There is much that is newsworthy when you talk about the most beloved beverage in the world; that is tea. From AIDS cures to new blends, there is always something going on.

Recent news reports suggest that there is a global shortfall of the tea crop which has caused prices to spike upward sharply. Major tea producing countries witnessed a decline in production which is the reason for this. India recorded a fall in production to the tune of 8 million kilograms in just the first quarter of this year and countries such as Sri Lanka and Kenya, who are also the major tea producers of the world, have experienced major crop loss.

In Britain the genteel art of drinking afternoon tea and its evolution into a light afternoon meal has been credited to Duchess Anna Maria, wife of the 7th Duke of Bedford. Now the Duchess has been honored with her own blend of tea, according to supermarket giant Tesco who launched its Tesco Finest Duchess of Bedford tea.

This new blend, made from 100% pure Ceylon tea and infused with Californian real Lemon and Valencian orange oils, will include the tale of the creation of afternoon tea, which is such a very British tradition. Apparently the Duchess felt it was such a long time between luncheon and dinner and that taking tea and delicate sandwiches, cakes and biscuits at 5 O’clock helped to bridge the gap.

Tea has been known to have many health giving and weight loss properties, but now research has shown that green tea can help fight AIDS! New studies seem to suggest that Green tea may be the key to effective anti-HIV vaginal gels. EGCG a highly studied molecule from green tea may fight HIV infection according to researchers Ilona Hauber, PhD, of the Heinrich-Pette Institute for Experimental Virology and Immunology in Hamburg, Germany, and colleagues.

It has been suggested that EGCG would be an important addition to anti-HIV vaginal gels, possibly in combination with an anti-HIV drug since it also appears that EGCG has some anti-HIV activity of its own.