Regions of Tea Cultivation

Ceylon tea has a distinctive taste and it has qualities unique to itself, likewise the tea produced in each region in Sri Lanka has its unique characteristics, the taste and quality of tea differs from region to region. This is the result of the different climates and elevations present in the regions.

Central Province

Tea grown in this region comes from Nuwara Eliya and Kandy. In Nuwara Eliya tea is grown at an elevation of 6,200ft above sea level and has rare and refined qualities that differs from the low-grown teas. As a result of the higher altitudes and low-temperatures, Nuwara Eliya produces slow-grown bushes with rather small leaves which takes on an orange hue after withering. The infused tea leaves take on a greenish-yellow and has a pale liquor compared to other Ceylon Teas.

Kandy is famous for mid-grown teas and is also responsible for producing flavorsome teas. Kandy produces a variety of strengths and styles, and it all depends on the elevation of which the tea is grown at, tea grown at a lower elevation produces a rather large leaf and has a strong flavor when infused and tea grown at a higher elevation produces a smaller leaf and has a mild and delicate flavor to it. The best tea is produced in the first quarter of the year when the cool and dry weather sets in. Teas hailing from Kandy produce bright infusions with coppery tones, and also has fair amounts of strength and body. 

Uva Province

The tea grown in the Uva region has a distinctive flavor and are mainly used in blends. The tea is grown at an elevation of 3,000 to 5,000 ft. Tea produced in this region comes from estates in Bandarawela, Badulla and Haputale. Uva teas are also known for its recognition around the world. They produce a leaf that is more blackened by withering than that of any other region and has a wide variety of ranges and the unique weather conditions contribute to the distinctive flavors and aromas that makes tea from Uva famous among tea lovers around the world. Uva region is also responsible for producing a significant amount of green tea. 

Southern Province

Best known as low-grown teas, the tea estates of this region lies within an elevation of 2000ft above sea level. The soil and the low elevation of the region contributes to the rapid growth of the tea bush and produces a long beautiful leaf that turns intensely black on withering and is ideal for 'rolling'. As the weather conditions are particularly warm and dry they produce a burgundy hued liquor in the cup. The teas grown in this region has a strong malty flavor, and the aromas have distinctive qualities to it, and is mainly consumed as black tea. 

Sabaragamuwa Province

Tea grown in this region has a little variation to it than of the teas grown in southern district, this is a result of the wider range of altitude at which it is grown and the varied climatic conditions. They too produce a fast-growing bush with long leaves that are rather black when withered and very well suited for rolling. The liquor too is similar to that of the teas from southern district, a dark-yellow brown with a hint of red and during the dry season a little bit lighter in shade. The aroma though is completely different with a hint of sweet caramel and not quite as strong as southern teas and the flavor of the teas are somewhat stronger. 

Each tea grown in each region contributes to the quality and distinctive flavors of Ceylon Tea that is famous all around the world among tea lovers. 

Categories: Drink, Green Tea, Tea

Explore the Ceylon Teas of Sri Lanka

Ceylon tea is a popular type of black tea that is also known as Sri Lankan tea. Served as an iced tea or nice and warm, it is a favorite beverage for many tea drinkers. While Ceylon is known for its bold flavor, you might be surprised to know that it can vary greatly in taste, depending on where it's grown in the country.

What is Ceylon Tea?

Ceylon (say-lawn) tea is a tea from Sri Lanka, a nation which was formerly known as "Ceylon." Although some Sri Lankan producers are branching out in their offerings to include green tea and other tea types, most Ceylon teas are black teas.

Ceylon leaves are often described as "wiry." This is because they are left long and thin with a wire-like look. In the world of tea, these leaves are very easy to recognize.

What Does Ceylon Tea Taste Like?

Sri Lanka is a small island, but it has an enormous range in elevation, so the flavors of the teas produced there vary greatly.
This difference in flavor is influenced by climate, soil, precipitation, sun, and plant varietals, and it is known as terroir. It is used in wine as well as tea. Sri Lanka happens to be unique because of the immense variety available from such a small area.
Despite the regional nuances, a "classic Ceylon flavor" is generally thought to be bold, full, and brisk. It has medium-to-full tannins and some notes of citrus, chocolate, or spice.
Most Ceylon tea is orthodox tea, meaning it was processed by hand, making a brisk, bright tea.

