To Squeeze or not to squeeze the tea bag?

 So to squeeze or not to squeeze, that is the question....

I discovered when you squeeze the tea bag, it releases tannins ( a bitter astringent taste- mainly in black teas), which makes the tea bitter. It's not UNHEALTHY--it's just MORE of what's already in the tea. It doesn't taste good, that's the reason to avoid it.   I have also read that large amounts of Tannins in conjunction with large amounts dairy products do cause Kidney Stones....  I guess it just gives another reason for this tea snob to avoid milk :) Although I do make the exception for the new mesh bags that seem to have loose leaf inside that gives tea better flavor.

 

Below are two articles I found on line.  But, you know that "proof is in the pudding as they say", so I did my own test.  See the results at the end of the blog..

Here is what are some are saying on line...

.if you’ve ever used a tea bag, chances are that you’ve squeezed the last bit of liquid out of it and into your cup after the tea has finished steeping – and possibly burned your fingertips doing it if you don’t have some ind of tea bag strainer. You might also have heard that squeezing a tea bag, once brewed, into a cup of tea will turn the tea bitter and that you should never, under any circumstances, do this.

If you put this to the test, you’ll probably find that it’s true, to some extent. Tea, especially black tea, contains tannins, a plant polyphenol that is known to have a bitter, astringent taste to it. It is not the same as tannic acid, a chemical present in different types of wood (such as oak) that is, among other things, used to tan leather. This astringency is more noticeable when your tea is stronger, and often squeezing the bag after steeping will release an extra little burst of well-steeped liquid from within the tea bag – and this can add a slight bitterness to the tea. That being said, if you are steeping your tea for a reasonable amount of time, you’re not going to notice a huge change.
It’s worth noting that herbal teas, as well as white and green teas, contain little to no tannins depending on the makeup of each individual tea. Those tea bags can be squeezed to your hearts content without any worry about adding unwanted bitterness to an otherwise good cuppa.


http://breweddaily.com/2008/12/squeezing-tea-bags-into-tea/


The British would never squeeze a tea bag because it upsets the brewing of the tea.  The tea contains tannins, which give an astringent flavor to the tea.  They don't dissolve as easily as the other flavor chemicals in the tea, but will come out when when you squeeze the leaves.  You'd get the same effect by brewing it longer.

They say that if you want stronger tea, use more tea.  Squeeze teabags upsets the balance of the flavor.

But it's not going to kill you.  It's perfectly healthy.  And sometimes, I like my tea on the astringent side, since I dampen the effect with lemon and sugar.  (Milk is even better at removing astringency.)  So go ahead and squeeze the bag, if the flavor appeals to you.

I'm not sure where that person got the notion, but it's fine to squeeze the tea bag. There's really nothing harmful in tea except tannic acid, but only in large quantities in conjunction with lots of dairy products (combines to make kidney stones). Anyway, the process of tea brewing releases everything in the tea leaves, so squeezing the tea bag will improve taste if nothing else.

http://askville.amazon.com/true-healthy-squeeze-tea-bag-brewing/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=3075289


My personal research:

Rituals Coffee Company

9755 Patuxent Woods Dr
Columbia, MD 21046-2286
Tel: (443) 259-2168 

 

I took 2 exact bags of black tea...they say that is the tea where you notice the bitterness the most.  So, I took these black teas, put each one in the cup of hot water, set the timer for 3 minutes, per the back of the tea bag and I waited.

 

Once the timer went off, I pulled both tea bags out of the water at the same time.  I however, took the one bag and squeezed out the excess water/tea back into the cup.

 

What did I discover you ask....That the tea that had been squeezed was slightly bitter. So, I would agree that there is more of a bitter taste if you squeeze the bag. It was not awful, but I would say I DID recognize a difference.

Another note, I did like this tea. It is new for me.  I picked it up at City Square Steak House in Wooster.  I would prefer not to drink tea out of "paper" bags, but as far as taste goes, it was a good tea.

