The Tea Story
Tea and Health Facts
For centuries the Chinese and Japanese have extolled the virtues of tea and modern research now seems to be backing them up. It is becoming increasingly clear that tea is proving to be one of the healthiest drinks of our time. Tea is the natural choice taken without milk, tea has no fat, starch or sugar and is calorie free. Next or water, tea has been described as mankind’s most universal and natural beverage. Throughout its long, varied and romantic history, tea drinking has been associated with peace, tranquillity and hospitality by all cultures that have embraced it. Both black and green tea contain antioxidants, which are essential for good health and drinking tea contributes to the daily intake of the fluid essential to life. Warm drinks are absorbed by the body more quickly than cold drinks, therefore a cup of tea replaces lost body fluid more efficiently, as well as being reviving and refreshing. It is therefore excellent for after exercise.
The current interest surrounding green tea in particular and its health-benefiting properties cannot be ignored. Green tea is to black tea as red wine is to white. It contains polyphenols, a class of compounds which have strong antioxidants properties. A single cup of green tea contains huge, yet non-toxic amounts of catechins, a type of antioxidant reputed to be 20 times more powerful than vitamin C. Green tea is also a natural source of fluoride and is recognised as one of the worlds most refreshing drinks.
Tea Classifications
The most common classification of tea is based on the methods by which the leaves are processed:
Black Tea
By far the most common tea consumed (75% of world trade). It is fully processed and oxidised or fermented and is black in appearance, e.g. Darjeeling and English Breakfast.
Green Tea
Heavily consumed in Japan, China and elsewhere in Asia, this tea skips the oxidisation step and is light green in appearance.
Oolong Tea
Popular in China; is partly oxidised and is a cross between black and green tea in both colour and taste.
Flavoured Teas
Represent a subcategory of black teas; these are real teas blended with spices, fruit peel or treated with oil, e.g. Earl Grey.
Herbal Teas
Not to be confused with real tea as they do not contain any true tea leaves. They are created from a collection of flowers, berries, peels, leaves and roots from different plants, e.g. Rosehip, Camomile, Peppermint or Fennel.
