Blooming tea

Blooming or Blossom tea is a unique and memorable gift, which naturally contributes to improved health and wellness.

Medicinal benefits of tea have been confirmed in numerous studies and researches, and whether it be black, green, oolong, white or herbal tea, it has numeros health benefits. Tea health information reveals therapeutic properties for almost every type of health condition from arthritis, heart disease, cancer and liver disease to asthma, tooth decay, stress and weight control. The tea from Camellia sinensis plant (black, green, white, oolong tea all come from Camellia sinensis) provides beneficial effects and health benefits:

• Antibacterial effect.
• Anti-inflammatory effect.
• Contains fluoride and protects teeth.
• Reduces risk of heart disease.
• Controls blood pressure.
• Elevates good cholesterol (HDL).
• High levels of anti-oxidants fights free radicals.
• Increases bone density (green and especially white tea).
• Inhibits abnormal blood clot formation.
• Lowers bad cholesterol (LDL & triglycerides).
• Lowers rates of colon, esophageal and pancreatic cancer.
• Lowers the risk of heart-attack.
• Makes your skin healthy and young.

Blooming Tea is a health-boosting drink not only because of numerous health benefits of Tea from Camellia sinensis plant in general, but also because it is mostly made of White Tea.

White Tea is known to be world’s most healthy tea because it undergoes very little processing and no fermentation, but also because it contains considerably less caffeine. The amount of caffeine depends on the variety of tea leaf, on where it is grown, the particle size used, and the method and length of brewing or steeping. This is why the reported values of caffeine content in literature vary so much.

Caffeine levels of White Tea are about 15 mg per serving (per cup), compared to 40 mg in Black Tea, and 20 mg in Green Tea.

Caffeine and pregnancy

Mostly it is advised that pregnant women should not drink more than 2 cups of white or green tea daily. Again, even this advice is a general one, since quantity of caffeine varies with type of tea and strength of the brew. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you might be interested in the White tea and pregnancy article.

Did you know?

• Decaffeinated tea is not entirely caffeine-free.
• The longer the tea leaves have fermented, the greater their caffeine content will be.
• The smaller the tea leaf, the stronger the extraction of caffeine.
• Most of the caffeine is extracted in the first 30-40 seconds of steeping.
• You can make your own decaf tea.

Comparison on Caffeine amounts in Coffee, Cola and Teas

Coffee (5 oz. cup) … 80 mg
Cola (12 oz. can) … 45 mg
Black Tea (one tea bag) … 40 mg
Oolong Tea (one tea bag) … 30 mg
Green Tea (one tea bag) … 20 mg
White Tea (one tea bag) … 15 mg
Decaf Tea (one tea bag) … 2 mg
Herbal Tea (one tea bag) … 0 mg

This Chinese art may be centuries old, but to many of us it is a completely new, even surprising experience and an outstanding treat for our guests. Here are a few tips on how to brew a perfect Blooming Tea.

To brew Blooming tea, use a large clear or see-through teapot, so that you will be able to enjoy the attractive display. Another option is using a big wine or martini glass and serving each Blooming tea individually. When enjoying Blooming tea you want the bloom open enough to display the treasure hidden inside, so small tea cups or mugs would be a waste. Simply place the bloom in the see-through teapot or glass and add hot water or throw the tea ball into the teapot already filled with hot water. Use one ball for 16-32 oz of water, depending on the desired strength of tea. Steep for 3-5 minutes and watch the bloom unfold. This is when the magic begins, but don’t stir it or force it in any way, just let it unfold by itself and reveal the beautiful flower within. You may leave the tea in the pot and even reuse it as a bouquet in a vase, filled with water and enjoy the beauty of it even longer.