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water into the pot until it overflows, andimmediately drain it. By removing the initialinfusion, the Taiwanese feel the cleaned leaveswill release the true flavor of the tea duringthe second (and best) infusion (althoughsome don’t think this step is necessary). Pourhot water into the pot again and brew forabout three minutes. Pour the tea into theserving jug. The steeping time varies slightlydepending on the tea type. Lighter green tearequires less steeping time than darker oolongand black tea.Specialist tea drinkers first pour the tea intoa tiny ‘aroma cup’ then quickly transfer it intoanother cup to be drunk. The fragrance leftin the empty aroma cup is used to determinethe quality of the tea. Most people howeversimply pour the tea directly into a cup and enjoythe taste, clarity and fragrance of the freshlybrewed tea. High-quality tea leaves will retaintheir flavor for at least three infusions, althoughyou should let the leaves steep for a further tenseconds for each additional infusion.Store the unused leaves in an airtight tin orglass container in a cool, dry place to seal in theflavor.TAiwAn TEA HousE CuLTuRETea houses are the place for family and friendsto get together, drink tea, relax, and mingle.Visiting a tea house (especially those up in themountains) in Taiwan is a memorable experience,and also a great opportunity to learn a little aboutthe richness of Taiwanese culture. Traditionaltea houses can be found in every major city inTaiwan. Nowadays these tea houses are oftenconstructed of wood, and may be decorated withcalligraphy, paintings and sculptures to recreatethe atmosphere of an older Taiwan. Some largertea houses may have an outdoor garden and aChinese-style fish pond. Traditional music isoften played to promote a relaxing atmosphere.Many people linger for hours enjoying a good potof tea with some snacks or perhaps a light meal.There are many attractive outdoor tea houses upin the mountains around Taiwan, often with greatviews of the countryside or the city.HEALTH bEnEFiTsDrinking tea is an everyday habit for mostfamilies in Taiwan. The Taiwanese normallyprefer less fermented varieties than the black teathat is usually drunk in the West. Chinese tea hasa more subtle flavor and is regarded as a healthydrink: research reports prove that tea is good foryou. It can help stimulate the immune system,improve the functions of the digestive system,prevent blood clots, and lower cholesterol levelsamong other benefits. Drink tea for your body,your health and your soul!The Center GALLERYMarch 2012On the Gallery wall this month we feature beautifulpaintings from Asida Cheng. A member of the Societyof Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Asida'spaintings are elegant and childlike. She uses pastel,watercolor, acrylic, and oil to create her artworks, whichprovide a feeling of peace, harmony and joy for viewers.On the Gallery table,Dianne Hallidayonce again exhibits avariety of fashionablejewelry pieces madefrom semi-preciousstone and metals, andvibrantly colored bagswhich will go with anyoutfit.Also, Jenny DongFeuerhahn and her companyFusion Flame will bringelegance to your dining tableand every corner of your homewith their modern and uniquedesigns of stainless steel cutlery and flatware. Thesehandmade high-grade pieces are dishwasher safe andbeautifully made to last. Also on display from FusionFlame's jewelry line are the new spring collections,"Mix 'n' Match" and "Twist 'n' Tie," two aptly-titledcollections of rings and necklaces that can be worn inendless combinations.A percentage of all proceeds of items sold at the Gallerygo to The Center, so please remember that by displayingand shopping here you are helping us to provide muchneeded services to the international community.8 march 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw