Why is tea so popular?

Tea is the most popular drink in the world.  It is obtained by brewing, boiling, infusing a tea leaf, which is preliminarily processed (collection, drying, fermentation).

The world leaders in tea production are China, India, Sri Lanka and Kenya.

What kind of tea is there?

Tea can be leaf and packaged.  If we talk about leaf, then the following types are distinguished:

1. Black. A type of tea that undergoes strong fermentation (oxidation) from two weeks to a month (80-90%). It is brewed at a temperature of 85-100  C.  Good for blood vessels and heart.
2. Green. Minimally fermented tea. Contains vitamin C. Improves memory, attention, strengthens hair and nails.  It is brewed at a low temperature – 60-80  С.
3. Red. For its production, buds and young tea leaves are used. It undergoes slightly less fermentation than black.  Increases immunity, helps to prolong youth.  It is brewed with steep boiling water (95-100  С).
4. Mate. A drink made from dried and crushed Paraguayan holly leaves. Fills with energy, improves health.  It is brewed at a temperature of 80-90  C.
5. Oolong. Traditional Chinese tea such as Da Hong Pao. It is considered semi-fermented (in terms of oxidation state it is between green and black).  Helps to improve metabolism and weight loss.  It is brewed at a temperature of 75-85  C.
6. Yellow. Imperial tea. Produced exclusively in China by low fermentation (approximately 7-10%).  It is good for the respiratory and digestive organs.  Like green, it is brewed with non-boiling water (60-80  C).
7. White. One of the oldest medicinal drinks in China. It belongs to unfermented varieties and is produced from young leaves with tea buds.  It is brewed at low temperatures – 60-70  С.  It is considered one of the most useful types, has a beneficial effect on the entire body.
8. Pu-erh (Chinese tea). One of the most expensive types of tea, it is produced by post-fermentation (brought to the state of green tea, then subjected to natural or artificial aging) exclusively from mature leaves. Normalizes blood pressure, gives energy, lowers blood sugar.  It is brewed at high temperatures – 90-95  С.

Why is tea good for you?

Tea was considered a medicinal drink for a reason.  It contains many acids: amino acids, ascorbic, nicotinic, pantothenic;  which stabilize metabolic processes in the body, accelerate the breakdown of fats, and lower cholesterol.

The invigorating and tonic effect of tea is due to the presence of theine – tea caffeine.  Unlike coffee, it is much softer.

How to choose tea?

Today, there are a huge number of different types of tea, so the choice becomes more complicated.  And many are interested in the question of how to choose tea and what to look for?

It is sometimes very difficult for a novice tea connoisseur to stop at any option, especially if there is no person experienced in this matter nearby who will recommend a trusted store.  Good tea, unlike any other goods, cannot be compared simply by price, since it is usually loose, and the name of the tea does not mean that it is the same.  Therefore, in order to learn how to distinguish good tea from low-grade tea, you will need to delve into many aspects by which it is customary to evaluate tea by tea professionals.

It is known that the main external criteria when choosing a good tea are:

– freshness (bright, but at the same time not harsh (flavored), but rather subtle aroma, natural, not too dull or bright color of the leaf) *;

– naturalness (absence of any additives, dyes, flavors and preservatives);

– a whole leaf (not questionable powder, granules or tea dust in bags);

– uniformity of raw materials (tea leaves are on average the same size and have the same color and shape)

When tasting tea, the main criteria are:

– pure and natural taste, no impurities

– strong natural aroma during brewing, which lasts for a long time in an empty hot cup;

– versatility of shades of taste (various “honey”, “nutty”, “flower”, “milky” shades depending on the variety);

– pronounced aftertaste, which lasts for quite a long time;

– the ability to brew many times during traditional Chinese brewing; – tea must withstand at least 6 spills, and often much more;

– the effect of relaxation, a surge of energy or others – depending on the type of tea and individual.

That is why tea is so popular.  Buy your special tea now!

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