In my own hands I hold a bowl of tea; I see all

of nature represented in its green color.
Closing my eyes I find green

mountains and pure water within my own heart.
Silently sitting alone

and drinking tea, I feel these become part of me.

You’ve been reading about it here for a while now, but finally some major publications are beginning to recognize the health benefits of tea! Take Prevention magazine, for example: this month they featured an article entitled “14 Surprising Signs You’ll Live Longer Than You Think.” Some of the astonishing indicators include: folks whose mother had them before 25 years old are twice as likely to live to 100, and people who are optimistic and family-oriented tend to live longer lives. However, one of the most significant signs that you’ll live a longer life is if you’re a tea drinker (in fact, this was #2 on the list!).

This is due to the fact that drinking at least 1-2 cups of tea a day will give your body a significant amount of catechins, substances that help your blood vessels relax and therefore protect your heart. Not to mention the high levels of antioxidants that tea provides, helping to prevent cancer and other serious health problems. Not to mention……well, you get the idea. Live long, drink tea!

Ever opened a commercial tea-bag from a large tea retailer? The tea is almost like a powder - like a saw-dust consistency.

Typically tea bags are filled with the tiniest pieces of broken leaves, called fannings

That’s the main difference between loose teas and bagged teas - the size of the leaves. And that’s what effects the resulting cup of tea.

Please click image for a larger picture

Australian Fruit Tea puts loose leaf tea in a tea bag

Australian Fruit Tea use tea grown without the use of herbicides or pesticides and are in loose leaf form so maximimum flavour and antioxidant levels can be enjoyed

Tea leaves contain chemicals and essential oils, which are the basis for the delightful flavour of tea. So when the tea leaves are broken up, those oils can evaporate, leaving a dull and tasteless tea.

Whereas loose teas are typically whole leaves or at least large pieces of leaves.

On top of the leaf size, there is also the space factor. Tea leaves need space to swell, expand and unfurl. Good water circulation around the leaves is important, which doesn’t typically happen in a cramped little tea bag.

These are some of the hardest times I recall in my lifetime, economically, socially, militarily, and politically we are being challenged every day. They call for all of us to gather our resources, make some bright spots in the day for ourselves and those around us, and reach out to others in need. Throughout history, in families, in literature, when faced with a difficult situation, someone would put the kettle on, get out the teapot, cups, spoons, and tea, and sit down for a breather, time to think things through, or share thoughts and feelings with a friend or loved one.

Research has proven that tea is the cup which is both invigorating and calming at the same time. The caffeine, less per cup by 2/3 than found in a cup of coffee, is tempered by a substance called theanine which provides the calming effects of tea. Rich in antioxidants, and available in such a wide variety of aromas, tastes,and colors, tea is versatile and economical. After enjoying your cups of tea, use save leftover tea in the refrigerator to enjoy iced, and add you spent leaves to the garden or compost to enrich your soil. Australian Fruit Tea 100g purchased at Woolworths stores nationwide an exquisite tea breaks down to just 12 cents a cup.

A gathering of friends can be turned into a party with just a package of biscuits or shortbread, simple tuna or chicken salad sandwiches cut into triangles, some toast and jam, or a simple cake served on colorful mix and match dishes with real napkins. The key to making it a party is a great tea, served hot or iced - Australian Fruit Tea every time.

So, turn these challenging times into an opportunity to nurture and enjoy the closeness and comradery that having tea together establishes (Aussies are good at this). And, before we know it, we’ll be on to the next challenge… and the next tea gathering! Enjoy.

If your looking for the best quality tea (and I mean if you go to a specialist tea shop to buy your loose leaf tea leaves - there is no doubt you will be paying a specialist price too) discover Australian Fruit Tea at Woolworths stores where you will receive a premium black leaf tea with a hint of fruit and you will be surprised how reasonable it is. It is also very cost effective to buy loose leaf tea, 1 heaped teaspoon makes a big pot full of tea for the whole family and then you can fill it up again and its still good. You will find Blackberry & Orange (just so refreshing) and Raspberry (such a pick up) and Strawberry (perfect for that afternoon cuppa and delightful before bed).

The old-fashioned high tea - scones, cakes, sandwiches and, of course, a refreshing cuppa - is enjoying a credit-crunch revival and attracting a new, young clientele, it was claimed yesterday.

Tea drinking customers are starting to shun expensive chain coffee houses in favour of more homely cafes and many more inviting their friends and neighbours back into their homes for a cuppa.

