Accoring to Reuters Health, an extract of green tea wards off colorectal cancer.
According to research reported at the Sixth International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention, sponsored by the American Association for Cancer Research, a standardized green tea polyphenol preparation (Polyphenon E) limits the growth of colorectal tumors in rats treated with a substance that causes the cancer.
"Our findings show that rats fed a diet containing Polyphenon E are less than half as likely to develop colon cancer," Dr. Hang Xiao, from the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, noted in a statement. These results are consistent with previously published results, which showed that green tea consumption was associated with lower colon cancer rates in Shanghai, China, he also noted.
In the study, Xiao and colleagues injected rats with azoxymethane, a chemical known to produce colorectal tumors that share many characteristics with colorectal cancer in humans. Then they fed the animals a high-fat Western-style diet with or without Polyphenon E for 34 weeks. The amount of Polyphenon the animals took in was roughly equal to about four to six cups of green tea per day.
Polyphenon E decreased the total number of tumors per rat and decreased tumor size, compared with control rats that were not given Polyphenon E, Xiao told the conference.
"In the control group," he said, "67 percent of rats developed malignant tumors while in the treated group only 27 percent of rats had malignant tumors. Most important, tea polyphenols decreased the number of malignant tumors per rat by 80 percent compared to the control group."
When the researchers analyzed blood and colon tissue samples, they found a "considerable amount of tea polyphenols in those samples in treated animals, and those levels of tea polyphenols were comparable to the human situation after ingestion of tea leaves or tea beverage," Xiao noted. The researchers believe these findings will pave the way for clinical trials with green tea polyphenols in humans.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Geographic Indication Tag for Darjeeling Tea
India is hoping to make Darjeeling Tea an exclusive product of India.
The tea variety will soon have a geographical indication (GI) in all international markets. At present, Champagne is the only product that commands a GI worldwide. The issue of GI for Darjeeling Tea has been debated for the last couple of years in various national and international forums.
While the government has filed for GI in the US and Canada, it has also perked up the process in other international markets. India is the second largest producer of tea in the world and Darjeeling Tea is considered to be its most sought-after variety. Despite this, India commands less than 13% share in the export market. Also planned is the set up of a body to monitor and regulate tea exporters.
Import of tea from India has been banned in some East Asian countries, mainly on quality issues. Till about the early 1990’s, India happened to be one of the leading tea exporters in the world. This share has continuously dipped since then, due to various reasons. However, in the last 6-7 years, there have been an aggressive takeover of tea gardens by corporates, and almost 80% tea production lies with the organised sector now.
Blog Note: This is a long time coming and may finally put some integrity back in the Darjeeling market. Our sales of darjeeling slip every year as the market is flooded with questionable product.
On another note, we have greatly expanded our offerings of Oolong tea and have included several offerings from China (in addition to our traditional Formosa Oolongs).
Visit us at: http://www.potlucktea.com/.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Tea Has Arrived In New York
As we plan our entry into the retail tea world, we note the following:
Last March, Tavalon Tea Bar (22 E 14th Street) opened, offering more than 30 varieties of tea—and an on-site DJ.
T Salon (75 Ninth Avenue) and Gramstand (214 Avenue A) appeared last winter: The former trumpets itself “the first environmentally sustainable tea bar-café-market in the world!,” while the latter boasts “Zen-like industrial design” and more than 50 types of leaves.
In August, Sanctuary T (337B West Broadway) opened with a similarly mind-boggling array. A month later, Tafu (569 Lexington Avenue) brought premium Japanese teas to midtown.
And in the coming weeks, Amai Tea and Bake House (171 Third Avenue), whose coveted sweets are sold at Takashimaya, will open its first retail space. We plan to offer Amai's treasures through our web site in the very near future.
In August, Sanctuary T (337B West Broadway) opened with a similarly mind-boggling array. A month later, Tafu (569 Lexington Avenue) brought premium Japanese teas to midtown.
And in the coming weeks, Amai Tea and Bake House (171 Third Avenue), whose coveted sweets are sold at Takashimaya, will open its first retail space. We plan to offer Amai's treasures through our web site in the very near future.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Black Tea Shows Blood Sugar Benefits
October 24, 2007 - A one gram drink of black tea may have the potential to stimulate an insulin response and reduce blood sugar levels, suggests new research from England. The study suggests that black tea could have benefits for diabetics to blunt the blood sugar spikes, keeping the body's blood sugar levels relatively steady throughout the day. This has been linked to better regulation of appetite and a reduced tendency to snack.
Researchers from King's College London and the University of Central Lancashire recruited 16 healthy subjects and assigned them to drink 75 grams of glucose in either 250ml of water (control), 250ml of water plus 0.052g of caffeine (positive control) or 250 ml of water plus 1.0 or 3.0 grams of instant black tea. Writing in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, the researchers report that plasma glucose concentrations during the first hour in response to the drinks were not significantly different. However, after two hours plasma glucose concentrations were significantly in the group who consumed 1.0 grams of tea, relative to the control and caffeine drinks. Moreover, drinking the black tea was associated with increased insulin levels compared with the control and caffeine drinks at 90 minutes.
