Put the kettle on and pour yourself a tea facial
Cooking with tea is a technique as old as tea itself. Today the leaves are used not only for coating fish, meat or poultry, but in salads, desserts and as a garnish.
Some teas themselves define how they should be used in cooking - sweet grassy greens go with salads, shrimps and other shellfish; soft Keemuns and edgy Yunnans taste great with poultry; Sweet Osmanthus, with its flowery hint and fruity palate, can enhance a dessert.
But there is another use for tea that many of us might not be aware of.
Tea beauty remedies
Most of us know about the health benefits and pleasures of drinking Chinese tea, but did you know that tea is also a good beauty aid? Tea-infused formulas are inexpensive but effective. Here are some selected beauty remedies you can try.
Fix for puffy eyes and dark circles
Make two cups of black tea, using two teabags. Place the used bags in the fridge. When needed, place teabags over each eye. Allow to remain for 10 to 20 minutes.
Homemade facial beauty
Brew a pot of tea using one green teabag. Mix three tablespoons of the cooled tea with three or four tablespoons of rice flour. The mixture should be smooth, spreadable, but not runny. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse it off, while rubbing the face to exfoliate the skin. Apply your regular moisturiser when done.
