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November 12th, 2008 Comments off

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FLY FISHING FLIES 23 HENDRICKSON COACHMAN GREEN DRAKE

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FLY FISHING FLIES 24 GREEN DRAKE CADDIS SEDGE TROUT FLY

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All About Copper Fireplace Screens And More

When someone decides to buy a copper fireplace screen, they are probably thinking ” that color will go really nice with my drapes”. Which is fine, you do want your colors to coordinate. However, that is probably where their thought about copper ends.

It is true that copper makes a beautiful fireplace screen. It coordinates great with the warm colors of a room which are the reds, yellows and oranges. There are also many other facts about copper that many people do not know.

History

Copper has a history of use that dates back to 10,000 years by some of the oldest civilizations. Alloying copper with zinc or tin makes brass or bronze which dates back to shortly after the use of copper itself. It is believed that copper was one one the first metals used by man next to gold and some irons.

Color

In it’s pure form copper is pink or peachy in color. It is one of three element metals with a natural color other than silver or gray.

Copper will go through color changes over time. It will turn blackish, brownish, reddish or tan caused by oxidation. This layer however, stops further corrosion of the copper. It will eventually will turn green over a long period of time.

This green layer called verdigris is extremely resistant to corrosion. This is why the Statue of Liberty and old copper roofs look green.

This leads to, will my copper fireplace screen change color? The answer is yes. However, most decorative copper comes with a coat of lacquer. Lacquer makes a barrier between the copper and the air to help prevent oxidation.

You will still want to polish your copper fireplace screen with a copper polish to keep it looking like new or let it go and let it do it’s thing. It all depends on the look you want.

Germicidal

Copper is also germicidal. Copper has the ability to kill many harmful pathogens. Copper or brass doorknobs will disinfect themselves of many harmful bacteria within an eight hour period.

What does all this have to do with my copper fireplace screen you might ask? It could make for some good conversation with your guests while you sit and admire your beautiful copper fireplace screen reflecting the flickering fire.

About the Author

AJ Drake webmaster www.fireplacescreensandaccessories.com

White Tea: A Healthy Alternative

There are so many flavors of tea, how can you keep them all straight? White, black and green tea come from the Camella Sinensis plant. However the leaves are picked and cultivated before the leaf opens and the buds are covered with white hair. It is more difficult to come by, so it may be a tad more expensive compared to other teas.

The young leaves are shielded from sunlight so chlorophyll does not form. White tea is a bit lighter and sweeter than black and green tea. It requires more processing and is more of a delicate tea.

White teas have less caffeine than other teas. Most generally, they have 15 mg per serving compared to 40 milligrams in black and 20 milligrams for green tea. It is also know to have more antioxidants than the other teas. It is also known to have more anti bacterial and anti viral qualities than other teas.

The Song Dynasty emperor declared white tea all that is elegant. It has since maintained it’s regal declaration. Later it was the defined as the “best” tea.

There are primarily four types of tea Ceylon and Darjeeling Silver needle and Whit Pony.. The Ceylon tea is light with a hint of pine, honey and copper flavors. The Darjeeling white has a delicate flavor that is mellow and sweet. Silver needle is bright white and the shape is uniform. White pony is sweet and mild, but full bodied.

During the Song Dynasty, producing white tea took a great deal of time and effort. It was almost ceremonial to watch, as ceramic ware was used and the process was very time consuming.

The tea leaves are picked in the early Spring and then steamed. The buds are hand picked and the leaf left unopened. Only the interior of the bud is used. It is rinsed and dried.

After cutting, the tea needs to ferment. The tea leaves are oxidized, to aid in the drying process. Depending on the type of tea, the leaves are steamed or heat is applied.

Tea has become a culture in and of itself. There are tea rooms, outdoor cafes, parties, afternoon tea, all designed with a purpose of enjoying a glass of ice tea or hot tea. Zen Buddhism offers a Japanese tea ceremony. China, Korea and the United Kingdom also have tea ceremonies.

However you decide to enjoy your tea remember that it has cancer fighting oxidants. It is virtually caloric and fat free. There are no side effects except it will help you relax and hopefully, remain stress free at least until you finish the cup. So enjoy a cup or glass and resist the temptation to move or do something and just relax!

About the Author

Want to find out about blood lily, cordyline plant and other information? Get tips from the Gardening Central website.