TC 247: Let there be Tea! Interview with Louise Carruth

In this episode of the Transformation Cafe Podcast, I welcome my friend Louise Carruth, owner of the Little Candle Tea Company (http://littlecandletea.com) in Las Vegas, Nevada, to talk about the little known facts about tea. I met Louise a few years ago through my sister Amy and we've been friends ever since!Did you know that the fragrance of tea, just like wine, plays a large part in its taste? So make sure to enjoy the aroma as you sip your tea!Is Herbal Tea really Tea?Technically any drink you make from an infusion of herbs, spices, or other plants - but doesn't contain tea leaves - is called a tisane (tea-zahn). These drinks are distinguished from true teas like green, white, yellow, and oolong, which are prepared from the cured leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis (cam-MEE-lee-ah sin-EN-sis), so herbal "tea" isn't technically tea. Still, if you go to a restaurant and order a tisane, you'll probably be met with a blank stare.Benefits of White TeaWhite tea is the least processed form of tea and has a more delicate flavor. Because of it's minimal processing it contains more nutrients than black or green tea, making it "the ultimate Health Tea". You can learn more about the health benefits of white tea at the White Tea Guide (http://www.whiteteaguide.com/whiteteahealthbenefits.htm).Benefits of Green TeaGreen tea is considered one of the world's healthiest drinks and contains one of the highest amount of antioxidants of any tea. It's been shown to improve brain function, aid in fat loss, and lower risk of cancer. You can learn about the 10 Proven Benefits of Green Tea (http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea/) at Authority Nutrition, and the 11 Benefits of Green Tea You Didn't Know About (http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html) from Lifehack.org. There are also numerous medical studies that demonstrate the medicinal benefits of green tea.Herbal TeasHerbal teas have been used traditionally for their medicinal effects. Chamomile, for example, helps to calm you and has a mild sedative effect. Teas made from peppermint, spearmint, and other types of mint are often recommended to help soothe digestive issues. I like green tea infused with spearmint and a little honey as a refreshing change of pace. Recommended Herbal Teas:* Chamomile* Mint* Raspberry Leaf* Lavender tea(http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=transfcafe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0002AAP5I)(http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=transfcafe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003S86KVY)If you would like to order tea online, visit Louise's The Little Candle Tea Company (http://littlecandletea.com).(http://transformation-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Little-Candle-Tea-logo2.jpg)Louise's BioAfter teaching elementary school for 30 years in California, I decided to retire to Las Vegas. I did teach for one year here, and met a friend who loved drinking coffee, as I still do, and also loose leaf tea. She introduced me to the aromas and flavors of so many teas, my interest was piqued and that was that! I started learning all I could and began a business focusing on tea education. Most of my customers were also new to loose leaf (specialty) tea, and we began the journey together; learning and drinking this most wonderful brew.I’ve now been in the tea business for 8 years and still learning! I give tea tastings, tea talks in the work place and teaching journaling classes with tea. I love what I do and the people I’ve met along the way!Subscribe (http://transformation-cafe.com/subscribe-to-podcast/) to the podcast.//