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Britain is a country of well preserved traditions. This is the country where Margaret Thatcher was given the rank of an Honorable Man just so she could join the "Reform-Club" without breaking an old custom. So it does not sound surprising that such a simple thing as drinking tea also has to be done according to certain rules.

The popularity of a drink named "tea" is worldwide. But drinking tea according to the Japanese Way of Tea (sado, sadoo, chado) has little to do with just putting a teabag into a cup of boiling water. The Japanese Tea Ceremony is an ancient Japanese ritual which includes not only the proper way of drinking tea and eating sweets but also prescribes special gestures and phrases along with the general arrangement of the tea rooms.

Generally, we do know that tea has positive influence on our health. But we hardly ever think about it when we drink tea. We drink it mainly to refresh our mind and body, to have a nice talk with our best companion or just to keep the tradition of serving tea to our guests. In fact, tea is becoming a continuous and important sphere of scientists' investigations in order to define innumerous health benefits that tea brings about.

Pearl milk tea or bubble tea is an iced tea mixture with milk. It takes its origin in Taiwan and is of great popularity in Asia as well as in Europe, Canada and the United States. Two other names for it are black pearl tea or tapioca tea. If you have never tried this kind of tea, and order it in some café, do not be surprised when you find black gummy balls of tapioca at the bottom of the cup. The very name of the tea presupposes it.

Nowadays two traditional ice teas are served in the USA, sweetened and sugar-free. In the South people drink sweetened ice tea throughout the year, and in the balance of the states unsweetened or "black" ice tea is served. The start of tea drinking tradition goes back to the late 18th century when tea was firstly grown in South Carolina. Today, it is an inalienable component of American daily life.

Fruit tea can be prepared and served in many different ways; it can be hot or cold, spicy or sweetened, with one fruit infusion or with several fruit extracts or syrups. In any case, if you use high quality tea for fruit tea making, you are guaranteed a great result, fine treatment to your guests, and long-lasting indulgence to yourself. A variety of fruit kinds allows us to experiment and invent new fruit tea recipes again and again.

Green tea is a native product of Southeast Asia. The Chinese have drunk it since the 28th century BC. And only in the 17th century AD green tea was first brought to Europe. Generally, green tea is not so popular in Europe as the black one, but having studied the tea health benefits, the scientists conclude that green tea is much more useful for our health due to several reasons.

The tea tree is native to Australia and is known for its positive medical effects. However, there are facts that the tea tree and, particularly, its oil can bring about negative effects to a human organism. Possibly, the motive is people's ignorance of how to use it in the right way. That is the reason why before using this medicine or any other herbal medicine, it is highly important to consult your doctor or a licensed health-care professional or a pharmacist.

Drinking tea in Japan has a long and interesting history and the Japanese treat very tenderly and respectfully the ceremony of tea preparation and drinking. The ceremony can take place in the Japanese Tea garden, particularly in a tea house, from the windows of which the drinkers can enjoy wonderful views of exotic plants in bloom and a picturesque landscape. Traditionally, this is the place to invite the most respectful guests, the place for enemies to reunite and come to an agreement.

There are many legends concerning the origin of tea. In fact, it has a long history and is believed to have Asia as its motherland, but what particular country it is from is still the question demanding the precise answer. One of the legends was that the tea plant was first found in China and then was brought to India, Korea, Sri Lanka and Japan by monks. Another legend was that tea took its origin in India.

Earl Grey tea has a peculiar taste, unusual flavor and ... original history. The legend says that Charles Grey, the Prime Minister to King William IV, was given the recipe of the tea by a Chinese mandarin, whose life he saved. Today, this tea is one of the most popular and well-known types of tea in the Western world. It is one of the favorite in North America and Great Britain and is available at any cafe and in any supermarket.

Drinking exotic fruit tea is a delightful pleasure and an experience of enjoying various unusual and uncommon flavors, however, in the case, when the infusions of exotic fruits are combined with the high quality tealeaves. Any fruit tea is an excellent addition to a tea party, arranged for either children or adults; or if you want to pamper yourself, it is also the finest treatment.

Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka, not wothout a reason acclaimed as the best tea in the world. This tea has inherent unique characteristics and reputation for more than a century.The principal production of tea in Ceylon is of black or fully oxidized tea. It is produced throughout the year, but undoubdtedly the finest pluckings are in February and March, and again in August and September.

As the English rose to dominate the oceans of the known world, trade ships now known as Tea Clippers were born. Now we can choose from wide selection of popular English teas every one of which taste great. No matter what your age and lifestyle, tea delivers a multitude of health benefits that range from: being cardio-protective, being a good source of fluid and being friendly to your teeth. The latest researchers has shown that drinking a cup provides you with positive health benefits.

