TEA TIME WORLD

TEA TIME WORLD

Take Time for Tea: For Health and Well-being

Taking time to strengthen relationships over a cup of tea might be good for physical and emotional health. The tea warms up your body and add on health-promoting substances to the diet. The time spent in conversation with a buddy or family person do strengthen those significant social bonds that enhance health and well-being.

Tea Varieties

A warm-weather evergreen, Camellia sinensis is the source of tea leaves for all varieties of regular cup tea. The degree of oxidation or processing of fresh tea leaves determines the type of tea generated.

Green tea has minimal processing. The leaves are rolled, steamed and fast way dried prior to packaging. Thus, green tea is not oxidized and is characterized by its fine taste and light green color. Widely enjoyed by people in the Orient, it is becoming more famous worldwide.

Black tea is produced by permitting the tea leaves to be fully fermented or oxidized (about 60 to 90 minutes). Black tea is characterized by its deep amber and hearty flavor color. Popular black teas are Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Orange Pekoe and Darjeeling.

Oolong (red) tea is produced by permitting a shorter time for the oxidation or processing to occur (about 30 minutes), compared with the black tea. Thus, the taste and color of oolong tea can be considered midway between black and green tea. Oolong (red) tea is famous in the Orient.

White tea is produced in China and utilized young tea leaves and unopened buds. It produces a delicate brew with a soft, velvety flavor with small caffeine.

Herbal tea is produced from different native herbs or plants, utilized the leaves, stems or roots, depend upon the intended use. Native cultures around the nation have utilized herbal teas for medicinal purposes.

Cultural and History Practices

Asian Heritage

Tea is the main beverage of many cultures. Tea appears to have arisen in China, with exports for at least 1,000 years. Other Asian countries also have a longer history connected to tea production and utilized. The Japanese tea decorum is a traditional ritual, affected by Zen Buddhism, in which a highly trained tea practitioner offers green tea to a tiny group of guests.

English Tea Customs

In the 1600s, an English trade company was set up and started to bring goods, includes tea, from the England or Orient. England started to utilized tea, and soon it became the primary beverage. Afternoon or low tea was set up as an elegant snack served in the late afternoon around 4 or 3 p.m., with tiny cakes, assorted sweets, tiny bread-and-butter sandwiches and tea. Initially, the upper classes primary offered low tea.

The English offered high tea later in the early evening or afternoon. It was the major meal of the day for the lower or middle classes. In the early 1700s, tea became a staple of trade between the English colonies in England and America. Tea was among the goods and services England taxed to assist pay for the Indian and French War. The tax on tea in due course led to the Boston Tea Party and open up the colonies’ armed rebellion against England.

Potential Health Benefits

Study have found an association between those who drink tea, especially green tea, and a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases, like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke. The substances in tea connected with these health benefits are signified polyphenols, mainly flavonoids. Studies suggest catechins, a type of flavonoid, are the component firstly responsible for the health benefits of tea. All three types of tea (green, black) contain catechins, but green tea has about four times more catechins than oolong or black tea.

Heart and Blood Vessel Disease

Population study indicate tea may support reduce the risk for blood and heart vessel disease. Tea’s potential role in lessening risk might include the following: (1) help refine blood vessel function, (2) help lessen blood clotting and/or (3) help lessen the level of oxidized cholesterol known to promote heart disease processes.

Cancer

Research of the role of tea in cancer prevention in human populations have not been conclusive. However, laboratory research propose that tea might play a role in lessening cancer risk in various manners: (1) lessening the initial development of cancerous cells, (2) reducing the progress of cancerous cells and/or (3) promote the earlier death of cancerous cells.

Diabetes

Researcher’s faith the caffeine in tea is the component that lowers the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Caffeine appears to increase glucose metabolism and thus help in control of blood sugar. Therefore, drinking suggested amounts of tea or coffee might support lessen the risk of Type 2 diabetes or help refine management.

Amounts of Tea

Health experts have suggested variable amounts of tea from 2 to 10 cups per day to promote health, but no definitive recommendation is accessible. However, even tiny amounts of tea contribute (antioxidants) polyphenols, which have been found to increase health.

Note: Those having iron-deficiency anemia might want to limit the amount of tea they drink as chemicals in tea are known to bind iron and lessen its absorption.

Teatime

How to Brew the Best Cup of Tea

·        Bring freshly drawn water (preferably not hard or softened) to a boil in a glass or enamel container (not aluminum), detach from the heat and cool for three to one minutes.

·        In a teapot made up of glass, porcelain or china, place about 1 teaspoon of tea leaves for every 6 ounces of water. Permit the tea leaves to move freely in the water (referred to as “blossom”) and then strain when it is poured. If utilizing an infusion tea ball or basket, select one large enough to permit the leaves to move.

·        The length of brewing time do affect flavor. Usually steep for four to seven minutes. Experiment with the amount of brewing time to get the desirable flavor, or follow up the manufacturer’s directions.

·        When time permits, warm the tea cup before serving up the tea.