Different Kinds of Tea
Your Cup of Tea
The different kinds of teas can be confusing, but most often we go by what we like and how it tastes. Tea contains antioxidants and polyphenols that help our bodies protect against inflammation which can lead to many diseases. What are the types of tea? Well, it depends on how the tea is produced during the oxidation process. For instance, white tea is the least oxidized tea. The process of oxidation allows the leaves to wither and air-dry after being picked. Black tea is the most oxidized tea allowing the leaves to wither then they are rolled or crushed to start rapid oxidation.
Process of Oxidation
White tea is pale with a subtle, sweet taste and, as I said, the least oxidized of the teas, but it has a high amount of antioxidants. Caffeine count per cup is approximately 15-20 mg.
Green tea has a high concentration of polyphenols. It has about 20-30 mg of caffeine per cup.
Oolong is partially oxidized and studies show that it can help stabilize blood sugar levels. The leaves once withered are bruised to stimulate more oxidation and then fired to remove the moisture. It is 30-50 mg of caffeine per cup.
Black tea is the most oxidized tea with 40-60 mg of caffeine per cup.
So no matter what your taste and preference, tea is a healthy way to go if you want to prevent disease and build immunity. The roomier the tea bag, the better flavor due to more circulation of the leaves. Bulk is best and will yield the best tea as the leaves can unfurl and release more flavor.
Health Benefits and Side Effects of Green Tea: Useful Websites
Listed below are some great websites that discuss the health benefits and side effects of green tea. Being a plant-based product, the way green tea is processed is of great consideration.
One of the important points I got from the posts is the reason green tea is healthier is in the process. The fermentation process is avoided during the green tea production as opposed to the processing of black tea. The flavonoids and catechins are the antioxidants which help reduce the free radicals in your body.
What Else in a Nutshell?
Polyphenols are the elements that give green teas their benefits.
Blood sugar levels can be regulated if you drink green tea after meals.
It has been known to help kill cancer cells.
Green tea helps with metabolism.
These are only a few small examples of what green tea can do to help with your health. I am blown away by the many benefits in these posts and I hope you take time to read through them. Come in to the shop to get some of the best quality teas in town!
WebMD
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/health-benefits-of-green-tea#1
Healthline
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea
Lifehack
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html
How to Brew a Great Cup of Tea
Bulk Tea
Brewing a great cup of tea doesn’t take rocket science, but it does take patience. As you probably know, there are many tools to help brew a cup of tea if you purchase bulk tea. However, it takes some knowledge of quantity and quality of the tea leaves, the amount of water and temperature of water, and the time for infusion. Making a mistake on any of these elements can lead to a strong, bitter taste that will give you a less than positive experience with tea.
Purified water is best to use versus distilled water. Purified water will still have some of the coveted minerals which can actually enhance some teas. The water should also begin by being cold rather than a warm or hot water. Furthermore, bringing it to a gentle boil is crucial to a good cup of tea. Boiling the tea at a gentle bubble will help to purify the water further.
Green tea requires a more gentle boil to bring out its delicate flavors. Conversely, black tea needs a heavier boil in order to enhance its baked sweetness due to being fully oxidized. Secondly, the length of time it takes for green teas is generally shorter while the time for heavier, black teas could be longer.
Types of Containers and Tea Strainers
Tea strainers range in type and style. There are tea balls, tea spoons, and tea infusers for every preference. Comically, some are fashioned into shapes like dolphins, deep sea divers, and tea bags just to appeal to the tea user. They range from stainless steel to silicone styles.
Tea pots can also impacts the tea when brewing. Green tea needs less temperature, therefore, porcelain or glass tea containers are good. Black tea requires a hotter temperature. Hence tea pots made of iron or Chinese yixing ware retain heat over longer periods of time than porcelain or glass.
General Tea Preparation Guidelines
- Bring fresh, cold water to a boil in a kettle.
- Remove from heat when it reaches a gentle boil.
- Poor into a warm tea pot or tea cup (poor hot water into container prior to the tea water to keep temperature more consistent)
- Add proper amount of tea to the pot or cup determined by number of people drinking the tea.
- Poor water over the tea leaves and strain later or use a tea strainer to infuse the tea into the container.
- Steep for required amount of time, usually five minutes, for preferred flavor and strength.
A cup of tea is a symbol of hospitality all over the world. There is nothing like drinking a fresh, brewed, flavorful tea with a friend. Enjoy!