The next time you think you need a coffee break, a congenial man with an infectious smile and a passion for tea just may change your mind! Mark Ukra, affectionately called "Dr. Tea" by friends and customers, is spreading the gospel of good tea one deliciously brewed cup at a time through his "Tea Garden & Herbal Emporium" establishments in the Los Angeles area. The newest and third location opened in West Hollywood last month (www.teagarden.com) and he calls it a "university of learning" rather than a retail store. His first book, "The Ultimate Tea Diet" published by Harper Collins, premieres in late December.

Fresh fruits are an integral part of the ingredients for many of his 110 tea blends. Blenders at the Tea Garden are kept busy all summer preparing Dr. Tea’s version of traditional iced tea which he calls "Frosteas" and "Capa-Tea-nos", frothy and luscious beverages that often average a scant 50 calories each.

"Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, second only to water", says Dr. Tea, "but consumption in the U.S. is at 6^th. So our Garden serves as an herbal University to teach people about the benefits of drinking tea." Dr. Tea reports that tea is among the most beneficial beverages in the world, because of its l-theanine and antioxidant components which can ultimately lead the tea drinker to experience feelings of happiness and satisfaction. "Most of the tea in bags which people are familiar with are actually broken leaves and dust from the bottom of the barrel. They’re amazed to see the whole leaves, and pieces of real dried fruits that comprise our teas."

BLUEBERRY pie, PEACH, and PINEAPPLE COCONUT are among the Tea Garden’s white tea varieties used to create iced tea. PEACH pie, PINEAPPLE, STRAWBERRY pie and ORANGE sherbet are blended with green teas. PLUM oolong, Black LECHEE, French LEMON GINGER and Rooibus PASSION FRUIT round out the more exotic iced tea selections.

No matter what your favorite tea flavor, a "Frostea" or "Capi-tea-no" iced tea preparation can be varied by adding agave or stevia to sweeten, served unsweetened, served on the rocks or served blended with crushed ice and a splash of ALMOND or soy milk.

Iced tea doesn’t have to be restricted to summer menus, says Dr. Tea. He’s developing some new winter tea flavors, including PUMPKIN pie, APPLE pie and ORANGE spice tea. "Teas are great for losing weight. Because all teas come from the same plant – choose white, green, black or oolong – I tell people -- just experiment to find the tea you really love!"

PEACHES and NECTARINES are among the most plentiful and economically priced fruit choices this week, perfect for cutting into salads, slicing as plate garnish or brushing with oil and grilling as a side dish.

BLACK or RED PLUMS from California growers are also plentiful at very reasonable prices. Peel, sauté in butter with chopped NUTS and serve over pound cake or shortcake.

Quality is excellent on new crop BARLETT PEARS, with prices rapidly decreasing as volume strengthens. Add slices to grilled cheese sandwiches.

Good values continue on STRAWBERRIES, RASPBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES and BLUEBERRIES, great for topping hot or cold breakfast cereal. For optimum quality, keep all BERRIES refrigerated and unwashed until ready to enjoy.

Plenty of selection in the GRAPE category, with RED FLAME, GREEN THOMPSON SEEDLESS and BLACK GRAPES all in steady supply at moderate prices. CHAMPAGNE GRAPES are also in steady supply, popular for garnishing desserts and plates and for using a table decoration for summer brunches. Super sweet MUSCATO GRAPES are also in good supply.

Good quality and steady volume continues on flavorful HEIRLOOM TOMATOES, great for including in quiche filling. Salad TOMATOES are also in peak supply at moderate prices.

SEEDLESS WATERMELON is among the most economical choices in the MELON patch this week, with CANTALOUPE and HONEYDEW MELONS also in steady supply at very reasonable prices.

Excellent values continue on MINNEOLA TANGELOS, KEY LIMES, PINK GRAPEFRUIT and SEEDLESS CLEMENTINE TANGERINES.

BANANAS are in steady supply at moderate prices, great for BANANA splits, BANANA-WALNUT muffins and for slicing into gelatin molds (dip slices in LEMON juice first to prevent browning).

MANGOS, PINEAPPLE and PAPAYA are among the tropical fruit favorites in steady supply at very reasonable prices. Try a combination of all three, sliced and chilled and served with cream freshe or sour cream mixed with toasted COCONUT.

Large sizes of HASS AVOCADOS are the best value, perfect edible salad "bowls" to stuff with crab, shrimp or chicken salad.

Sweet OLATHE CORN from Colorado, a seasonal favorite, is now in peak supply at very reasonable prices.

PORTABELLO MUSHROOMS are in plentiful supply with quality excellent. They are a griller’s favorite, perfect for using as hamburger substitute.

GREEN CABBAGE, BABY SPINACH, RED LEAF, GREEN LEAF and ROMAINE LETTUCES are among the best salad bedding buys this week. Salad toppings in plentiful supply include CARROTS, CELERY, JICAMA, RADISHES, GREEN ONIONS, SPROUTS, HERBS and ENOKI MUSHROOMS.

BROCCOLI, a great source of dietary fiber, continues to be plentiful at moderate prices.

BELL PEPPERS are plentiful in a variety of colors, ranging from GREEN and RED to YELLOW and ORANGE. Slice and use grilled with ONIONS in fajita recipes or slice raw as rings to top entrée salads.

GREEN BEANS are an excellent side dish choice this week or steam, then chill and serve with ORANGE sections, PECANS and sliced MUSHROOMS in vinaigrette dressing.

RUSSET POTATO prices are decreasing and quality is excellent. Bake, remove the flesh and blend with butter, bacon bits and bleu cheese, then restuff and bake again. RED ROSE POTATOES are also a good value for POTATO salad.

Large sizes of ARTICHOKES continue to be plentiful at moderate prices.

PEARL ONIONS, SHALLOTS and GARLIC are in plentiful supply for shish-ka-bob skewers.

CUCUMBERS are plentiful, a great hot weather menu choice, perfect for chilled soup or sliced and blended with ONIONS and sour cream as a salad.

Soft shell summer SQUASH like ZUCCHINI continues to be plentiful.

FLORAL THIS WEEK:

Vibrant SUNFLOWERS, DAISIES, MUMS, ALSTROMERIA LILIES and CARNATIONS are among the most plentiful choices for cut arrangements. In potted plants, look for MINIATURE ROSES, ANTHURIUM, blooming CACTUS and ORCHIDS.

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