The health benefits of tea, including protection from certain cancers and Alzheimer's, have been linked to the polyphenol content of the tea. Green tea contains between 30 and 40 per cent of water-extractable polyphenols, while black tea (green tea that has been oxidized by fermentation) contains between 3 and 10 per cent.The four primary polyphenols found in fresh tealeaves are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin.Chemical analysis showed that the tea was rich in polyphenolic compounds (total, 350mg/g). Bryans and co-workers state that the polyphenol content of the tea was most probably behind the effects. They state that these compounds could have an insulin-stimulating effect on pancreatic B-cells - cells responsible for insulin production. "It is important to note also that the physiological effects seen in this study were relatively small and were achieved under test conditions. "Under normal tea drinking conditions before or after food, the presence of other phenolic compounds could potentially alter, or even enhance, the effects seen in our study. "It is certainly an area of research that warrants further investigation," they concluded.
From: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=80829-black-tea-egcg-insulin
Researchers from King's College London and the University of Central Lancashire recruited 16 healthy subjects and assigned them to drink 75 grams of glucose in either 250ml of water (control), 250ml of water plus 0.052g of caffeine (positive control) or 250 ml of water plus 1.0 or 3.0 grams of instant black tea. Writing in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, the researchers report that plasma glucose concentrations during the first hour in response to the drinks were not significantly different. However, after two hours plasma glucose concentrations were significantly in the group who consumed 1.0 grams of tea, relative to the control and caffeine drinks. Moreover, drinking the black tea was associated with increased insulin levels compared with the control and caffeine drinks at 90 minutes.
The health benefits of tea, including protection from certain cancers and Alzheimer's, have been linked to the polyphenol content of the tea. Green tea contains between 30 and 40 per cent of water-extractable polyphenols, while black tea (green tea that has been oxidized by fermentation) contains between 3 and 10 per cent.The four primary polyphenols found in fresh tealeaves are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin.Chemical analysis showed that the tea was rich in polyphenolic compounds (total, 350mg/g). Bryans and co-workers state that the polyphenol content of the tea was most probably behind the effects. They state that these compounds could have an insulin-stimulating effect on pancreatic B-cells - cells responsible for insulin production. "It is important to note also that the physiological effects seen in this study were relatively small and were achieved under test conditions. "Under normal tea drinking conditions before or after food, the presence of other phenolic compounds could potentially alter, or even enhance, the effects seen in our study. "It is certainly an area of research that warrants further investigation," they concluded.
From: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=80829-black-tea-egcg-insulin
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tea May Help Lower Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Risks
According the The Canadian Press:
TORONTO -- New scientific research suggests that drinking tea may lower an individual's risk of developing dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
This data and other new research that suggests drinking tea may improve and maintain brain health and function was presented at the recent Fourth International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health in Washington, D.C.
The body of research shows that tea likely directly impacts brain health by maintaining brain cell function and by assisting in the repair of damaged cells, says Carol Greenwood, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto.
"Drinking tea may further help because it reduces the risk of developing other disorders which increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia,'' she says.
Visit us at http://www.potlucktea.com.
TORONTO -- New scientific research suggests that drinking tea may lower an individual's risk of developing dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
This data and other new research that suggests drinking tea may improve and maintain brain health and function was presented at the recent Fourth International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health in Washington, D.C.
The body of research shows that tea likely directly impacts brain health by maintaining brain cell function and by assisting in the repair of damaged cells, says Carol Greenwood, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto.
"Drinking tea may further help because it reduces the risk of developing other disorders which increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia,'' she says.
Visit us at http://www.potlucktea.com.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Tea Drinking and Hip Structure in Elderly Women
October 12, 2007 — Tea drinking is associated with preservation of hip structure in elderly women, according to the results of a cross-sectional and longitudinal study reported in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
"Impaired hip structure assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) areal bone mineral density (aBMD) is an independent predictor for osteoporotic hip fracture," write Amanda Devine, from the University of Western Australia in Perth, and colleagues. "Previous studies have shown that drinking tea has been associated with a higher aBMD and a reduced risk of hip fracture."
In a 5-year prospective trial to determine whether oral calcium supplements prevent osteoporotic fractures, 1500 randomly selected women aged 70 to 85 years had measurement of aBMD at the hip with DXA at years 1 and 5. At 5 years, cross-sectional analysis of 1027 of these women using a questionnaire evaluated the relationship of customary tea intake with aBMD. A prospective analysis of 164 women evaluated the relationship of tea intake at baseline, measured with a 24-hour dietary recall, with change in aBMD from years 1 to 5.
The cross-sectional analysis revealed that mean total hip aBMD was 2.8% greater in tea drinkers (806; 95% confidence interval [CI], 797 - 815 mg/cm2) than in non–tea drinkers (784; 95% CI, 764 - 803 mg/cm2; P < .05). During the 4-year period of the prospective analysis, tea drinkers lost an average of 1.6% of total hip aBMD, whereas non–tea drinkers lost 4.0%. Adjustment for covariates did not affect this pattern of findings.
Study limitations include the small sample size in the prospective study because of limited data on beverage intake collected at baseline; 2 different methods used to assess tea drinking; and measurement error associated with the self-administered beverage questionnaire.
