Varieties and useful properties of tea

More often than tea, people drink only water. This versatile drink is respected in both the Western and Eastern worlds. It is drunk with sugar, honey, milk, it goes equally well with a salty sandwich and a sweet cake. The drink is indispensable when you need to warm up, but it is also excellent in the heat – it will quench your thirst no worse than cold spring water. Today, shops offer hundreds of different varieties of tea. For many years, disputes have not ceased, which one is more useful – black, green, white or oolong. And although they are all made from the same plant – Camellia sinensis, there is still a difference.

How did the world know about tea?

The history of this drink goes back several thousand years. ^[1]. There is a legend according to which the first tea drink was prepared in 2737 BC. e. in China. Like all great discoveries, tea also appeared by accident. When Emperor Shen Nung was sitting under a tree, several leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant fell into a vessel of boiling water. This is how the first tea appeared. We can say that nature itself brewed this amazing drink.

Researchers believe that the first tea trees grew in China, not far from the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan. And before the Europeans discovered these plants, the Chinese had been enjoying this drink for several centuries. The Japanese, trained by Chinese monks, brought the drink to their country. In England, tea became popular only in the XNUMXth century.

Today Asia is the largest tea producer. Approximately 80-90% of raw materials are harvested in India, China, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the cultivation of culture was started in East Africa and in the mountainous regions of Kenya.

General characteristics

Tea is a tree or shrub of the Camellia genus grown in tropical and subtropical climates that needs rich soil and abundant rainfall. In the wild, the plant can reach 9 meters in height. However, plants grown on an industrial scale rarely exceed a meter and a half. This height is the most convenient for collecting leaves. In addition, regular pruning of Camellia sinensis contributes to the rapid formation of new branches with young leaves. With proper care, a tea tree can produce “harvests” for more than 100 years.

There are three types of tea:

• Chinese;
• Assam;
• Cambodian.

Representatives of the Chinese variety are Chinese tea, Japanese, Indonesian, Georgian, Vietnamese and some others. Assam is a type of tea first discovered in India. Also, this type of plant is common in Uganda, Kenya and Sri Lanka. As for Cambodian tea, it is a natural hybrid of Chinese and Assamese. This species grows in some regions of Indochina.

Types of tea

All types of tea are made in the same way. The collected leaves are first dried so that the greens become a little limp and give up part of the moisture. Then comes the stage of reusable twisting of the leaves into miniature rolls, after which they again lose excess moisture. The next stage is enzymatic oxidation, as a result of which starch is broken down into simple sugars, and chlorophyll into tannins. It is at this stage that the future type of tea is determined. As a rule, the longer the leaf has oxidized, the darker the drink will turn out.

The drying method also affects the result: black varieties are dried at lower temperatures, green varieties require heat in excess of 100 degrees Celsius.

Before finally turning into a fragrant drink, tea leaves are sorted, crushed and packed.

Black tea

As already mentioned, this product undergoes a stronger oxidation. Ready tea leaves become dark brown, almost black. Drink from them (depending on concentration) turns out from orange to dark red shade. By the way, in southeast Asia, this type of tea is called not black, but red. Good varieties of this drink can be recognized by the characteristic tart taste and lack of bitterness. In its aroma there are light “notes” of honey or flowers. Such tea contains 40 to 60 mg of caffeine per cup.

Green tea

Green tea is a slightly oxidized product. Dry tea leaves can be from light green to rich green in color, the drink from them turns yellowish-greenish. Good green tea has a herbal smell and a tart-sweet taste. If such a drink is bitter, this is a sign of a low-grade product. A cup of this tea contains 25-30 mg of caffeine. ^[2].

White tea

As a rule, this drink is made from buds or very young tea leaves, which undergo minimal processing. Usually, the white tea production process is limited to curing and drying. Dry tea leaves have a yellowish color, and the infusion of them is light shades of yellow or green. This tea has a characteristic sweet taste and floral smell. Its leaves are quickly untwisted under the action of boiling water. The amount of caffeine in a cup does not exceed 15 mg.

Oolong

In the CIS countries, it is often called red tea, while the Chinese call this drink turquoise or green-blue. This product is oxidized for no longer than 3 days, which gives it a special taste that is unlike other types. This drink contains approximately 50 mg of caffeine.

