What is Tea? (a Cuppa, a Brew)

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Ninjawoman
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What is Tea? (a Cuppa, a Brew)

Post by Ninjawoman » 07 May 2012, 17:20

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Tea is a drink that is produced from the combination of cured leaves of the Camellia Sinensis (tea) plant with hot water. Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world, after water. The Camellia Sinensis plant thrives growing in tropical and sub-tropical climates, hence its origins on the continents of Asia and Africa.

The first recorded consumption in the history of tea was in China, as early as the 10th century BC. Soon, it spread to Korea and Japan. During the 16th century Portuguese exploration of the Far East, tea was traded with the West and as a result, the tea plant spread to the rest of the world. It has been said that Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese queen consort to King Charles II, introduced the drinking of tea in the UK.

It wasn't until the 19th century until tea drinking became a common pastime for all the social classes. Now, tea drinking occurs as a daily occurrence not just as a component of afternoon tea or a tea party. In the UK, it has become a ‘national drink' of sorts and an integral part of British culture.

Types Of Tea
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There are (at least) four different types of tea: white tea, green tea, oolong tea and black tea. The type of tea depends on the type of tea processing it undergoes. Tea leaves are prone to wilt and therefore oxidise, if they are not dried quickly. As the chlorophyll breaks down, the tea leaves darken and release tannins; this process is called fermentation in the tea industry.

Tea as we know it in the UK is more often sold as teabags. Most popular brands of teabags are usually made by blending a variety of different teas together. Tea is renowned for containing numerous antioxidants and less caffeine than coffee. There are also certain teas used in diets and tea for weight loss.

White Tea
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White tea is the lightest and purest type of tea with a delicate, slightly sweet flavour. It is grown and harvested almost exclusively in China's Fujian province and is made from the unopened and youngest buds and softest leaves of the tea plant - Camellia Sinensis - and then left to wither a little in the sunlight. The leaves are lightly processed to prevent oxidation. White tea is said to have been the tea of choice for Chinese royalty because it was so rare and expensive and during the T'ang Dynasty, only the emperor was allowed to drink white tea.

Health Benefits Of White Tea
White tea is a very high natural source of antioxidants that may help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. White tea does contain caffeine, but at very much lower levels than black tea or coffee. As it is less processed than the other teas, it contains more of the ingredients thought to be active in helping with weight loss.

Green Tea
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Green tea is a tea made solely from the Camellia Sinensis leaves that have undergone as little oxidation as possible. Originating from China approximately 4000 years ago, green tea is perhaps most synonymous with Asian culture which is why it is the most popular tea in the world. At present, green tea is enjoying a new found popularity in the West where it is seen to have many advantages over its sibling, black tea. Green Tea is often scented with flowers or mixed with fruits to create a variety of great

Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green teas are a natural source of antioxidents, which may help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals, helping to lower blood pressure, fight gingivitis and tooth cavities and regulate blood sugar levels. It is also thought that green tea and weight loss can go hand-in-hand. In fact, followers of the ‘Macrobiotic Diet' regularly drink green tea to reap its health benefits. Green Tea also has only about 5-10% of the caffeine found in coffee.

Oolong Tea
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Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea that is semi-fermented. It is produced through withering the tea leaves under the sunlight, oxidation, curling and twisting. The leaves can either be rolled into long, curly leaf shapes or made to look like beads with little tails. Degrees of fermentation can vary according to the variety of Oolong tea and style of production.

The taste of Oolong tea also varies amongst its sub-varieties (Formosa tea, Organic China tea and Milky Oolong tea amongst others); it can be sweet and fruity, woody and thick or green and fresh. When brewing Oolong tea, it is important to brew it for typically three to ten minutes. It is a tea that can be brewed several times; in fact, the taste of the Oolong tea actually improves the more times it is brewed. It is the perfect 'halfway house' between black and green tea.

Health Benefits Of Oolong Tea
Oolong tea combines the health benefits of both green and black tea. However, Chinese doctors recommend oolong tea especially for its weight-loss properties and oolong tea can also help decrease high blood pressure and reduce stress. Interestingly, it can contain less caffeine than both black and green tea - oolong tea is grown mainly in China and Taiwan and the Chinese tea plant contains less caffeine than the Indian tea plant, which is used to make black teas. Therefore oolong tea usually has less caffeine than black tea and is made from more mature leaves, which usually have less caffeine than green tea.

Black Tea
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Black tea is the most popular variety of tea drunk in the UK and is more oxidized than the oolong, green, and white varieties. All four varieties are made from leaves of the shrub (or small tree) Camellia sinensis. Black tea is generally stronger in flavor and contains more caffeine than the less oxidized teas, but still only has about 20% of the caffeine found in a cup of coffee.

After plucking, the leaves are laid on trays and withered to remove some moisture and make them more pliable. The leaves are then rolled and laid out so that the mix of warm air, aromatic juices, bacteria & enzymes leads to oxidation (a natural reaction that affects strength and colour). Oxidation is stopped by 'firing' the leaves with hot air, which makes them turn black as they dry.

Health Benefits of Black Tea
Black tea is a natural source of antioxidants that may help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals and prevent the absorption of cholesterol into the blood stream, which helps to prevent heart disease. It is also good for preventing gingivitis, tooth decay and helps to regulate blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
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Re: What is Tea? (a Cuppa, a Brew)

Post by givemeabreak432 » 07 May 2012, 19:01

I like this topic. Tea is delicious.

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Re: What is Tea? (a Cuppa, a Brew)

Post by random980 » 08 May 2012, 03:57

givemeabreak432 wrote:I like this topic. Tea is delicious.
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Re: What is Tea? (a Cuppa, a Brew)

Post by Arithel » 08 May 2012, 16:02

I read this, as I drink some black tea. I quite like this.
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Eddietester1066
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Re: What is Tea? (a Cuppa, a Brew)

Post by Eddietester1066 » 26 May 2012, 09:00

Just so you know you're not alone in the world:
http://www.improbable.com/2012/05/26/od ... itish-tea/
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Which leads to this:
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Re: What is Tea? (a Cuppa, a Brew)

Post by The Bum » 26 May 2012, 09:08

Eddietester1066 wrote:Just so you know you're not alone in the world:
http://www.improbable.com/2012/05/26/od ... itish-tea/
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