Tea Growing Regions in Sri Lanka

Eleven tea-growing regions are found in the country, the best-known are Uva, Nuwara Eliya, and Dimbulla.

Uva is perhaps the most famous tea-growing region in Sri Lanka. It is located in central Sri Lanka, east of both Nuwara Eliya and Dambulla. The terroir of Uva produces black tea with a distinctively sweet flavor and exotic, woodsy aroma that can handle a bit of milk. Some white teas are also produced in Uva.

Nuwara Eliya is the highest elevation tea-producing area in Sri Lanka. It is also located in the center of the island, west of Uva and north of Dambulla. Its terroir produces tea with a delicate, floral fragrance and light, brisk flavor. The high elevation teas of Nuwara Eliya are exceptional iced or served with lemon.

Dambulla is a tea-growing region in central Sri Lanka. It is the southernmost of the three well-known regions. As a region of mountain slopes, the terroir ranges greatly with the elevation. Some teas are full-bodied, while others are delicate, but most are mellow in flavor.
Other tea-growing regions in Sri Lanka include Badulla, Galle, Haputalle, Kandy, Maturata, Ratnapura, Ruhuna, and Uda Pussellawa.

Drinking Ceylon Tea

The diversity of Ceylon teas leads to a great variety in how you can enjoy it. This type of tea is the epitome of the term 'self-drinker,' which is used to describe teas (primarily black) that need no enhancements because they are perfect on their own.
Ceylon teas are the most popular base for iced teas in the world. They also make one of the most pleasant hot teas you will find.
In addition, enjoy Ceylon teas in the following ways:

• As a milk tea to mellow the flavor and reduce any bitterness.
• Instead of milk, try Ceylon with a hint of lemon, particularly when served cold.
• Sugar or honey can be used as a mild sweetener.
• Ceylon tea is an excellent choice for any drink recipe that calls for a generic 'black tea.' The Thai Iced Tea is a perfect example.

Categories: Drink, Grade, Green Tea, Tea

9 Impressive Benefits of Ceylon Tea

 

There are impressive benefits of ceylon tea, including its ability to aid in weight loss, protect against chronic illness, boost heart health, increase energy levels, strengthen the immune system, improve the appearance of the skin, moderate diabetic symptoms, and prevent kidney stones.

Ceylon Tea

You may not be familiar with the term ceylon tea, possibly because you’ve never heard of Ceylon – the formal name of Sri Lanka until 1972. Tea production in this country is impressive and is responsible for over $1.5 billion of global tea sales. The excellent terrain and temperature of Sri Lanka make it an ideal location to grow this tea, and it comes in three varieties – black, green, and white. You can find ceylon tea all over the world, but many people may simply mistake it for regular old black tea. Black ceylon tea is the most common form and has a mild flavor that is reminiscent of citrus fruits.

Green ceylon tea has a more pungent, nutty flavor than its black counterpart, and has the highest level of antioxidants since these tea leaves are unfermented. Finally, white ceylon tea is the most expensive and rarest form and is prepared, harvested, and processed by hand, along with being allowed to dry in the sun, giving it a sweeter, more pleasant flavor than the other two varieties.
Essentially, any tea that comes from Sri Lanka is called ceylon tea, and it is widely praised around the world for its high polyphenolic content, which bestows a number of health benefits on those who regularly consume this tea leaf variety.

More specifically, ceylon tea is believed to have a warming influence on the body, and always has a slightly tangy taste, which sets it apart from other varietals on the market. The flavonoids, antioxidants, and polyphenolic compounds in ceylon tea have made it a popular remedy for a wide variety of ailments and afflictions, and can even be used in topical applications for certain issues.

Health Benefits of Ceylon Tea

Let’s take a closer look at some of the health benefits of ceylon tea.

Weight Loss

One of the best things about ceylon tea is its ability to stimulate the metabolism, making it a precious tool for those attempting to lose weight. By speeding up the metabolism, your body naturally burns fat faster, even if you don’t change other aspects of your lifestyle or workout regimen. This means that by giving your metabolism a morning boost with ceylon tea, you will have more energy for even more activities, which may further increase your calorie-burning efforts!

Boosts Immunity

Across the board, ceylon tea can help to promote a healthier body, starting with the immune system. By improving the response time of the immune system to pathogens and foreign agents, ceylon tea can better prepare the body to fight off illness. Furthermore, the antioxidants found in ceylon tea generally reduce oxidative stress and the presence of free radicals within the body, which can help the immune system focus on the important things, like keeping you protected from infections!

