Monday, January 16, 2006
Tea Leaves
I have several emails asking whether it is better to drink green or black tea so here is what I found:
White, green, oolong, and black teas come from the same source: an evergreen plant in the Camellia family. The degree to which the leaves are processed determines the resulting forms of tea. Many historical experts and botanists believe green tea was the earliest type of tea produced in China, with black tea developed during the Ming dynasty as a way to extend the leaves' keeping qualities as trade abroad increased.
All four varieties of tea require the same first step in processing: the withering stage, in which the water content of the leaves is reduced from 75-80 % to 60-70% through exposure to sunlight or warm air. What happens next radically changes the nature of the leaves and the resulting cup of tea.
White tea is produced from the new tea-leaf buds that are plucked before they open, allowed to wither, and dried. Because white tea is not rolled and is only slightly oxidized, its light gray leaves brew up a pale yellow liquid with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. For green tea, the leaves are withered, heat-treated, rolled, and heated once more until dry and full green in color. The resulting tea is bright and grassy in flavor. The leaves destined to become black tea undergo the most processing. Like green tea leaves, black tea leaves are withered and rolled. Unlike green tea leaves, they are next fermented and dried, or "fired". This last step is neccassary to stop the decomposition of the leaves, causing them to turn black and develop that familiar "tea" smell.
Oolong tea falls in between green and black teas in terms of both taste and processing method. Generally referred to as semi-fermented, it is withered and fermented, much like black tea, but for a shorter period of time, and its leaves are never broken by rolling.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Take a Pass on Gas
It is true. Beans, beans, are good for the heart. The rest of the silly childhood poem is unfortunately true too. And not just with beans, but also cabbage, onions, apples, and many other fruits and veggies loaded with the vitamins, minerals, fibers and phytochemicals we are all urged to get more of. So what can we do to bypass the gas, short of giving up some of nature's most nourishing foods? Many people suffer gas because their digestive tracts are not used to a high fiber diet - and avoiding fibrous foods like beans, broccoli and salads just worsens the problem. Rather than steering clear of the offending foods gradually add them in, giving the body time to adapt. Add one daily serving of high fiber foods each week. Aim for a goal of 7 to 10 servings of fruits and veggies daily and several servings of beans weekly.
The noxious vapors begin when carbohydrate is not completely digest by the army of enzymes in the small intestine. Once the undigested sugars, starches and fibers reach the large intestine, friendly bacteria break down and ferment - giving off gas in the process.
Increasing your fiber intake not only helps your intestinal bacteria adapt, but it also moves food and waste thru your intestines faster. The quicker the transit, the better. The longer food sits there, the longer the bacteria act on it - which translates to more gas production. To help speed foods thru your GI tract, stay active and drink plenty of fluids.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
2006 Resolution
If you are the type who likes to make new year resolutions, I have a suggestion for you. In 2006 put more fiber in your diet:
Read nutrition labels and choose foods with the highest dietary fiber numbers.
Eat your vegetables, and then some. Forget "5-a-day". Aim for making veggies - preferably fiber rich types like greens and broccoli- a part of every meal and snack.
Eat, rather than drink, your fruits and veggies. When either are processed to make juice, most of the beneficial fiber is left behind.
Do not peel edible skins from fruits and veggies.
Become a frequent eater of beans, lentils and split peas. They are filling, fiber rich and cheap - and, if canned, convenient (just rinse them in a colander before using, to wash away excess sodium).
Happy New Year !!!
