Tea: An All-Natural Way to Boost Your Health and Well-Being
Are you looking for a natural way to stay energetic and healthy? Look no further than tea! Tea has been a popular beverage for centuries, known for its refreshing taste and many health benefits. In this blog, we will explore the various health benefits of tea and why you should incorporate it into your daily routine.
- Green tea contains EGCG, a compound uniquely effective in neutralizing free radicals compared to other antioxidants.
- Drinking green tea may protect the brain from aging by encouraging the formation of new neural connections.
- The amino acid L-theanine in green tea promotes alpha brain wave activity, associated with a relaxed yet alert mental state.
- Decaffeinated green tea retains most of its antioxidant properties, making it a great choice for sensitive individuals.
- Green tea leaves can be reused multiple times without significant loss of flavor or health benefits.
- The chlorophyll in matcha green tea powder gives it detoxifying properties, supporting liver function.
Major Tea Categories
Tea is considered the world’s second-most consumed beverage after water. It has three major groups,:
- Black tea
- Green tea
- Herbal tea
Black and Green Tea is made from the fresh young leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis, while Herbal Tea is created using therapeutic techniques that involve adding spices, dried fruits, and flowers to enhance its flavor.
Some may hesitate to classify herbal drinks as tea since they contain no tea leaves.
Black Tea
Black tea is a popular and delicious beverage people worldwide enjoy. Not only does it provide a satisfying and energizing boost, but it also has several health benefits that make it a great addition to any diet.
Here are some of the major benefits offered by black tea:
Brain Booster
Black tea boosts brain function and improves alertness. Its caffeine content stimulates the central nervous system, helping you to stay focused and alert throughout the day. Black tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which has been shown to enhance cognitive function and reduce stress and anxiety.
Infection Treatment
Black tea has been found to have antimicrobial properties that can help fight off harmful bacteria in the body. This can be particularly helpful in preventing and treating infections. Due to its properties, it shows benefits for oral health, too.
Overall, black tea is a brilliant choice for anyone looking to boost their health and well-being. So why not incorporate a cup of this delicious and beneficial beverage into your daily routine?
Green Tea
For many years, Asia was virtually the sole consumer of green tea. Chinese herbalists have employed green tea for thousands of years to treat headaches and menstruation problems. Most people in China and Japan sip green tea all day.
It has only recently become more well-known in the Western world.
Green tea can be consumed in various ways, and there is much to learn.
Varieties of Green Tea
Green tea comes in different types; some of the most popular are gunpowder tea and sencha.
- Gunpowder tea has a smoky taste and looks like a small, tightly rolled ball that opens up when you add hot water.
- Sencha is a type of green tea from Japan and is often served to guests. It is grown near a famous mountain called Mt. Fuji.
If you want to try green tea with a different taste, you can try it with added flavors like vanilla, jasmine, or mint. These combinations can give you more health benefits from green tea.
How to Prepare Green Tea
To make the perfect cup of green tea, boil water and let it cool. The reason is that green tea needs cooler water than other teas.
Fill your kettle with new, cold water. Set it on the stove to heat for the perfect cup of green tea. Warm up your teapot and cups, if desired, with warm tap water while the water is heating.
When the water reaches a boil, turn off the burner. Remove your teapot’s tap water after the water reaches a boil and turn off the burner. To allow the water to cool down, let it sit for about 2 minutes. Compared to other teas, green tea should be brewed with water that is roughly 160°F.
Pour hot water over the tea leaves in your teapot. Add approximately 1 teaspoon of tea leaves per cup. Before serving, most green teas should steep for 1-2 minutes.
The finest green tea should provide two to three infusions.
Five Ways to Dry Green Tea
Choosing the right type of green tea can be confusing. But if you know how the tea is dried, you can choose the one with the flavor you like. Green teas can be made in different ways, and one way to classify them is by how they are dried.
There are five different ways to dry green tea.
Stir-frying
Sometimes, people cook fresh tea leaves in a pan called sautéing. They do this mostly for teas that are exported to other countries. When they sauté the tea leaves, it gives the tea a strong smell and taste.
Some green tea made by the stir-frying technique is gunpowder and dragon well tea.
Roasting
Tea leaves are dried in a roasting basket. Most often, roasted teas serve as the foundation for floral-scented teas. Their leaves remained intact after roasting and appeared to be covered with a fluffy white substance.
Teas from the Monkey King category are roasted.
