Save the Date - Tea Lovers and Veggie Lovers

Stop by Teaquilibrium's booth at Veggie Fest 2009!

When: August 8-9, 2009
From 11 am - 8 pm on Saturday and 11 am - 7 pm on Sunday.

Where: 4S 175 Naperville-Wheaton Rd., Naperville IL

What: Live music, food, workshops, events for kids, and family fun!
(free admission)

Visit VeggieFestChicagoland.org for more info.

Hope to see you there!

SmooTea

Fruit, minty, nourishing, and stimulating CAN coexist, and in a delicious form:

Ingredients:

1 Banana
1 Orange
1 Cup steeped Endura (Teaquilibrium Energizing Sport Tea)
Agave Nectar, Brown Sugar or Honey to taste
Ice

Directions:

Blend it all for a delicious smootea with a boost of energy!

Honey: Sweet Tea's Hunny

"Honey makes a great tea companion because of its rich, sweet taste as well as its health benefits," begins an article from the Examiner. Together they are very powerful in controlling seasonal allergies.

A great way to enjoy this sweet and healthy combination is by making a fruity iced tea such as the one suggested by the article:

Ingredients:

Brewed green tea (6 cups water with 6 tsp. loose leaf)
1/4 can of frozen Dole concentrate (Orange Peach Mango)
4 Tbs. honey or to taste
Ice cubes
Orange slices (optional)

Directions:

Brew leaves in boiling water 3 to 5 minutes. Strain leaves. Add honey and stir well. Add frozen Dole and stir well until melted. Chill and serve over ice cubes. Add orange slices to glasses for good presentation.

Source: Examiner, "Honey - a sweet summer tea companion"

Basic Black Iced Tea Recipe

So simple, yet so delicious. Here are the tips from Examiner on how to make this basic drink recipe just right:

Ingredients:

2 tsp of loose black tea per every six fluid ounces of water
Fresh hot boiling water
Ice made from fresh water
Frozen fruit for the glasses

Directions:

Allow the water to just come to a boil. Remove the water from heat the moment it boils. Letting it boil takes the oxygen out of the water and makes it and your tea taste flat.

Pour the boiling water over the tea. Allow to steep the amount of time stated on the tin, generally five minutes. Fill a 2-quart pitcher half way with ice as it steeps.

As soon as the tea has steeped, pour it over the ice in the pitcher using a strainer to strain out the leaves. Refrigerate at once.

To serve, add a few pieces of frozen fruit to a tall glass and pour the tea over it. This will keep the tea cold without further diluting it. Serve with long straws and iced tea spoons. Sweeten with simple syrup or sugar-free sweetener if desired.

To make an attractive citrus garnish if lemon, lime, or orange, make nice, uniform slices with mandoline. Use a sharp knife to cut a slice the radius of the slices. Chill until time to serve. Place one on the edge of each glass of iced tea after it’s poured.

Choose a flavor from teaquilibrium's variety of black teas, and enjoy!

Source: Examiner, "Basic black iced tea recipe"

Green Tea Against Prostate Cancer

A new study indicates that active compounds in green tea may slow down the progression of prostate cancer.

The study, described in a recent article from Reuters, tested 26 prostate cancer patients, aged from 41 to 68. "Each took four Polyphenon E capsules a day -- equivalent to drinking 12 cups of green tea -- for about a month before they had their prostates removed."

Results showed that the "levels of three proteins associated with the growth and spread of prostate cancer fell. Hepatocyte growth factor or HGF fell 18.9 percent on average, vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF fell by 9.9 percent and prostate specific antigen PSA fell by 10.4 percent."

Researcher Jim Cardelli of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center explained that "HGF and VEGF are produced when tumors spread and some patients showed 'significant' reduction levels of more than 30 percent," and adds that although the study is in its early stages, green tea can be a good addition to traditional therapies like chemo or radiation.

Click here to see Teaquilibrium's selection of green teas.

Source: Reuters, "Green tea could delay prostate cancer: U.S. study"

Tea of the Month: LBD Pink Grapefruit

Black is always classic, but Pink Grapefruit is trendy!

Teaquilibrium's newest addition to the Little Black Dress line of slimming oolongs is the perfect choice of tea this June. Pink Grapefruit is delicious hot OR iced, making it a favorite for summer weather.

To make about 10 to 12 cups of 8 oz, fill a lg finum filter half way, heat 3 cups water and steep tea for about 5 to 7 min. Add remaining chilled water. Voila, you have a very refreshing, premium quality home made ice tea.

Add fresh fruit cut up in tiny pieces, such as apples and seedless grapes to make your tea sangria extremely tasty. Sweet to taste.

And don't forget to check out Teaquilibrium's Little Black Dress special edition blog for more about these slimming oolongs. While you're at it, take a look at our new slideshow and vote for your favorite celebrity in pink!

To order, visit Teaquilibrium’s Online Store.

The "Minty" Flavor and the Benefits Behind It

Mint belongs to the popular crowd in the world of herbs. And for a reason; or many.

An article from the Examiner discusses a couple of these reasons:

Mint is one of the best herbs for the digestive system. It relaxes the stomach muscles, combats gas, and stimulates the secretion of digestive juices. It has anti-microbial properties, helping to keep your system clean of bad bacteria. It is also an anti-spasmodic, anti-catarrahal, analgesic and nervine. What does this translate into? A calm stomach, and a healthy digestive tract, safe from ailments such as stomach ulcers and Crohn's disease. A relaxed nervous system, reduced anxiety and tension. Also, relief from the symptoms of both colds and the flu.

Aside from all these benefits, mint is deliciously refreshing and also a great compliment to other flavors. Try it in a delicate Teaquibrium blend, Lavender Rose Mint. If you prefer a more decadent choice, go with Achieve Mint, a combination of mint and chocolate. For an energizing mix, choose Energizing Sport Tea in Endura: a stimulating blend of yerba mate and spearmint. Or try a combination of hibiscus and peppermint in Teaquilibrium's Healthy Heart.

Source: Examiner, "Health benefits of mint tea"