Sometimes the so-called yellow tea is distinguished as a separate species. According to the production technology, it is very similar to green. For centuries, it was considered an elite variety that was only available to Chinese emperors. The export of this product is strictly prohibited by Chinese law.

The life of pu-erh tea begins in the same way as green tea, but then the leaves are subjected to additional fermentation and “aging”, which can last for several years. Distinguish “young” and “old” pu-erh. They differ significantly in taste, color and aroma.

Benefits for the body

Tea is perhaps the oldest drink in the history of mankind – people have been drinking it for almost 5000 years. Camellia sinensis leaves are rich in polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties. ^[3]. For many centuries, tea has been a medicinal drink for the Chinese. Today, when talking about tea, green is more often remembered as a drink rich in antioxidants and helping to lose weight. Tea can also protect against cancer and Parkinson’s disease, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, and is good for bones. Below we will talk in more detail about the benefits of this drink for humans.

Weight loss

Researchers studying the polyphenols in tea have found that these substances not only contribute to additional energy expenditure, but also cause fat oxidation, which leads to weight loss.

Scientists have calculated that after drinking tea for 24 hours, calorie burning increases by about 100 kcal.

One study showed that people who consumed green tea daily and did not change their gastronomic habits lost about 12 kg of excess weight in 2 weeks. The results of another study showed that tea drinkers have a body mass index closer to normal.

An interesting experiment was conducted by scientists on mice. The rodents were fed a high-fat, high-calorie diet, but they were given green tea. It turned out that their weight gain was much slower than that of individuals who had not tasted the taste of a tea drink.

Cancer Prevention

The polyphenols found in tea can prevent the formation of malignant tumors and inhibit the growth of new cancer cells. Scientists studied the rate of progression of prostate cancer. They found that in men who consumed tea, the tumor increased by 9% in a year, while in those who did not have this drink in their diet, the disease progressed by 30%. And if not so long ago it was believed that only green tea could suppress the growth of cancer cells, then recent studies have shown that black varieties are also no less effective.

Stabilization of the cardiovascular system

Italian doctors have noticed: black tea stabilizes blood pressure in patients with hypertension. In Japan, where the tradition of tea drinking is extremely popular, it has been calculated that among the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun, the death rate from cardiovascular diseases is lower, they are less prone to thrombosis, hypertension and strokes. ^[4].

The results of laboratory studies have shown that this product regulates the concentration of cholesterol in the blood. Hence the conclusion of scientists: just one cup of tea a day can prevent stroke, heart attack and other cardiac diseases.

Flu Protection

Many of us, at the first sign of a cold, remember a cup of hot tea with honey or raspberries. Such a drink helps to warm up quickly. But few people know about another incredible ability of black tea. If you gargle twice a day with a strong infusion of this drink, you can strengthen your immune system and protect yourself from illness during an epidemic.

Strengthening bones

No matter how strange this statement sounds, but ordinary tea can strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis. We are used to the fact that dairy products rich in calcium and vitamin D, as a rule, take on the function of strengthening bones. However, the polyphenols that make up the drink are no less beneficial for bone tissue. Drinking tea has been shown to reduce the risk of hip fractures by up to 30% in the elderly.

Prevent caries

Plaque contains more than 300 types of bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Tea infusion (more precisely, the polyphenols contained in it) slows down the reproduction of bacteria. It is enough to rinse your mouth with tea for at least 30 seconds several times a day to notice positive changes. Researchers say that only the black variety of the drink has this ability.

Tea is also good for:

• prevention of rheumatoid arthritis;
• lowering blood pressure;
• protection against neurological disorders;
• stabilization of blood sugar levels;
• immunity strengthening;
• maintaining a healthy intestinal microflora;
• relaxation;
• removal of excess fluid from the body.

Benefits of different types of tea

Green tea

Today it is perhaps the most popular type of tea. Studies have shown that this drink contains a huge amount of antioxidants. ^[5]. The range of its benefits is extremely wide. It helps with obesity, treats mastopathy and has antitumor properties. It is also known that green tea contains components that have a beneficial effect on the retina and improve vision. ^[6].

Black tea

This drink contains unique antioxidant substances, including theaflavins, which, in fact, are responsible for the red tint of the drink. It is known that this substance is able to lower cholesterol. Black tea can also reduce the effects of stress, including stabilizing blood pressure and reducing the risk of a heart attack.

