Black tea is as healthy as green tea - The Times of India

Black tea is as healthy as green tea - The Times of India:

It might be virtuous and exotic, but buying expensive green tea for its health-boosting properties may be a waste of money, according to a new study.

The study says a mug of bog-standard black tea with a splash of milk is just as good for both your heart and circulation.

The claim comes in a review of the healthproperties of green and black tea commissioned by the industry's Tea Advisory Panel.

Dr Carrie Ruxton, a freelance dietician, said that just like the green variety, black tea has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, stroke, diabetes and tooth decay.

"Studies that have looked at both types of tea have confirmed similar improvements in vascular function when black or green teas are drunk, leading to significant reductions instroke risk," the Daily Mail quoted her as saying.

Ruxton concluded that black and green tea, which both come from the plant camellia sinensis and contain similar compounds, offered the same health benefits.

In 2001, a review of 17 studies concluded that the risk of heart attacks was 11 per cent lower, on average, when people drank three cups of black tea each day.

"Black tea continues to demonstrate a whole host of health-giving properties. Black tea is the new green for those in the know," said Dr Catherine Hood from the Tea Advisory Panel.

The finding appears in the journal Network Health Dieticians.

'via Blog this'

“First Coffee Ad”, 1652

“First Coffee Ad”, 1652:

“THE Grain or Berry called Coffee, groweth upon little Trees, only in the Deserts of Arabia.

It is brought from thence, and drunk generally throughout all the Grand Seigniors Dominions.

It is a simple innocent thing, composed into a drink, by being dryed in an Oven, and ground to Powder, and boiled up with Spring water, and about half a pint of it to be drunk, fasting an hour before and not Eating an hour after, and to be taken as hot as possibly can be endured; the which will never fetch the skin off the mouth, or raise any Blisters, by reason of that Heat.

The Turks drink at meals and other times, is usually Water, and their Dyet consists much of Fruit, the Crudities whereof are very much corrected by this Drink.

The quality of this Drink is cold and Dry; and though it be a Dryer, yet it neither heats, nor inflames more than hot Posset.

It forcloseth the Orifice of the Stomack, and fortifies the heat with- [missing text] its very good to help digestion, and therefore of great use to be [missing text] bout 3 or 4 a Clock afternoon, as well as in the morning.

[missing text] quickens the Spirits, and makes the Heart Lightsome. 

[missing text]is good against sore Eys, and the better if you hold your Head o’er it, and take in the Steem that way.

It supresseth Fumes exceedingly, and therefore good against the Head-ach, and will very much stop any Defluxion of Rheumas, that distil from the Head upon the Stomach, and so prevent and help Consumptionsand the Cough of the Lungs.

It is excellent to prevent and cure the Dropsy, Gout, and Scurvy.

It is known by experience to be better then any other Drying Drink for People in years, or Children that have any running humors upon them, as the Kings Evil. &c.

It is very good to prevent Mis-carryings in Child-bearing Women.

It is a most excellent Remedy against the Spleen, Hypocondriack Winds, or the like.

It will prevent Drowsiness, and make one fit for Busines, if one have occasion to Watch, and therefore you are not to drink of it after Supper, unless you intend to be watchful, for it will hinder sleep for 3 or 4 hours.

It is observed that in Turkey, where this is generally drunk, that they are not troubled with the Stone, Gout, Dropsie, or Scurvy, and that their Skins are exceeding cleer and white.

It is neither Laxative nor Restringent.

Made and Sold in St. Michaels Alley in Cornhill, by Pasqua Rosee, at the Signe of his own Head.”

…
Via Open Culture / Boing B0ing

Whole Bean Coffee

Everyone knows that whole bean coffee is used to make fresh hot coffee. A coffee maker, some whole bean coffee and grinder are all that are needed to make a delicious pot of java. What many people don’t know is that there are many more uses for whole bean coffee than simply making a pot of coffee. The following are ways to use the coffee bean.

Fresh Breath – Even though coffee is thought to leave bad breath, sucking on a coffee bean leaves the mouth fresh in just a few minutes.

Odor Remover – Put a bowl of uncovered coffee beans in the refrigerator to remove odors from foods stored in there.

Hand Odors  - Rubbing coffee beans between the palms of hands is a good way to remove odors from other foods such as fish. The odor of the coffee bean is much stronger than most other odors and the hands come out smelling fresh and clean.

Bean Bag Filler – Use old coffee beans that can’t be used to make coffee to fill up bean bags. This is an expensive option unless the coffee beans are old and going to be thrown away.

Dye Paper – Soak coffee beans in hot water and then use the water to dye paper.

Cooking – Coffee beans can be used as the secret recipe in barbecue sauces and marinades. They can also be used to flavor ice cream, cakes, cookies, glazes and other kitchen recipes.

Compost – After using whole beans to make coffee, the used c coffee grounds can be put in compost and used in flower beds.  Mushrooms have been shown to grow well when used coffee is placed around it.

Prevent Pests – While used coffee grounds are excellent for compost, they are also great for preventing pests in the garden. Make a mound of coffee grounds around vegetable gardens and flower beds to keep out the ants and snails.

Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans – This is a sweet, crunchy treat for coffee and chocolate lovers. Cover coffee beans in the chocolate flavor of choice, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate or even white chocolate. These sweet treats make excellent gifts and are good for energizing snacks.

Facial Scrub – Grind the beans coarsely and use them to exfoliate the face.

Pot Scrubber – Old coffee beans that are going to be thrown away can be coarsely ground and used to scrub greasy pots and pans in the kitchen.

Coffee beans that aren’t used before they become stale don’t have to be thrown in the garbage. There are many different ways to put the beans to use so that they are not wasted. Before throwing the whole beans out check out the different ways to put them to use.

How to Make Masala Chai - How to Make Chai Tea - Masala Chai Tea Recipe

Powders, syrups and teabags can never compare to freshly brewed masala chai (a.k.a. “chai tea”). Making it from scratch takes more time, but is infinitely more rewarding. This recipe is a bare bones, basic version of masala chai. Once you’ve made it this way, feel free to experiment with blending the many other chai spices out there into your brew.

2 cups milk or milk substitute
2 cups water
4 whole cloves
2 crushed green cardamom pods
2 crushed peppercorns
1 cinnamon stick
1 grape-sized piece peeled, chopped ginger
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. black tealeaves (preferably Assam)
To begin making masala chai, combine milk, water and spices in a medium saucepan.
Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add sugar and tealeaves. Stir, and then simmer for 5 minutes.
Strain into glasses or mugs and serve.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

Makes 4 cups.