TEALIGHTFUL

I am happy to announce that I am now a Tealightful consultant.  Want to have a tea tasting party?  I would love to show you the Tealightful teas!  I am consultant #792

http://www.tealightfultreasures.com/

Importance of Water Tempature

I have heard that water temperature is really important.  That people actually notice a difference in the taste of the tea.  So, I thought I better do some research on this.   I typically use my Gevalia Coffee maker to heat my water.  I have never used it for coffee, so it is not tainted with any coffee :)

I checked the Gevalia on line and the temp range 175 - 195.  I think I will need to do a study to see if I can tell a difference in the water temperature....

After looking at several articles on line, I do see some variance in all their times-
Green tea 150-195
 Black Tea 200-212
Oolong 180-212
Pur eh 212
White Tea 150-boiling 
Herbal boiling 
 Rooibos boiling

Here is what they are saying on line about the water temperatures and the importance:

 These temperatures are suggested and generalized. Depending upon the specific tea, the volume of leaf, and the length of steeping, you may wish to play around with temperature to understand its effect on the resulting brew.  Everyone has a different perspective on tea and water temperature. The Taiwanese use boiling water on their oolongs, the British swear by boiling water on their black teas, the Japanese use barely warm water to brew their finest gyokuro green tea.

Different teas require different steeping temperatures. Aside from choosing the best water and tea leaves possible, Water temperature is the most critical element in preparing the perfect cup of tea. Using the wrong steeping temperature is probably the most common error people make when preparing tea.  You might need a bit of trial and error to get the perfect cup.   If you don't have a thermometer handy, you can tell the water temperature by watching the bubbles.
*****Small bubbles will float to the surface of the water 160-170F, and you'll see strings of bubbles from the bottom of the kettle at 180-190F. After that, you'll have a full rolling boil.*******


 Water Temperature Why is this important?
Since goal of conscious brewing is to bring out the best qualities of a given tea, we often try to stop the brewing just as the tannins develop enough to give the tea a nice finish. If the water is too cool, no tannin will be released, resulting in an incomplete flavor, an empty spot in that tea's particular flavor profile. As water temperature increases so will the amount of tannin in the brew. That tannin can dominate the flavor and other elements will be missed. In some cases only a taste of bitterness remains.
Why are green teas better with a lower water temperature?
When the tea is less oxidized, the lower brewing temperature provides a complex and full flavor. Japanese green teas in particular are very raw -- like fresh garden produce. And as with produce, if you put boiling water on it you will cook it. What you get in your cup will seem more like cooked vegetables than an elegant, sweet, light beverage.
The body, or viscosity, of a green tea results from dissolved particulate matter in the cup (such as miniscule hairs and leaf matter). If the water is too hot more acids will be released destroying this matter and reducing the body of the tea.
Why are black teas better with a higher water temperature?
The more oxidized a tea, the more stable. Hotter water is required to bring out the tannins in the tea into the cup. If the water is not hot enough, the brew will be weak and lacking in body.
One good experiment is to take a Japanese or Chinese green tea and use the same amount of leaf and the same steeping times but at different temperatures. Sip the resulting brews side by side and see if the difference is noticeable to you. Our bet is that it will be.

 Regardless of which apparatus you choose to boil your water, remember to follow these guidelines when
starting out.  Heat the water in a glass, ceramic or clay teapot until it reaches a boil
(212 degrees Fahrenheit) then allow the water to cool before brewing your tea.
Guideline:  180 degrees for green tea, 190 degrees for Oolong tea, 200 degrees for
black tea. This is especially important when preparing delicate green teas.  These temperatures
can be increased following successive brews.  Quality teas can often be steeped 2-3
times.  

ANOTHER SOURCES SAYS THIS:

Black tea generally should be made with water at a full, rolling boil, 212 degrees.

Oolong tea (also known as wulong tea) should be made with water a little bit below boiling, between 190 and 203 degrees. The water should be steaming rapidly and there should many bubbles rising in the kettle, but not really breaking the surface.