Natural taste and aroma, making flower tea a lovely and highly enjoyable beverage, are for those, who long for something new in a world of tea. The most exciting part concerning the development of tea is the wonderful varieties we have to choose from. Flower tea is sometimes called scented tea. There are even flavored teas with flower petals and essential oils, and teas that have an almost sweet flavor.

Rooibos is a great thirst quencher and is an excellent beverage for active people. No wonder it's so popular couse it contains no oxalic acid, making it a good beverage for people prone to kidney stones. Rooibos contains the minerals, copper, iron and potassium, calcium, fluoride, zinc, manganese; alpha- hydroxy for healthy skin and magnesium for the nervous system are also components of this tea. An interesting fact that in South Africa pregnant women and nursing mothers drink Rooibos because it contains no caffeine.

Green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure, plus also had a significant effect on fat oxidation. Green tea nutrition may have health benefits which include preventing arthritis. So mordern researches proved that drinking green tea is able to provide the human body with numerous health enhancing components

One legend says that the streets of ancient Arabia were filled with the wonderful aroma of jasmine at night, and Jasmine has graced the gardens of almost every Asian dynasty since. Jasmine green tea is one of the world's great teas with its intoxicating aroma and balanced, delicate flavor. This romantic tea may be enjoyed any time of the day but is especially pleasant in the evening.

Long stressful days at work, lack of exercise, too much convenience food that is high in fat and sugar but low in fiber - all this problems are so well-known to everyone in modern society. A well-earned tea break is often the way to catch your breath. Preparing tea for one need not be a hurried affair. Just as easily, it may be a leisurely break.

The Western world, with its high paced environments and developed industry, has abandoned the tea ceremony because of the time it takes to participate in one. But Chinese and Japanese cultures for centuries have had ceremonial tea rooms whereby the art of drinking tea became an absolute way of life. It's convenient to use necessary teaware like tea straingers and tea holders or holders for tea boxes and tea accessories like tea towels to make ceremony unexceptional.

From plantations to packaging, Ahmad Tea of London draws upon great experience and knowledge gained from many decades of family activity in the area of tea trade. The name of Ahmad is associated with the best teas, as professional tea tasters have managed to sample a number of teas from all over the world in order to make the perfect cup. This careful selection ensures that you get the finest tea, with wonderful flavor and freshness.

The Ahmad Earl Grey tea is a black tea with a distinctive aroma and flavor derived from a fragrant citrus fruit - the bergamot orange. This blend was named to honor the 2nd Earl Grey receiving a gift of tea flavored with bergamot oil. Similar teas include "Lady Grey" by Twinings - a blend of bergamot, lemon and Seville orange, and the "Earl Green" - a popular name of Earl Grey green teas, notably the Earl Grey Green taste offered by the Bigelow tea company.

The Boston Tea Party is an incident which took place in December 16, 1773 and has been recognized as a helpful event for sparking the American Revolution. It was a protest expressed by the American colonists against the United Kingdom, in which a number of crates of tea on ships in Boston Harbor were destroyed. Boston was the site of the greatest demonstrations concerning tea ships, staged against British oppression.

In 1773 East India Company was on the verge of bankruptcy, sitting on more than seventeen million pounds of tea that it couldn't sell in England. Trying to save the company, British government passed the Tea Act in 1773 that enabled the company to export merchandise to the colonies, without paying regular taxes imposed on colonial merchants. Taking advantage of these privileges, the East India Company could easily monopolize the colonial tea trade. The ensuing tea party that followed was a result of rebelling against this monopoly.

The homeland of tea, China has had tea shrubs as early as 5,000-6,000 years ago, while the human cultivation of tea plants can be traced back to the period of more than 2,000 years ago. Along with her porcelain and silk, tea in China became familiar to the world over 1,000 years ago, and has been one of the most important Chinese exports ever since. Today tea is consumed by the largest number of people worldwide, and the quota of Chinese tea in this consumption is significant.

Regarded as the Land of the Celestial Thunderbolt, Darjeeling was given to Britain as a present from the independent kingdom of Sikkim. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas and surrounded entirely by snowcapped vistas, the place became soon a popular summer resort of British. Today, the third highest mountain in the world, Mount Kanchnjunga is recognized as the most well-favored attraction in Darjeeling, though the town has also established itself as a renowned producer of teas, retaining some of its Gothic Victorian ambiance.

Famous all over the world for its aromatic teas with delicate taste, Darjeeling is a popular destination for admirers of this fantastic drink. You will be amazed at a variety of recipes of India Darjeeling Tea and ways you can enjoy it. The best option, however, is to visit one of local bars or cafes and enjoy all the diversity available, from hot Darjeeling teas and Darjeeling tea punches to Darjeeling tea ice creams and iced teas.

