The story of tea begins over four and a half thousand years ago. According to Chinese mythology, in 2737 BC the Chinese Emperor, Shen Nung, scholar and herbalist, was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled drinking water. A leaf from the tree dropped into the water and Shen Nung decided to try the brew. The tree was a (more…)

Tea is a beverage made by steeping processed leaves, buds, or twigs of the tea bush, Camellia sinensis, in hot water for a few minutes.

The processing can include oxidation, heating, drying, and the addition of other herbs, flowers, spices, and fruits.

The four basic types of true tea are (in order from most to least processed): black tea, oolong tea, green tea, and white tea.

The term “herbal tea” usually refers to infusions of fruit or of herbs (such as rosehip, chamomile, or jiaogulan) that contain no Camellia sinensis .

(Alternative terms for herbal tea that avoid the word “tea” are tisane and herbal infusion.)

Tea is a natural source of the amino acid theanine, methylxanthines such as caffeine and theobromine
and polyphenolic antioxidant catechins. It has almost no carbohydrates, fat, or protein. It has a cooling, slightly bitter, and astringent flavor.

Studies that support the health benefits of tea drinking keep filling the headlines. There’s simply no denying that a daily spot of tea does the body good.

Even though researchers can’t quite agree on every aspect, I’m sold on the fact that a few cups a day will do its best to protect me from heart disease, a stroke, cancer, and more. (more…)

Adding milk to a cup of tea can destroy its ability to protect against heart disease, according to research.

A small German study found drinking black tea significantly improved the ability of arteries to relax and expand to keep blood pressure healthy. (more…)

Australian Fruit Teas are quality loose leaf black teas with a hint of fruit.

Australian Fruit Tea has a range of 4 flavours in Woolworths stores nationwide in Australia. They are:

Blackberry & Orange (A top of the line breakfast tea, superb with toast and marmalade);

Raspberry (A pick me up and a lovely afternoon tea and evening drink);

Lemon & Kiwifruit ( Top tea in our summer heat and delicious iced); and

Strawberry (dare I say it, we received a letter from a lady in America and she says we have the best strawberry tea in the world - well we like to think so too).

Australian consumers will not find a quality black tea such as Australian Fruit Tea Company teas anywhere in Australia - you can now purchase in Woolworths Nationwide.

The team at Australian Fruit Tea are back on deck today having enjoyed a wonderful Xmas break despite the rain in Queensland - and we hope that you all did too.

New Year is always a great time for New Years Resolutions. You may not consider drinking tea a New Years Resolution but have you thought about your health? Australian Fruit Teas have many health benefits. I enjoy coffee as well as tea but because I take my coffee with milk and sugar and that puts on too many kilos I am lucky I also enjoy black tea because I can drink Australian fruit teas “quality black tea with a hint of fruit”with no milk and no sugar.

There are good reasons for some women (and men) to not drink milk or take dairy for that matter, I read “Your Life in Your Hands” by Professor Jane Plant after losing a close friend to breast cancer and I wish every woman in the world would read it and make her own decision.

At Australian Fruit Tea we try very very hard to ensure we buy quality black tea grown without herbicides or pesticides because it is grown next to a rain forest growers are not allowed to spray (what a blessing). We require that the fruit we use is freeze dried to lock in the flavour without additives and Australian Fruit Tea only use natural flavours.

If you see “flavours” on an ingredient list anywhere you can guarantee it will not be a natural flavour. Any company who has gone to the trouble of using a natural flavour will always say so. Please all be so careful about what you put into your body and I hope you will enjoy a cup of Australian Fruit Tea in 2008.

Good health to you all for 2008.