Food and Drink History : The Evolution of Tea

With regard to the evolution of tea, we all know (or most of us are in agreement) that the Chinese invented tea. That was the beginning. :)

But did you also know that, in the beginning, before there were loose tea leaves, there were tea bricks; and these bricks were deemed so valuable that they could be used as currency.

In addition, there is a legend passed down through the ages (for about 5000 years) which credits a Chinese emperor named Shennong with the discovery of how to make a tea infusion. Yah! It seems the emperor was added to an extensive list of discoverers who discovered how stuff works by accident! :)

Fortunately, the rest of the world benefits and we can all enjoy cups of wonderful brewed tea.

♦ Lawrence Jean-Louis published Cool Mix Mingle; a cultural blog mainly about the diversity of the South Florida community - the Hispanic and African influences, the blend of East (Asian) and West (European and North American), the food, art, music and more. The preceding paragraphs above are a brief summary of her post which discusses the evolution of tea.  My discovery of her blog was also accidental. But what an awesome find!  :)

REFERENCE: Jean-Louis, Lawrence. "Tea: It's Evolution from the Tree to your Cup." Cook Mix Mingle. 15 Apr. 2015. Web.

♦ ♦ ♦

Related or Similar Links:

How the Tea Bag Was Invented

Is a Season Your Reason to Drink Tea?

* * *

Related articles

• Helen Yemm: rust on hypericum, a sad blueberry, tea or coffee in the garden?(telegraph.co.uk)

  ---

• Theresa May goes barefoot at a tea ceremony in Japan as part of official visit(telegraph.co.uk)

  ---

General Health Tips : 7 Best Foods for People Over 50

Life stages simplified:

• Growth and development? Youth and adolescence.
  
• Procreation and maintenance? Young adult – 20 something plus 30 years.
  
• Disease prevention and keeping body systems working? Congratulations! You've reached the 50 and beyond mark!
  

What is an ideal anti-aging shopping list for someone 50 or over? 

 


1. Green Leafy Vegetables

• fight DNA damage that may lead to cancer;
  
• reduce your risk of chronic eye diseases;
  
• suppress the amino acid homocysteine which is important for brain health.
  

2. Kefir or Yogurt

• source of calcium, needed for bone;
  
• choose plain, low-sugar varieties, ideally made from grass-fed milk.
  

3. Whey Protein

• counteract loss of muscle mass and strength.
  
• easily absorbed and supports muscle growth and repair.
  
• add to smoothies or mix with milk for a quick shake.
  

4. Wild-Caught Seafood

• best sources of omega-3 fats, fights inflammation and supports brain health, heart health and more.
  

5. Berries

• high in fiber and antioxidants;
  
• should be called “super berries” because of all the health benefits.
  

6. Olive Oil

• heart-healthy monounsaturated fat can lower risk of heart disease;
  
• controls insulin levels and blood sugar;
  
• provides vitamins E and K.
  

7. Dark Chocolate (the darker, the better)

• rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds
  
• lowers risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even abdominal obesity;
  
• satisfies your sweet tooth. :)
  

DISCLAIMER: Information above not intended to substitituted for medical advice. General information purposes only. If you found the summary above useful and would like to read the extended version of the article or find other health-related writings, click here to peruse the full library.

Related articles

• New Health Rules at Ages 40, 50 and 60(ubiquinol.org)

  ---

• Heart Health Checklist: Our Top 6 Tips(ubiquinol.org)
• 5 Fatty Foods That Boost Weight Loss(skinnyms.com)
• 
  
• Trans Fats: Bad For Your Brain(psychologytoday.com)

• 4 Best DRINKS to Safely Silence Pain Fast
• September is National Yoga Month
• Trigger Point Pain - Trigger Point Therapy

Lumen Naturals for Weight Loss

3 Spices That Hold the Secrets of Longevity Per Mao Shing Ni (Dr. Mao)

Mao Shing Ni (Dr. Mao), who is a board-certified anti-aging expert shares information about the 3 best spices for a longer life.

Before you click the link (below) to the original article, give yourself 3 chances to guess the right combination of 3 spices that have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and other Eastern traditions to cure common illnesses and maintain good health.  I only guessed one of the spices.  But since I guessed it right, I added some extra info in this post.  So you only have to guess the other 2. ☺

Now that I know what they are, I'm glad they're common, inexpensive and very easy to find.  So I don't travel over land and sea in search of the 3 mythical spices from the lost country of "Where Did You Get that?!"