"Tea drinking is associated with preservation of hip structure in elderly women," the authors write. "This finding provides further evidence of the beneficial effects of tea consumption on the skeleton.... Dietary calcium and coffee intake, physical activity, and smoking did not appear to be important confounders of the relation between tea and BMD."
"Impaired hip structure assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) areal bone mineral density (aBMD) is an independent predictor for osteoporotic hip fracture," write Amanda Devine, from the University of Western Australia in Perth, and colleagues. "Previous studies have shown that drinking tea has been associated with a higher aBMD and a reduced risk of hip fracture."
In a 5-year prospective trial to determine whether oral calcium supplements prevent osteoporotic fractures, 1500 randomly selected women aged 70 to 85 years had measurement of aBMD at the hip with DXA at years 1 and 5. At 5 years, cross-sectional analysis of 1027 of these women using a questionnaire evaluated the relationship of customary tea intake with aBMD. A prospective analysis of 164 women evaluated the relationship of tea intake at baseline, measured with a 24-hour dietary recall, with change in aBMD from years 1 to 5.
The cross-sectional analysis revealed that mean total hip aBMD was 2.8% greater in tea drinkers (806; 95% confidence interval [CI], 797 - 815 mg/cm2) than in non–tea drinkers (784; 95% CI, 764 - 803 mg/cm2; P < .05). During the 4-year period of the prospective analysis, tea drinkers lost an average of 1.6% of total hip aBMD, whereas non–tea drinkers lost 4.0%. Adjustment for covariates did not affect this pattern of findings.
Study limitations include the small sample size in the prospective study because of limited data on beverage intake collected at baseline; 2 different methods used to assess tea drinking; and measurement error associated with the self-administered beverage questionnaire.
"Tea drinking is associated with preservation of hip structure in elderly women," the authors write. "This finding provides further evidence of the beneficial effects of tea consumption on the skeleton.... Dietary calcium and coffee intake, physical activity, and smoking did not appear to be important confounders of the relation between tea and BMD."
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Two Updates & A Note & Myspace
1. Our server will be down on October 10, 2007 beginning at 3:00am for about an hour.
2. For those customers who receive orders via FEDEX, we will be installing a FEDEX add-in to our web site that will enable you to track your orders directly from our home page. For all others, we can continue to supply tracking numbers via email. We are going to only use USPS Priority shipping for those customers that prefer to receive packages to a PO Box. Within a few weeks all orders will ship via Fedex Ground Service.
Note: We are delayed for a few days in offering a tea/product of the day. We hope to get the programming done this week and start the program next week.
Yes, we have joined MySpace. See us at www.myspace.com/potlucktea. There is not much there yet.
View our regular site at www.potlucktea.com.
2. For those customers who receive orders via FEDEX, we will be installing a FEDEX add-in to our web site that will enable you to track your orders directly from our home page. For all others, we can continue to supply tracking numbers via email. We are going to only use USPS Priority shipping for those customers that prefer to receive packages to a PO Box. Within a few weeks all orders will ship via Fedex Ground Service.
Note: We are delayed for a few days in offering a tea/product of the day. We hope to get the programming done this week and start the program next week.
Yes, we have joined MySpace. See us at www.myspace.com/potlucktea. There is not much there yet.
View our regular site at www.potlucktea.com.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
New Tea Menu & "Tea of the Day"
Just a quick posting today:
1. Our new tea menu is ready. Click on http://potlucktea.com/Catalog-Request.htm.
2. Also, in a few days we are going to start our "Tea of the Day" program; the goal being to offer a significant discount on a different tea every week day. Watch our home page: http://potlucktea.com for a link for the "Tea of the Day."
Happy Saturday to all.
1. Our new tea menu is ready. Click on http://potlucktea.com/Catalog-Request.htm.
2. Also, in a few days we are going to start our "Tea of the Day" program; the goal being to offer a significant discount on a different tea every week day. Watch our home page: http://potlucktea.com for a link for the "Tea of the Day."
Happy Saturday to all.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Tao Te Ching - 9th Verse
To keep on filling
is not as good as stopping.
Overfilled, the cupped hands drip,
better to stop pouring.
Sharpen a blade too much
and its edge will soon be lost.
Fill your house with jade and gold
and it brings insecurity.
Puff yourself with honor and pride
and no one can save you from a fall.
Retire when the work is done;
this is the way of heaven.
-- Lao-tzu
Monday, September 24, 2007
Thank You For The Kind Words; Back to Bricks & Mortar
Kind Words
I do not normally do this, but we received some very nice words from a customer recently and I wanted to share:
"A moment to commend this product...This has to be the most beautiful jasmine tea I've ever tasted, even better than the traditional jasmine black tea: the scent of jasmine is strong but not overpowering or artificial (and I do love the whole flowers floating around), and the green tea is soft and sweet, never bitter even if I let it steep too long. Thank you for offering such a soul refreshing product."
. . . . N.K., Reading, PA
Sometimes we think we are just selling tea, but the truth is that we also provide our customers with a genuine positive experience.
Bricks & Mortar
I did not think we would ever return to bricks and mortar. Happiness can definitely be found selling on the internet. But we never really know what the universe has in store for us. We have begun a search for a retail site. Any input is appreciated (as always).
