5 Feb 2014
In this issue we consider how much caffeine is in your cup of tea, celebrate summer with the perfect berry dessert recipe and offer a beautiful 3.50 minute tribute to tea.
- The great caffeine discussion including children and caffeine
- Berry Layer Recipe – the perfect summer dessert
- Be in to win one of 3 variety gift packs and tea of the month packs
- Watch a beautiful tribute to tea short film (3.50 minutes)
- Parting thoughts
Regards Michelle (full contact details at the bottom of this issue)
1. The great caffeine discussion
With so much talk about caffeine in the media we wanted to outline answers to questions that you frequently ask.
Qn: How much caffeine is there in a cup of tea?
An: There is around 50 milligrams of caffeine in a cup of tea, less than half the amount found in a cup of coffee.
An: Yes, there are many factors that influence the level of caffeine in a brewed cup of tea starting with the leaf grade (size and age) right through to your brewing techniques including water temperature and length of infusion.
Qn: Is the caffeine in tea and coffee exactly the same thing?
An: Yes, but the caffeine in tea acts very differently in your body when the leaves are infused. There are other compounds in the tea leaf (polyphenols) which interact with the caffeine (alkaloid) component to slow down the release of the caffeine in tea. This release occurs over several hours and accounts for tea being considered a long term stimulant rather than an excitant. This is why some people who find they have difficulty sleeping stop drinking tea around 3.00pm.
Qn: What is a safe intake of caffeine per day?
An: For most healthy adults up to six cups of tea per day is considered safe (around 300 milligrams). Some individuals who are sensitive to caffeine will feel effects at lower doses and may need to limit their intake.
Qn: Is Tea a Healthy choice for children?
An: Dr Carrie Ruxton, a dietician and consultant to the UK Tea Council has recently published results of studies related to caffeine consumption in children. Her results published in the journal Public Health Nutrition suggests that caffeine consumption is not only safe for young people, but a small amount (one or two cups daily) can improve brain power, dexterity, athletic achievement and more. She noted that tea also has significantly fewer calories than many soft drinks. Another benefit tea consumption can also offer children is a source of fluoride which can make teeth stronger.
Read more on this really interesting and topical subject at the below link: Source: Express (http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/446493/Mum-is-it-time-for-tea-New-research-suggests-tea-was-healthier-than-modern-drinks)
Qn: Do you offer anything that does not have caffeine in it?
An: Try our herbals and fruits selection (red umbrellas) which have no tea leaf and therefore no caffeine. Read about Iced Tea – perfect for after school. Try freezing your iced tea in a fun shape for an after school iced treat.
2. Berry Layer Recipe – the perfect summer dessert
This is the only dessert to make when fresh berries are in season and bursting with flavour. It is simple to prepare and it looks and tastes magnificent. Served sliced.
3. Subscriber Monthly Prize draw – Tea of the month
With a rose theme for Valentine's day we have chosen a black tea, Rose Earl Grey as the tea of the month. All customers who order Stir Tea online during the month of February will receive a complimentary sample with their order.
Go in the draw to win one of three gift packs valued at $33.50, including a packet of Rose Earl Grey and a Black Tea Favourites Variety pack. If you have received this email directly from us then you are automatically in the draw, otherwise CLICK HERE TO JOIN. We shall make the draw for 3 lucky tea lovers in March.
4. Tea: Fuel of the Nation 2012 – Victoria Rouine
A video about Britain's relationship with tea.
Brew yourself a pot of tea and take a moment to enjoy this beautiful 3.50 minute short film by Victoria Rouine:
5. Parting Thoughts
- They are calling it the Downton Abbey effect in the US – the enormous popularity of this British period drama on television has inspired tea drinkers across the US to pick up their teapot and make themselves a brew – time to Ring Carson to Bring Tea.
- Summer in NZ can mean insect bites – ease the discomfort by placing cold moist green tea in cloth over the wound.
- For the tea lover and Valentine in your life give the gift of roses on February 14th – maybe Black Tea Rose, Berry Rose Black, Rose Earl Grey, Berry Rose Green or Berry Rose White.
- We hope to see you at the markets over the summer season. Most Saturday's we will be in the red barn at Remarkables Farmers Market by the Queenstown airport and Sunday's at the Cromwell Farmers Market in Old Cromwell. Each market day we will be brewing teas so pop by and enjoy a sample.
- If you know any other tea lovers that would enjoy receiving our newsletter please forward this to them so they can also subscribe.
- We would love you to join us on Facebook.
Until next time, wishing you Good Health and Happy Tea Times, Michelle.
