Tea 101

Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Commonly, sciatica affects only one side of your body and can vary in severity from mild to severe. It's typically caused by a bone spur on the spine, herniated disk, or narrowing of the spine that compresses part of the nerve, resulting in inflammation, pain, and often some numbness in the affected leg. Pain Management Strategies: Physical Therapy: Improves flexibility Strengthens back muscles Increases mobility Medications: Non-prescription: Ibuprofen, Naproxen Prescription: Muscle relaxants,...

When brewing tea, loose leaf tea tends to offer a richer flavor and aroma compared to its bagged counterpart. The reason behind this is the quality of the leaf. Tea bags often contain smaller pieces of leaves or "fannings," which can result in a quick brew, but potentially a more bitter taste. In contrast, loose leaf tea is generally composed of larger, whole leaves, releasing their flavors more slowly for a more nuanced cup. Here are essential points to understand about loose leaf tea: Varieties: Loose leaf tea comes in several types such as black, green, white, oolong, and herbal....

Before cleaning your tea pot, it's important to familiarize yourself with its material composition and construction, as these factors will determine the appropriate cleaning method. Different materials such as ceramic, glass, metal, or cast iron require unique care. Ceramic Tea Pots: Non-porous and glazed Generally dishwasher safe Sensitive to sudden temperature changes Glass Tea Pots: Transparent and non-porous Can tolerate high temperatures Prone to breakage if mishandled Metal Tea Pots (Stainless Steel, Copper, etc.): Excellent heat conduction Durable, but can react with certain detergents Some may tarnish over time Cast Iron Tea Pots: Retain heat very well Require seasoning to...

When determining how many times you can use a tea bag, consider the type of tea and your personal taste preferences. Generally, a tea bag contains enough tea for one to two cups of tea. Single Use Most tea bags are designed for single use. Black, Green, and White Teas: These teas usually provide a robust flavor on the first steep. The second steep may result in a notably weaker taste. Herbal Teas: Some can be steeped multiple times, but the flavor may diminish with each subsequent use. Multiple Use Some teas can be infused multiple times, maintaining good flavor....