Rolf Devinci

Picked up one of my favorite chai`s this week from David`s tea. The Coco Chai Rooibos has a mellow sweet nose and produces a smooth easy drinking chai. A caffeine free brew it is..... "an incredible chai made of rooibos, coconut, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom and red peppercorns." Despite the presence of ginger, cardamom, cloves and peppercorns the cinnamon balances the "heat" while the coconut adds some sweetness to the tea. I consider the Coco Chai Rooibos a "dessert" tea best enjoyed neat throughout the day when you want something light, caffeine free yet able to satisfy the cravings of a sweet tooth.  I suspect a dash of honey would compliment this brew but I find it already perfect for my tastes with a good balance of spice and flavor. Unlike traditional chai based upon black tea this blend uses the South African rooibos plant that produces a less astringent golden beverage in the mug. It pr...

Fall is upon us and Winter soon to follow so I have begun to crave teas. I have no idea why I have a predominately seasonal taste for teas? I have been aware that my blood pressure of late has increased somewhat, probably a result of a rather inactive summer and increased weight gain and the onset of aging. As noted in this blog I am in the process of addressing my current state of wellness. How does this tie in with hibiscus tea you ask? Good question. I was researching various teas to indulge my cravings while offering me some different brew options and read that hibiscus can help reduce blood pressure, specifically the top systolic number and was effective for adults with pre or mild hypertension. My interest peaked I dug further into hibiscus teas and discovered it is a traditional healing teas that offers other benefits. Probably tastes terrible as most healing tinctures or teas usually do right? Only one way to fin...

The benefits of tea made from the Camellia Sinensis plant have been touted for millennia across many cultures over the globe. The four varieties; black, green, white and oolong contain healthy polypherols and phytochemicals that offer us serious health benefits. I have always enjoyed black teas and have experimented with other varieties but recently increased my tea consumption after developing a taste for chai in 2012. It opened the proverbial "door" to the wonderful opportunities found within the tea garden. The benefits are many....the antioxidants and catechins in tea counter free radicals thus resisting cancers and DNA damage. Tea is hydrating but also acts as a milder stimulant than coffee and does improve endurance. It is linked to improved cardiovascular health and improved metabolic response to weight control. It is linked to improved diabetes management. Most recently it has been recognized as being potentially important in preventing neurological diseases...

With the onset of winter here in the great white North I find myself increasing my tea consumption. I`m not sure why my enjoyment of teas seem to be linked to the Canadian winter but there seems to be a seasonal element.There is just something comforting and hearthy about tea on a cold day that coffee does not possess. That desire is not limited to the typical black teas but spans the whole range of beverages; greens, whites, Rooibos and, now, chai teas. Having spent a few days in Las Vegas I stumbled upon a Teavana kiosk while doing a walkabout upon the strip(Authors note - I know. Who goes to LV to drink tea?). They were doing a sample testing in the Venetian canal shops and invited me to try a variety of their offerings. Included was a selection of chai teas - those hearty spicy offerings that claim to have several health giving attributes. New to chai teas I have to admit that two of them were quite delicious possessing the peppery flavor inherent in such brews along ...