Tea Origins Flavors and Health Benefits
Tea Origins, Flavors and Health Benefits.How many times have we just wanted to drink tea after a heavy meal, but then are bombarded with all the different flavors of tea that we lose sight of? This article fills that need.
The thing to always remember is that there are only four types of tea.
1) Black tea
2) Green tea
3) White tea
) Oolong tea
All of these are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, also known as the tea tree. Other herbal teas such as chamomile tea, ginger tea, or red tea made from rooibos leaves are not considered teas because the tea plant is not involved in their making.
The difference between the four types of tea lies in the production process. In addition, each tea has a different taste and different health benefits.
1) Black tea
The hot beverage with a strong flavor of elderberry is the most popular tea in the West. Whether served with a squeeze of lemon or added milk and a block of sugar, cups of black tea are part of daily tea ceremonies taking place around the world. Black tea is made from heavily oxidized Camellia sinensis leaves. When served plain, it contains no calories, carbohydrates or fat. A cup of black tea contains more caffeine than any other tea, but less than any cup of coffee.
2) Green tea
Lightly oxidized tea has been popular in China, Japan, and Korea for centuries. Recently, rumors about its health benefits are also growing in popularity in the West. Consumption of green tea has been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, increase metabolic rate and be helpful in many other ailments. Green tea is slightly oxidized, dried, but not fermented.
It is usually served plain, without sugar or milk. Since some variants of green tea have a slightly bitter taste, steep it below boiling point.
3) White tea
White tea is rarer and more expensive than the other teas mentioned above. Originating from Fujian Province, China, white tea is made from the young leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which undergo a long process of steaming or frying, inactivating fermentation, and drying.
Tea Origins Flavors and Health Benefits.When the leaves are harvested while the buds are still covered with white hairs, it is called white tea. White tea has the most delicate and sweet taste compared to other teas. Plus, it has the lowest amount of caffeine and the highest amount of antioxidants that help prevent cancer.
) Oolong tea
Traditional Chinese tea is a popular companion to Chinese dishes such as dim sum and dumplings in American Chinese restaurants.
Oolong tea, black dragon in Chinese, gets its name from the long, dark leaves, which look like wild black dragons when steeped in water.
The unique flavor of oolong tea is achieved through a long process that includes sun-dried Camellia sinensis leaves, slight oxidation, cooling and drying. The result is a flavor that is milder than popular black tea and stronger than delicate green tea.