I do not normally do this, but we received some very nice words from a customer recently and I wanted to share:
"A moment to commend this product...This has to be the most beautiful jasmine tea I've ever tasted, even better than the traditional jasmine black tea: the scent of jasmine is strong but not overpowering or artificial (and I do love the whole flowers floating around), and the green tea is soft and sweet, never bitter even if I let it steep too long. Thank you for offering such a soul refreshing product."
. . . . N.K., Reading, PA
Sometimes we think we are just selling tea, but the truth is that we also provide our customers with a genuine positive experience.
Bricks & Mortar
I did not think we would ever return to bricks and mortar. Happiness can definitely be found selling on the internet. But we never really know what the universe has in store for us. We have begun a search for a retail site. Any input is appreciated (as always).
Friday, September 21, 2007
Green Tea; Glaxo; Diabetic Mice
Found this from Bloomberg:
Friday, September 21, 2007
WASHINGTON -- A chemical found in green tea helped moderately diabetic mice tolerate sugar and produce insulin as well as GlaxoSmithKline Plc's Avandia pill did in a study. Five-week-old moderately diabetic and severely diabetic mice were fed the compound, an antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, or given Avandia. The rodents' blood sugar and insulin levels were studied after five and 10 weeks of treatment. The moderately diabetic mice fared as well on green tea extract as they did on Avandia, also known as rosiglitazone, the researchers reported. EGCG was not as effective in the severely diabetic group.
"Although EGCG was less potent than rosiglitazone, it exerted changes that were similarly beneficial," researchers led by Ake Sjoeholm of Sweden's Karolinska Institute wrote in an abstract of the study presented Wednesday at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Amsterdam. The animal study suggests that supplements of green tea extract may help prevent and treat the disease in people.
Green tea was suggested as a treatment for diabetes more than 70 years ago. A study of more than 16,000 Japanese men and women, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine last year, found that those who drank more than six cups of green tea a day were less likely to develop type-2 diabetes than those who drank less than one cup a week.
Other studies have shown possible benefits of green tea in cancer and heart disease prevention. Theanine, an amino acid present in black, green and oolong teas, may improve the ability to concentrate, according to a study presented Tuesday at a conference at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington. The research was sponsored by Unilever Plc, which includes Lipton Tea among its more than 400 brands.
Friday, September 21, 2007
WASHINGTON -- A chemical found in green tea helped moderately diabetic mice tolerate sugar and produce insulin as well as GlaxoSmithKline Plc's Avandia pill did in a study. Five-week-old moderately diabetic and severely diabetic mice were fed the compound, an antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, or given Avandia. The rodents' blood sugar and insulin levels were studied after five and 10 weeks of treatment. The moderately diabetic mice fared as well on green tea extract as they did on Avandia, also known as rosiglitazone, the researchers reported. EGCG was not as effective in the severely diabetic group.
"Although EGCG was less potent than rosiglitazone, it exerted changes that were similarly beneficial," researchers led by Ake Sjoeholm of Sweden's Karolinska Institute wrote in an abstract of the study presented Wednesday at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Amsterdam. The animal study suggests that supplements of green tea extract may help prevent and treat the disease in people.
Green tea was suggested as a treatment for diabetes more than 70 years ago. A study of more than 16,000 Japanese men and women, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine last year, found that those who drank more than six cups of green tea a day were less likely to develop type-2 diabetes than those who drank less than one cup a week.
Other studies have shown possible benefits of green tea in cancer and heart disease prevention. Theanine, an amino acid present in black, green and oolong teas, may improve the ability to concentrate, according to a study presented Tuesday at a conference at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington. The research was sponsored by Unilever Plc, which includes Lipton Tea among its more than 400 brands.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Nyack Center; Debra Haffner; Tulsi Tea
Tea Service on November 8, 2007
Here is the scoop: On November 8, 2007 at 7:00pm at the Nycak Center on South Broadway in Nyack, sexuality expert Debra Haffner will offer invaluable advice to parents to help teach their children about sexuality, communication, and family values. With sensitivity and humor, Haffner guides parents through the process of setting their children on the right path to becoming sexually healthy adults. Pot Luck Tea will be serving several varieties of our finest tea and refreshments at the event. For more information, visit http://www.realliferealtalk.org/.
Tulsi Tea - What is it?
Tulsi and Tulsi Tea are recognized as 'The Mother Medicine of Nature' and is known both as "The Queen of Herbs" and "The Incomparable One". Thousands of Ayurvedic texts quote the vast array of healing properties and benefits of Tulsi, which is grown through out India as a sacred herb.