Green teas should be made with slightly cooler water, between 160 and 180 degrees. The steam should be wafting or gently swirling out of the kettle.

White teas should be made with even cooler water, anywhere from 150 to 160 degrees, when you see the very first hint of steam.

Puerh teas are very different, I have had them made with cooler water, similar to a green tea. But my favorite method is to make them with boiling water and steep them a long time.

Herbal teas should typically be made with boiling water.



ANOTHER SOURCES SAYS THIS:

Black tea - Black is the most robust of the tea varieties and can be brewed in truly boiling water, usually steeped for 4-6 minutes.
Oolong tea - As to be expected, oolong tea falls between green and black. The best temperature is around 190F. But oolong should be steeped longer than black tea, for around 5-8 minutes.
Green tea - You will need to be more gentle with your green teas. The water temperature should be around 150-160F and only steeped for 2-4 minutes.
White tea - Another delicate tea that should be treated gently. Water can be a bit warmer than for green tea, at 180F. You should let it steep longer though. At least 4-6 minutes.
Rooibos tea - This red herbal tea from South Africa is very hardy stuff and should be prepared with fully boiling water, just like black tea.
Most herbal teas - With so many different herbs that can be used for herbal tea blends, there is no way to give any temperature or steeping guidelines with any accuracy. Most herbs can be brewed in boiling water and steeped for about 5 minutes.
.
ANOTHER SOURCES SAYS THIS:

• White teas: 165 F (water well before it boils)
• Green teas: 170-185 F (just as steam begins to leave the spout of the teapot)
• Oolong teas: 180-205 F (cooling for a few minutes off a boil)
• Black teas: 205 F (cooling for a minute off a boil)
• Pu-erh teas: 212 F (boiling water)

AND YET ANOTHER SOURCES SAYS THIS:

• Black Tea - The darkest color tea, and the most commonly know (in my experience). Steep time of 4-5 minutes with boiling water (212º F), sometimes milk and sugar are added. Black tea is not suitable to multiple infusions (steeping the tea leaves a second time or more).

• Green Tea - Green-ish yellow in color, more green or yellow depending on type. Steep time is 3 minutes (maximum!) with rumbling water (176 °F to 185 °F). Some people listen for the moment when the water is "rumbling" or just about to boil, and some people let the water boil and then cool for minute before pouring over tea leaves. Sugar can be added to green tea, but milk is typically not. Some green teas are suitable for multiple infusions. (Don't apply these rules to matcha powdered tea!)

• Oolong Tea - This tea is a yellow or something orange color, depending on region/type. Steep for anywhere from 3-7 minutes with water 194 °F to 212 °F (just start to boil up to full rolling boil). There is a lot of variation on steep time for oolongs, so do what tastes best for you for each oolong. Oolongs are suitable for multiple infusions, depending on quality and strength of the tea.

• White Tea - White tea is very light, in color and flavor, very commonly infused multiple times (with good quality white tea). Steep in boiling water for up to 7 minutes (recommend starting at 7 minutes, as the flavor can be very light).

• Pu Erh Tea - This is an area of tea in which the steep time is very subjective and crucial to the success of the tea preparation. I have yet to master the making of pu erh, but I do know that boiling water is typically used and gong fu style preparation is often used as well (this is not an area of tea to start in as a novice).

• Herbal Tea (Tisanes) - Boiling water, leave the tea in as long as you want to (typically 7 minutes). Pretty simple, no? Tisanes don't contain actual tea, so they are less likely to become bitter or drying with a long steep, so this is one area in which you're unlikely to hurt the quality of the beverage too horribly.

