Miracle Teas - tea and your health
The British have been drinking tea for more than 350 years, but tea in other countries predates this by more than 4 millennia!
Here's a detailed history of the origins of tea and how it became the world's favourite drink.
The First Cup of Tea Was an Accident
Our story begins over four and a half thousand years ago. According to Chinese mythology, in 2737 BC the Chinese Emperor, Shen Nung, scholar and herbalist, was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled drinking water. A leaf from the tree dropped into the water and Shen Nung decided to try the brew. The tree was a wild tea tree.
There are many authentic and supposed references to tea in the centuries before Christ, according to the Chinese dictionary dated circa 350 AD. The Chinese t'u was often used to describe shrubs other than tea, hence the confusion when Confucius allegedly referred to tea or t'u when writing about the "sow thistle" plant in the Book of Odes.
Tea Gets Its Name
From the earliest times tea was renowned for its properties as a healthy, refreshing drink. By the third century AD many stories were being told and some written about tea and the benefits of tea drinking, but it was not until the Tang Dynasty (618 AD - 906 AD) that tea became China's national drink and the word ch'a was used to describe tea.
The first book on tea "Ch'a Ching", circa 780 AD, was written by the Chinese author Lu Yu. It comprises three volumes and covers tea from its growth through to its making and drinking, as well as covering a historical summary and famous early tea plantation. There are many illustrations of tea making utensils and some say that the book inspired the Buddhist priests to create the Japanese tea ceremony.
The modern term "tea" derives from early Chinese dialect words - such as Tchai, Cha and Tay - used both to describe the beverage and the leaf. Known as Camellia sinensis, tea is an evergreen plant of the Camellia family. It has smooth, shiny pointed leaves which look similar to the privet hedge leaf found in British gardens.
Tea Drinking Catches On
As Buddhist priests start to move around China and Japan, the spread of cultivation and tea drinking follows them.
The Indian and Japanese legends both attribute it to Bodhidharma the devout Buddhist priest who founded Zen Buddhism. The Indian legend tells how in the fifth year of a seven year sleepless contemplation of Buddha he began to feel drowsy. He immediately plucked a few leaves from a nearby bush and chewed them which dispelled his tiredness. The bush was a wild tea tree.
The first mention of tea outside China and Japan is said to be by the Arabs in 850 AD and it was they who were reputed to have brought it to Europe via the Venetians circa 1559. However, it is the Portuguese and Dutch who claim the credit bringing tea and tea drinking to Europe.
The Portuguese opened up the sea routes to China, some say as early as 1515. Jesuit priests travelling on the ships brought the tea drinking habit back to Portugal, while the sailors manning the ships encouraged the Dutch merchants to enter the trade. Subsequently a regular shipment of tea to ports in France, Holland and the Baltic coast was set up in 1610. England entered the trade via the East India Company, or the John Company as it was known, in the mid to late 17th Century.
Milk or Lemon?
Milk first became popular in 17th century England when tea drinkers, fearing that hot tea would crack a porcelain cup if poured directly into it, added a little cold milk first. They soon found that milk enhanced the flavor of full bodied black teas such as Assam. Milk reacts chemically with tea, binding with the tannin to give it a smoother, less astringent taste. Cream does not have the same effect.
Lemon was introduced to British tea drinkers by Queen Victoria after a visit to the Prussian King. Lemon can complement the flavor of scented teas and brighten the flavor of some black teas. If both sugar and lemon are used, the sugar should be added first since the citric acid in the lemon may prevent the sugar from dissolving completely.
Top Black Teas
All varieties of tea come from the Camellia sinensis plant, but the processing makes a world of difference. Black teas are harvested, dried and well fermented to give them their distinctive flavours. These are the finest black teas you can find.
1. Keemun. Keemun is considered by most to be the finest of all Chinese black teas. It's smooth and very aromatic, and can be found in many quality tea blends. Keemun is great by itself, or with a bit of milk and sugar.
2. Darjeeling. Named for the Darjeeling province in India, this fine black tea is another worth trying. The Darjeeling region also produces excellent green and oolong teas. The black teas have a delicate flavour but are still full-bodied.
3. Lapsang Souchong. Another black tea from China, this tea has a strong smoky flavour that many find delicous. It's not for everyone's palate, so you'll have to try some and decide for yourself.
4. Assam. A very full-bodied tea, but without the hint of spice found in Keemun. It's grown in northern regions of India. The flavour is strong and rich, and great with breakfast.
5. Yunnan. This is the Chinese black tea of choice for folks who like a flavour with a bit of bite. Yunnan black teas are rich, with a slightly peppery taste.
6. Nilgiri. Nilgiri is a lighter and more delicate black tea, from India. This tea is excellent for the novice brewer, as it is a bit more forgiving if not steeped quite right.
Top Green Teas
Green teas have undergone less processing than black teas, and have a much lighter flavour. The health benefits of green tea are seemingly endless. Since the leaves are not fermented, the taste is pleasantly fresh and herbal. You should never brew green teas in fully boiling water.
