Let's have tea!

I'm a pretty devoted tea drinker.   I've got a couple of friends who are equally enthusiastic about their tea.   But I often run into people who swear they hate the stuff.  Honest.   It shocks.  Truly.   *wink*

Most people picture lovely teacups when they think "tea".

For some it's the flavor of the tea that they have problems with.    I'm tempted to suggest that they haven't been exposed to good tea...in fact, I AM suggesting it right now.    If you're one who firmly believes you don't like tea - this post and the next one are for you!   

I suspect that you don't appreciate tea because you've had negative experiences with that horror of horrors...instant tea.   [insert gagging here]  or (often just as bad) bottled premixed teas that are usually sweetened with high fructose corn syrup - and LOTS of it.

In my reading on the history of tea drinking in the USA I've discovered that tea fell out of favor mostly as a result of the events that led to the Boston Tea Party.  There were already Americans who were touting the notion that tea drinking was UN-American but that idea didn't really catch on until the events of the Boston Tea Party had played out and Revolution was well under way.

 So an alternative needed to be found (since tea had been integral in the daily lives of people around the world, including those early dwellers in America) and coffee was quickly adopted.

 Over the last several decades tea has enjoyed renewed enthusiasm here in the States.    Yet, there is still a bit of misunderstanding about the different teas available.

 Did you know that Black, Green, White and Oolong teas are all from the same plant?     Did you know it even helps burn fat and improves your immune system?    What's not to love about that?  

Drink more tea! It's great for you.

My next post will be about the nitty gritty of brewing your own and where to find good stuff instead of settling for the tea dust that is usually in your average tea bag.