IT'S GREEN TEA TIME

You can drink your green tea and have it too. This healthful
tea can be a drink or a cooking ingredient but, either way,
research shows green tea offers important health benefits.

A substance in green tea has been found to halt a specific
stage in the cancer process more effectively than current
cancer drugs do, according to a recent study discussed at an
international research conference sponsored by the American
Institute for Cancer Research this past summer.

In Asia, where green tea consumption is high, its regular
intake is associated with lower risk of cancers of the
breast, colon and several other types of cancer.

Throughout Asia, green tea is used in many types of cooking.
In China, loose green tea leaves are toasted in a wok before
adding other stir-fry ingredients. In Japan, green tea is used
in many commercial products like tea cakes, and many Japanese
make a soup with green tea that is often served at the end of
a meal or as a late-night snack.

The temperature of the water can affect a tea’s flavor as
much as the quality and amount of tea used. The higher the
water temperature, the more bitter and astringent the tea
can be. When brewing high quality green tea, water should
always be below boiling.

Never boil the water in an aluminum pot, or steep the
tea in pots or cups made of plastic or aluminum, which
badly affect the taste.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to
think of green tea when choosing a beverage. The following
mixture can be used as a dip or spread.

GREEN TEA DIP AND SPREAD
Yield: 18 tablespoons

INGREDIENTS

- 3 green tea bags
- 1 cup reduced-fat cream cheese
or ricotta cheese (at room temperature)
- 2 Tbsp. finely-minced fresh chives or basil leaves

DIRECTIONS

Place tea bags in a heat-proof glass or ceramic container that
holds more than 1 cup. Bring 1 cup of water to just below the
boiling point, remove from heat immediately and pour over tea
bags. (Water that has come to a boil should first be cooled about
1 minute before using.) Allow the tea to steep 3 to 5 minutes.

Remove tea bags, squeeze out liquid and discard. Cool tea to
room temperature. If not using immediately, refrigerate (covered)
until ready to use. (Allow refrigerated tea to come to room
temperature before using.)

Place cheese and minced herb in a blender and mix on medium-high
speed to incorporate herbs into the cheese and produce a smooth mixture.

Gradually add small amounts of the tea concentrate until
the mixture is as spreadable as desired. (Remaining concentrate
can be diluted and reheated to make iced or hot tea for drinking
or refrigerate until ready to use again.)

Transfer the mixture to a covered container and refrigerate for
at least an hour to allow flavors to meld. Bring mixture back
to room temperature before using, either as a spread for toast
at breakfast; a spread for crackers, sandwiches, or wraps; or
as a dip for vegetable crudités or toasted tortilla chips.

Print Version:
http://diabeticgourmet.com/articles/665.shtml
Tea: A Story of Serendipity
http://diabeticgourmet.com/articles/160.shtml

The Diabetic Newsletter - September 07, 2009 - DiabeticNetwork.com