‘Tea as good as water to keep you hydrated’

Not only is a mug of tea refreshing and delicious, it can be an important part of maintaining proper hydration, says Dr Ruxton. Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Here’s some good news for tea lovers! Drinking the beverage, and lots of it, is just as good as downing water at keeping one hydrated on a hot summer day, a new study has claimed.

Researchers have carried out the study and busted the myth that tea is a diuretic - in fact, they found that it doesn’t bother one’s bladder any more than plain water, the ’Daily Mail’ reported.

“If you fancy a cup of tea on a hot summer’s day, have it. A cup of tea is going to give you the same hydration as a glass of water,” lead researcher Carrie Ruxton was quoted as saying.

The researchers asked 21 men to drink mugs of tea over a 12-hour period, or a similar amount of plain, warm water. On another day, the tea-drinkers were given water and vice versa.

Blood samples were taken and the men’s urine was collected and tested. The men did not pass any more water when drinking tea and may even have passed slightly less. There was also little difference in levels of sodium and other salts.

Dr Ruxton said, “It’s a common misconception that drinking tea can increase the risk of dehydration because of the caffeine content. But this new study proves that there is absolutely no truth behind the theory.”

“Drinking moderate amounts of tea - four mugs a day - offered the same excellent hydration qualities as plain water. In addition, urine volume was similar after tea or water, confirming that we do not urinate more after drinking tea.” Dr Ruxton said

“Not only is a mug of tea refreshing and delicious, it can be an important part of maintaining proper hydration.” Dr Ruxton added.

Dr Catherine Hood, of the Tea Advisory Panel, which funded the research, said, “Tea drinkers can be reassured that their favourite cuppa can count towards their fluid intake without the risk of dehydration.”

 

 

 

 

ST  LUCIA  DAY

13  DECEMBER  2012

One of the traditions for Saint Lucia (Lucy) Day in Sweden (and for Swedes living in other countries) is to have a Lucia pageant. A young girl who portrays Lucia is dressed in a white gown with a red sash and wears a crown of lighted candles on her head. She is accompanied by other young girls dressed in white and little boys (star boys), each carrying a lighted candle. Lucia carries a tray of saffron rolls.
In traditional celebrations, Saint Lucy comes as a young woman with lights and sweets. It is one of the few saint days observed in Scandinavia. In some forms, a procession is headed by one girl wearing a crown of candles (or lights), while others in the procession hold only a single candle each.

Crowning of Lucia

Star Boys

There is a procession during which they sing Christmas Carols and the traditional (Swedish) Lucia song:

Natten går tunga fjät
runt gård och stuva.
Kring jord, som sol’n förlät,
skuggorna ruva.
Då i vårt mörka hus
stiga med tända ljus
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.
Då i vårt mörka hus
stiga med tända ljus
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.
Natten är stor och stum.
Nu hörs det svingar
i alla tysta rum
sus som av vingar.
Se på vår tröskel står
vitklädd, med ljus i hår
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.
Se på vår tröskel står
vitklädd, med ljus i hår
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

So, please come and join us in celebration of St Lucia and enjoy the luminaries in beautiful downtown Aiken!

 

 

WHAT  IS  A  MINCE  MEAT PIE ?

A mince pie, also known as minced pie, is a small British sweet pie traditionally served during the Christmas season. Its ingredients are traceable to the 13th century, when returning European crusaders brought with them Middle Eastern recipes containing meats, fruits and spices.
The early mince pie was known by several names, including mutton pie, shrid pie and Christmas pie. Typically its ingredients were a mixture of minced meat, suet, a range of fruits, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Served around Christmas, the savoury Christmas pie (as it became known) was associated with supposed Catholic "idolatry" and during the English Civil War was frowned on by the Puritan authorities. Nevertheless, the tradition of eating Christmas pie in December continued through to the Victorian era, although by then its recipe had become sweeter and its size reduced markedly from the large oblong shape once observed. Today the mince pie remains a popular seasonal treat enjoyed by many across the United Kingdom.
Unfortunately, most people have never tasted a true old-fashioned mincemeat pie (also called mince pie). The flavor of real mince meat pie (not the bottled version purchased at The CURIOSITY Shop) is sort of like a Middle Eastern mixture of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. There's a definite meaty taste, which I really liked, with an ever-so-slight sweet flavor.

