High Tea

New research is busy confirming the many health benefits that drinking tea provides,and as this research proves that tea is indeed more than just a relaxing drink, a new reappearance in the popularity of this beverage is occuring.

The act of conducting 'High Tea' is once again proving itself to be a timeless tradition. This simple act of stopping to enjoy an afternoon tea with friends is once again quickly becoming a fashionable pastime and Tea Houses are springing up to market their wares.

Although some fine hotels still conduct daily excursions into this delightful pastime you can decide to host your own High Tea. Just dust off your fine china, invite a few friends over for an afternoon tea party, and spend a little time enjoying this simple but fascinating ritual of yesteryear.

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Green Tea is loaded with them! They are an amazing little item known as a Catechin and they could almost be called magical in the health benefits that they impart to us.

Catechins are not only proven powerful antioxidants but research now suggests that they may also be associated with weight loss. More significantly to a very specific type of weight loss, that being in the reduction of belly fat, that all too difficult weight to lose. Catechins enhance fat oxidation and increase your metabolism thereby allowing you a quickened natural weight loss.

It is suggested that 300 to 400 mg per day or the amount you would consume in approximately 5 cups of green tea daily would be sufficient to produce this effect. Also note that caffinated green tea allows the absorbtion of these catechins to occur much easier than decaffinated tea!

Perk yourself a nice cup of tea, put your feet up, and relax. What easier way could you choose to lose weight and at the same time get yourself into shape?

Catechin Values In Foods Per 100G:

Green Tea - 10-80 Chocolate - 46-61 Beans - 35-55 Black Tea - 6-50 Strawberries - 2-50 Red Raspberries - 2-48 Apples - 10-43 Red Wine - 8-30
Apricot - 10-25 Cherries - 5-22 Grapes - 3-17.5 Peaches - 5-14

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From where I sit in the drawing room I can hear the soft clinking of china cups. Melissa is preparing High Tea, I can hear her humming softly to herself, as she adorns the table with her finest pieces. Only the best will do for this most special of occasions. I hear the rustle of tissue paper as she unwraps her special centerpiece. I smile imagining her at her work. She'll set one tiny little gold teaspoon, knife and fork beside each small flowery china cup and saucer. There will be slightly larger matching plates for us to partake of the food fare.

She'll have only the sweetest cuts of ham and the spiciest beef for our tea. These tempting meats we'll place atop hot scones rich with the savor of dripping butter. I can almost see her as she brings out plates of delicacies that she has baked the night before. At this moment she will be wearing her favorite linen apron, it is covered in roses, her favorite flower and also the one that matches the dishes that she has set out for her tea. The cream she pours for us will be rich and freshly milked from our old cow Bessie just this very morning. There'll also be strawberries, raspberries and grapes to go along with any number of Melissa's other freshly baked treats. I can almost taste her gingersnaps soaked in the wetness of sweet sugared tea.

I can now hear her talking to her guests as they arrive and I know that she will summon me when she is ready for my appearance at the table. I am the family head, the matriarch and I will have my place at one end of the table, this being at the direct opposite end from my Melissa.

The first teas were not nearly so elegant as what Melissa has prepared for us on this day. The first teas were actually quite simple affairs that originated in the United Kingdom around the early 1700's. Back then they were called the afternoon tea and usually were a light meal that was accompanied by tea around 4 in the afternoon. As meals occurred only twice daily in the United Kingdom; this small tea was to tide people over from breakfast till the main meal around 7.

Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford (1788 to 1861) found herself growing hungry long before the evening meal and in her impatience began to dine instead around five. Ar first she dined alone but she soon started a tradition of inviting a few of her closest friends to join her at the main table, or high table as it was then called, for afternoon tea. This then became the makings of the first High Tea and the tradition itself rose very quickly in popularity. The term High Tea has since that time come to be understood as "Formal Tea" and as such is usually a very elegant affair.

Such as that which my Melissa now has almost fully prepared for our guests.

The door softly opens and there stands Melissa, she has removed her apron and now looks radiant in a beautiful spring dress of varying shades of pastels, her hair is piled high atop her head. She smiles and whispers for me to follow her in to Tea. I set down my book, after such a long wait, I am only too willing to obediently comply.

As always the table is perfect. Red roses pose in splendor from a crystal vase set at the center of our meal, they match the flowers that adorn the delicate china cups and plates that are Melissa's greatest pride. The teapot, creamer and sugar bowl gleam brilliantly gold and blend in perfect with the gold color of her finest spoons, knives and forks. Folded floral napkins sit beside each small plate and the food, oh the food, there are just no words to describe this feast. I smile at her and she smiles back at me. I nod acknowledgments to each of our guests before I seat myself to eat.



Rachelle, who Santa gave to Melissa at Christmas this past year, sits in regal dignity to my right. Melissa's old brown teddy sits to my left she has had him since she was three. He has lost some of his fur and carries across his chest a nasty scar received in a battle with our cat Max. Barbie sits on the table beside Melissa because of course, she is just too short, to otherwise see the goings on at this fine tea.

Melissa whispers softly, "Shall I pour the tea?". I respond with a dignified, "Please".

That first delicious relaxing sip of tea can be one of the greatest simple pleasures in life. You can feel the stress melt from your body as the warm amber liquid flows into your body. The perfect cup of tea can indeed be one of life's most enjoyable experiences. Creating that perfect cup of tea does sometime take a little trial, and error, that is unless you follow a simple little guide to brewing the perfect cup of tea .....Read Full Article.

There is a new tea emerging onto store shelves, and this has some people confused as to exactly what the difference is between this new tea, and the old standbys that have previously been available to consumers.

It is "White Tea" and it is considerably more expensive than Black, Green or Oolong teas. The question is why?

All four teas are derived from the camellia sinensis plant so why is this new tea so much more desirable than the others? ....Read Full Article.

The Fairmont Empress Hotel located in Victoria, B.C. where "High Tea" is still conducted with all the grace and grandeur of a century past.

Take a step back into the past and experience this unique tribute to the afternoon teas of yesteryear. While visiting the beautiful city of Victoria, B.C., be sure to polish up your shoes, don your finest finery, and stop in to spend an afternoon visiting friends, sipping tea and nibbling on hot buttered scones.

If you are traveling and happen to stumble through a little town called Cranbrook in B.C. Canada. Stop by and enjoy a rather unique version of high tea at "The Rocky Mountain Redneck Company Cafe" 1115 Baker Street.

*Tea For Two* is served Monday thru Saterday between 2 and 4 p.m. It features tea or coffee as well as an assortment of sandwiches and desserts that it is sure to satisfy the country appetite in you.

Not quite as classy as the Empress but it sure come close! Bring a friend as this tea is dine in only!