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Cocoa could be good for your heart - Latest!

We found this report in an edition of Beverage Daily (14th June 07)

Consumption of the polyphenol-rich cocoa may cut cholesterol levels, says a new study from Japan that adds to the ever-growing body of science supporting the potential heart health benefits of chocolate.

The new study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, followed the effects of different levels of supplementation of cocoa powder on cholesterol levels of 160 normocholesterolemic and mildly hypercholesterolemic humans."The results suggest that polyphenolic substances derived from cocoa powder may contribute to a reduction in LDL cholesterol, an elevation in HDL cholesterol, and the suppression of oxidized LDL," wrote lead author Seigo Baba from Meiji Seika Kaisha Ltd and collaborators from Ochanomizu University.High levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) which causes almost 50 per cent of deaths in Europe, and is reported to cost the EU economy an estimated €169 billion ($202 billion) per year.

Full acknowledgment for this report is given to Beverage Daily, and you can read the complete report here 0 Comments

Slimmers Tea - Wu Long tea

Wu Long (Slimmers Tea) also known as oolong Wu Long is a brand name and trade mark associated with slimming and dieting.

Guru comment:
There is a very interesting article written by Gary Gause of Dragonwater Tea and we reproduce some of it here with full acknowledgement to the source. If you would like to read more details there is a link at the end of the entry.

ARTICLE

The truth about wu long tea

Note: This blog discusses semi-fermented tea, historically known as Oolong or Wulong tea. This blog does not in any way refer to the "Wu-Long" brand of tea or any specific brand of tea. Wu-Long Tea is a specific brand and trademark. We have been asked to provide you with this clarification. wu long, or oolong tea, has been around for a long time, but lately, there's been a growing buzz about the tea and its ability to help with weight loss. it's time to take a look at the facts and see what all the hype is about. the study that set it all off was published in august of 2003 in the journal of medical investigation titled, "oolong tea increases energy metabolism in japanese females". This study sought to follow up on an earlier (and lesser known) study involving 120 japanese women who consumed oolong tea for 6 weeks and saw a reduction in weight. in the current study, the intent was to compare the effects of oolong tea to green tea, the traditional choice of the japanese.

The study was conducted by the university of Tokushima school of medicine along with several other japanese universities. it involved 11 japanese women who consumed either water, green matcha tea, or oolong tea after a meal. the results were interesting. oolong tea appeared to increase energy expenditure by 10%, green tea by 4%, and water not at all. this means that you burn more fat when you drink oolong or green tea after a meal. the study also found that oolong tea has half the caffeine of green tea and half the levels of EGCG, green tea's cancer killing compound. the level of polymerized polyphenols was higher in oolong tea and is loosely associated with the weight loss results by the authors. all other polyphenol levels were identical between green and oolong tea. the differences between the two were seen as a result of the different processing performed on the teas. it is amazing how quickly oolong tea has been marketed as a weight loss miracle.

Even more interesting is the fact that the name it has been marketed under is wu long tea, one of many variations of the spelling of oolong tea. as if it was somehow unique from the oolongs we have all enjoyed for so long. but hype aside, it does appear that there is yet another benefit to our favorite teas. it looks like we drink green tea for its cancer fighting ability (EGCG) and oolong, excuse me, wulong tea for its fat burning ability. of course, oolong tea is my favorite kind of tea with its wonderfully complex flavor profiles and variety. its my daily choice regardless.

References: 1. "Oolong tea increases energy metabolism in Japanese females", The Journal of Investigative Medicine, p170, Tatsushi Komatsu, Masayo Nakamori, Keiko Komatsu, Kazuaki Hosoda, Mariko Okamura, Kenji Toyama, Yoshiyuki Ishikura, Tohru Sakai, Daisuke Kunii and Shigeru Yamamoto

Source: http://blog.dragonwater.com/index.tf/20060328/8/the_truth_about_wu_long_tea.html 0 Comments

Microsoft Coffee table with a difference!

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A Look at the Rainforest Alliance's Growing Efforts in Africa

This Article recently arrived at General Store and we would like to share its contents with you.

After nearly two decades of building momentum in Latin America, the Rainforest Alliance is establishing a strong presence in Africa. Last April, following a year of preparations, a group of 678 family coffee farms in the Djimmah region of Ethiopia became the first operation in Africa to be awarded Rainforest Alliance certification. Demand for their beans has already been strong, with Kraft purchasing all of the first year's harvest.

In Cote d'Ivoire, the Rainforest Alliance is working with about 4,000 farmers to encourage sustainable cocoa production. We recently hired an international trade specialist familiar with the region to liaise with local producers and ensure our full understanding of the region's unique social and environmental circumstances.



Last summer, Rainforest Alliance agriculture specialists visited Kenya to discuss certification with coffee exporters, producers, NGOs and government organizations. Highlighting their itinerary was a visit to two coffee communities at the invitation of Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2004 Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement. Maathai is Africa's foremost environmental campaigner and is internationally recognized for her persistent struggle for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation.

The Rainforest Alliance's forestry program has also been expanding to Africa, performing assessments in Ghana as well as training 26 people to lead forestry audits in Cameroon. These auditors will be able to evaluate the management of forestry operations and determine whether they qualify for certification.

For the complete article and others detailing the work of RainForest Alliance go to: http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

Labels: rainforest-alliance

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Loin of Venison with Game and Chocolate Sauce

This receipe was recently seen in the March Edition of the Independent Weekend Newspaper supplement. As part of their series on the Global Kitchen (Northern Europe).

Serves 4

• 650g trimmed venison loin, plus saddle bones and trimmings


• freshly ground sea salt and pepper


• 1 tablespoon sunflower oil


• 25g butter


• braised red cabbage to serve


• 4 portions of Dauphinoise potatoes, to serve

Game sauce
Rib bones, chopped, and meaty trimmings
25g butter
4 shallots, finely sliced
50g button mushrooms, thinly slice
1 bay leaf
1 thyme sprig
6 white peppercorns, crushed
quarter bottle red wine
850ml chicken and beef stock
1 teaspoon arrowroot
1 tablespoon bitter chocolate, grated

Preheat over to 230oC/450oF/Gas 8.

For the sauce:
Roast the bones in oven for 20 minutes, until browned.
Drain off any fat and put bones to one side.
Heat saucepan and add butter and meat trimmings, fry until browned.
Add shallots, mushrooms, bay leaf, thyme and peppercorns, fry everything until golden.
Add red wind and reduce until nearly gone.
Add bones, stock and a little water to ensure bones are covered.
Simmer for an hour.
Strain and and allow to stand.
Spoon off fat, put stock into clean pot and reduce until flavoured.
Thicken with arrowroot.
You should be left with about 300 ml of sauce.
When you are nearly ready to serve, season the loin.
Add sunflower oil and butter to hot frying pan, then loins and lightly fry each side for 3 – 4 minutes.
Remove pan to a warm place to relax meat for about 10 minutes.
Warm four spoonfuls of braised red cabbage in saucepan.
Reheat sauce.
Pour any juices from relaxing meat into cabbage and reheat meat in hot oven.
Place a spoonful of cabbage on four warmed plates, putting potatoes alongside.
Carve meat into 24 slices and lay six slices on each pile of cabbage.
Add grated chocolate to heated sauce and whisk. Spoon over meat.

Editor's comment....
Bitter chocolate! 70% or 73% AND 88% all available from General Store.
Happy Eating

Have you a receipe which includes tea, coffee or chocolate you would like to add to the Forum?

Labels: recipes

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