Tea Tasting: A Huge Success!

Last Friday, Capabilities hosted a tea tasting with Rob Cooke from The Teaspot and Sue Wood, Activities Director at The Retreat at Church Ranch, and former resident of the U.K. Sue came in period British attire and offered scones and cucumber sandwiches to our guests as she spoke about the history of afternoon tea. Both Sue and Rob covered the history of tea. Did you know, for example, that all tea comes from the same species of plant in Asia? Guests had the opportunity to taste several types and flavors of tea, including Red Rocks, a specially mixed naturally caffeine-free tea that I adore!

Here are just a few of tea facts shared at our event:

• Tea contains antioxidants that protect our bodies from the nasty stuff, like pollution, and other insults that come our way during the course of a day. Some studies suggest tea even helps fight cancer.
• Tea has less caffeine than coffee.
• Tea helps keep arteries smooth and clog-free. A study from the Netherlands found a 70% lower risk of fatal heart attack in people who drank tea at least two to three cups of black tea daily compared to non-tea drinkers.
• Tea protects your bones.
• Tea contains fluoride and tannins that may keep plaque at bay.
• Tea bolsters our immune defenses.
• Tea helps keep you hydrated, especially if you choose caffeine-free teas.
• Tea does not have any calories.
• Tea increases metabolism.
  

If you missed the tea tasting, not to worry. We will have sippings of these delicious teas at our two-day anniversary party later this month. Be sure to see our full schedule in Events. We will also invite Rob and Sue again at the start of the new year, so be sure to watch this space.

If you attended the event, we welcome your reactions and impressions. Please post your comments here!