Sunday May 25th, 2008 Tea

A while ago, I explored the topic of coffee in a library detective column and while the television ads and the proliferation of Tim's cups in the hands of trendy drivers and pedestrians seems to indicate that coffee is king of the Canadian beverage industry, a growing market seems to be coming of age in the wholesome shape of a tea leaf.

As the proliferation of new blends and brands grows it seems that the notion of afternoon tea has stepped out from the church bazaar to become a decidedly popular pastime at a trendy tea house near you.

How big is the Canadian tea market?

Canadians consume seven billion cups of tea each year and the Canadian appetite for tea has been growing rapidly. Consumption increased 43 percent between 1996 and 2005 and by 2005 the per capita consumption of tea in Canada was 69.98 litres (or 280 cups) for each Canadian. In 2005 the Canadian tea market was worth about $305 million dollars.

Source: Tea Association of Canada www.tea.ca

What ever happened to the Tetley Tea Folk?

The cartoon styled Tetley Tea folk almost had a thirty year run promoting the brand between 1973 and 2002. Originally developed by the D'Arcy advertising agency in England, the campaign of white capped characters had their own tune and spin off ceramics produced by the Wade Company. In 2001, Tetley decided to revise their advertising campaign and gave the host of characters a break.

Source: Marketing Magazine Aug 2002 (Available through the EbscoHost Masterfile Premier Database)

What is white tea?

Although relatively new to the North American palate, white tea has long been a specialty of Fujian Japan. Leaves for white tea come from a number of varieties of white tea cultivars but it is unique mostly because it is made from younger buds and leaves, undergoes a different drying process and is not rolled like regular prepared tea. While tea contains more caffeine, but is lower in flouride and has greater health benefit than green tea because it possesses more anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities.

Source: www.wikipedia.org

Who was Earl Grey?

While the bergamot flavoured tea that bears this name is originally of ancient Chinese origin, the man who made the blend fashionable to European taste was better known as a British Prime Minister (1830-1834),the Second Earl of Grey, Edward. The fourth Earl of Grey (Albert) may be known to Canadians, not as a tea-totaler, but as a Governor General of Canada (1904-1911) and the founder of Canada's Grey Cup trophy.

Sources: Book of Tea, by Annie Perrier Robert, World Book Encyclopedia.

What are some of the recent health benefits associated with Tea?

A complex beverage, tea contains many antioxidants and compounds that have been associated with good health and disease prevention. Flavonoids, for example, are compounds that may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and protecting against blood clots. Tea plants have the highest known concentration of Flavonoids and according to the USDA their benefits are transferred to the consumer; Tea drinkers get nearly 700 milligrams per day where non tea drinkers get about 60. Other promising compounds in your teabag include EGCG which has been shown to prevent brain cell damage and deterioration in animals, as well as polyphenols (especially in green tea) which may have a role in protecting DNA from cancer damage. Recent findings reported to the International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Health were summarized in the December 2007 issue of Environmental Nutrition magazine.

Why does Tea relax me?

In short, it goes straight to your head. Most teas contain an amino acid called theanine which has the ability to cross the brain barrier. Once there, theanine affects certain neurotransmitters which in turn produce a calmer state of mind.

Source: Environmental Nutrition Magazine Dec 2007. (Available through the EbscoHost Masterfile Premier Database)


Tracey Zurich, Reference Librarian