How to Buy a Window Air Conditioner

So, you've had enough of the sweltering heat. You can't bear the feeble yet valiant cooling attempts of your ceiling fan and have finally decided to give in to the temptation and buy your room a brand new window air conditioner. But before you waltz into the appliance store and pick out an air conditioner, wouldn't you like to know something about the basics of air conditioner buying? I thought so. And I'm not talking about the different brands and the different features that each of them offers. Then what? Well, you'll just have to proceed further into this Buzzle article to know what are the major pointers you should be looking for in an air conditioner, when you set out to buy one.

The cooling capacity of an air conditioner is measured using a unit called a British Thermal Unit or a BTU/hour. Needless to say that if the BTU of a unit is high, its cooling capacity will be higher. However, this is not always the answer to your cooling requirements. A unit with a very high BTU often requires more maintenance because it gets worn out faster. So choose the one that is moderate and serves the purpose.

Most air conditioners these days come with thermostats and even timers that can be modified as per the requirements of the person. So, you can program the air conditioner to a certain temperature for a particular time of the day. While buying an air conditioner, you need to check if it has such features, and if it does, how accurate it is to the actual setting that it has been programmed to be in. How close is it to the temperature that it is expected to be at? Keep these points in mind while buying it.

Varieties of Flavored Tea

Did you know that tea is the second most widely drunk beverage after water? I am sure that made you feel proud of being a tea-drinker! Tea refers to the mixture of leaves and leaf-buds of the plant Camellia sinensis. It also refers to the beverage made out of the above product - the tea you drink. While the plant Camellia sinensiss from which tea is obtained is also commonly know as tea plant. Tea usually needs a tropical or sub-tropical climate to be grown; however some varieties are grown in the United States as well, in Washington.

There are different types of tea that are available in the market. This article will tell you about these, and about different varieties of flavored tea.

Basic Tea Types

There are three basic types of tea. Though the tea leaves that make up the tea come from the same plant - Camellia sinensis - the way in which the leaves are treated during the manufacturing process of each of the teas makes them smell and taste different, and also gives them a different color. Black Tea is probably the most common and well-known type of tea. 2 prominent examples of this type of tea are Assam Tea and Darjeeling Tea. Even Nepal Tea is an example of black tea. This tea is brewed using boiling water that produces a rich tannin color and strong taste. The other type of tea is Green Tea. It is mostly consumed for its health benefits. It has a kind of 'herbal' taste - you can actually feel like you are drinking a concoction of leaves. It is abundantly grown in China and Japan. Finally the Oolong Tea has an intermediate taste between black and green tea. Some people describe the taste of oolong tea as 'woody'!

Flavored Tea Varieties

Tea is consumed through different countries all over the world; and each kind of people have added their own special ingredients and flavors to teas such that they suit their taste, their climate, their culture and even their health! Here is a list of different varieties of flavored tea.

• Fruit Flavored Tea: This is a good alternative to plain tea, especially for those who love fruits! Different varieties include Apple Tea, Apricot Tea, Currant Tea, Grapefruit Tea, Orange Tea, Passion-fruit Tea, Pomegranate Tea and many more.
• Berry Tea: This includes teas flavored with all sorts of berries. Different varieties available are blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, forest berry, raspberry and the likes.
• Spices-Condiments Flavored Tea: This is for those who like teas with a strong characteristic flavor. Varieties include Ginger Tea, Cinnamon Tea, Sesame Tea, Clove Tea, Cardamom Tea, etc.
• Other Flavors: There are teas of several other flavors available as well, like hazelnut, almond, caramel, creme, and even chocolate tea! Flowers have also been used to flavor teas. Jasmine tea is a well-known example.

Tea Additives

Different additives may also change the flavor and aroma of tea and greatly affect its taste. Commonly used additives are listed below.

• Milk: Many tea enthusiasts all over the world say adding milk to tea actually spoils the taste of tea! However, milk is one of the most common tea additives. It Gives the tea a sweetish taste. Adding milk to tea is also advised to those people who suffer from acidity, as milk tea is gentler on the stomach than black tea.
• Honey: The benefits of honey are many and known. It cures mild cough and respiratory infections, acts as a blood purifier, gets rid of free radicals in the body and even helps you develop a strong immune system. Need you any more reasons to add a spoonful of honey to your tea? Guess not!
• Lemon: Squeeze a slice of lemon into your tea, and you have yourself a healthy drink that will help detoxify your body! Lemon is also a great source of Vitamin C. Tea with a spoonful of lemon juice tastes absolutely yummy! (A personal favourite!)
• Lemongrass: Lemongrass added to regular tea can work wonders for on a cold. Lemongrass gives tea a typically sweet and herbal flavor. (Another personal favorite and a strong recommendation!)

Tea - any kind in general - has a lot of health benefits; from anti-oxidation to stress-relief to anti-depressant properties, and even helps keep bad breath at bay! Having a cup of tea everyday can boost your immune system and keep you healthy and feeling fresh throughout the day. As someone rightly said, tea is a cup of life!