Delicious, fragrant, and exquisite - the finest Rama, Krishna and Vana Tulsi leaves and blossoms are expertly blended to create a soothing, uplifting, full-bodied beverage that is inspiringly fresh and flavorful. Tulsi encourages tranquility, clarity, relief from stress, robust immunity and stamina. It offers respite from colds and flu, helps to balance the metabolism and is rich in antioxidants . With its fresh taste and astonishing array of health benefits, Tulsi Tea (also called "Holy Basil" is, quite simply... perfect. Stay tuned. In the next few weeks we will be offering Tulsi Tea on our web site. Meanwhie, if you have any questions, please email.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The Professors of Tea
There is a great story in the Dining section fo the New York Times today about some really great folks, their love of tea, their tea shop and their beliefs. Here is a link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/dining/19tea.html?_r=1&ref=dining&oref=slogin
I'm not sure how long the Times keeps its links active, so if you can't find it, let me know. The only think I would offer is that I prefer to keep teas dark and dry. We never use clear glass of plastic to store tea, even on display for a short time. Everyone has their own ways though.
NYACK, NY
On November 8th (Thursday) we are hosting the tea service at the Nyack Community Center. More on that soon.
I'm not sure how long the Times keeps its links active, so if you can't find it, let me know. The only think I would offer is that I prefer to keep teas dark and dry. We never use clear glass of plastic to store tea, even on display for a short time. Everyone has their own ways though.
NYACK, NY
On November 8th (Thursday) we are hosting the tea service at the Nyack Community Center. More on that soon.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Seems Reasonable; Boston Tea Party Museum; End of Summer Sale
A Class Act
Actress Jane Seymour has responded to protestors camped outside her English country home in a unique way - by instructing her butler to serve them tea. More than 50 of the star’s neighbours arrived at her estate near Bath to dispute a 24 hour entertainment licence granted to St Catherine’s Court, a venue which Seymour rents out for functions.
Locals complain the noise and increase in traffic is making their lives miserable.
Instead of confronting the protestors, Seymour’s estate manager Hein van Borstenbosch provided them with refreshments, in fine bone china, and accepted a 200-signature petition.
I can't comment on the merits of the dispute, but I definitely agree that serving tea was the right thing to do.
Boston Tea Party
I heard today that the Museum of the Boston Tea Party had another devastating fire. The museum was set to re-open next year after a prior fire closed it down.
End of Summer Sale
Stand by for some price markdowns on discontinued items. Also, we had a bit of trouble filling all of last year's gift basket orders. We are basically only offering two baskets this year. To guarantee delivery, please order early.
Actress Jane Seymour has responded to protestors camped outside her English country home in a unique way - by instructing her butler to serve them tea. More than 50 of the star’s neighbours arrived at her estate near Bath to dispute a 24 hour entertainment licence granted to St Catherine’s Court, a venue which Seymour rents out for functions.
Locals complain the noise and increase in traffic is making their lives miserable.
Instead of confronting the protestors, Seymour’s estate manager Hein van Borstenbosch provided them with refreshments, in fine bone china, and accepted a 200-signature petition.
I can't comment on the merits of the dispute, but I definitely agree that serving tea was the right thing to do.
Boston Tea Party
I heard today that the Museum of the Boston Tea Party had another devastating fire. The museum was set to re-open next year after a prior fire closed it down.
End of Summer Sale
Stand by for some price markdowns on discontinued items. Also, we had a bit of trouble filling all of last year's gift basket orders. We are basically only offering two baskets this year. To guarantee delivery, please order early.
Friday, August 10, 2007
The Great Leap Forward
We have finally (I even thought of capitalizing the letter "F") sorted out our supply problems with Japanese cast-iron teapots. I know the market is flooded with Chinese made "tetsubin" and that there have been an abundance of low priced, cheaply made Chinese cast-iron pots that look like the original Japanese pots. We have stuck with Iwachu (Made in Japan) and have begun receiving shipments this week. I personally apologize to those customers that have had to wait. Paperwork received indicates that we are going to be getting a fair amount of inventory over the next few weeks and should have all items in stock again by Labor Day. For those tea drinkers who know -- there really is a difference.
For those who wish to contribute to our school supply drive, please send me an e-mail at rick@potlucktea.com. Basically, we will collect and distribute school supplies free of charge to anyone who claims a need. Donations are not tax deductible - we are not a registered charity -- this is just a do-the-right-thing kind of thing. Bookbags, calculators, pencils, etc. are all appreciated. School starts in a few weeks.
Finally, I don't usually use this forum to tout other web sites, but I wanted to tell you about Freecycle. I moderate our local Rockland County freecycle through yahoo groups. The goal is to give things away with no strings attached and to receive free items that would otherwise end up in landfills. There is a lot of good that can be done in the world; the trick is to get started somewhere, doing something. After all -- there is Power in Our Union.
For those who wish to contribute to our school supply drive, please send me an e-mail at rick@potlucktea.com. Basically, we will collect and distribute school supplies free of charge to anyone who claims a need. Donations are not tax deductible - we are not a registered charity -- this is just a do-the-right-thing kind of thing. Bookbags, calculators, pencils, etc. are all appreciated. School starts in a few weeks.
Finally, I don't usually use this forum to tout other web sites, but I wanted to tell you about Freecycle. I moderate our local Rockland County freecycle through yahoo groups. The goal is to give things away with no strings attached and to receive free items that would otherwise end up in landfills. There is a lot of good that can be done in the world; the trick is to get started somewhere, doing something. After all -- there is Power in Our Union.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Tea Is Big Business; Kidney cancer
Two Billion Gallons
Tea is big business in the United States. Americans slug down more than 2 billion gallons of it each year, most of it brewed from tea bags and 85 percent of it in the form of iced tea, according to the Tea Association.
