Tea
Tea, made from the leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, is now drunk all around the world. Tea can be drunk hot, with or without milk, chilled or iced, and even comes in cold cans from vending machines.
Did you know? After water, tea is the most widely-consumed beverage in the world.
Tea leaves are rich in anti-oxidants, essential for their anti-ageing and anti-cancer properties, and tea also contain caffeine which combined, makes tea a healthy and invigorating drink. Tea also contains small amounts of flouride which has benificial qualities for your teeth.
Did you know? That the four different types of tea that can easily be found for sale, black tea, oolong tea, green tea and white tea, are all just variations of the tea that comes from the tea bush Camellia sinensis.
Tea is available in many different varieties, depending on the preparation, preservation and processing of the tea leaves. White tea: Wilted and unoxidized; Yellow tea: Unwilted and unoxidized but allowed to yellow; Green tea: Unwilted and unoxidized; Oolong Tea: Wilted, bruised, and partially oxidized; Black tea: Wilted, sometimes crushed, and fully oxidized; Post-fermented tea: Green Tea that has been allowed to ferment/compost.
Did you know? The tea bush, Camellia sinensis, is said to have originated in South East Asia, at the point where the lands of North East India, North Burma, South West China and Tibet meet. Left to grow naturally, Camellia sinensis makes a small tree, but is kept cropped to a low bush when cultivated for its leaves.
Each different method of preparing the freshly-picked tea-leaves creates a unique and distinct flavour - drinking tea is a matter of preference and choice - try the different types of tea until you find a tea you enjoy.
Did you know? Tea has been drunk in the United Kingdom since the 1660's. Samuel Pepys recorded in his diary: "I did send for a cup of tea (a China drink) of which I never had drunk before".
Tea is rich in catechins. Catechins constitute about 25% of the dry weight of fresh tea leaf, alhough total catechin content can vary widely depending on clonal variation, growing location, seasonal / light variation, and altitude. Catechins are present in nearly all teas made from Camellia sinensis, including white tea, green tea, black tea and Oolong tea.
Did you know? Green tea contains catechin polyphenols that raise thermogenesis (the rate at which calories are burned), and hence increases energy expenditure.
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