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Posts Tagged ‘Tea’

Can You Call Wu Yi Tea, Oolong Tea?

April 7th, 2010

Well, sort of. Oolong tea is not wu yi tea, but wu yi tea IS oolong tea. Do I have you scratching your head? It is not that complicated. Let’s go over tea varieties, and then it will be more clear.

Camellia sinensis is the plant for which all real teas are harvested. The final product, or variety, depends on how it is processed.

Over 75% of tea produced in the world is the highly popular black tea. The leaves are harvested and then withered by leaving them out. The remaining moisture is then rolled out via a machine (CTC) or the old-fashioned way by hand (orthodox). The hand method leaves the tea in tact more while the CTC method is a bit harsher leaving the leaves more crushed.

They are then spread out in a cool, damp place to oxidize. This turns the leaves from green to brownish color. The tea leaves are then dried using hot air. Finally, the tea is sorted into various grades depending the final leaf size.

In processing green tea, the process is similar expect that there is no oxidation. Instead, the green tea leaves are steamed immediately after being dried to stop any oxidation process. The nutrients are also left more in tact. However, the tea has a sort of grassy taste without the oxidation process.

White tea comes from the “baby” leaves on the Camellia sinensis plant. It can only be harvested a few days in a year when the buds of the plant have yet to fully open. It is then processed similarly to green tea, but because the leaves are so young, the tea has a smoother, more delicate flavor. White tea has only been available for worldwide distribution as it was once reserved only for the Chinese nobility. True white tea remains rather expensive.

Oolong tea is the best of both worlds because it is only partially oxidized. This allows it to taste similar to black tea, but retain more of the natural nutrients as green tea. Obviously, this is an advantage because if you would like to reap the health benefits of green tea, but you prefer the flavor and aroma of black tea, you will enjoy oolong tea more.

Okay, so why do we call some oolong tea, wu yi tea? Think of it more as a brand name, but perhaps a bit more special. Wu yi tea is oolong tea so named for the chain of mountains where it grows. The Wuyi mountain chain in Northeastern China is home to the Camellia sinensis plant where wu yi tea is harvested.

It is sort of like “New Zealand” kiwis, only they leave the oolong completely out of the name. Oolong tea can be grown in other regions, but the quality may not match that of wu yi tea. The mountain range has a great climate and fantastic soil for growing oolong tea.

Just like white tea, wu yi was once only given as a gift to the higher ups in China. Finally, wu yi tea has become quite popular in the Western world. It is widely available on the internet. The popularity is likely due to its great flavor as well as nutritional value.

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The Different Types of Chinese Teas

January 12th, 2010

Camelia Sinensis, most popularly known as Chinese tea bushes are grown in the mountains of tropical and subtropical regions of China where there is a more stable climate, sufficient humidity, adequate sunshine and fertile soil.

Chinese tea is classified according to method of preparation, quality, and where it is grown. The main methods of preparing Chinese tea leaves are fermentation, heating or drying, and fortification with other raw ingredients like flowers, special herbs or fruits. Theses methods deliver the unique taste of the tea leaves.

Green Tea are freshly-picked Chinese tea leaves which do not undergo the process of fermentation. Green tea only is only processed naturally through heating or drying in order to keep its original green color and retain most of its natural health elements such as polyphenols and chlorophyll. Green tea is mostly cutivated all throughout China and is the most popular in its class. It is known to contain the most medicinal value and the lowest caffeine level.

Red and Black Teas are types of Chinese teas that are interchangeably used depending on the place. Red tea is Black tea as classified by westerners. These types of teas are wholly processed in fermentation giving them the strongest flavor and color. Unlike other Chinese teas, red and black teas have flavors that lasts for long. They have the highest content of caffeine. They are also widely grown in the regions of west and northwest China, because they are known as Weight-watchers’ gospel. Red or black Chinese teas are known to clean up the digestive channels because of it emulsifies fats and cholesterol.

Oolong Tea is either green or black tea primarily because of partial fermentation. It has more of the green tea tastes but has smells of black tea. Oolong Chinese teas are thick flavored making it a favorite among tea lovers in southeast China and Taiwan. It is also the commonly used for Kung Fu Cha. Interestingly, Oolong tea, like Black teas contain natural elements that work in losing those excess fats and in lower cholesterol levels.

Pu-erh or Puer Teas are as Compressed Chinese teas. They are wholly fermented for several years such that they are compact, which gives compressed teas the unique earthly taste. Puer teas are compressed artistically, however it’s shaped depends on the creativity of its maker. Puer Chinese tea are very common in the west and southwest regions of China. To allow continued fermentation, compressed Chinese teas should be stored openings for air at moderate temperature. Puer matures like wine, the longer are the years of fermentation, the higher is its value.

