10 September 2015
About TeaTea is a beverage that has been consumed since many thousands of years. Next to water, it is the most consumed beverage in the world.
There are many types of teas like green, oolong, white, yellow and black. However, whatever the type, all teas except the herbal ones, are prepared from the leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis. The difference in these types of teas is mainly due to the the difference in processing the leaves are subjected to. White tea is the least processed while black tea is the most processed or oxidized of all the teas. Tea was first discovered in China from where it spread to the rest of the world. Tea is prepared in a number of ways and drunk with or without milk and sugar, iced or hot. Tea is not just a beverage that refreshes and energizes, it is a healthy drink if prepared the correct way and consumed regularly. Different Types Of TeasThe Tea Plant - Camellia sinensisCamellia sinensis is an evergreen shrub which grows to over 30 feet tall in the wild. However under cultivation it is pruned and kept at a height of 2 to 4 feet.
For harvesting only the young and light green leaves are plucked. These have short white hairs on the underside. The bud and 2-3 leaves youngest leaves are picked. Harvesting of the leaves is done every 1-2 weeks. Camellia sinensis grows in tropical to sub tropical regions in a moist environment and high quality teas are grown at higher altitudes. At these elevated areas the plants grow slower and produce teas with more flavor. In India three main types of teas are grown -
Tea is a stimulant with astringent properties. About Black TeaConsumption of black tea started sometime around the mid 17 th century. Prior to this only green tea and oolong tea were consumed in China.
In India, the three varieties of black tea are the Assam, Darjeeling and the Nigiri tea. Black tea is prepared by heating water up to 206 deg F and then steeping the leaves for 3-5 minutes for maximum flavor. Darjeeling and Nilgiri tea is steeped at 180 deg F and for less than 3 minutes only as they tend to get bitter otherwise. The longer a tea is steeped the higher its caffeine content. How Black Tea Is MadeThe fresh leaves are allowed to wither by blowing air over them. They are then rolled which bruises the leaves to release the juices like the sap and oils.
Next the leaves are spread out in a cool, humid room where they absorb oxygen and get oxidized. The leaf color changes from green to a dark color. Fermentation the process of oxidation is then stopped by blowing hot air over the leaves till they dry. Health Benefits Of Black TeaTea boosts our physical, mental and emotional health.
# Improves Heart Health Drinking 3 or more cups of black tea regularly protects against cardiovascular diseases which include stroke and heart attack. The polyphenolic favonoids in it are responsible for this health benefit. Black tea also lowers triglyceride levels appreciably and also cholesterol levels, improves the flexibility of the arteries and the blood flow through them. # Controls and Prevents Diabetes The polysaccharides in black tea slow down the absorption of sugar even more than that obtained by green and oolong teas. Regular consumption of black tea helps in controlling diabetes, even preventing it. Higher consumption of black tea has been found to result in low diabetes rates around the world One study reveals that those who consumed 1-2 cups of black tea daily for 30 years or more had a 70% lower risk of developing diabetes. # Improves Bone Health Both bone strength and bone density have been found to increase in regular black tea drinkers thereby reducing chances of fractures and osteoporosis. Regularity and duration of tea intake is more important than the amount of tea consumed. # Improves Oral Health Black tea prevents dental caries and plaque development and tooth decay even in the presence of dietary sugar which is a big plus. point. # Lowers Stress Levels Though black tea does not prevent stress, it helps in lowering cortisol levels, the parameter for stress level, and therefore aids in quicker destressing in those who consumed it regularly. # Aids Post Workout Recovery Black tea has been found to help the muscles recover from fatigue and soreness after exercise. The antioxidant theoflavins delayed muscle fatigue, ache and the faster after recovery post a workout. # Controls Weight Black tea also helps in controlling weight and preventing obesity by boosting metabolism and burning fat. # Miscellaneous Black tea is a source of many antioxidants that boost immunity, destroy free radicals which cause inflammation leading to various diseases like cancer, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes etc. The antioxidants in black tea also help to prevent premature aging of the skin like wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity. How Much Caffeine Is There In Tea?All teas produced from the Camellia sinensis plant contain caffeine naturally.
Though dry tea of any variety has more caffeine by weight than coffee, a cup of tea contains far less caffeine than a cup of coffee as more coffee than tea is used per cup. Tea has between 15-70 mg caffeine per 8 ounces while coffee has 27-200 mg of caffeine in the same quantity. Tea leaves contain theanine , an amino acid, which combined with caffeine provides a slower kick of energy than just the caffeine in coffee which gives a faster rise of energy and an equally quicker drop. Milk In Tea ?There are conflicting views about the aspect of adding milk to tea of any kind, black included.
Those who are against addition of milk say that the milk casein binds to the catechins in tea thus reducing the black tea's heart protective effects. Binding by the casein makes absorption of catechins difficult. Catechins produce nitric oxide that dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. However, addition of milk binds the tannin and neutralizes them reducing acidity. Since there is no fixed view and studies have resulted in negative to none effects of adding milk it is better to not add milk and stay safe as tea, black or the other types, is consumed mainly for its health benefits. References
DisclaimerThe information provided in this hub is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician, or health care provider before taking any home remedies, supplements or starting a new health regime.
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