Da Hong Pao in the Funny Pages
The Oolong tea Da Hong Pao showed up in a Sunday Comic strip today. “LuAnn” featured two teenage girls talking about a celebrities secrets for beauty. The strip mentions Da Hing Pao (”Big Red Robe”) a tea with a famous history. The emperor of China’s mother was he and he gave her some of this spcial tea and she regained her health. To show his gratitude he had the tea plants dressed in Red Robes. While only four of these plants remain and they are protected by the Chinese government, tea is available from cuttings of the original plants. It is a very special tea and prized by many for its complex flavors and floral notes.
Green Teas on sale this week
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day we will have all Green teas on Sales this week at 20% off.
Selected tea ware will also be on sale.
Drink your way to a Healthier Heart!
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Drink your way to a Healthier Heart! |
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No, it’s not what you are thinking….
Every year 700,000 people the U.S. die of heart disease. According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. This is a sad statistic especially since we all can lower our risk for heart disease by making some lifestyle changes. Research studies show that maintaining a healthy weight and diet, regular exercise, not smoking and moderate alcohol consumption can greatly reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke. die of heart disease. According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. This is a sad statistic especially since we all can lower our risk for heart disease by making some lifestyle changes. Research studies show that maintaining a healthy weight and diet, regular exercise, not smoking and moderate alcohol consumption can greatly reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke.
In recent years, researchers also found that drinking tea regularly (3-4 cups per day) can help to lower cholesterol and keep your heart healthy.
Another alternative are the many herbals mother nature provides so generously to support health and wellbeing. Hawthorne (Crataegus), in particular is known as the supreme herb for heart health. It dilates arteries and veins, allowing blood to flow more easily and releasing cardiovascular restrictions and blockages. In Germany, where herbal medicine is more mainstream than in the U.S., three dozen hawthorn-based heart medicines are prescribed today. Hawthorne is a tonic herb and best results are achieved if it is used over a period of time. It can be taken as tea, tincture or capsules. For an infusion, it is recommended to use 2 teaspoons of dried leaves and flowers per 6oz of boiling water and steep for 5-8 minutes. Add honey and drink 2 cups per day.
For a tasty and heart-healthy infusion combine hawthorne with lemon balm or lemon verbena sit back, sip and relax
Souvia will be featuring this herb and other heart healthy choices at an event on February 21st 1pm - 3pm at our Phoenix location. We will also have Proactive Health Screenings on site to show how technology can help you take a peek at your cardiovascular health in a noninvasive and painless way. Stop by drink to your health and learn more about screenings.
Here’s to your health! |
Chinese New Year Specials
Monday starts the Chinese year 4646, the year of the Ox. We’ll help celebrate by offerign specials on our Yixing pots and Chinese Teas. Stop in and try some traditional chinese teas in handmade teaware.
Even the Britsh come around to good tea
For those of you who have had tea in England you know it is often just a teabag with not particularly great tea in it… It seem sthat the British a slowly embracing good tea.
A recent Time Magazine article says “exquisite infusions were far removed from the bland British teabag — which can contain leaves from up to 60 factory farms. “I realized that Britain was drinking the equivalent of blended whiskey,” recalls Lovell. “We’d never tried the single malt of the tea world.” ”
The author goes on to mention Silver Needle which is one of the best white teas out there. It is prized for its subtle taste and gentle lift.
Tea on Trial
Tea gets questioned by the “police” in this video from the USA Tea Assocation. Other than the fact there is a tea bag hanging out of the cup, its a pretty good summary of teas healthy properties!
Enjoy!
New teas
Souvia celebrated its 3rd birthday January 8th with the introduction of two new teas. GINSENG OOLONG and XIAO HONG PAO join our offerings of over 140 premium teas and herbals. The Ginseng Oolong combine the antioxidants of a lightly oxidized oolong with the benefits of ginseng which is well known for its gentle stimulation of mind and body. Xiao Hong Pao tea (Big Red Robe) is the most famous oolong tea in China. This tea is cultivated from the oldest (over 350 years) and most valuable tea plantation. “The Xiao Hong Pao comes from cuttings of the original Emperor’s plants that now number only five and are protected by law”, says Kerstin Wingert, President and Founder of Souvia® Tea. Legend has it that this tea saved the Emperor’s wife from disease and the Emperor clothed the bushes in red robes to show his gratitude. “At Souvia Tea we strive to bring the highest quality teas together with the most knowledgeable staff for the perfect tea experience. “, Wingert continued.
What we are tasting today
Beleive it or not we taste 20 new teas per week. We are currently tasting teas for the Spring and Summer. Today we tasted:
- A roasted almond - not enough almond taste
- A green tea with orange and passionfruit note - Would make an excellent iced tea
- A lemon grass vanilla herbal blend - had a strong smell and weak taste
- A new black tea blend - Excellent blend of Chinese teas - on the short list
Happy 3rd Birthday to Souvia!
Souvia turns three today… What started as an idea on a hike is now a toddler!
Thank you for all your support these last three years.
Phoenix Mayor PHil Gordon Declares December 8th Buy Local Week
As consumers head out to do their holiday shopping this year, Mayor Phil Gordon says “keep your money where your home is!”
The inaugural Buy Local Week represents a big step and tremendous act of support for LFA and all of our members.
“Consumers can make simple choices that will affect the long-term health of the city,” says Kimber Lanning, executive director of Local First Arizona.
“Local businesses throughout Phoenix have been an important part of the City’s economic development and in these challenging economic times, we are asking our residents to make buying decisions that can have a greater positive impact where they live,” said City of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon.
