About Tea

Many individuals are stunned to study that every one teas, white, inexperienced, oolong, black and pu-erh are constructed from the leaves of the identical species. Whereas the varietal of the actual Camellia sinensis plant in addition to the climate situations and soil contribute to the ultimate style of the tea, the numerous variations of tea sort develop within the processing of the leaves.

The distinguishing issue that determines whether or not a tea plant will turn into white, inexperienced, oolong, or black tea is oxidation. Oxidation begins after the leaf has been plucked from the plant, and begins a strategy of being dried, withered, rolled, and warmth handled. A black tea is totally oxidized, inflicting it to show black, whereas a white tea is barely oxidized in any respect, thus retaining its comfortable, silvery down.

We are inclined to name many issues that we infuse in scorching water a tea. However technically, it’s solely tea if it’s constructed from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreen plant indigenous to China and India. Immediately tea is grown in over 100 nations to satisfy the worldwide demand.

Tea is the world’s second hottest beverage, after water. Extra individuals within the US are ingesting tea than ever earlier than, becoming a member of a booming worldwide pattern. Elevated understanding of the position antioxidants play in weight reduction in addition to the prevention of most cancers and heart problems has revealed tea as an excellent well being beverage. Recent brewed tea is 100% pure, fat-free, calorie-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, preservative-free, and low in caffeine—tea is the wholesome alternative.

White Tea

White teas are the least processed of all teas. They launch the least quantity of caffeine of all teas, typically starting from 10-15 milligrams per 8 ouncescup. Virtually all white teas hail from Fujian Province, China.

White teas are picked when younger tea buds are tightly enclosed in new leaves. This retains a silky, downy high quality within the leaves. Once you first drink white tea, it appears fairly tasteless – as when you had been ingesting scorching water. Nonetheless, after some time, you’ll turn into conscious of a refined change in your breath and behind your mouth. You’ll style a comfortable, nourishing sweetness and ultimately expertise the same sensation down your throat.

Preparation of white teas requires pure water at 175° F. (Boil, then cool 3 minutes)

Course of: White tea is essentially the most delicate tea in taste and aroma, because the leaves usually are not rolled or crushed within the processing. Camellia sinensis bushes which have giant, fleshy leaf buds are used for many white teas right now. These leaf buds turn into Silver Needles white tea. If the following two leaves are picked and processed the identical manner, they yield White Peony white tea.

Origins: With flavors which might be near the center of the tea plant, they had been the favourite of the well-known ’Tea Emperor’ within the 1100’s who was so preoccupied along with his love of tea and his pursuit of the right cup, that he misplaced his empire to invading Mongols. White teas have since historically been used as a Tribute Tea to the Chinese language Emperor. Lengthy widespread in China, they’re simply changing into well-known in America. Current claims that white tea has much less caffeine than inexperienced tea are sometimes debatable. Caffeine content material is usually extra depending on the a part of the plant used, relatively than on course of. View our choice of White Teas.

Green Tea

Green Tea leaves plucked within the morning are able to be brewed in a pot the identical evening. The bypass of oxidation permits inexperienced tea to retain most of its pure darkish inexperienced shade, tannins, vitamin C, chlorophyll and minerals. The style of inexperienced tea is subsequently extra astringent and subtler than oolong or black tea.

The dearth of oxidation can also be accountable for the very low caffeine content material of inexperienced tea (just one%). Its caffeine impact produces an almost regular, delicate excessive with no huge peaks or plunges. Inexperienced tea is subsequently the right meditative help: it acts as a light stimulant, with out inflicting insomnia or nervousness. It refreshes and quiets.

The names of Chinese language inexperienced teas denote leaf types and infrequently make reference to the area the place the tea is from. The names of Japanese inexperienced teas typically finish in “cha” (which means tea).

Preparation of inexperienced teas requires pure water at 175° F. (Boil, then cool 3 minutes)

Chinese green teas include about 30–35 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ouncescup, and Japanese green teas include 25–30 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ouncescup.

Course of: The leaves are heated instantly after plucking. The warmth prevents the leaves from withering or oxidizing. The dry leaf retains its inexperienced shade.

