Tea: history, types and benefits

Tea is a beverage prepared from the infusion of herbaceous plants such as black and green teas. It is often thought of as a drink that originated in China, however, there are ancient records of the use of tea in India, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and Africa. There are around 2,000 varieties of tea. Black tea comes from the leaves of various species of Camellia sinensis, green tea comes from the leaves or buds of the same species, white tea comes from the buds of different species of Camellia sinesis var Sinensis, oolong tea comes from the buds or leaves of different species of Camellia sinuses, and red tea comes from the buds and twigs of shrubs of the genus Rubiaceae. Tea is produced using several methods including hand picking, mechanical harvesting, air drying, withering, rolling, pan-frying, fermentation, decaffeination, oxidizing, steaming, and plucking. Each method produces a distinctive flavor profile in the resulting brew.

The history of tea

The Chinese were the first civilization known to have brewed tea. Archaeological evidence suggests they began brewing tea around 2700 BC. The first written record about tea was by Taoist monk Lu Yu in A.D. 604. He described how tea could relieve headaches and cure diarrhea. In 1605, Japanese Buddhists introduced tea to their culture. By 1743, tea had become highly popularized in Europe and North America. Today tea is consumed daily by over half of the world’s population.

Types of tea

There are many types of tea products sold today. Some examples are:

Green tea: This type of tea has been traditionally grown in China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa. It is considered to be the best type of tea due to its high levels of polyphenols and antioxidants.

Oolong tea: This type of black tea is typically harvested between 100-400 days after planting. When compared to other green teas, oolongs are darker and sweeter.

White tea: This type of green tea is typically harvested between 60-100 days after planting. Its fragrance is slightly lighter than other green teas.

Red tea: This type of herbal product uses the leaves and buds of the Rubus genus shrub. It is commonly consumed during certain celebrations like weddings and funerals.

Health benefits

Teas are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants play an important role in protecting cells against damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are substances in the environment that cause cell damage. Green tea contains high levels of catechins which fight cancer cells. Catechins present in green tea may prevent the development of colon and breast cancers. According to some studies, consuming green tea extract helps reduce cholesterol levels. Additionally, drinking tea regularly may help lower blood pressure and regulate heart rate.