Tea, glorious tea.According to the BBC we drink more than 135 million cups of tea every day that’s nearly one billion each week and 96% of all cups of tea brewed each day are made with tea bags according to the UK Tea Council. Furthermore, drinking tea provides 38% of our daily fluid intake. Tea has been around for more than 5000 years first created in China and has even sparked off a war (the infamous Boston Tea Party) over tea duties in 1773. Experts believe that due to antioxidants contained in tea they help to repair damaged cells in the body caused by pollution, some foods and stress. On going tests have shown that chemicals contained in tea may fight tooth decay because of fluoride content. Tea is generally 50% lower in caffeine that coffee. Tea is packed with powerful disease fighting chemicals. According to the European Journal of Cancer Prevention findings show that it appears to reduce the risk of certain cancers by up to 80%. There are around 1,500 varieties of tea grown in China, India, Sri Lankra, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Nepal, South Africa, Argentina, Japan to name but a few. Just like wine the character of tea is influenced by weather, elevation and soil conditions. There are four main types of tea depending on the processing and they all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The major difference is their level of oxidation and these types are all true teas. White tea is harvested from new growth leaf-buds and young leaves, it is the least common and is least processed which results in the lowest amount of caffeine and the highest antioxidant properties. Claims are made that it has more anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities than Green tea. Black tea is the most consumed of the four types and contains the most caffeine but still retains antioxidant benefits. It is generally stronger in flavour. Green tea is also low in caffeine and high in antioxidants. It has been used as a traditional medicine in China and throughout the Far East and it is claimed to have a beneficial effect on vital organs. Oolong tea (sometimes called Wulong) means 'black dragon' in Chinese and is somewhere between Black and Green tea and is commonly regarded as an aid to losing weight. The best Oolong is produced mainly in China and Taiwan. Pu-erh (pu'er) tea is unusual in that it improves with age. It is drank throughout China to help with digestion and aid weight loss. Other teas are flavoured with herbs, spices and fruit not to be confused with herbal or fruit teas which are really tisanes as they do not contain tea at all. Herbal tea is made from leaves, roots, stems, flowers and seeds from a variety of plants to produce a refreshing caffeine free drink with possible medicinal properties. Fruit teas are tisanes or infusions of 100% dried fruit, leaves or flowers and may contain up to eight or nine different ingredients. To add flavour and colour Rosehip and Hibiscus are widely used. Caffeine content (guide only)Coffee - 80mg Caffeine acts as a stimulant to our central nervous system and heart. It is also known to increase blood pressure but in the short term only. Excessive consumption of caffeine sometimes affects those of us who are highly sensitive. Pregnant women should limit their intake of caffeine to no more than 300mg per day. |
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