Origins: Historically from China and Japan. Chinese language inexperienced teas embody such classics as Lung Ching and Gunpowder, in addition to Pi Lo Chun (Inexperienced Spring Spiral) and Yunwu (Cloud-and-Mist). Japan produces solely inexperienced teas, together with Gyokuro, Sencha, Bancha, Hojicha (roasted), Genmaicha (tea with roasted corn and rice), Kukicha (roasted twigs) and Matcha (powdered tea that should be whisked.) Inexperienced teas can be flavored and scented. Jasmine is the preferred scented inexperienced tea. Different inexperienced tea producing nations now exporting embody Thailand, Korea and Vietnam. View our choice of Green Teas.

Oolong

Oolong teas are semi–oxidized, which locations them mid–manner between inexperienced and black teas. This offers them the physique and complexity of a black tea, with the brightness and freshness of a inexperienced tea.

The caffeine content material and antioxidant stage can also be mid–manner between that of inexperienced and black teas, making them most wholesome and palatable. A really favourite and desired tea amongst connoisseurs, all oolongs hail from both China or Taiwan.

Preparation of oolong teas requires pure water at 195° F. (Boil, then cool 2 minutes)

They could be infused a number of (3–7) instances, every steep lasting 1–3 minutes. The caffeine content material of oolong teas decreases dramatically from the primary to the third brew, yielding about 30–50 mg in first the cup, 15–25 mg within the second, and 5–10 mg within the third.

Course of: The leaves are withered after which rolled, typically by hand. The leaves are allowed to partially oxidize after which are fired in pan or basket to arrest the oxidation course of. Oxidation might vary from 12–85%. Generally charcoal smoke is used to impart a taste to the tea.

Origins: From frivolously oxidized to darkish roasted, oolongs could be fragrantly floral to lusciously wealthy. A particular class of minimally oxidized oolong leaves ranges from 6–12% and are often called pouchongs. Taiwan is legendary for its many great oolong teas, and deservedly so. Their teas are sometimes named after the actual mountain on which they’re grown. In China, Ti Quan Yin (“Iron Goddess of Mercy”) is among the most well-known oolong teas whose attribute taste is produced within the charcoal firing of the leaves. Ti Quan Yin is quite a lot of tea plant that produces Ti Quan Yin oolong, and was found within the Anxi province of China. Different nicely–recognized Chinese language oolongs embody Huang Jin Gui and Bai Hao. View our choice of Oolongs.

Black Tea

Black teas are totally oxidized teas. Black teas brew a liquor from reddish brown to darkish brown. They’re the preferred sort of tea within the Western world. Black teas vary from 40 – 60 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ouncescup.

Black Teas from China are divided into two important classes: Northern Chinese language (Keemun teas from Anhui province and related teas equivalent to Golden Monkey) and Southern Chinese language that are the black teas from the Yunnan province. Many teas from China typically have poetic names that don’t give any details about the kind of tea or the area that it got here from, equivalent to Cloud Mist and Fairy Department.

There are three main tea producing areas in India: Darjeeling, Assam, and Nilgiri. Black teas are additionally accessible from Sikkim, an space bordering Darjeeling. Ceylon teas come from the island nation now known as Sri Lanka. Different loose-leaf black tea producing nations embody: Nepal, Turkey, Indonesia, Kenya and Australia.

Preparation of black teas requires pure water at boiling level (212° F).

Course of: After the leaves are plucked they’re allowed to wither. They’re then rolled and crushed by hand or by machine. This prompts the oxidation processes and the leaves are allowed to show black. Lastly they’re fired in ovens to cease the oxidation course of.

Origins: Historically from China, India, and Sri Lanka (Ceylon).

Tea Gradings:

There are a number of methods to reference any specific tea from India or Sri Lanka:

• By property
• The grade of the tea
• The yr of the plucking
• The plucking season (or flush)

Tea gradings refer primarily to the best way the leaf appears.

• S, or “tremendous” implies that the actual property considers this tea one in all its “better of finest”.
• F, or “wonderful” often implies that the tea is a really prime quality, clear, mud free and comparatively uniform leaf.
• T, or “tippy” implies that the tea has many leaves from the very finish bud – the terminal bud.
• G, or “golden” refers the these terminal buds that had tiny hair-like fuzz on them that, after oxidation, has turned golden in shade (fascinating)
• F, or “flowery” typically refers back to the nostril, it’s floral in character.
• O, or “orange” is a reference to the Earl of Orange who as soon as was so concerned in tea commerce that he required the estates to notice whether or not or not they thought the teas measured as much as his expectations. Utilizing the letter “O” implies that the tea does certainly do that.
• P, or “pekoe” merely means a hand picked and processed tea that’s mud and mildew free.