AND STILL ANOTHER SOURCES SAYS THIS:

Beverage Preferred Temperature Range °F °C Herbal Tea 203° – 212° 95° – 100° White Tea 167° – 185° 75° – 85° Green Tea, regular 185° – 195° 85° – 91° Green Tea, delicate 155° – 168° 68° – 75° Oolong Tea 185° – 194° 85° – 90° Black Tea 203° – 212° 95° – 100° Ph-Erh 210° – 212° 99° – 100° Coffee 185° – 196° 85° – 91°          Sources:   http://www.inpursuitoftea.com/category_s/115.htm http://coffeetea.about.com/od/teabrewing/a/teatemp.htm http://www.imperialteagarden.com/brewtea.html http://www.chefschoice.com/tips_m688.html http://www.slashfood.com/2008/07/16/water-for-tea-temperature-matters/ http://www.teasource.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TeaSource&Category_Code=Preparing

TIESTA TEA- Fruity Pebbles

http://www.tiestatea.com/

 

I found tiesta tea when I was in Cincinnati at Jungle Jim's, one container is $5.99.  I have never heard of the tea before.  It is a nice tea, I discovered it can not be over steeped or it gets very bitter.  I also thought with a name like Fruity Pebbles it would be a stronger taste.  It is okay, but I think I would like it better if it was stronger.  I think I will mix it with another tea next time I try it.

Chinese Sencha green tea, Lung Ching, Pai Mu Tan white tea, papaya bits, pineapple bits, rose petals, strawberry bits

 

First, how adorable are these new owl mugs I have?!

   On a scale of 1 to 5.  I would give it a 3.

Little Girls Tea Parties

http://celebrationsathomeblog.com/2012/06/ideas-for-a-little-girls-tea-party.html

I found this blog and HAD to share it with you!!!  Chris Nease has been having parties for 15 years.  How ADORABLE is this!  She said that Hens and Chicks Parties provide the items for the tea party table top.  She just added the centerpiece and a few embellishments.  I looked on line and it does not appear that Hens and Chicks are still around, their doman has expired.  I was not able to find them online.

BIGELOW Lemon Lift Tea

Sipped throughout the day, tea quenches, soothes, satifies... and delivers healthful antioxidants. We have blended this tea with just the right amount of lemon and a dash of spice. It is deliciously refreshing hot or iced. 20 individually foil wrapped tea bags per box. 6 boxes per case. Net Wt. 1.37 oz. (38g).  Ingredients: decaffeinated black tea, natural lemon flavor (soy lecithin), spice

While staying at a weekend retreat I tried the traditional Bigelow tea.  I had Lemon Lift.  It was nice and soothing. 

http://www.bigelowtea.com/

From David Bigelow, "Over 60 years ago my mother, Ruth Campbell Bigelow changed the way we drink tea in the United States. An avid tea connoisseur, Ruth thought tea drinkers like herself would enjoy a more zestfully flavored tea. Happening upon a special colonial recipe that called for tea to be blended with orange peel and spices, she decided to try and re-create what she felt sounded like a wonderful idea. After much trial and error in the family kitchen, she finally hit upon what she thought was the best tasting recipe. After sharing samples with family, friends and acquaintances, one of them reported back that her new tea had caused nothing but constant comments. Thus the "Constant Comment"® name was born."

I was excited as I looked at the website to see that they carry loose tea.  I don't want to say Bigelow tea bags are boring, but maybe I should say "classic".  The taste is very good, but not faboulous.  I think it is the old paper bag. I like their Novus brand that seems to have more real frui and things added, it has a better taste.  I did see Novus was on the website, I am happy to see that.

BURGER KING Peach tea

Thumbs down on the Burger King Peach Tea.  It was way to sweet, almost like a punch.  The peach taste was nice, but it was too sugary.  I think maybe I will see next time if they can mix the Peach tea with half unsweetened regular tea and see what that is like.

TAZO- Passion tea

15 sachets $6.95

http://www.tazo.com/

You can buy Passion Tea in loose leaf form, sachet bag form, filter bag tea, and iced Passion filter bag tea.  I had the iced Passion tea at Starbucks and I loved it!!!  So, I wanted to try the warm tea.