Protects the Heart

Ceylon tea possesses a measurable amount of potassium, which is a crucial element of heart health since it functions as a vasodilator. This means that it relaxes the tension in blood vessels and arteries, allowing your blood pressure to decrease to normal, healthy levels and reduce the strain on your heart. A cup of ceylon tea to start each day, along with a potassium-rich fruit like bananas, can do wonders for your long-term heart health.

Increases Energy

Sri Lanka used to be a major coffee-producing nation, but a lot of that infrastructure has shifted to making tea. However, ceylon tea and Sri Lankan coffee share an important characteristic – caffeine. By providing your body with a healthy dose of caffeine, this tea can boost your cognitive acuity and attention, and also pull you out of that morning energy slump. If you drink it at a regular pace, perhaps 2-3 cups over the course of the day, you’ll also avoid the terrible caffeine crash that you so often get from coffee.

Skin Care

Some of the antioxidants that have been identified in ceylon tea are specifically linked to reducing collagen loss in the skin by preventing oxidative stress in the surrounding cells. Collagen is important for skin elasticity, namely preventing the appearance of wrinkles and keeping the skin taut and strong. By preventing oxidative stress in this way, you can prevent premature aging, eliminate those pesky wrinkles, and also promote healthier blemish-free skin.

Eliminates Kidney Stones

Research has connected the consumption of black tea to a decreased risk of developing kidney stones. This is believed to be connected to both the caffeine content and antioxidants present within this miraculously delicious and beneficial tea variety!

Regulates Diabetes Symptoms

Drinking ceylon tea has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels, which is particularly important for people who suffer from diabetes. By helping to regulate the glucose and insulin levels in the body, ceylon tea can prevent the spikes and drops that can be dangerous for those who struggle with diabetes.

Prevents Chronic Illness

The impressive antioxidant range that ceylon tea possesses makes it a powerful aid to human health in many ways. Specifically, the theaflavins and thearubigins found in this tea are known to directly counteract the spread of cancer and can prevent cellular mutation and oxidative stress. In order to prevent chronic diseases, like cancer, ceylon tea can be a great line of defense to boost the responsiveness of your immune system.

Word of Caution: Due to the notable content of caffeine found in this tea, it is not recommended that pregnant women consume it, as this can lead to complications in the pregnancy, not to mention the fact that most babies cannot process caffeine in utero. Furthermore, if you have anxiety problems, adding caffeine to your diet isn’t always the best option. However, in low-caffeine doses (steeping for short periods of time), ceylon tea can help to eliminate some of the factors that may be causing you stress. As always, it is best to speak with your doctor before adding a new herbal treatment to your normal dietary or health regimen.

Categories: Drink, Green Tea, Health Tips, Tea

The Healing Benefits of CINNAMON & HONEY

Folk remedies have been around a long time for a very good reason-- they work!


Here is another for the folks: CINNAMON & HONEY

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar.  Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey. Make sure your honey is untreated, unprocessed and not heated, in other words get as raw as possible. This will have the greatest benefit. Caution  too much honey of any kind is not good for the body. But a little bit will help some of the following conditions.

The Cinamon should be organic. Chinese medicine says it is warming and nourishing for the Kidneys.

See about different types of Cinnamon:http://www.newrealities.com/index.php/articles-on-health/item/2934-how-to-differentiate-between-ceylon-and-cassia-cinnamon


ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the  Copenhagen  University , it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it.  It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours.  As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured.  According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.  To make it lukewarm,  place it in a small jar and let it set in warm water for awhile.

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack.

Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.   In  America and  Canada,  various nursing homes have  treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS: According to the studies done in  India and  Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.


INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA – FLU: A scientist in  Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old might start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water.  If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder.  Do not boil, but pour one cup of boiling water onto the mixture of honey and cinnamon. Generally start off with a teaspoon of each, and then adjust depending on taste. Remember honey is a sugar based product, so teaspoon is best to start with. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
 
SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

CANCER: Research in  Japan and  Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

BAD BREATH: People in  South America first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts helps restore hearing.

CONCLUSION:
It is good to take some sort of mixture of cinnamon and honey daily!

Source : http://www.newrealities.com/index.php/articles-on-health/item/532-the-healing-benefits-of-cinnamon-honey

Categories: Cinnamon, Drink, Health Tips