Americans take their meals with a cold beverage. And then he asked ``if you are going to put grease down the drain, would you follow it with hot water, or cold water?’’

Could it be that simple?
Well worth a try, I’d guess. And why not make tea that hot beverage?

No historical facts or links today, so instead I leave you with this simple thought:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
-- Margaret Mead (1901-1973)

Through the 17th and 18th centuries, the East India Company, founded in 1600 by Queen Elizabeth I, traded mainly cotton, silk, tea, saltpetre (a naturally occurring mineral source of nitrogen which is the oxidizing component of gunpowder), indigo dye (a distinct blue dye derived from a flowering plant), and opium (a narcotic derived from immature poppy seed pods). During this time, the Company came to essentially rule India. Company rule in India lasted until the Government of India Act 1858, also known as the Act for the Better Government of India. The Act replaced Company rule with a system of direct rule by the British Crown. This government was known as the British Raj.

January 1 holds importance to this topic in two ways. First, the East India Company lasted until its official dissolution on January 1, 1874 (also a Thursday). Also, on January 1 in 1876, Queen Victoria became the first Empress of India.The British Raj lasted until independence was granted to India and Pakistan in 1947.

The month of January is National Hot Tea Month. What a perfect companion to all those ``I’m gonna be healthier this year’’ resolutions! You know the resolutions … lose weight, eat right, get/be fit, reduce stress, drink less alcohol, quit smoking. Am I right? Every year the same things, but my! How things have changed since the simple Babylonian tradition of returning borrowed farm equipment!

You may be interested in how tea can assist you in sticking to those resolutions. Many of this months posts will deal with the health benefits of tea and how they relate specifically to these resolutions. There are far too many benefits to list in one post, and so many facets to each benefit.

Let’s start with the most popular resolution of all time – ``I’m going to lose weight”, as Jan 1 – 7 is officially ``Diet Resolution Week’’. The truth of the matter is there is really only one effective way to lose weight and keep the weight off – burn more calories than you take in. This is best accomplished through a combination of correct diet and exercise. It’s just that simple.

So where does tea come in? Here’s the most basic answer. Tea is calorie-free, fat-free, carbohydrate-free, gluten-free with no added colors or preservatives. Tea can make you feel full which means you may take in fewer calories overall. Tea can satisfy a craving for dessert, again reducing your total calorie intake. Tea can boost your fat metabolism. Tea can increase your energy level so you are inclined to be more active, burning more calories.

How about a nice hot toddy?

How about a nice hot toddy to finish off the year?
Naturally, the recipe found here will contain green tea, but it's only one of countless variations of this drink.
You'll need:2 slices fresh ginger
8oz freshly brewed green tea
1 TBSP honey
1.25 oz brandy
Peel the ginger slices (easier than peeling the whole root) and place in the bottom of a 10-12 oz cup or mug. Add 8oz freshly brewed green tea. Dissolve the honey and add the brandy. Garnish with the lemon slice (I float it in the tea for maximum lemon flavor)
Yield: one toddy
The best green tea for the job? Hard to say exactly because there are so many fine choices in my shop. I think Makaibari Green or Young Hyson would be good choices to start with. Both are affordable and delicious.
Available here:
http://www.sensibiliteasonline.com/teagreen.html
For a 10% discount on your next green tea order (limit one use only) mention that you saw this recipe on this blog (or add blog123108 to the online order form for online orders)
Where did the term hot toddy come from anyway? Most folks don't know (or really care, I guess) but having spent many years in the entertainment industry, often researching the sordid lives of celebrities, I know the answer to this one. The hot toddy was named for silky Hollywood actress Thelma Todd. Perhaps you've seen her in ``Horse Feathers'' or ``Monkey Business''. Thelma, recently divorced from reputed mobster Pat DiCicco, was found face down in her Packard in Hollywood, the victim of an apparent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Pat is reported to be one of the last people to see her alive that night. Some say murder, some say accident while others maintain suicide. Perhaps we'll never know. Some say her ghost still haunts Hollywood today. So bottoms up and hats off to Thelma Todd, the original hot toddy!

``Life isn't worth the candle. While we're here we should laugh, be gay and have fun.''

This date in tea history ... (Dec. 31)

By Royal Charter, Queen Elizabeth I founded the John Company (also known as the East India Company, the English East India Company or the British East India Company) on this date in history, December 31 in the year 1600 (which was, by the way, also a Wednesday). This was an effort to challenge the Dutch-Portuguese monopoly of the East Indian spice trade. The spice trade had been a monopoly of Spain and Portugal until the English defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 provided the English the opportunity to crush the monopoly. The rest, as they say, is history.

Anyone researching this company would quickly come to learn that the East India Company of the 17th and 18th centuries was the most successful, powerful, and perhaps most ruthless multinational company in the world. At its height, it controlled the lives of more than 20% of the world's population.

This company used English law to legitimize unfair trade practices abroad and recruited a private army to overwhelm other colonial powers and local forceses in India. The company was responsible for the devastating influx of Opium to China, which eventually led to the Boxer Rebellion. And it was the ships of the East India Company that carried the tea that was dumped during the infamous Boston Tea Party, which, of course, later led to the independence of our country. The United States flag was based on the design of the John Company's flag.

So what's brewing at SensibiliTeas?

Recently, we have greatly expanded the variety of teas available on the website. In the shop, we have also expanded our Pu-Erh tea line, added more flavors to our yerba mate blends (mint, spicy ginger, citrus, mango, tiramisu, and yes ... even coffee), and will be adding more flavors to the honeybush line (chocolate, orange, vanilla, hazelnut, apricot). We have even added rare yellow teas to our expansive collection.

What's a yellow tea? Like a white tea, the leaves are washed, steamed and dried. White tea is dried quickly while yellow tea is dried slowly. This make a tea richer in flavor than a white tea, yet still softer than a green tea. The two yellow teas we currently carry are Sparrow's Tongue (pictured here) and Huang Shan Huang Ya.
Both are phenomenal.

We also introduced a couple seasonal blends this year that we now, due to their popularity, plan to carry throughout the year (to the best of our ability). However, the names White Christmas and Noël may be silly names for tea I'll serve all year. So... we're running a contest through 01/30/09. Submit your name suggestion for the teas, and if your idea is selected, you will win 2 ounces of that tea! Please specify the tea for which you have submitted a suggestion.

Welcome to the SensibiliTeas blog

Welcome the the SensibiliTeas blog.
This blog has been created to help answer any questions you may have about the history, origin or health benefits of tea. All questions will be answered as soon as possible. All comments are welcomed.