Ingredients:Hibiscus flowers, natural tropical flavors, citric acid, licorice root, orange peel, cinnamon, rose hips, lemongrass, fruit juice extract (color).

I love the deep red color that starts to come out immediately as the bag hits the warm water.

 

 

The tea was very nice.  It was not as good as the ice tea form, but maybe that is because the ice tea form did have sugar in it.  I liked the smell of the tea, it was very fruity, 

USES FOR TEA BAGS!

Used tea bags may belong in the trash, but if you don’t want them to go to waste, then these effective methods might be your cup of tea! soon, you’ll be saving up all those used ones you’ve got around the house.  Who knew you could do so much with old tea bags, and used tea leaves?



IN THE KITCHEN:
a. for your meat: Meat tastes great when cooked the right way, but when not prepared properly, it can turn out bland, tough and unappetizing. Here’s one way of solving that problem: use tea bags (or even leftover tea) to marinade your meat. The sweetness of the drink will add a savory taste to your barbecue.  marinate tough meat in black tea and it tenderizes it.
b. smoke it: add tea to a smoker to make tea-infused cheeses and meats.
c. boil eggs: Chinese like to add tea leaves to the water after the boiled eggs are cooked.  They adds come flavor and color to the boiled eggs.
d. drinks:  If you’re a health junkie, you’re definitely very much aware of the unpleasant effects of soft drink and alcoholic beverages on your body. To lessen the guilt of consuming these sinful drinks, you can substitute half of it with tea. Soak the used tea bag in hot or cold water again for a few minutes, then get the same amount of soft drink or alcoholic beverage and mix them together. There’s less calories and sugar, but the flavor will be improved.

CRAFTY:
a. ageing an item: Why do we throw away old tea bags immediately, in the first place? Because they stain! Leave it on a surface for too long, and expect a nasty unpleasant surprise. Well, why not use this to your advantage? Use old tea bags as alternative to commercial dyes. Make an item look antiqued.
b. dye fabrics: green and black tea can be used to dye fabric, paper and embroidery.
c. paint: some artists use strong black teas to pain backgrounds or accents on black and white sketches.

COMPOST: Here’s a great way to reuse all the old tea bags you have around the house: use them for your plants. Tea bags can be used as an organic fertilizer for potted house plants, with many stimulant benefits from the nutrients in the ingredients. You can even remove the bags and mix the tea leaves inside with your soil, helping absorb water and retaining moisture. If your problem is leaking bottom holes in the plant containers, you can use teabags to prevent the leakage. This also works well for hanging planters. spread around roses, the tannic acid and other nutrients will benefit the plant. Acid loving plants like ferns, citrus trees, and gardenias thrive when you add a little tea-spiked water to their soil. 


CLEANING USES:
a. remove grease and grime on mirrors, pots, and pans-simply rub a damp teabag on the glass or fill a spray bottle with brewed tea...it can remove stubborn grease
b. Hardwood floors- black tea can help shine color of the hardwood flooring.  
c. linoleum- so why not use your old bags to make a cold brew, then use it as a cleaning solution? Mop your linoleum floors.
d. Clean your kitchen counter tops with it as well. 
e. carpet- you sprinkle used green tea leaves on the carpet, let them sit for 10 minutes and then vacuum them.
f.  unpainted wooden furniture- just make sure you wipe it thoroughly, so it won’t stain.
g. Antique rugs- delicate Persian and Oriental rugs can benefit from sprinkling leaves on the carpet.  Sprinkle nearly dry, used whole leaves on the rug and then gently sweep away.
h. toilet stains- leave the tea in the toilet for several hours, flush the toilet, and brush the bowl.
i. Fishy smells- rinse your hands with tea after eating or preparing fish
j. De-stink the Frig- instead of baking soda, try used tea bags to absorb odors.
k. De-stink cat litter- dry, green tea leaves can be mixed with the litter to help deodorize the litter smell.
l. prevent fleas- sprinkle used tea leaves around the pets bedding.
m. kill dust mites- carefully spray diluted black tea on the carpet to kill dust mites. *Color test the area first in a spot that won't be notices.
n. Clean the fireplace- sprinkle wet tea leaves on fire place ashes while scooping them out, should help reduce the dust.