Semi-Roast and Semi-Fry
A combination of stir-frying and roasting is occasionally used. This technique is used to preserve the attractive appearance of a roasted leaf along with the potent aroma and flavor of stir-fried tea
Solar Drying
This is how leaves are dried in the sun. These leaves are commonly used nowadays as the foundation for compressed teas. These are the “green tea cakes” that appear later.
Steaming
To dry the leaves, they are steamed at a very high temperature. Sencha is the most well-known steamed green tea.
Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea is excellent for you and can be enjoyed for its taste and health benefits. Here are some of the potential health benefits provided by green tea:
Treatment of Cancer
Green tea can both prevent and assist some types of cancer. Many studies have validated it. Statistics show that Asian nations have the lowest cancer rates because of the huge consumption of green tea.
Green tea chemicals have even been proven in some tests to reduce the growth of cancer cells. For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, adding green tea to their regimen has been shown to make the treatment more effective. So, drinking green tea is a simple and healthy habit that can help protect your health.
It is useful for preventing bladder, colon, rectal, esophagus, bladder, liver, lung, pancreas, breast, and prostate cancers.
Reduction of Cholesterol
Green tea has been proven to decrease bad cholesterol levels in the body. The antioxidants in tea aid HDL cholesterol and push bad cholesterol to the liver, where it is removed from the body.
The development of aberrant blood clots, which are the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes, is also inhibited by tea.
Ease in Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The antioxidants in tea are also effective in the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis. According to some research, green tea can ease the symptoms of people with this disease.
Weight Loss
The catechins and caffeine in tea boost metabolism and aid in weight loss. It aids in maintaining normal levels of insulin in the body, which is good for people with diabetes.
Several studies have revealed that, compared to non-tea drinkers, people who drink green tea daily weigh less and have less body fat.
Prevent the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
According to some studies, green tea people have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It has also been hypothesized that green tea’s strong antioxidants may even stop Alzheimer’s disease. It can effectively slow disease progress if someone is already affected by it. Yet, further research is needed to support this fact.
So, by having a cup of green tea daily, you can enjoy these best health benefits of green tea with no second thought.
How Green Tea Differs from Other Teas
There are several variations between green tea and other teas. Some of them are:
Processing
Black and green tea are derived from identical plants but are prepared differently. Unlike black tea, green tea is not fermented.
Flavor
Green tea is more delicious than black tea since it is more natural. It is frequently characterized as having a taste that is slightly “grassy.” Depending on the type of tea plant and the area where it is grown, green tea might have slight aroma and flavor variations.
Green tea can be mixed with herbs or fruit to generate a wide range of flavors. Those who dislike the flavor of plain green tea can enjoy it in different flavors.
Serving Way
The brewing process for green tea differs slightly from other teas. It requires colder water for brewing than black or white tea.
Caffeine Content
The quantity of caffeine in green tea is around half that of black tea. Green tea only has 20 mg of caffeine per serving, compared to roughly 40 mg in black tea. Studies have shown that tea’s caffeine has a lower risk of jitteriness than other caffeinated drinks.
Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is made using a process similar to regular tea brewing. People who consume herbal tea love its delicious smell and how it can help with health issues. It has a unique taste and smell, different from coffee and regular tea.
It is becoming very popular with young people and anyone who wants to drink something healthy instead of coffee.
It can be categorized into two types:
- Those made from green tea leaves
- Those made from other parts of plants, like petals, fruits, bark, or roots
The art of making this tea involves steeping herbs in hot water for a brief period. It aims to bring out their unique qualities without extracting too many natural chemicals. This process allows the tea to keep its pleasant aroma and taste while keeping it healthy and chemical-free.
Is herbal tea a healthy or medicinal drink?
You must be careful about how much you drink and which herbs you use when it comes to herbal tea. If you drink it just because you like the taste, you don’t need to worry too much about how much you drink.
But if you want to drink it for health reasons, you must choose the right herbs and drink the right amount. Some herbs can be dangerous or cause allergic reactions, so you need to be careful. Always research and talk to a doctor before using herbal tea for medicinal purposes.
Knowing about different herbs before using them as tea or for medicinal purposes is important. Each herb has unique effects and a safe consumption limit.
Herbal teas can be categorized into three groups based on their drinking purpose:
Simple Herbal Tea
The first type is herbal tea, which tastes good, smells nice and can be good for you. You can drink it for fun without worrying about its worst effects. Some examples of herbal teas are Gek-huay (Chrisantimum), Ginger, Bai Bua Bok, Krajiab, and Matoom.
Teas made from flowers like sarapee, bunnag, pigul, and boa mali also come under this category.