Flavored Black Teas

Chinese language black tea leaves have been flavored since across the time the Ming Dynasty was based in 1368, and have turn into wildly widespread in America and Europe in latest many years. The addition of pure essences and flavors create an thrilling sensual and gastronomic expertise, as each the tea and the scent are sometimes enhanced within the marriage of the 2. Tea could be flavored by including fruits, floral essences, and/or flavorings to the completed black tea leaves. All tea leaves are very absorbent of fragrances (and all odors, which is another excuse why air-tight containers are vital for storage.) Widespread scented black teas embody Earl Gray, scented with bergamot; Lapsang Souchong, which is scented with pine wooden smoke; Rose tea, Caramel tea and numerous fruit-flavored black teas. View our complete choice of Black Teas.

Chai Tea

India is the biggest tea exporter on the planet. Most of its tea manufacturing is consumed at house. This offers us an thought of the magnitude of manufacturing, and of its financial impression on the nation. Whereas tea vegetation are indigenous to components of northwestern India, tea was not part of the Indian weight loss plan till after the British started producing tea there circa 1850. The Indian palate was not happy by the skinny, sugared beverage. However by drawing from their very own cultural pantry they created the tea drink that we all know as chai – black tea simmered with milk, sugar, and wealthy flavorful spices equivalent to cardamom, ginger, clove and cinnamon. Each family in India has their very own household recipe for what they name masala chai, or spice tea.

Pu’erh Tea

Pu’erh teas are aged and fermented. These aged teas are revered all through Asia for his or her medicinal advantages, which vary from curing hangovers to lowering ldl cholesterol.

Pu’erh tea could be very clean in style, and could be even darker than black tea. It is a naturally fermented tea, and, if saved correctly, the older the tea, the higher the flavour. Black Pu’erh teas include about 60–70 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ouncescup, and Inexperienced Pu’erh yields about 30–40 milligrams of caffeine for a similar sized serving.

Preparation: Requires pure water at boiling level (212° F).

Course of: Pu’erh tea is processed by particular fermentation by utilizing the semi-fermented inexperienced tea of Yunnan giant leaf tea. It’s black or brown in shade. This tea undergoes a secondary fermentation course of that takes 6 months to a yr, throughout which the tea is contained in a heat, humid atmosphere, permitting useful micro organism and fungal microflora to flourish. The extra aged Pu’erh tea is mellow and offers a candy style in mouth after ingesting.

Well being Advantages: This is a perfect well being drink. It may reduce by grease and ldl cholesterol, assist digestion, heat you, assist produce saliva and shake thirst, dispel the results of alcohol, and refresh one’s thoughts. Pu’erh tea has additionally been proven to decrease triglyceride and levels of cholesterol within the physique.

Origins: Grown solely in and across the county of Pu’erh in Yunnan Province, China, the leaves are mildly candy, with an aroma paying homage to autumn leaves. View our choice of Pu’erh Teas.

Yerba Mate

Yerba Maté (pronounced “yerba mahtay”) is a medicinal and cultural drink of historic origins. Launched to the world by the Guarani Indians of South America, Maté is a species of holly plant, and may vary in taste from earthy and roasted to grassy.

Mate is a wholesome and stimulating drink, with roughly 35 milligrams of caffeine per 8 oz. serving. Yerba Maté is an urge for food suppressant, additionally excessive in Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Mate comprises xanthines, that are in the identical household as caffeine, and generally known as “mateine”. Mate additionally comprises different pure chemical compounds and hint minerals that appear to mellow out the expertise of consuming this specific sort of caffeine, and plenty of mate drinkers report that they really feel alert and centered with none unfavourable results of espresso, equivalent to jitters and a caffeine crash. Preliminary scientific research of mate have proven that the compounds within the plant have a soothing impact on clean muscle tissue, relatively than a stimulating impact on the central nervous system.