What a shame that most tea drinkers miss out on the finer teas -- the loose leaf oolongs, whites, greens and black teas. Readers of this blog know my favorite iced tea is our Formosa Oolong.
Drinking More Coffee and Tea May Decrease Risk of Kidney Cancer
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Cancer, increased intake of coffee and tea appears to decrease the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma. For the full article, go to: http://patient.cancerconsultants.com/CancerNews.aspx?DocumentId=40280.
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Cancer, increased intake of coffee and tea appears to decrease the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma. For the full article, go to: http://patient.cancerconsultants.com/CancerNews.aspx?DocumentId=40280.
Smiling Cat Tea Cup
We seem to be having a massive run on our smiling cat tea cup: http://potlucktea.com/infusers.htm, bottom of the page. If someone can tell me where the publicity has been, I would appreciate it. Whenever there is a flood of orders for one item, there always seems to ahve been a press mention somewhere. Thanks.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Skin Disorder, Etiquette, and Bee Stings
I was going to write today about an article from teh Medical College of Georgia about green tea holding promise as a new treatment for skin disorders such as psoriasis and dandruff, but I got side-tracked by this piece fro the UK Telegraph:
"A seaside tea room is throwing out customers if they commit that most cardinal of sins - dunking their biscuits. Resting elbows on tables, clinking spoons on the sides of cups while stirring, using a mobile phone and being rude about the Queen or other Royals are also likely to lead to ejection from the Tea Cosy in Brighton. Now the strict code of 'tearoom etiquette' introduced by co-owner David Daly - and prominently displayed on every menu - is prompting debate on a Facebook site with some customers describing the rules as 'fascist'. "
For the full story, click: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/07/ntea107.xml.
I am glad that we are not taking ourselves so seriously.
This may be my last garden update -- I am not sure. Viewer mail seems to say, "Stick to tea." I foolishly mentioned my bees last week and as you would guess promptly got stung this weekend by an angry one (probably not a reader of this blog). Anyway, the bite was on the ear, and yes it is quite painful. Ice. Lots of ice, right away. Oh, yes, I was mowing high weeds near my garden to prevent the weed seeds from landing in the garden and I must have disturbed a nest or hive.
We live and we learn.
"A seaside tea room is throwing out customers if they commit that most cardinal of sins - dunking their biscuits. Resting elbows on tables, clinking spoons on the sides of cups while stirring, using a mobile phone and being rude about the Queen or other Royals are also likely to lead to ejection from the Tea Cosy in Brighton. Now the strict code of 'tearoom etiquette' introduced by co-owner David Daly - and prominently displayed on every menu - is prompting debate on a Facebook site with some customers describing the rules as 'fascist'. "
For the full story, click: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/07/ntea107.xml.
I am glad that we are not taking ourselves so seriously.
This may be my last garden update -- I am not sure. Viewer mail seems to say, "Stick to tea." I foolishly mentioned my bees last week and as you would guess promptly got stung this weekend by an angry one (probably not a reader of this blog). Anyway, the bite was on the ear, and yes it is quite painful. Ice. Lots of ice, right away. Oh, yes, I was mowing high weeds near my garden to prevent the weed seeds from landing in the garden and I must have disturbed a nest or hive.
We live and we learn.
Friday, August 3, 2007
What is Red Tea? A Garden Update
First there was black tea, then green tea and white tea. The new rage is "red" tea, but what is it? Red tea is caffeine-free and has some of the same antioxidants as other teas, but, it's not really tea at all.
National wellness expert Dr. Andrew Weil recently discussed red tea in a column at http://www.drweil.com/. Black, green and white teas all come from "Camelia sinensisis," "the tea plant," he says. They differ only in the processing, which determines the levels of caffeine and antioxidants. Red tea or Rooibos ("red bush") tea is a South African herbal infusion used for the treatment of hay fever, asthma and eczema and to soothe heartburn and stomach ulcers and relieve nausea. It has a fruity taste when brewed. Send us an email for a sample package.
National wellness expert Dr. Andrew Weil recently discussed red tea in a column at http://www.drweil.com/. Black, green and white teas all come from "Camelia sinensisis," "the tea plant," he says. They differ only in the processing, which determines the levels of caffeine and antioxidants. Red tea or Rooibos ("red bush") tea is a South African herbal infusion used for the treatment of hay fever, asthma and eczema and to soothe heartburn and stomach ulcers and relieve nausea. It has a fruity taste when brewed. Send us an email for a sample package.
To make it more complicated, Rooibos also comes green. It is the same plant, but a product of a different process. Anyway, stay tuned -- I'm sure there will be more about it. See: http://potlucktea.com/Infusions.htm#Rooibos for our current selection of Organic Rooibos.
I also wanted to provide an update on my rabbit. All was quiet in the garden this morning. The pumpkins and watermelon continue to grow; the peppers are hanging low; the tomatoes are slowly ripening, and the basil looks like it will go to seed soon. I've added a row of deer fencing behind the garden to keep the deer from eating the tops off the tomato plants. Bees are abundant. If there is a bee problem in the New York area, it has not yet reached our neck of the woods. Stay tuned.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Green Tea, Lung Cancer, Rabbits & Compost
Small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), represents 15-20 percent of all lung cancer cases, and is fatal within five years in more than 85 percent of the patients who develop it. The disease typically becomes resistant to drug therapies, and is particularly insidious and difficult to treat.
That’s the bad news. The better news is that the active ingredient in green tea appears to arrest the disease’s progress at the cellular level. We've reported the studies before and posted links to relevant articles. This article is in the new issue of "Cancer News" and rather than republish it, we offer the following link: http://www.cancermonthly.com/iNP/view.asp?ID=183.
Now I digress. A rabbit has found its way into my vegetable garden. I noticed the tops eaten off my carrots, my peppers peppered with chewmarks, and my low hanging tomato branches nibbled. I have looked for the opening in my fencing, but I fear the rabbit is burrowing its way in. I have only seen it once or twice, but I believe it has taken up residence. I don't mind sharing within reason, and would not consider harming the rabbit. Any ideas on how to minimize my garden losses would be appreciated.
By the way, my wife and I make several pots of loose leaf tea every day and add the spent leaves to our compost pile. The plants seem to really thrive with our tea enhanced compost.
That’s the bad news. The better news is that the active ingredient in green tea appears to arrest the disease’s progress at the cellular level. We've reported the studies before and posted links to relevant articles. This article is in the new issue of "Cancer News" and rather than republish it, we offer the following link: http://www.cancermonthly.com/iNP/view.asp?ID=183.
Now I digress. A rabbit has found its way into my vegetable garden. I noticed the tops eaten off my carrots, my peppers peppered with chewmarks, and my low hanging tomato branches nibbled. I have looked for the opening in my fencing, but I fear the rabbit is burrowing its way in. I have only seen it once or twice, but I believe it has taken up residence. I don't mind sharing within reason, and would not consider harming the rabbit. Any ideas on how to minimize my garden losses would be appreciated.
By the way, my wife and I make several pots of loose leaf tea every day and add the spent leaves to our compost pile. The plants seem to really thrive with our tea enhanced compost.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
90degree August Day
I'm sitting on my back porch enjoying a nice glass of iced oolong (my favorite iced tea) and thinking about the tea business. For the first time ever our sales of herbal blends and Rooibos have surpassed our tea sales in a given month. Maybe this is a summer phenomena, maybe it is a the beginning of a trend. Our best seller this month was our Organic Green Rooibos which most customers buy by the pound. Our next best was our Different Drummer herbal blend. If you want a sample of either of these, let us know. We'll get one out to you in the return post.
Anyway, I'll continue to watch and report trends as I see them. Thank you for your support. And so it goes.
Anyway, I'll continue to watch and report trends as I see them. Thank you for your support. And so it goes.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Private Label Teas and Herbal Blends for Yoga Centers
We are pleased to announce a new vehicle for our organic teas and herbal blends. We have initiated a program to package our teas and herbals for sale in Yoga Centers around the country. We will soon post on our site a list of locations where our teas are available. If you own or mange a yoga center and would like to participate, please contact us at potlucktea@aol.com. We will rush sample packaging and a wholesale price list out via return mail.
Friday, March 9, 2007
The World of Tea is Full of Flavor
The tea world continues to grow unabated and great new tea offerings abound. We have added a few spiced melanges to our tea line.
Mocha Spice is bold with a slightly sweet touch. It has chicory root bits, carob, cardamom, pepper, licorice root and valerian root.
Cinnazing is light bodied, with a delicious sweet cinnamon taste. It has cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and pepper.
Our Spicy Chocolate is a full bodied blend with a chocolate taste and a touch of spice. It has cocoa kernels, cinnamon, chicory root bits, cardamom. ginger cloves, pink pepper and desiccated coconut.
And, our Golden Spice Blend is a light bodied spice blend with an exotic taste featuring ginger, cinnamon, apple bits, fennel, coriander, star anise and licorice root.
These infusions are delightful hot or cold and they make excellent tea lattes. Check them out at http://potlucktea.com/Spice-Melange.htm.
Mocha Spice is bold with a slightly sweet touch. It has chicory root bits, carob, cardamom, pepper, licorice root and valerian root.
Cinnazing is light bodied, with a delicious sweet cinnamon taste. It has cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and pepper.
Our Spicy Chocolate is a full bodied blend with a chocolate taste and a touch of spice. It has cocoa kernels, cinnamon, chicory root bits, cardamom. ginger cloves, pink pepper and desiccated coconut.
And, our Golden Spice Blend is a light bodied spice blend with an exotic taste featuring ginger, cinnamon, apple bits, fennel, coriander, star anise and licorice root.
These infusions are delightful hot or cold and they make excellent tea lattes. Check them out at http://potlucktea.com/Spice-Melange.htm.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Tea In The News
Tea & Stress
A study by University College London (Oct. 2006) revealed that people who drank tea after stressful events were able to de-stress more quickly than those who did not drink tea. The researchers discovered that black tea lowers the levels of cortisol, a harmful stress hormone, by a significant average of 47 percent.