Oolong

This type of black tea is the favorite drink of Buddhist monks. They trained monkeys to pick leaves from the tops of wild tea trees. The monks were convinced that such greens contained the maximum dose of caffeine, and the drink from it had a slight aroma of orchids. Another name for this tea is Black Dragon. It is known for its properties to lower cholesterol, improve the condition of bone tissue, strengthen the immune system and the heart.

White tea

It is generally accepted that this is the purest of all known forms of tea drink. It has high antioxidant properties and is better than other species in preventing diseases. This drink is used to improve the condition of the skin and lower cholesterol, with heart disease and many other diseases. It is extremely rich in phenols, thanks to which white tea is called the elixir of youth. Its extract prevents the formation of wrinkles ^[7].

Puer

Pu-erh is the only type of tea that is fermented like wine or yogurt.

In the process of such processing, it acquires unique antioxidant properties and chemical composition. Animal studies have shown that this drink can bring cholesterol levels closer to normal.

How tea is drunk in different countries

Japan

The Japanese tea ceremony includes many nuances in the preparation and serving of the drink. This art has been taught for years. Like many centuries ago, in Japan, tea drink is associated with Buddhists, meditation and Zen practices.

USA

The tea drink came to this country in the XNUMXth century with the Dutch, when modern New York was still a Dutch colony. Americans made their contribution to tea history at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, when they invented refreshing iced tea and tea bags.

England

Tea also came to England thanks to the Dutch and immediately became the drink of high society. Very soon it became a national product, displacing ale. It was the British who came up with the idea of ​​drinking tea with milk and introduced the tradition of afternoon tea drinking.

Russia

The Russians first tasted this drink in 1618, when the Chinese presented several chests of fragrant leaves as a gift to Tsar Alexei. In those days, close trade relations were maintained between both countries. But, given the difficult and long journey, the price of the drink was then fabulously high. It took more than 100 years for the price of tea to drop, and not only at court could taste it. The Russian tradition provided for its own “tea ceremony” – using a samovar.

India

And although today India produces almost 30% of the world’s tea, the first plantations appeared here only in the XNUMXth century, and then thanks to the English colonialists. Meanwhile, wild tea plants have always been in this country. They occupied a large area in the jungle in the northeast of the country. However, tea drinking in India reached wide popularity only after the Second World War. The most popular Indian tea is samala (sweet, with cardamom and cinnamon). The Indian tradition of tea drinking involves the use of various spices, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves are especially popular.

Some common questions about tea

Should milk be added to tea?

This question is asked by many, watching the British, whose tea drinking tradition provides for such an unusual combination of liquids. Back in 2007, a group of European scientists undertook to study how milk affects the beneficial properties of tea. The researchers determined that the dairy product completely deprives black tea of ​​its ability to strengthen the heart. According to the results of the analysis, scientists advised people who consume black tea in the hope of getting heart benefits to refuse such a tea-milk combination.

Is caffeine in tea harmful?

A cup of tea contains 30 to 100 mg of caffeine (for comparison, a small cup of espresso coffee is at least 120 mg of caffeine). Once scientists conducted a small experiment and removed all the caffeine from tea. At the same time, it turned out that along with caffeine, tea loses some useful flavonoids, and the benefits of the drink are sharply reduced. After this experience, the researchers agreed: it is still better to drink traditional tea, especially since this drink contains the substance L-theanine, which gives a feeling of relaxation. It is thanks to this chemical compound that Buddhist monks chose tea as a drink for relaxation and preparation for meditation. ^[8].

Is bottled iced tea healthy?

Chemists have found that after freezing, tea loses a significant portion of its polyphenols. The second disadvantage of a bottled drink is a large number of calories (due to the addition of sugar and other ingredients).

How many cups are allowed?

The optimal amount of tea per day, researchers call two to three servings.

1 cup of tea improves bone mineralization by 5% and reduces the risk of developing hypertension by 46%.

2 cups of drink per day reduces the risk of age-related brain damage by 26% and reduces the risk of skin cancer by 35%. ^[9].

3 cups is 11% less likely to have a heart attack and 37% less likely to get breast cancer ^[4].