Preparation: Requires pure water at 203° F (Boil, then cool 1 min)

Yerba Maté ought to be steeped for six–7 minutes utilizing scorching, however not boiled water. Boiling water could make mate bitter, similar to tea. Some individuals even wish to pour cool water over the mate leaves earlier than filling the remainder of the cup with scorching water to keep away from extracting tannins, which create the bitter taste.

Course of: After harvesting, yerba mate branches are dried generally with a wooden hearth, imparting a smoky taste to some types. Different types are steamed which ends up in a grassier taste, which could be likened to Japanese inexperienced tea. The leaves are then chopped to a particular measurement of leaf reduce.

Origins: Grown and processed in South America, particularly in northern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil. Cultivators are often called yerbateros (Spanish) or ervateiros (Brazilian Portuguese). View our choice of Yerba Mate Teas.

Herbal Tea

The historical past of herbs and spices is much extra historic than that of tea. Natural Infusions usually are not tea, per se, as they don’t come from the Camellia sinensis plant. They’re widespread after’dinner drinks and naturally 100% caffeine–free.

Many host quite a lot of well being advantages, and all those we provide ship a sensational expertise in aromatherapy and style. Natural Infusions embody many well-known herbs equivalent to mint, flowers equivalent to hibiscus and chamomile, roots like licorice and ginger, and different botanicals together with rooibos and lemongrass. Some blends mix many herbs and even add seeds, berries, nuts and even cocoa.

Natural infusions have all kinds of purported well being advantages and cures, from indigestion to allergy symptoms to insomnia. There are infinite combos and potentialities for creating natural infusions, and all of them are freed from caffeine.

Most natural infusions ought to be steeped for six–7 minutes utilizing freshly boiled water, or decocted for 10–20 minutes on the stovetop for optimum effectiveness. View our choice of Herbal Teas.

Hibiscus

As a naturally decaf tea, hibiscus is a good way to remain healthfully hydrated any time of day. Medical analysis reveals that hibiscus is promising in treating hypertension and probably excessive ldl cholesterol triglyceride ranges*. It additionally affords a pure supply of Vitamin C and antioxidants to offer your immune system a lift. When cold-brewed, hibiscus makes a mouthwatering, clean & refreshing, vibrant pink infusion in below ten minutes. Brewed scorching, the style of hibiscus flowers is extra tart. Hibiscus is essentially the most prevalent element in natural teas bought in North America. View our choice of Hibiscus Teas.

* Reference: Hopkins AL, et al., Hibiscus sabdariffa L. within the remedy of hypertension and hyperlipidemia: a complete evaluate of animal and human research, Fitoterapia. 2013 Mar;85:84-94. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2013.01.003.

Rooibos

Rooibos is a naturally caffeine-free natural tea indigenous to the Cedarburg mountain space in South Africa, often known as pink bush tea. Its naturally candy taste, lack of bitter tannins, and naturally decaf nature makes it an excellent tea for the entire household.

Its needle-like leaves are nicely suited to its arid house. It’s harvested manually through the summer season, at which level it’s nonetheless inexperienced. Oxidation is crucial with a view to improve the flavour of the tea and this turns the tea leaves from inexperienced to vivid pink. This faintly candy pink natural infusion is exclusive as a result of it comprises well being advantages whereas being naturally caffeine free and low in tannin, thus permitting iron absorption. Rooibos comprises nearly no tannins, however has many replenishing minerals together with iron, potassium, copper, alpha-hydroxy and zinc. It’s wealthy in antioxidants, the substances that fight free radicals within the physique.

Rooibos is a superb thirst quencher and is a wonderful beverage for energetic individuals, together with kids. Most youngsters will drink Rooibos with out added sugar or sweeteners. This tea comprises nearly no oxalic acid, making it an excellent beverage for individuals susceptible to kidney stones. Rooibos comprises the next minerals: copper, iron, and potassium, calcium, fluoride, zinc, manganese, alpha-hydroxy (for wholesome pores and skin) and magnesium (for the nervous system) are additionally parts of this tea. In South Africa, pregnant ladies and lactating moms drink Rooibos as a result of it comprises a great deal of antioxidants with none caffeine. With its many optimistic attributes, Rooibos tea is a wonderful alternative of drink for health-conscious individuals. View our choice of free leaf Rooibos.