Herbal Tea with Little Medicinal Effects
This is an herbal tea that can have medicinal benefits. It includes Nuad Maew grass, Rang-jued (Thunbergia laurifolia), Dok Kumphoi, and Dok Khao grass. You can drink this tea twice daily, once in the morning and once at night, for a few days, without any problems.
Drinking Nuad Maew grass tea thrice a day for 5-7 days might help you get rid of small bile duct stones. Rang-jued grass tea can also treat fever and mild poisoning if you drink it every 4 hours or every time you have a fever for 2-3 days.
Dok Kumphoi is a mild laxative for your heart, blood system, and menstrual cycle. However, pregnant women are prohibited from drinking tea made from Dok Kumphoi because it can harm their pregnancy.
Herbal Tea with Strong Medicinal Effects
The last type of herbal tea has a stronger medicinal effect. It includes chumhedted and makhamkaek, which act as laxatives. You should only drink this tea as directed. Both teas make your intestines work harder.
So, drinking them for a long time can mess up your normal body functions or even stop them.
How to Find the Best Quality Tea
When we talk about finding the best quality tea, it becomes harder somehow. There are a few ways to recognize good-quality tea. Here are some potential ways to find a quality tea type:
Tea Form
The quality of loose tea beats that of tea in bagged form. You can guarantee that the leaves used in tea bags, whether black, green, or white, are of the lowest quality. So, for the best quality tea, always go for loose tea.
Tea Price
If loose green tea is cheap, it could be of better quality. To find a fair price for good-quality loose green tea, look around at different shops. This will help you judge prices better.
Reputation of the Company
To ensure you get good-quality tea, buy it from a company known for selling only the best teas. This is especially important if you’re buying tea online.
When a consumer finds the best and highest quality type of tea, it can cause a great sense of satisfaction. Not only does it provide a delicious beverage, but it can also positively affect health.
Knowledge of the tea-making process can foster a sense of cultural and historical connection. It makes each cup of tea a fulfilling and enriching experience.
Flavored Tea Types
Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea is a type of flavored tea that most people prefer. It can be added to different kinds of tea, such as white, black, green, and oolong. This means you can find a jasmine tea that suits your taste, no matter what you prefer.
How is Jasmine Tea made?
Jasmine tea is usually made using green tea, and the process is no longer done by hand. People think that the Fujian region of China makes the best jasmine tea because they have the biggest and most fragrant jasmine flowers and loose green tea leaves.
When the tea leaves are loose, they can absorb more jasmine scent. The best jasmine tea is made from the first green tea leaves picked because they are the softest.
No matter which variety of jasmine tea you pick, it would help if you took the time to brew it properly to get the best flavor.
Start with the best loose tea first. Fresh, icy water is necessary to make a delicious tea. Bring the water to a boil on the stove in a clean tea kettle.
As the water is heating, warm your teapot with hot tap water. Remove the tap water from the saucepan once it has boiled, then put your tea leaves in. Use of 2 teaspoons of loose tea per cup of white jasmine tea. You need roughly 1 teaspoon per cup of other jasmine teas.
The boiling temperature differs for every type of jasmine tea. Here are some of the respective categories:
- Black jasmine tea should be boiled for 3 to 5 minutes.
- White jasmine tea should be boiled for 5 to 8 minutes.
- The boiling time for black jasmine should be 1 to 2 minutes.
- Oolong jasmine should be boiled for 2 to 3 minutes.
Making good tea requires adhering to the correct steeping time and water temperature. If you steep your tea for too long, it won’t be pleasant. Likewise, if you steep it too little, it will be thin and weak. So, moderate temperature processing should be preferred.
Varieties of Jasmine Tea
White, black, oolong and green tea can all be used to make jasmine tea. Whether it’s green, black, oolong, or white tea, you can get jasmine tea in it. Although green tea is used to make most jasmine teas, different types are available.
Jasmine Green Tea
The most popular variety of jasmine tea is jasmine green tea. One of the healthiest ways to consume jasmine tea is green tea. Green tea’s plant flavor, enhanced by the sweet and fragrant jasmine blossoms, gives jasmine green tea a very natural and delicate flavor.
Because it is not fermented, jasmine green tea preserves its antioxidants in its purest form. It makes it a healthy drink.
Oolong Jasmine Tea
The second most popular variety of green tea is oolong jasmine tea. Oolong teas are semi-fermented, which means they undergo a shorter fermentation process than black teas. When the leaves are 30% red and 70% green, fermentation should be stopped to produce oolong tea.
Oolong teas have a unique flavor due to their ability to stop fermentation at the ideal time. Most oolong teas are dried using charcoal, giving them a unique character. Jasmine imparts a sweet and floral flavor to the tea.