1. Sencha is the most popular of Japan's green teas. It has a lightly astringent taste along with a slight sweetness. Lesser quality sencha tea is called bancha.
2. Dragon Well tea (also called Lung Ching) is the ultimate green tea. The name comes from a legendary well in the West Lake region of China where the tea is produced. The colour is bright green and the flavour is quite brisk. Be prepared to pay more than usual for this quality tea.
3. Macha Macha is the kind of tea used in tradtional Japanese tea ceremony. It's ground up very fine, and the tea is whisked when prepared. The flavour is light and sweet. Macha works well added to desserts too.
4. Gunpowder. These tea leaves are rolled into tight, little balls that apparently resemble old-style gunpowder. Because of the rolled form, Gunpowder tea stays fresher longer than most other green teas. The taste is fresh and a little grassy.
5. Jasmine Jasmine isn't exactly a kind of green tea, but is a blended tea with green tea leaves and jasmine flowers. The blossoms give the tea a very refreshing taste, and fragrant aroma.
6. Genmaicha. Like the jasmine tea, genmaicha isn't a kind of tea but a blend. This time, sencha green tea is mixed with toasted brown rice. Sounds odd, but the tea has a distinctive toasty flavour.
Does Tea Contain More Caffeine than Coffee?
While coffee and tea are both sources of caffeine, the amounts of caffeine in any single serving of these beverages varies significantly. An average serving of coffee contains the most caffeine, yet the same serving size of tea provides only 1/2 to 1/3 as much.(Ref.: Caffeine by The Institute of Food Technologists' Expert Panel on Food Safety & Nutrition.) One of the more confusing aspects of caffeine content is the fact that coffee contains less caffeine than tea when measured in its dry form. The caffeine content of a prepared cup of coffee is significantly higher than the caffeine content of a prepared cup of tea.
Tea & Your Health
Throughout its history tea has been associated with health benefits and was traditionally used for medicinal purposes. Ongoing scientific studies offer empirical evidence to support many of the historical theories surrounding different types of teas. Many of these studies have supported the following claims:
- The antioxidant rich properties may help in minimizing the aging process and boost longevity.
- Teas enhance immune system function.
- Teas lower HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.
- Tea can reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and strokes.
- Dentists have shown that tea can help prevent cavities and minimize the effects of gingivitis.
- Tea can act as a blood thinner and assist in reducing blood pressure.
- Tea preserves bone density.
In addition, tea is a nutrient rich beverage containing a multitude of vitamins. Teas contain varying amounts of vitamins A, B, and C, as well as Folic Acid, potassium, fluoride, and Manganese. It is important to note that processed teas have lower amounts of nutrients and vitamins. The process of tea preparation includes drying, rolling, oxidation, fermenting, and firing. Green teas contain the highest levels of vitamins and nutrients because they go through a minimal amount of processing, where as Black teas tend to be heavily processed and therefore loose many of the antioxidant properties.
More Health Information from Bombay Tea Company
Is tea good for me?
Not only is tea soothing and delicious, but it is healthy too. In fact, the American Health Foundation recommends we consume 5 - 6 cups daily because . . .
Tea
- contains 1/3 less caffeine than coffee or cola
- helps reduce fatigue
- maintains mental alertness
- stabilizes fluid levels
- is fat free and calorie free
The antioxidant in tea help prevent . . . cancers of the mouth, stomach, pancreas, lungs, esophagus, colon, breast and prostate.
The antioxidants in a single cup of tea equal those in one serving of vegetables.
Tea’s flavanoids prevent heart disease by
- reducing blood clotting
- lowering blood pressure
lowering cholesterol
A study conducted by Harvard University researchers found that those who consumed one or more cups of black tea per day had more than a 40 percent lower risk of having a heart attack compared to non-tea drinkers.
Tea is a rare source of natural fluoride which inhibits growth of the oral bacteria and enzymes responsible for dental plaque.
Tea is also a rich source of manganese, necessary for healthy bones, and of potassium which regulates the heartbeat.
Other valuable vitamins and minerals found in tea include . . . vitamins B1, B2, B6, folic acid, and calcium.
Eating Well Magazine named tea "Beverage of the Year" for its health benefits and mass appeal to consumers searching for an alternative to soft drinks and coffee.
So is tea good for you? You bet it is!
And tea is one of the least expensive beverages available today . . . costing just pennies per cup.
Lose Yourself in its Charm
Relax with a cup of steaming, fragrant tea. Savor unblended, exotic and characterful teas like Darjeeling, the Champagne of Teas.
This information was provided by Bombay Tea Company
Miracle Tea Ideas from Ten Ren's Tea Company
Here is a list of different miracle teas and their amazing health benefits. You can buy these teas at Ten Ren's Tea Company.
- Lavendar tea - tension soother
- Thyme tea - throat soother
- Rosemary tea - fat killer
- Mixed fruit herb tea - beauty's companion
- Panssica fruit tea - stomach sweeper
- Longan lotus tea - secret to vibrant skin
- Honey ginseng green tea - energy booster
- Honey ginger tea - keeps you away from cold
- Eight treasure chrysanthemum - treasure of natural beauty