We have on hand a selection of pre-made Mince Pie Tarts that are great for having around the house. Especially if your the only one who eats them (as is my case) as they are small and easy to heat in the micro-wave or toaster oven. With a good cuppa tea in the morning they are brilliant!

In addition to the Sargents and Hoopers Pies we also have two Walkers of Scotland pies (tarts), the regular and the Eccelecan which is topped with nuts.

All of our pies and mincemeat are vegetarian friendly!  If you feel industrious we also have the Robertsons Mincemeat in a jar.

CHRISTMAS  PUDDING

PLUM  PUDDING

English Christmas pudding (also known as Plum Pudding) is a timeless tradition. Indulge your family in an English Christmas treat with our delicious puddings. You won't be disappointed!
Christmas pudding is best enjoyed with brandy butter or sauce. Whipped or clotted cream can be added on top of the pudding.
In America, people are familiar with the Christmas tradition of plum pudding in many carols and stories but very few have actually seen or tasted it. However, in England plum pudding is an important part of the Christmas celebrations and has a rich history with many traditions that surround it.
Plum pudding, otherwise known as Christmas pudding, is a dessert filled with an abundance of prunes, other dried fruits, and nuts. The pudding is a dark colour and is sometimes saturated in different types of alcohol. The pudding is then steamed and moved to be kept in a cool, dry place for several weeks.
In England, plum pudding is a sacred Christmas tradition. Originally, plum pudding was referred to as "hakin" because of its multitude of ingredients and is most often referred to as "Christmas Pudding" in Europe. Inspiration for the Christmas Pudding came from the Middle Age's mince pies, and porridge from the 14th century. In 1595, the recipe finally developed into plum pudding. However, in 1664 plum pudding became banned by the Puritans as a custom unfitting for those who followed the ways of God because of its use of alcohol.
In 1714, King George I brought back plum pudding as part of the traditional Christmas feast despite the Quakers' strong objections. By the 17th century, meat was eliminated from the recipe in favour of more sweets and was sprinkled in brandy and set aflame when served to guests. Later on, plum pudding officially became a tradition when it was introduced to the Victorians by Prince Albert.
There are many traditions and superstitions that surround plum pudding. Some are very religious such as people believing that the pudding must be made by the 25th Sunday of Trinity with 13 ingredients to represent Christ and his disciples. When cooking, each member of the family mixes the pudding from east to west to honor the three kings. By setting it aflame with brandy, the pudding represents Christ's passion. The holly garnish is supposed to represents Christ's crown of thorns. However, holly also represents good luck and supposedly has healing powers.
Some families also stir coins and into their pudding and wish for good luck. Whoever gets a coin will receive good luck, wealth, and their wish will come true. Occasionally rings are added to the pudding to represent the finder getting married in the near future.

Serving

There are several different ways plum pudding can be served. Sometimes it is decorate with a spray of holly and doused in brandy. Plum pudding can even be set on fire and served. Usually families present the pudding in the dark or in ceremonious fashion, where it is met with a round of applause. Plum pudding is topped with brandy butter, rum butter, hard sauce, ice cream, custard or with a castor sugar.

The CURIOSITY Shop has an abundance of Christmas or Plum Puddings to choose from.  We also have hard or brandy sauce and clotted cream.  Many people will purchase a 'pud' for next year and this year eat the one they bought last year!

 

 

 

NEW  VITHANAKANDA  TEA

SFTGFOP-1

 

 

We just received this in the other day.  It has a wirey extra long and tippy leaf style.  Has a honey like taste to it.  Makes a really nice cuppa premium loose leaf tea.
With exceptional leaf quality and tips in full view, this superb Sri Lankan black tea has a bouquet like no other. Add to this a complex body and sweet ending and you have, perhaps, the finest Sri Lanka has ever produced. A treasure. For the best glass of iced tea you have ever tasted - brilliant.
It is Special Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe.

ORGANIC SPARROW TONGUE YELLOW TEA

This elegant yellow tea is made of needle-like dark and light leaves that steep a smooth, delicate cup with no astringency. 
These delicate sets of a bud and a single leaf are carefully processed to give a pale yellow liquor. This is achieved by stretching out the drying process by drying the tea in muslin sacks rather than on an open drying table. The aroma of our organic Sparrow Tongue Yellow Tea reminds of a delicate Dragonwell, however much more floral. The flavor is rather floral, as well, with little astringency.
Because of the infusion’s yellow color, this tea is often referred to in China as a “yellow tea,” however we’ve categorized it as a green tea due to its similar manufacturing process (particularly its lack of oxidation). The leaf separates from the bud when brewed, forming a forked sparrow’s tongue – thus the name.
It is organic.

