Bag Orange Lotus

What kind of tea is good? And how do i go about making it?

Since the winter season is coming around, I've been interested in trying some hot teas. Recently, I bought an assorted box of Tazo tea (the kind from Starbucks). I like fruity things, and so far my favorite is "Wild Sweet Orange", but it's a little tangy so I added some honey. My friend suggested Celestial Seasoning's 'Wild Berry Zinger'

Anyways, I can't seem to find a tea I like. They're usually rather strong (like "Chai", or "Lotus") or too light (like "Zen" Tazo). I'm wondering if I'm brewing it incorrectly.

I first boiled the water, and poured 8 oz of it into the mug over the filter bag. Now, do I let it sit? or do i stir it? And for how long? The back of the box says 'steep' Green Tea's 3 minutes, and all others for 5. Steep means to soak, so I guess you don't do anything, right?

I'm an over-analyst, so bear with me.

Does anyone know a good fruit/flavored tea, or can anyone help me brew these tea's I already have for a more enjoyable experience?

First, here's some information on brewing tea.

For black tea, bring the water to a boil and steep (soak) the tea in the water for as long as you like - 5 minutes is a standard time.

For oolong tea, bring the water to around 200 degrees F - below boiling, and steep the tea for 3 minutes. You can use the tea bag/leaves a second time.

For green tea, bring the water to around 180 degrees F and steep for 3 minutes. Again, you can reuse the tea.

Green and oolong tea (green, especially) will get bitter and unpleasant if steeped in boiling water - so pour the water before it gets to boiling.

Tazo teas are okay, but they are not of the highest quality. My favorite source for teas is Tao of Tea, in Portland, Oregon (http://www.taooftea.com/). They have first-rate teas, some of which are organic, and many many choices, both caffeinated and herbal.

Some personal favorites are:

Maofeng Noir: http://www.taooftea.com/detail.php3?id=&pid=1640&link=L3B1cmVsZWFmdGVhcy5waHAzP2lkPQ==

Rose Petal Black: http://www.taooftea.com/detail.php3?id=&pid=155&link=L3B1cmVsZWFmdGVhcy5waHAzP2lkPQ==

French Verveine: http://www.taooftea.com/detail.php3?id=&pid=171&link=L3B1cmVsZWFmdGVhcy5waHAzP2lkPQ==

Royal Phoenix: http://www.taooftea.com/detail.php3?id=&pid=153&link=L3B1cmVsZWFmdGVhcy5waHAzP2lkPQ==

Enjoy!

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Collective Haul ~ BODY AND FACE ~ PART# 3

Have a Green Mehndi!

Most Indian wedding traditions, especially Mehndi, have been “green” well before the world woke up to the word “eco-friendly!” Traditionally the Mehndi ceremony precedes the wedding function. The bride-to-be gets her hands and feet decorated with henna ( mehndi). Young girls and ladies too have Mehndi put on their hands as a symbol of joy, participation and happiness.

Mehndi or Henna itself is eco-friendly. It is a natural tattoo paste, made from the roots of the Henna plant. Green Mehndi is ground to a fine paste. Mehndi is symbolically an important part of the Indian wedding. As Mehndi changes its colour from green to orange-red after application, so does a bride flower into her womanhood after marriage.

We bring you some great ideas to get eco-friendly and have a truly “green” Mehndi!

The Bride…

* Dress the bride with fresh flowers in stead of jewellery. Make bracelets, earrings, necklace and maang tika out of fresh flowers.
* Decorate her chair / seat with fresh jasmine strung together.
* Make a canopy of brocade silk and fresh flowers, for the bride to sit under. jasmine strings and

The Venue…

* Sprinkle flower petals at the entrance or pathway leading to the function.
* Decorate the house with fresh flowers: float lotus in urns, string marigolds and jasmine, or bedeck the venue in green leaves, roses and tuberoses.
* Use plantain leaves and the auspicious coconut to decorate.

The Food…

* Plates made out of leaves, are ideal to serve food
* Place a plantain leaf in each plate before serving
* Use trays lined with plantain leaves to serve the sweets
* Use clay pots delicately painted in white and red, to serve the food.
* Leaf “donas” are ideal for chaat and pani poori.

The Giveaways…

* Let your giveaways be eco-friendly.
* Avoid plastic bags, use cloth bags instead. You can take your pick from tissue, cotton, brocade or silk.
* Let the giveaways be fruits, terracotta diyas, aromatic candles, glass bangles or terracotta lamps
* Use recycled paper for wrapping, if necessary

So, if you are getting married, or if you are helping a friend plan her Mehndi function, go all out and have a perfectly “green” Mehndi, and make it truly memorable for yourself and your guests! What’s even better: you can have an eco-friendly Mehndi well within a budget. Its your ideas that are priceless!

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