Green Tea, Antioxidants & Flavonoids
Erica Wald, RD, a wellness coordinator with the MFit Health Promotion Division at the University of Michigan Health System says, "Drink tea green tea. If you like to drink tea, consider choosing green tea instead of black, oolong or other darker teas. Green tea next to white tea packs the biggest punch when it comes to antioxidants. It also contains flavonoids, a class of naturally occurring plant compounds that function as antioxidants that are good for the heart."
Erica Wald, RD, a wellness coordinator with the MFit Health Promotion Division at the University of Michigan Health System says, "Drink tea green tea. If you like to drink tea, consider choosing green tea instead of black, oolong or other darker teas. Green tea next to white tea packs the biggest punch when it comes to antioxidants. It also contains flavonoids, a class of naturally occurring plant compounds that function as antioxidants that are good for the heart."
Tea & Skin Cancer
The American Cancer Society estimated that 2006 would bring with it 1 million new diagnoses of skin cancer in the United States.
The American Cancer Society estimated that 2006 would bring with it 1 million new diagnoses of skin cancer in the United States.
Santosh Katiyar, Ph.D., an associate professor in dermatology, is convinced that the rich polyphenol content found in green tea is the most potent tumor-inhibitor found in nature. His studies show that an antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3-gallae (EGCG), which is found in green tea, appears to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation-induced damage and prevent skin tumor formation.
"I've found that green tea, whether applied topically or taken orally, is certainly beneficial in the area of cancer prevention, at least in laboratory animal models," Katiyar says. "Green tea prevents UV radiation-induced suppression of the immune system, which has been considered as a risk factor for the development of skin cancer."
Katiyar recently had articles published in Cancer Research and Clinical Cancer Research that stated EGCG prevents UV-induced skin cancer in mice. This is complicated stuff, but basically through the enhancement of an immunoregulatory cytokine interleukin-12-dependent DNA-repair device, the interleukin-12 molecule has the ability to repair UV-induced DNA damage," Katiyar says. "The polyphenols in green tea have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but they enhance the production of interleukin-12. And if the interleukin-12 can play a role in DNA repair, then they can prevent skin cancer."
"It's crucial that people consume the tea on a regular basis to achieve the maximum benefits," Katiyar says. "Constant, regular consumption will be helpful in preventing skin cancer."
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Green Tea, Catechins, Antioxidants and Health
Green tea contains catechins, which are antioxidants that have been shown to fight viruses, slow aging and have an overall beneficial effect on health.
The most important catechin is known as epigllocatechin gallate, better known as EGCG. EGCG is considered the most important because it reduces the growth of cancer cells, has been effective in lowering cholesterol levels and inhibits the formation of blood clots.
The antioxidants in green tea have shown to increase the speed of metabolism and burn fat naturally. The tea causes carbohydrates to be released slowly, which prevents an increase in blood-insulin levels. When this happens, fat is burned. The EGCG combined with the natural caffeine in tea may raise the metabolic rate by at least 4 percent, according to some studies. Nutritionists agree that drinking tea can help people lose weight because its calorie free and a good source of fluids.
See our Green Tea selection at: http://potlucktea.com/Portfolio.htm#Green%20Tea
The most important catechin is known as epigllocatechin gallate, better known as EGCG. EGCG is considered the most important because it reduces the growth of cancer cells, has been effective in lowering cholesterol levels and inhibits the formation of blood clots.
The antioxidants in green tea have shown to increase the speed of metabolism and burn fat naturally. The tea causes carbohydrates to be released slowly, which prevents an increase in blood-insulin levels. When this happens, fat is burned. The EGCG combined with the natural caffeine in tea may raise the metabolic rate by at least 4 percent, according to some studies. Nutritionists agree that drinking tea can help people lose weight because its calorie free and a good source of fluids.
See our Green Tea selection at: http://potlucktea.com/Portfolio.htm#Green%20Tea
Women Shed Unwanted Hair Through Mint Tea
Hairy women could shed their unwanted growth by drinking mint tea, according to a study published today. (February 21st - From the telegraph.co.uk)
They are hirsute because they have abnormally high levels of "masculinising" androgen hormones. Today, a study published in Phytotherapy Research shows that drinking two cups of mint tea a day for five days could reduce the level of androgens and counter the unwanted hair growth.
The team studied the effects of spearmint on 21 hirsute women because of reports that extracts of the spearmint plant (Mentha spicata Labiatae ) reduced libido in men. One explanation was that spearmint was reducing androgen levels. After taking spearmint tea twice a day, there was a "significant decrease" in free testosterone, the primary androgen, among the women.
See our herbal selection at: http://potlucktea.com/Infusions.htm
They are hirsute because they have abnormally high levels of "masculinising" androgen hormones. Today, a study published in Phytotherapy Research shows that drinking two cups of mint tea a day for five days could reduce the level of androgens and counter the unwanted hair growth.
The team studied the effects of spearmint on 21 hirsute women because of reports that extracts of the spearmint plant (Mentha spicata Labiatae ) reduced libido in men. One explanation was that spearmint was reducing androgen levels. After taking spearmint tea twice a day, there was a "significant decrease" in free testosterone, the primary androgen, among the women.
See our herbal selection at: http://potlucktea.com/Infusions.htm
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