Black Jasmine Tea
Black tea is the type of tea that is rarely paired with jasmine. It is the most frequently consumed in the West. Jasmine is less noticeable in the flavor or aroma of black tea since it is stronger and thicker than green and white tea.
White Jasmine Tea
A very delicate flavor is created by mixing fragrant jasmine with light and sweet white tea. You can get the same beneficial properties from drinking white tea as you can from drinking green tea because both are unfermented.
No matter what kind of tea you pick, you’ll likely find jasmine a real treat when added. Jasmine tea is an excellent tea to drink in the evening because most people find the aroma quite calming.
White Tea
White tea is a new trend among tea drinkers. It’s not as well known as black or green tea because it’s rarer and more expensive. White tea is made differently from black and green tea because it’s harvested from young leaves and processed differently. The best white tea is made by carefully harvesting and processing it to preserve its delicate flavor.
Here are some properties of white tea:
Harvesting
White tea is harvested earlier than other teas before the leaves open. The buds are covered in fine white hair, which is why it’s called white tea. Only undamaged buds and the first two leaves are used for the best quality white tea.
It’s important to pluck the buds carefully so they’re not damaged. White tea should be harvested on a dry day with no frost. Buds that appear purple are usually rejected.
Processing
White tea undergoes very little processing, but it must be done correctly. Unlike other teas that are fermented by exposing the enzymes in the leaves to the air, white tea is not fermented at all. It’s important to avoid bruising or breaking the leaves during harvesting to keep them in good quality.
After harvesting, the leaves are left to air dry and wither before being fired or steamed to prevent oxidation. This process is usually done in the tea fields to protect the delicate leaves.
Important Considerations
Attention to harvesting and processing is important to make the best white tea. Only the bud and top two leaves of each plant should be plucked, while the lower leaves should be untouched. Some lower-quality tea is made using more leaves, making it cheaper and less tasty.
Harvesting the buds at the right time by monitoring the weather to get the best flavor is important, as harvesting at the wrong time can ruin the taste of the tea.
How Does White Tea Differ From Other Tea Types?
White tea has recently become quite popular because of its gentle and sweet taste. It comes from the same plant as other teas, like black, green, and oolong tea, but there are some noticeable differences. Like;
Processing
White tea is picked early before the leaves are fully grown. This happens earlier than when other teas are harvested. Unlike other teas, white tea leaves are not fermented. Instead, they are steamed and dried soon after picking. This helps preserve the gentle flavor of white tea.
Availability
White tea is not as widely grown as other types of tea. Only a few tea bushes are used to make white tea, and it is grown in only a few places in the world, such as China, Japan, India, and Sri Lanka. However, as more people have liked it, more tea gardens may grow it shortly.
Cost
White tea is not commonly found, so it costs more than other types of tea. However, considering its recent year’s popularity, it is estimated that it will become easier to find shortly. As a result, the price of white tea will probably go down.
Flavor
White tea has a gentle, slightly sweet taste and looks lighter compared to other teas. You may haven’t steeped it enough if you judge by its color. Also, it doesn’t smell as strongly as green, oolong, or black tea.
Serving Method
When making white tea, it’s best to avoid pouring boiling water on the leaves. Instead, use slightly cooler water. Experts suggest drinking white tea without adding sweeteners or milk. It should be served plain.
Caffeine Content
Compared to other types of tea, white tea has the least caffeine. A serving of white tea has about 15 mg of caffeine, while black tea has 40 mg and green tea has 20 mg. This makes white tea a good option for people sensitive to caffeine.
What are the Advantages of Drinking White Tea?
Drinking white tea appears helpful in boosting your immune system. It makes your body more successful at fighting off bacteria and viruses. This is a benefit of white tea that is not present in other types of tea. White tea seems very good at killing staph and strep viruses.
White tea is like other types of tea but also unique in its way. It’s a great addition to the tea varieties you enjoy drinking.
Once you try white tea, you’ll likely want to drink it regularly alongside your other favorite teas. So, get these special white tea health benefits by having it in moderate quantities.
How Tea Consumption Benefits You Either Way: A Look at Research-Based Benefits
Tea is a popular beverage worldwide, with more than half the population enjoying it daily. Apart from its delightful aroma, tea has numerous health benefits.
Here are some of the research-based benefits of tea consumption:
A study conducted in China found that drinking a cup of black or green tea every day for six months can lower the risk of various diseases. These include lung cancer, gastric diseases, liver cancer, and skin cancer. It has been proven that tea effectively prevents heart disease and maintains normal blood pressure because it contains flavonoids and antioxidants.
