The History of Tea
Tea has been a popular drink for over 4,000 years, and is now one of the most popular beverages in the world. It has become so prevalent in western culture that it is hard to imagine life without it. The Tea Trade Act of 1773 made tea into a commodity for the first time, since before then tea was taxed as a luxury good. This trade act also led to significant economic growth in the tea industry.
In recent centuries, various technological innovations have helped make tea as accessible to people with varying levels of income as coffee or noodles are today. By bringing it to more people and making it affordable for less wealthy groups, tea became more popular than ever before.
Different Benefits of Tea
Drinking tea has a number of benefits, some of which are not well known. It is important for people to understand the many benefits that come with drinking tea so they can make more informed decisions about their health in the future. Tea often has a calming effect on people, and it can be used to promote weight loss as well.
The antioxidants in tea have been linked to lower rates of cancer, heart attack, and stroke. In addition, tea may help to reduce pain from headaches, toothaches, arthritis, and menstruation cramps. It is also known for its antibacterial properties and can be used as a remedy for sore throats. Tea can also lower cholesterol levels and risk of heart diseases.
Types of Tea
There are various types of tea that have been enjoyed by people all around the world. There are even famous online sites such as Tea Chapter that offers specialty tea such as pu er tea. Let’s look at some of the common types of tea people drink everyday.
Pu Er Tea
Pu er tea is a type of tea that is produced in Yunnan and other provinces of China. It is known for its strong, earthy flavor, and has been used medicinally. Pu er tea is produced by slowly fermenting the leaves of a variety of Camellia sinensis over time. The level of fermentation can vary from 20% to 90%. The higher the level of fermentation, the more intense the flavor will be.
There are two types of pu er tea: sheng (raw) and shou (risen). Raw pu er tea has a light yellow color with a strong flavor and rich aroma. Risen pu er has a darker color with lesser scent but stronger taste. The aromatic compounds in raw Pu er tea tend to be more volatile than those in risen ones.
Black Tea
Black tea may be defined as any tea that produces a dark reddish-brown liquid. The typical brewing time is 3 to 5 minutes. Black Teas are made from Camelia Sinensis leaves that have been withered, rolled, fermented and finally dried.
– Withering: The leaves are heated to dry them out. This process mainly takes place in the afternoon and the leaf is left to “sweat” until evening.
– Rolling: The leaves are then rolled using a rolling machine to produce a cylindrical shape. Tea producers use machines to do this because rolling by hand takes too much time.
– Fermenting: Fermentation is the step where enzymes are used to break down the polyphenols and oxidize amino acids in these tea leaves.
– Drying: Finally, after all of these steps, the tea leaves will be dried for up to a week before being packaged for sale.
Green Tea
Green tea is a beverage made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plants. This plant is referred to as “tea” in English, but that term generally refers to a number of teas made from other plants. It is most often taken after meals as a restorative aid, or as an afternoon tea.
Green tea is one of the most popular types of tea worldwide because it can be brewed and consumed many different ways. Some common ways include iced green tea, using hot water to make iced green tea and using hot water to make a green oolong-style infusion.