Recognized as one of the world's finest tea brands, Dilmah is known for producing rich and sophisticated diversity of teas. The founder of the brand, Merrill Fernando has devoted more than five decades to perfection of the art of tea making. Guiding his family business with great care, passion and pride, he named tea after his two sons: Malik and Dilhan. Today the Dilmah team expresses the commitment to improving the tea quality and offer a truly different experience in this popular beverage.

Established more than fifty years ago by Merrill Fernando who has devoted a lifetime to the tea, MJF Group is ranked currently with the seven largest tea packers all over the world, and is recognized as the leading exporter of best value tea (specifically Dilmah green tea) in Sri Lanka, with turnover of nearly $4 billion as of 2003. Today as ever the company is committed to bringing quality back to tea, as well as ensuring integrity and personalized customer service.

Today Germany is recognized as coffee roasters' El Dorado, with over 150 liters of coffee being consumed by each of the citizens annually, while average annual consumption of tea totals only 26 liters. Nevertheless, tea has managed to establish itself as one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages. Total green and black tea consumption rose from nearly 18.5 tons as of 2003 to more than 18.5 tons in 2004, which is a 1% increase in the market.

Consumed for its medical properties, herbal tea is a combination of different herbs which are boiled together with the purpose of creating a hot blend of strained herbs. Currently there exist a great number of companies worldwide specializing in Chinese herbal tea made from herbs to serve healing purposes, such as calming and relaxing the mind, detoxifying the body, dieting, pregnancy and more. It is believed that the right combination of herbs can heal even chronic mental and physical disorders.

Herbal tea, known also as a tisane or herbal infusion, is a combination of dried fruit, herb or flower with boiling water that is believed to exert beneficial impact on people's health. Today there are a wide variety of healthier alternatives to everyday coffee and tea, with a number of people turning to these alternatives to avoid the caffeine. One of the most popular options is herbal tea slimming blends, promoted currently around the world.

Thai tea, known also as Thai iced tea, is a beverage made from strongly brewed red tea containing anise, yellow and red food coloring and other spices. Sweetened with condensed milk and sugar, this tea variation is served chilled. Before serving whole or evaporated milk is poured over the tea that adds creamy appearance and pleasant taste. In Thailand it is served in a tall glass or in a clear plastic bag when ordered take-out, while more westernized vendors offer it in a frappe.

Prior to the early 1800s, tea served cold was referred to as the tea punch, notably Charleston's Saint Cecilia Punch, Chatham Artillery Punch and Regent's Punch. Popularized at the 1904 World Fair, the recognition of iced tea in the United States has led to the appearance of standard flatware sets, the automatic iced tea maker and iced tea spoons along with many other accessories. Today iced tea can be purchased in bottled or canned form at convenience stores and vending machines.

Opened in September 2001 at the point of the outer neighborhood where Valencia Street and Mission Street meet, Jasmine Tea House is easy to overlook among the diversity of hand-painted signs for karate studios, grocers and storefront churches. However, the place is definitely worth a visit, known for its friendly service and delicious Chinese food. The graceful space of the restaurant is outfitted with a number of sophisticated details, from small embroidered purses to artful ceramic tea pots.

Made for many centuries from Chinese Green tea leaves and scented jasmine flowers, jasmine tea, known also as Xiang Pian or Mo Li Hua Cha is possibly the most popular scented tea worldwide, which is believed to have far more health benefits as compared to regular tea. Jasmine tea health is responsible for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol level, regulating aging, reducing stress, preventing certain cancers and strengthening the immune system among other positive impacts.

Kukicha Tea is a famous Japanese green tea, made of twigs, stalks and stems of Camellia sinensi. Because of its inclusion of small twigs resembling swords, the name of the tea means sword energy. Flavorful and delicious, Kukicha is possibly the most preferred tea of the macrobiotic diet, as well as a powerful antioxidant. When added to juice, it can make a wonderful children's drink. Another positive feature of Kukicha Tea is low caffeine level: in fact it is the lowest in caffeine as compared to any other of traditional teas.

With a number of variations available, green tea - made with stalks and twigs -- is now recognized as the predominant tea beverage consumed by Japanese, owing to its considerable healing properties and low caffeine levels. The new season Shin Cha or early season Sencha are generally considered to be the best on the crop, with different regions competing on seasonal availability and quality. Enjoyed in Japan are also special occasion teas, including the evening drink Houjicha, the ceremony beverage Maccha and an extremely rare Gyokuro among others.

