Savor That Cup of Tea

I've rediscovered the enjoyment of savoring a good cup of tea and in the process have been reading up on the health benefits and varied ways to enjoy tea.

For centuries, drinking tea has been synonymous with taking time to relax or sharing hospitality. Today mounting research suggests that tea is good for your arteries as well as for general health. Tea ranks as high or higher in antioxidants than many fruits and vegetables, nutrition experts say. The key antioxidants in tea are flavonoids, which can help prevent blood clots and lower cholesterol. One study at Boston University showed that flavonoids in black tea inhibit the formation of plaque in artery walls. Somes studies have found an association between drinking three cups of black or green tea a day and reduced risk of heart attack. The varieties of teas are endless and include white/yellow, Black, Oolong, Pu-erh, Green and many more. Some contain more or less caffeine. Four fun ways to enjoy tea include:

• Add dried loose tea leaves as a rub for meat
• Add tea leaves to marinades or brines for meat or poultry
• Steep tea in rice or in place of liquids in sauces, cookies, breads or cakes
• Use tea leaves along with wood chips for smoking meats

Betty Robinson (8 week challenge post submission)