CASTLETON  ESTATE  DARJEELING  TEA

FTGFOP-1

 

A good first flush tea at a moderate price. A wonderful muscatel highlights with delicate strength - the hallmark of a premium flush Darjeeling. Tends light liquoring with subtle astringency and classic muscatel character.  Definitely a luxury black Indian tea.
It is of the Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. 

 

 

HARMUTTY  ESTATE  ASSAM  TEA

STGFOP-S

 

 

 
A top estate tea with carefully harvested leaves and lots of golden tips throughout. A strong, spicy liquor with lots of body. Wonderful breakfast tea with a touch of milk. An excellent sweet and rich Assam.

A Special Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe.

 

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS  CRACKERS

But what are these crackers?

A Christmas Cracker is a brightly coloured paper tube, twisted at both ends. There is a "banger" inside, when pulled by two people will create a loud snapping "Crack" or "Bang"!

 

When are they used? Crackers are very popular in England and accompany many meals over the Christmas period, but especially on Christmas Day. The large formal mid-day meal of Roast Turkey, Roast Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Parsnips and The Christmas Pudding would not be complete without each place setting at the table decorated with a Christmas cracker! What emerges from within each Cracker is a paper crown made from tissue paper, a riddle or joke and a small gift. What is the best way to open a cracker?  Crackers are usually shared between two individuals, one pulling on each end. The traditional way to pull a cracker is crossing your arms and pulling a whole circle of crackers around the table. Everyone holds their cracker in their right hand and pulls their neighbors cracker with the free left hand. Today, virtually every household in the UK has at least one box of party crackers to pull at meal times, parties, and family gatherings over the holiday season.

CHRISTMAS  CRACKER  HISTORY

Christmas crackers are a traditional Christmas favourite in the UK. They were first made in about 1850 by a London sweet maker called Tom Smith. He had seen the French 'bon bon' sweets (almonds wrapped in pretty paper), and one night, while he was sitting in front of his log fire, he became very interested by the sparks and cracks coming from the fire. Suddenly, he thought what a fun idea it would be, if his sweets and toys could be opened with a crack when their fancy wrappers were pulled in half.
When Tom died, his expending cracker business was taken over by his three sons, Tom, Walter and Henry. Walter introduced the hats into crackers and he also travelled around the world looking for new ideas of gifts to put in the crackers.
The company built up a big range of 'themed' crackers. There were ones for bachelors and spinsters (single men and women), where the gifts were things like false teeth and wedding rings! There were also crackers for Suffragettes (women who campaigned to get women the vote), war heroes and even Charlie Chaplain! Crackers were also made for special occasions like Coronations. The British Royal Family still has special crackers made for them today!
The Christmas Crackers that are used today are short cardboard tubes wrapped in colourful paper. There is normally a Cracker next to each plate on the Christmas dinner table. When the crackers are pulled - with a bang! - a colourful party hat, a toy or gift and a festive joke falls out! The party hats look like crowns and it is thought that they symbolise the crowns that might have been worn by the Wise Men.

At this point we have plenty of

Christmas Crackers in stock!

 

 

 

 

 

STARBUCKS  TEA

Big news hit the specialty tea industry recently with the announcement of coffee behemoth Starbucks buying specialty tea retailer Teavana. Conversations with many of you since this news was released suggest that most industry veterans did not anticipate this acquisition. Indeed some are scratching their heads wondering how these two entities will combine. Early indications are that Teavana will remain a separate brand that will benefit from the Starbucks distribution channels.
Starbucks has also just opened their first Tazo retail boutique with a revamped tea line. It will be interesting to see how these two tea avenues coexist, but it really speaks to how far the specialty tea movement has come for this large company to give such attention to our favored beverage. Tea has long played second fiddle to coffee in the US, but is now the up and comer, no longer to be ignored.
If the acquisition is successful, those of us in the tea industry will likely benefit from the added marketing power and subsequent tea awareness with mainstream consumers. Coffee maybe king but tea is the queen of the ball - with many of you hard working tea devotees to thank!

by Cynthia Fazekas