Recognized as the biggest tea brand in the world offering both iced and hot tea, Lipton represents nearly 10% of the world tea market and forms a significant part of the Unilever Portfolio that sells more than 20% of the world's tea under such brands as Beseda and PG Tips. Established by Sir Thomas Lipton as a British Tea Company, Lipton owns currently several of its own plantations in India, Tanzania and Kenya.

Established in 1893, Lipton is recognized currently as the biggest tea brand in the world, specializing in hot and iced tea and available in more than 110 countries worldwide. Whether you prefer cold or hot, black or green tea, Lipton tea bags offer a wide selection of great tasting refreshing teas to suit all tastes. The tea is 100% natural, which means it doesn't have any colorings, preservatives or additives. No wonder it is regarded as America's favorite tea.

First formed in the late 19th century, J. Lyons & Co. has become one of the leading food manufacturing companies worldwide, expanding from a modest food supplier to the first food empire recognized as the largest in Europe. With the passage of time Lyons teas has become a household name, while the Joe Lyons Corner Houses passed into history. Unique and innovative, Lyons introduced a wonderful blend of spectacle and style in pursuing its aim to combine top quality with value for money.

Established in the 1890s, J. Lyons and Co. was a UK-based company that controlled the biggest food empire in the 1930s. To the public it was known as the Lyons Corner Houses - a chain of tea rooms flourishing in the 1950s. These houses were particularly popular with working classes, as Joseph Lyon's primary objective was to combine high quality with value for money.

The story of renowned Ceylon Tea can be traced back over 200 years ago, when the country was still a British colony. Experimental tea planting began here in 1839, while the commercial cultivation of tea started in Ceylon in 1867. By the early 1880s, nearly all plantations of coffee in Ceylon were converted to tea. Mlesna Ceylon Tea enjoyed great success throughout the world, a number of companies were formed to offer top quality tea products.

Oolong tea UK is a traditional Chinese tea placed between black and green tea in oxidation. It is believed that the production of this type of tea started at Mt. Wu Yu Shan in Fujian Province during the Ming Dynasty some 400 years ago. Known for its natural environment most suitable for tea cultivation, Fujian Province has been one of the most important tea producing areas since the Sung Dynasty. It is the original home of all teas produced in China.

There is hardly any other drink or food reported to possess as many health benefits as Oolong tea. Currently scientific research in Asia shows that health and well-being have been long associated with the consumption of these tea variations. In China oolong tea has been used as a medicine for more than 4,000 years and is reputed to be helpful in preventing and curing high cholesterol levels, infection, cancer, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and impaired immune function. Oolong tea health is as simple as enjoying a cup of Oolong tea each morning.

Because tea was seen as one of seven daily necessities in ancient China, the other six being vinegar, soy sauce, salt, oil, rice and firewood, tea drinking enjoyed great success within the country. The Chinese tea culture differs greatly from that of Europe, Japan or Britain in the occasions for which tea is enjoyed, preparation methods and tasting methods. Except for being a popular drink, Chinese tea is also widely used in cooking and herbal medicine.

Founded in 1983 by a group of tea experts, Mlesna Ceylon Tea Company has established itself as one of the world's leading tea suppliers, catering to tea connoisseurs and customers alike. The company's product range exceeds 3,500 items, designed to suit all nationalities, ages and tastes, whether it is loose leaf or bagged tea, black, green or some special tea variations, Mlesna tea bags make colorful and attractive tea accessories and gifts.

Depending on the country with its unique customs and rites, tea traditions usually vary greatly from one country to the other or even from location to location within the same country. In addition, the art of brewing, serving and consuming tea is closely related to the occasion for which the tea is prepared and the person brewing it. The best developed is the art of tea drinking in China, Japan, Korea, India, Taiwan and Britain among others. It's easy to see that tea traditions are an integral part of cultural life in many countries worldwide.

Home to some of the most unique plants in the world, South Africa boasts over 8,000 plant species, of these 5,000 are indigenous to the country. It is best known for Rooibos, known also as African Bush Tea, and Honey Bush tea, with a few tea estates engaged in tea production. Discovered several centuries ago, Rooibos was widely used by the Khoi Khoi people for treatment of many ailments. Commercial production of the plant started some 100 years ago.

Native to Asia, from the Himalaya to Japan, the Sweet Osmanthus, known also the Tea Olive bush or Sweet Olive is an evergreen small tree that grows to 5-12 meters tall. The leaves of the tree are nearly 5-10 cm long, while its flowers are much smaller - only 1 cm long. Produced through the summer, it is these flowers that the Sweet Osmanthus is cultivated for, famous for their strong fragrance.