TEA -FALLING IN LOVE

“We are like Tea, we don’t know our own Strength until we’re in Hot Water”-Sister Busche

The History of Tea

Tea was consumed in China since long time, a period that expands beyond Thousand years.
As Legends say, Around 2737 BC, a Chinese Emperor, while drinking boiled water, few tea leaves got dropped in the Bowl. That changed the taste of the drink adding color to it. The emperor, quickly recognized the medical benefits of the tea to be used as antidote.

The Tea Plant

In the region of South West China, Burma,Tibet and North East India conducive atmosphere for tea plantation is found. The origin of The Tea Plant “CAMELLIA SINENSIS” is from the region of Yunnan, China.
CAMELLIA SINENSIS is an evergreen Shrub. It may grow up to 60 ft in wild. During Harvest, the height of tea bushes are kept up to 3 ft.

The Tea Plantation

Tea bushes are planted in Monsoon. The health of the tea bushes are maintained by regular application of a mixture “Folio”. Folio is a mixture of Chemicals such as Zinc and Magnesium.

Tea leaves or produce are plucked through out the year. Hundreds of women are involved in the plucking of the tea leaves. Each of these women contribute in plucking around 21 kilograms of tea leaves in one day.
In India, Tea is mostly produced in Assam, Darjeeling {West Bengal), Nilgiri (Tamilnadu) and Munnar (Kerala), Palampur (Himachal Pradesh).

Types of Tea

Black Tea
These are withered, fully oxidized and dried Tea leaves. Usually, it contains a strong flavor than other varieties of tea.
The strong antioxidants helps in preventing several chronic diseases including Cancer. Black tea is good for heart and lowers the risk of heart ailments.
Methyl Xanthines in the Black Tea keeps us energized. Polyphenols play a key role in maintaining color and flavor of the Tea. They protect our cells and DNA.

GREEN TEA
After harvesting from Camellia sinensis plant, the leaves are quickly heated and dried to prevent from too much of oxidation. This is done to keep the leaves green.
Green Tea heals the skin, helps in weight loss and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

There are some side effects and risk associated with excessive consumption of the Green Tea, Though in very little amount, Caffeine is present in Green Tea. Severe caffeine sensitive person could experience insomnia, anxiety, irritability, nausea, or an upset stomach after drinking green tea. In rare cases, extreme Green tea consumption has impacted Liver Damage. Ref:_https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269538#side-effects

OOLONG TEA
Oolong Tea is a traditional tea in China and Taiwan. It is only partially oxidized. It looks very similar to fresh green tea, though fermentation takes little longer than green tea.
Oolong tea is used to keep one mentally alert. It is also beneficial in Diabetes, Autism and High Blood Pressure.

WHITE TEA
The source of all the different varieties comes from same plant. The span, any variety takes to oxidized sets the color, taste and flavor. The white tea is not oxidized. Leaves are allowed to wither and dry under controlled environment.

PU-ERH TEA
Pu-erh Tea is a traditional Chinese tea. Dayeh is a large tea stem of the tea plant Camellia Sinensis used to make Pu-reh Tea. To get the flavor and dark color of leaves. leaves undergo microbial fermentation after they are dried. Pu-reh tea is quite affordable. It can be kept fresh for longer period of time. It helps in digestion.
Fresh Pu-erh tea has more caffeine than Old ones. Also the amount of Caffeine decreases with the time tea leaves are steeped in hot water.

YELLOW TEA
Yellow tea is a native Chinese drink. It has a pleasing aroma and slight different taste and flavor from the Green tea. Yellow tea is very effective in weight loss. It is good for Liver and protects it from damage.