PERSONAL USES:
a. Sunburn/acne/razor burns: Old tea bags can also be added to your bath, too! If you’ve got a bad case of acne, or if your skin is raw and red from tanning at the beach or razor burn, use the old tea bags to provide relief. Wash off the affected areas with cold tea made from used bags. After several applications, you’ll feel the cooling and calming effects.
b. For your eyes: Crying all night over a breakup can result in puffy and red eyes. While regular ice bags would work, a couple of tea bags can do the trick. Soak them in ice cold water then apply over your eyelids, as compresses. The tea will rejuvenate your face, removing the redness and puffiness after a while. This method also works for healing pink eye.
c. remove warts: Warts are icky and unsightly. There are numerous around the house items you can use to remove them. Old tea bags are one example. Soak them in hot water, then put over your wart for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Make sure you dispose of the tea bag after using it on the wart. You can’t say it works as great (or as quick) as vinegar, but it’s worth a try!
d. dry poison ivy: dry a weepy poison ivy rash with strongly brewed tea.  Dap on with a cotton ball, and let it air-dry.
e. Soothe blisters: hot tea bags are also rumored to draw out infections when left on fever blisters or canker sores.
f. drain boils: cover a boil with a wet tea bag overnight, and it should drain painlessly.
g. recover from injections: a wet teabag on an injection site can be soothing for babies and adults.
h. save a broken nail: to salvage a partially broken fingernail, use a piece of mesh tea bag to create a splint of sorts between the nail and the broken piece.  coat with nail polish.
i. oral pain/bleeding gums: Got a canker sore? It can go away on its own, but if you want to quicken the healing process, soak a used tea bag, then bite down on it. The tea’s healing properties will soothe the pain and make the sore go away faster. This method also helps stop a pulled tooth from bleeding.
j. make a mouth wash: rinse with antiseptic peppermint tea and a little salt. 

Peppermint is an antiseptic and contains menthol, which alleviates pain on contact with skin surfaces. To make peppermint tea, boil 1 TBSP fresh peppermint leaves in 1 cup water and steep for several minutes.

shine dry hair: brewed tea makes a good conditioner for dry hair.  Rinse with unsweetened tea and leave dry for awhile, then rinse with water.
l. Dye hair: Steep 3 tea bags in 1 cup boiling water. Add 1 tablespoon each of rosemary and sage (either fresh or dried) and let it stand overnight before straining. To use, shampoo as usual, and then pour or spray the mixture on your hair, making sure to saturate it thoroughly. Take care not to stain clothes. Blot with a towel and do not rinse. It may take several treatments to achieve desired results.
m. Improve skin: try bathing in green tea, also a skin booster is chamomile tea in a facial steamer.
n. De-stink feet and soothe feet: Soak feet in a strong tea for 15-20 minutes gives them an antibacterial boost . black tea conquers bad odors.
o. heals warts: to help planters wart on feet heal faster, press a warm, wet tea bag onto the wart for 20 minutes a day.
p. improve breath: gargle with strong tea can help prevent halitosis.
q.get smarter: caffeinated teas have proven effects on mental alertness, but some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners' swear that tea leaves in pillows can help improve mental alertness.  They say you awake more clear-headed and quick-thinking.
r. cure the common cold
s. prevent dizziness: back tea is said to reduce dizziness. Tea boosts blood pressure, reducing dizziness when you stand
t. facial toner: wipe a tea bag over your troubled zones and blot with a clean towel. the astringency in tea closes up sweat emitting pours and reduces the greasiness in our faces.
u. heals bruises: ruptured capillaries create bruises.  Since tannins constrict blood vessels, they stop the leaking that causes the discoloration.

