President’s Message
TEA TREATS OR SOMETHING’S BREWING
Guess what? Tea remains the second most widely consumed beverage after water. And in case you feel guilty for consuming all those endless cuppas at work – don’t worry. Common facts on tea indicate it is rich in antioxidants,
can help shield our immune systems, is capable of stopping infections, and can even help us shed some pounds!
Research shows that tea contains a rarely occurring amino acid called L-theanine that stimulates your alpha brain waves and this is associated with a relaxed but alert mental state.
But why stick to the same boring flavour when there is a world of exotic teas (that can be enjoyed hot or cold) waiting to be discovered.
Darjeeling Tea
Darjeeling tea is exquisite and delicately flavoured, and enjoys the distinction of being one of the finest teas in the world. Experts like to call it the champagne of teas! First flush teas are light and aromatic, while the second
flush produces tea with a bit more bite. The third or autumn flush gives a tea that is lesser in quality. In summer, try simple iced tea, with a twang of lime and hint of mint. It’s both sweet and tart at the same time. The lime juice will be much better flavoured if freshly squeezed.
Lime Mint Iced Tea
1 quart water, boiling
4 Darjeeling tea bags
1 ¾ cups fresh mint leaves
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup lime juice
Mix tea bags, mint and sugar in hot water, and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain out the tea bags and mint leaves.
Chill and add lime juice before serving (serves 4).
Assam Tea
Another classic Indian tea that enjoys prominence across the world. The flavour is very strong and it is primarily a black tea. This rich, full-bodied tea actually has a malty flavour and is best enjoyed as a breakfast tea. Assam tea revolutionized tea drinking habits in the 19th century since the tea, produced from a different variety of the tea plant, yielded a different kind of tea.
Mocha Chai Latte
2 tablespoons loose-leaf Assam tea
1 ½cups boiling water
½ cup whole milk or ¼ cup unsweetened condensed milk
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon cocoa
Whipped cream (optional)
Cocoa for dusting
Steep the tea in the water for about 5 minutes. Add milk, spices, cocoa and simmer over low heat about 2 or 3 minutes more. Pre warm two mugs. Pour in your mocha chai, add a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa, if you like, and enjoy.
Orange Pekoe Tea
A popular Indian Tea that gets its name from the size of its tea leaf. When tea is harvested by hand, what is generally picked are the bud at the end of the stem (an unopened leaf) and the next two leaves inward from that bud. The first leaf is the youngest and is called the “pekoe” leaf. The second leaf from the bud is the “orange pekoe” leaf.
Tea-infused vodka?
Infuse an entire 750ml bottle of vodka (if you’re brave) with 6 Orange Pekoe teabags, by steeping the tea bags for 4 to 6 hours or overnight. You may wish to pour the vodka into a container that will allow you to easily remove the teabags after steeping. Of course, if you want to use a lesser amount of vodka, pour just half the bottle into in a jar, with maybe four teabags. Don’t forget to swirl the jar occasionally; you will see the infusion happening.
Yes, an explosive package of taste and goodness awaits you in a cup of tea.
Framroze Mehta
President