The 3 best spices for a longer life

* * * * * *

"Garlic is as good as ten mothers."

 - Ancient Telugu proverb from India

* * CARAMELIZED GARLIC TART: A whopping 40 garlic cloves are needed to make this elegant and easy tart that will leave your taste buds soaring. ... "30 Recipes that Prove You Can Never Have Too Much Garlic" (Archived copy of article.)

A Miscellany of Garlic: From Paying Off Pyramids and Scaring Away Tigers to Inspiring Courage and Curing Hiccups, the Unusual Power Behind the World's Most Humble Vegetable

Lose weight + reduce inflammation! Add ginger in all its form such as a tea, in smoothies or as a spice in meals to promote better health and shed weight. Ginger’s most marked bioactive compound, gingerol, has been found to burn body fat while reducing feelings of hunger. #health pic.twitter.com/S8l1grv4WK

— Lori Shemek, PhD (@LoriShemek) February 16, 2018

The Healing Power of Pine Medicine (#DIY #Recipes!) - The Sacred Science ~ https://t.co/BOdppbFKzl via @flipboard #evergreen ~ Based on the research & experiments of ancient Taoists, we know that every part of the pine tree has a therapeutic use. Plus you can eat the pine nuts!

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 17, 2020

Some healthy facts about #Garlic#Herbs #spices #health #tips pic.twitter.com/FlvnDXWWld

— Daily Health Tips (@DailyHealthTips) December 23, 2014

Home Cooking: Dishes My Mom Used to Make: Oxtail Stew

Are there any dishes that your mom used to make when you were growing up that you thought were incredibly delicious? Real comfort food. Dishes that are even more comforting when you think back fondly on that dish or those dishes and realize that you never learned the recipe or how to prepare it for your own family!

My mom used to cook oxtail stew.

My mother is passed away now. I never got her recipe. Of course, you can Google oxtail stew and find a bazillion recipes. But I’ll bet none of them will taste like the stew my mom used to make. Nevertheless, if you’ve never eaten a hearty bowl of oxtail stew and would like try, here are a few recipes.

** *

Southern Slow Cooker Smothered Oxtails https://t.co/n86Qfb75VV #comfortfood pic.twitter.com/v0BG2fnMuM

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) April 4, 2024

" Slowly braised oxtail" is a dish made by braising oxtail in a rich sauce with vegetables and other ingredients.... Braised Oxtail Recipe https://t.co/OmjDzQLY1J @thespruceeatss @EverydaySpices pic.twitter.com/Ge38H0XQD2

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) April 4, 2024

Korean Oxtail Soup (Kkori Gomtang) https://t.co/KMYm9vlX5B via @HipFoodieMom1

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) April 26, 2018

Spanish-Style Oxtails Braised with Chorizo Recipe | Epicurious https://t.co/HmGFjzVXQm @epicurious @EverydaySpices pic.twitter.com/lBUfZkUKlS

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) April 4, 2024

SICHUAN PEPPERCORN RED BRAISED OXTAIL – Lady and Pups #foodblogs https://t.co/9GbVH4mlxB pic.twitter.com/JI6oizMYWi

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) April 4, 2024

Chinese Braised Oxtail Recipe - The Woks of Life https://t.co/gev3K2ANA9 pic.twitter.com/mFxWMjgGag

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) April 4, 2024

New Oxtail Recipe just went live https://t.co/JHe7o2twws pic.twitter.com/jl4guSpvw9

— Matt Price (Mr. Make It Happen) (@MrMake1tHappen) March 31, 2024

Saboriza Fresh Meats Supply - Healthy, Clean & Organic Beef - Fresh #Groceries for #QuickAndEasy #Cooking - Ideal for Everyday #Family Meal at Home (Oxtail, 1 lb - 2 Pack) https://t.co/z25HpjGqTb via @amazon pic.twitter.com/SnhhPG6eOe

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) April 4, 2024

Grace Caribbean Traditions Oxtail Seasoning (2 Pack) 5.43 oz Shakers https://t.co/HJTBzcVFw1 via @amazon #groceries #Seasonings #Cooking #soulfood pic.twitter.com/5EkagD84Ea

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) April 4, 2024

** *

Recall fond memories of the smells from your mother’s kitchen? Ready to fill your bowls?

* * *
NOTE:  This is my original content first published April 2018 at Virily, a social blogging community ~ Dishes My Mom Used to Make: Oxtail Stew