In Thailand, many coffee shops offer complimentary tea with their coffee, as it helps to reduce the acidic nature of coffee, which can irritate the stomach. Tea has a lower caffeine content and contains tannins. These are natural antibiotics that help protect the stomach lining.
Theobromine and theophylline are some other substances present in tea. They aid in clearing the heart’s blood circulation, reduce congested water in the lungs, and promote urine output.
Weight Loss
Many people want to lose weight, but it’s important to make long-term changes in your lifestyle to achieve this. It would help to consume fewer calories than your body burns to use stored fat for energy. Exercise is important for weight loss, but there’s another way to boost your metabolism.
Many people don’t know about that, and the secret is drinking tea.
Studies have shown that tea can help you lose weight by increasing your metabolic rate. This means your body will burn more calories, even when not exercising. Tea can also help block the absorption of fat from your diet, which can also help you lose weight.
Drinking tea may lower cholesterol levels by limiting the absorption of fat. When a certain type of fat called triglycerides rises, cholesterol also rises.
However, the most important quality of tea for weight loss is its ability to affect metabolism.
For a long time, the Chinese have believed that tea can help control weight. Yet there has yet to be a lot of research on this topic.
A study in Japan looked at how tea affects the number of calories a person burns. They studied men who didn’t have any caffeine or antioxidants in their diet for four days. The study lasted three days, during which the men ate a normal American diet.
Before the study started, they measured how many calories each man normally burned daily. Then, they divided the men into four groups and gave each group a different type of tea to drink. These were;
- Water
- Full-strength tea
- Half-strength tea
- water containing 270 mg of caffeine
According to a study, men who drank full-strength tea had a 2.9% increase in energy expenditure compared to those who only drank water. Men who drank caffeinated water had a 3.4% increase in energy expenditure.
Moreover, the men who drank full-strength tea had a 12% increase in fat oxidation, which was not observed in those who drank caffeinated water. This means that drinking full-strength tea may help burn fat in the body.
The study shows that caffeine helps to increase metabolism, which can help with weight loss. However, the study also found that tea has other components, like antioxidants, that help the body burn fat.
So, while caffeine can be helpful, it’s not the only thing in tea that makes it a good weight loss aid.
Disease Prevention
Recently, tea has gained attention for its potential to reduce aging and prevent diseases. Studies have shown that tea, especially green tea, can prevent heart disease and cancer because it contains powerful antioxidants.
These antioxidants fight free radicals that can damage our cells and DNA. Fruits and vegetables also contain antioxidants, but tea is the most potent source. That’s why it’s considered a healthy beverage.
Some Important Considerations for Tea Consumption
- Consuming tea when it is too hot is not recommended, as it may induce oral cancer.
- Avoid adding milk to the tea, as it reduces the efficacy of antioxidants. Try to add the replacements, like honey, sugar, or lemon juice.
- Try to consume tea with moderate concentration. Its excessive intake can compress the heart and kidneys. Its excessive tannin content may also reduce vitamin B.
Some Important Tea Terminologies
Tea is the Drink
The terms “tea the drink” and “tea the meal” are frequently confused in the tea community. Tea is manufactured from the plant Camellia sinensis. The processing of this plant also produces other forms of tea like white, green, oolong, and black tea.
These basic teas are frequently combined with flavors like bergamot oil and plants like vanilla, mint, and melon to create gray tea.
Tea is produced by steeping the tea bush’s processed leaves, buds, or twigs in warm water for a few minutes. It may also include the addition of flavoring compounds like spices and fruits.
Tea the Meal
The meal includes the beverage as a significant component, but is intended for social and family occasions. It is served where tea and food are frequently drunk together.
The major differences between various tea meals are the time of day, the type of food offered, and the place of serving.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is also known as low tea and is taken around 4:00 pm. This is typically served in a teapot with milk, sugar, and various sandwiches. A lounge or low table can be used to present the tea.
High Tea
The term “high tea” might be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with it. It’s a meal that people used to eat in the early evening instead of having afternoon tea and dinner separately.
“High tea” can be termed fancy afternoon tea, where people eat small sandwiches and cakes in a very formal setting. Fancy afternoon tea is becoming more popular inexpensive hotels and fancy tea houses in big cities.
Takeaway
Tea is a beverage that tastes great and provides many health benefits. Tea has something to offer everyone, from boosting energy levels to improving cardiac health. Whether you prefer green, black, or herbal tea, there’s a flavor and variety to suit your taste buds.
So please sit back, relax, and enjoy tea while reaping its health benefits.
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