It was reported by the executive chairman of the UK Tea Council, “The event of afternoon tea is becoming fashionable again. It seems a younger generation is re-understanding the charm and elegance of the traditional English custom.”

“We are finding that a lot of people are getting fed up with national chains of coffee houses,” she said. “They realise that a pot of tea and a scone the size of a dinner plate is better value for money than a grande latte and pre-packaged food.”

The custom of taking afternoon tea is thought to have been created by a Duchess of Bedford in the 18th century.

It is believed the duchess used to complain of a “sinking feeling” in late afternoon, so would have a pot of tea and a snack. She began inviting her friends to join her between 3pm and 5pm.

“We have seen a huge increase in popularity of afternoon tea amongst certain groups of people,” he said. “I think that it has a retro appeal to younger generations looking for a bit of escapism from their hectic lives.”

Oh and I only hope they realise the health benefits - wouldn’t it be nice to see young Australians also starting to enjoy afternoon tea - “watch this space in early January for your chance to win a free high tea for 2 with Australian Fruit Tea.

Article By Henry Wershar

Ever since Emperor Shen Nung discovered the leaves of the Camellia sinensis more than 4500 years ago in ancient China, the health benefits of tea have been known to the Chinese. Books have been written and songs composed to propagate the beliefs about the health benefits of tea.

Chinese emperors, for whom tea was nothing less than a tribute, used to even decree royal proclamations as to what form the tea should be presented to them, so that they may derive the maximum from the supposed medicinal properties of the tea leaves. In fact, other than being a rejuvenating drink, the Chinese also claimed that tea was useful for curing lethargy, bladder ailments and tumors.

However, most of these claims were unknown to the world outside China until the late nineteenth century. Even then, they were passed off as rumors and unfounded claims. Recently, though research conducted on tea, especially green tea, have started giving results proving that tea for health might not be that bad an idea after all!

In these recent studies, it has been claimed that tea may have anti-cancer properties, it may be able to slow down the spread of HIV in the body, it definitely increases the metabolic rate and mental alertness, and it can also help reduce stress.

Let us have a look at some of the studies done on the composition of tea which show whether really tea is good for health:

Effects on HIV
Studies have been conducted and found that epigallcatechin gallate (EGCG) found in tea helps boost one’s immune system. Therefore, this helps in throttling the spread of the HIV virus in the body. However, researchers have made it quite clear, that though tea helps in reducing the spread of HIV in the body, it should always be used along with conventional medicines.

Effects on Metabolic Rate
Tea, especially green tea, have been known to speed up fat oxidation and in crease the metabolic rate. Along with caffeine, the catechin polyphenols present in tea helps speed up the rate at which calories are burnt, thereby increasing substantially the energy consumed.

Effects on Mental Health and Immune System
Tea has been found to contain amino acid L-theanine which improves the body’s ability to combat diseases by giving a boost to gamma delta T-cells. The L-theanine found in tea also helps keep the brain in an alert state of relaxation by increasing alpha wave production in the brain.

Effects on Hormone Levels
It has been found that tea, more specifically black tea, can reduce stress hormones in the body and thereby help a person recover more quickly from stress. Also it has been seen that the risk of heart attacks and blood platelet activation are a lot lower in tea drinkers.

Effects on Alzheimer’s
The epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) can also protect the brain and fight Alzheimer’s disease. It helps prevent buildup of abnormal levels of beta-amyloid plaque which is responsible for causing the Alzheimer’s disease.

The above illustrated examples are only some of the many benefits of drinking the various varieties of tea. Besides these, tea is also rumored to be beneficial in fighting diabetes and preventing cognitive impairment, though these are yet to be effectively proven through studies. Still, there is no doubt that tea for health is no longer just a marketing strategy of tea companies, but a reality!

“If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty”, so goes a Japanese proverb.

My mum always had a solution for every situation.

“A Good Cup of Tea Will Fix It!”, she would say.

No matter what the problem was - if I fell over and hurt my knee. If I had a bad head from a big night out. If I had an argument with a friend. It was always the same - “A Good Cup of Tea Will Fix It!”, she would say.

This is one of the many emails we get from fans of our Australian Fruit Tea:

” We love your ad on my favourite radio 1073!

I really love my tea. My friends luv it to.”

The best thing is, that you don’t have to go to Helensvale, you can go to our online shop here and purchase our teas from the comfort of your own home

I am having difficulty obtaining your products in Mt Ommaney. Can you kindly advise me where i can obtain your full range of teas as after tasting the first box i am spoilt and now only want your products.