REFRESH YOUR PLACE: Tea bags soak in water, but they can also soak in the stuffy and stinky smell of shoes or closets. Place a few unwrapped and unused tea bags on a small platter, then put this inside the closet. If it’s shoes, place one bag in every shoe.  Make a potpourri by adding dry herbal tea bags to potpourri or scented sachets (the tea may run out of flavor, but they still have a good scent).  Likewise, you can freshen up your car.  Place lavender or soothing herbal tea in a bag under the seat to fight odors.

REPEL MOSQUITOES: burning tea leaves is said to repel mosquitoes, with non of the side effects of chemical bug sprays.

STRENGTHEN PUPPY PADS: a foot bath with strong black tea is rumored to help strengthen the pads of dogs feet.


THANKS TO MY SOURCES:
http://lifehackery.com/2009/09/21/10-unique-uses-for-used-tea-bags/


http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2011/08/15/4-uses-for-tea/

http://www.divinecaroline.com/life-etc/home-food/sixteen-unique-uses-used-tea-bags

http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2013/05/diy-natural-foot-soak/

http://www.rd.com/home/22-ways-to-use-tea-for-beauty-home-and-garden/

TEALIGHTFUL....

 

I got the Tealightful catalog today!  I am so very excited to look through it and see all the kinds of teas they have out there.

 

http://www.tealightfultreasures.com/

 

I received four samples, it was a huge dilemma to decide what to try first.  I went for the Blackberry Jazzmint blend.

 

the tea has a WONDERFUL smell.  I love the smell of mint.  The color is really nice too.

The taste of mint is really strong with hint of blackberry.  I really like it and I can not wait to try the other flavors.

My cat, Shakespeare wanted to smell the tea too.  Well, I really liked the tea. Is that good news???  I think I may want to sell the tea now.  Which may be bad for my wallet...hahaha.  They are about 30 flavors that I want to try now.  Actually the price seems reasonable, knowing what other loose leaf costs and how many cups of tea you can get out of one serving.

 

 

HOW TO LOOSE THE WEIGHT!!! Tea is key

how do you loose over 50 pounds???  healthy eating, exercise and LOTS OF TEA! In around 16 months I lost over 50 pounds with changing my lifestyle- giving up Pepsi was a HUGE part of that.  And I began to drink more tea.  Hot, unsweetened tea is part of my daily life now.  I drink on average 6 cups a day.

I drank all sorts of tea.  When I learned that Oolong say they promote weight loss, I drank more of that tea.  I also learned of two kinds of tea that I drank a lot of as well.  Teavana Weight to Go, and Let's Do Tea Fitness Curve.  I have no idea if they really helped, to me it did not even matter I liked the taste and I knew that it was a much healthier alternative to what I was drinking. 

 

http://www.teavana.com/the-teas/black-teas/p/weight-to-go-pu-erh-tea

2 oz is $9.80

Enticing, tantalizing and truly energizing this rosy blush blend of pu-erh black and green oolong teas merge to create an intoxicating mix of sweet fruit with bright mint. Sweet strawberries and golden delicious apples swirl into peppermint and spearmint and create guilt-free, slimful beauty inside and out.

Complex flavors of strawberry, apple and hibiscus are followed by refreshing mint.

Just opening the lid off the tin you are hit with amazing strawberry smell.  I just want to take a spoon full of the tea and eat it!!!

 

http://www.letsdotea.com/

 

3 oz is $9.95

 

I was turned on to Let's Do tea at a home party.  They no longer do home parties, but everyone can order directly from them.  I really like the teas from Let's Do Tea.

 

TEJAVA

I thought I would try some unsweetened tea that was on sale.  It was okay.  I think that the black tea unsweetened is not "my cup of tea"...pun intended.   If I drink unsweetened bottled tea I like something lighter, like a white tea. 

 

http://www.tejava.com/

 

McDonald Tea

I love that you can get tea for $1.00.  I learned this trick from my sister- ask for it half and half.  So many people must ask for itthat way, becasue on the screen it comes up "half cut".  I also ask for light ice.