Tea – Beverage of History, Health and Myth

Tea is amazing in its utter simplicity and astounding complexity. Tea is simple; it is a beverage brewed from the leaves of a plant known as the camellia sinensis. (I refer to tea from the tea plant, not herbal tea.) Yet, when you consider that all types of tea: white, green, oolong and black come from the same plant, you can begin to see the multiple facets of it. It is a beverage of near perfection in its variability and adaptability. Hot or iced, strong or mild, sweet or not, flavored with fruits, flowers or spices – you can truly have it your way.

Types of Tea

The camellia sinensis yields one type of leaf; the variety of tea types (white, green, oolong, black) comes from the processing methods.

-White Tea – White tea comes from the youngest leaves of the plant; they are picked before they completely open. It is the least processed of the varieties. It is dried in the sun and produces a very light colored drink when brewed. It has very little caffeine.

-Green Tea – Green tea comes from leaves that are picked and then steamed or pan fired. It has delicate flavor and color and is the popular tea choice in Asia.

-Oolong Tea – Oolong tea begins as tea leaves that are shaken to cause bruising. The wilted leaves are then fermented for a period of time, but the process is interrupted. Oolong tea bridges the flavor gap between the light taste of green tea and the strong flavor of black tea.

-Black Tea – Black tea is created when tea leaves are wilted and fully fermented. It is rich in color and flavor. It has approximately 20% of the caffeine of coffee.

The best water temperature for brewing varies with the type of tea, but generally speaking the lighter teas such as white and green work best at lower temperatures than black tea. Brewing times also differ. See the package of tea for guidelines for brewing times. Truly, the best brewing time is the amount of time that creates YOUR perfect cup of tea. Experiment and discover what you like best.

History of Tea

Tea, as a beverage, has been consumed for thousands of years. Many stories abound as to how and when its delicious properties were first discovered. The camellia sinensis plant originated in central Asia. No one can be certain who enjoyed the first cup of tea. A Chinese legend describes how tea leaves found their way into the cup of an emperor and produced a drink that delighted him. Another story is told of a weary Siddhartha, the historical founder of Buddhism, who ate the leaves from the camellia sinensis plant and was revived.

In the 1600’s tea made its way to England as expeditions from Queen Elizabeth traveled to the East in search of rare and valuable finds. From there it journeyed to the American colonies where it played a pivotal role in the colonial quest for independence. In December 1773, colonials destroyed stores of tea rather than pay taxes on them demanded by the English crown.

The first iced tea is widely reported to have appeared in 1904 at the St. Louis Exposition. Richard Blechynden, tea seller and savvy marketer, realized that hot tea would not be popular at the summer World’s Fair and added ice to it. However, this story is disputed by an 1890 news article that describes a gathering of former Confederate veterans where “iced tea” was served.

Tea Bags or Loose Tea

Today’s supermarket shelves bulge with every type and flavor of tea bag imaginable; loose teas are a bit harder to find. Online sellers offer the best variety.

Experts consider loose teas a better choice if you want the best flavor experience in your tea drinking. The convenience of tea bags has its allure, as well as all of the many flavors options. Tea bags are much easier to find. But how do they differ?

-Loose Tea – Loose tea contains whole leaves or large leaf pieces. For best taste, tea leaves need room to expand within the hot water. This can be difficult inside a small tea bag.

-Tea Bags – Tea bags hold tiny leaf pieces, sometimes called “fannings.” Brew time is reduced because of these small leaf pieces, but essential oils inherent in the tea leaves can evaporate more easily than in the loose teas.

Health Benefits of Tea

All tea contains antioxidants called flavonoids. They are believed to protect the body’s cells from damage and ultimately disease.

Green teas’ antioxidants are called catechins and are very concentrated. These catechins battle free radicals that can contribute to the development of some diseases. Free radical formation is a complex chain reaction between cells causing damage to living cells. More research needs to be completed, and no one is sure how much tea is needed to reap benefits. Some studies have shown intriguing results from green tea in the areas of cancer, heart health and healthy cholesterol levels. Tea, while not a cure for disease, seems to offer benefits as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The next time you are relishing a cup of tea-- just the way you like it, take a few moments to consider the long and rich history of this amazing beverage. Consider also how enjoying something this delicious could be doing something for your health as well. If you have never tried tea, I hope you will. I drink tea every day. I have my favorites, but it’s always fun to try something new. With so many flavor choices available, your favorite may be just around the corner.

Tea Facts to Remember

-All tea (not herbal) comes from the camellia sinensis plant which originated in central Asia.

-Tea types ranging from mildest to strongest are white, green, oolong, black.

-Loose teas offer larger leaves and more flavorful tea.

-Tea bags offer convenience, flavor choice and accessibility.

-Scientists believe the antioxidants in tea may have long term health benefits.