How long does it take to brew tea?

Connoisseurs of tea ceremonies claim that a truly healthy and tasty tea is obtained if it is brewed for 3-7 minutes. At the same time, they add: each type of tea has its own brewing rules.

A black drink is prepared in the proportion of 1 teaspoon per glass of boiling water. Infuse it for about 5-7 minutes in a closed porcelain or ceramic teapot, which is additionally covered with a napkin (this will retain the essential oils that are responsible for the aroma of the drink).

Green tea is poured with water, the temperature of which does not exceed 85 degrees Celsius. The same tea leaves are used 3-5 times. To do this, the first time tea should be infused for one and a half to two minutes, each subsequent time – 15 seconds longer. Each serving of brewed tea is poured into a teapot, and then poured into cups. This method allows you to maximize the taste and aroma of the drink.

White tea is brewed with soft water, not hotter than 70 degrees. Infuse it for about 4-5 minutes. One serving can be brewed 3 times.

Important note. All utensils for the tea ceremony must be preheated (dip in boiling water). It is not recommended to leave tea leaves in the teapot, otherwise the drink will get a bitter taste. ^[10].

Possible dangers of tea

1. If you drink 12 cups of tea daily, fluorosis (dental disease due to increased fluoride intake) may develop over time.
2. Excessive consumption of green tea can cause hypotension.
3. Pregnant women should drink only a very weak drink.
4. Green tea is not recommended for people with constipation.
5. It is important to avoid drinks with dyes and flavors.

Herbal teas: top list of the most useful

Herbal teas are caffeine free and have powerful healing properties.

They are determined depending on the plant from which the drink is brewed. Herbal teas are useful for indigestion and insomnia, in the fight against the first signs of a cold, and as an alternative medicine for many diseases of the internal organs. The raw materials for herbal teas are most often ginger, nettle, chamomile, thyme, jasmine, mint, St. John’s wort and many other herbs. The main requirement for such drinks is that raw materials must be environmentally friendly. And, of course, you should not abuse medicinal herbs, since many of them have side effects.

From hawthorn – improves blood circulation and the cardiovascular system, soothes, removes excess salt from the body.

From hibiscus (hibiscus) – lowers cholesterol, contains many antioxidants, useful for hypertension.

From ginger – improves digestion, relieves nausea, has anti-inflammatory properties, is useful for patients with arthritis.

From cardamom – useful for indigestion, flatulence, nausea, cough, lung diseases.

From clover (red) – useful for women during menopause, soothes, improves sleep quality, strengthens bones, improves memory.

From cinnamon – promotes rapid weight loss, increases physical endurance, protects against viruses, controls blood sugar levels, is more effective with honey.

From nettle – treats anemia, lowers blood pressure, relieves pain in rheumatism and arthritis, strengthens the immune system, useful for coughs and colds, helps get rid of infections in the urinary tract, treats diseases of the kidneys and bladder, has a laxative effect.

From lavender – useful for diseases of the respiratory system, cough, bronchitis, asthma, relieves fever, accelerates wound healing.

From lemongrass – contains the substance citral, which helps to digest food, for this reason it is advised to use it after dinner.

From lemon balm – soothes, useful for diseases of the thyroid gland and digestive organs, anxiety, insomnia, improves memory and mood.

From mint – soothing, analgesic, strengthens the immune system, relieves vomiting and nausea, useful for coughing, bronchial asthma, but it is not recommended for people with heart disease.

From milk thistle – cleanses the liver and improves its functioning, is useful for the digestive system, regulates the production of bile.

From rooibos – rich in vitamins and antioxidants, helps with insomnia and neuroses.

From chamomile – promotes digestion, relieves stress, treats insomnia, but can cause allergies.

From rose hips – rich in vitamin C, useful for the adrenal glands, strengthens the immune system, improves skin condition.

From echinacea – rich in antioxidants, strengthens the immune system, relieves pain and inflammation, and is useful as a prophylactic against colds.

Leaves and flowers are brewed from dandelions, this tea is rich in vitamins and minerals, useful for edema, soothes arthritis pain, improves liver and digestive system function.

For several thousand years, mankind has been enjoying tea, feeling its beneficial effects. This drink has stood the test of time and proved that it deserves to be on our tables both on holidays and on weekdays.

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