The word, Flowered Tea means Scented teas are Chinese teas added with petals of flowers like grapefruit flower, sweet-scented osmanthus, rose, jasmine, gardenia and magnolia. These teas have either black tea, green or oolong tea as the base flavor. But, a strict rule is required as how many flower petals should be included on each type of tea. Example, green has not been fermented, so most of its natural substances are retained, oolong teas have been partially fermented, such that it is break down proteins and fats, and red or black teas have been fully fermented, so most of its natural elements has lost, but they contain the highest caffeine. Jasmine is remains to be the favorite Flower tea.

White Tea or Yellow Teas roasted green teas that it is colored white or yellow, depending on how they are the processed. White teas are the types of Chinese tea with the lightest taste and scent and it contain the lowest level of caffeine. Some well-loved Chinese white or yellow teas are Shou Mei, Bai Mu Dan and Yin Zhen Bai Hao.

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Four Surprising Benefits of Drinking Tea

November 18th, 2009

Tea is a beverage that is consumed by millions of people across all planets because it is known as one of nature’s greatest drugs. It comes from the dried out leaves, stalks, and stems of plants, and water is added to make it a beverage. It can be consumed as a hot or cold drink as well as plain of sweetened, depending on what you add to it. Some of the most mainstream varieties are green tea, chamomile, and white tea, but there are hundreds of other varieties. Here are four health benefits of tea to help motivate you to add it to your day.

Tea helps to fight cavities. Polyphenols in tea inhibit the growth of oral bacteria, which is a leading cause of tooth decay. It also has fluoride in it, which is a well known cavity fighter.

It will give you great looking skin. Tea is known to have many antioxidants in it. Antioxidants have been shown to slow down and sometimes reverse the signs of aging. They do this by destroying free radicals, which are the cause of aging in cells.

It can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure. Many studies have shown tea as a very effective way to reduce your risk of heart attack. Studies suggest that drinking tea at least once per day can reduce hypertension by almost 50%. All you have to do is replace those sugary sodas and other artificial drinks with all natural tea, and reap a multitude of heart health benefits. It can help your mood and reduce tension. Many studies have shown that drinking tea can help relax the brain and the body. This can be a powerful combatant to the stress that many people deal with in their day to day lives.

These are just four benefits of drinking tea and there are still many others. Find a type that you like and try to drink some daily. You can brew it in the morning and replace your morning cup of coffee or drink a cold glass of iced tea with lunch or dinner. You can feel good when you drink it because it tastes great and it is very beneficial for your health.

The author of this article has been writing online for four years now. Not only does she enjoy writing about health and fitness, but she also helps families obtain inexpensive life insurance by providing free online life insurance quotes.

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Looking For A Nutrition Tea To Boost Vitality?

November 14th, 2009

Are you aware that Green Tea as a nutrition tea is immensely beneficial to your health on a whole? If yes, are you conscious of the reasons why? When you have finished reading this, you will understand exactly why and you will most likely go and make yourself a cuppa!

Green Tea along with Oolong Tea and Black Tea, originated in China over 4,000 years ago, and has been used daily since then to improve and maintain overall health. It is only in recent years however that their nutritional properties and their effects on health as a whole have become known worldwide. There has been a huge amount of studies done all over the world to find out exactly how good Green Tea is for you, and the general consensus is that it sustains and improves general health and life span.

The main ingredient found in Green Tea that gives it its ‘magical’ quality are catechin polyphenols, specifically epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Or as they are more widely known, antioxidants. The difference between Green Tea as a nutrition tea specifically and Oolong and Black Tea, is that Green Tea leaves are steamed during production, which prevents EGCG from oxidizing. Black Tea and Oolong Tea leaves however are fermented during production, which in turn results in the EGCG’s being converted into other compounds. This is what makes Green Tea stand out on its own against any other teas.

With 27% catechin polyphenols found in Green Tea, this makes it 100 times more beneficial to you than Vitamin C and 25 times more beneficial than Vitamin E. That is already just one major reason to convert to Green Tea!

Three Key Health Benefits Of Green Tea You Did Not Know, Until Now… 1.EGCG essentially kills cancer cells, at EVERY stage of cancer! This is possible as it inhibits development of tumours, eradicates tumour supporters, deactivates enzymes that give rise to cell production and obstructs chemical carcinogens 2.Moreover, these superb antioxidants lower LDL cholesterol intensity in the blood, by fixing themselves to the cholesterol beads stopping them from becoming fixed to the lining of the arteries for instance. In addition to this, they hinder blood clot formation (Thrombosis), which ensures prevention of heart attacks and strokes. 3.Unpaired electrons that are produced naturally in the body to a quantity are called Free Radicals. Due to their ‘free’ state they cause harm to cell membranes and thus internal structures, permitting maturity of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and are also capable of injuring DNA. Yet, on an optimistic note, in simple terms, EGCG (antioxidants) has the amazing capability of killing Free Radicals!

After learning the main benefits of Green Teas remarkable antioxidant properties, you may find it easier to appreciate why for 4,000 years this nutrition tea has been consumed with devotion. If not only for its healing capacity than consider its effect on general well being. Knowing of how valuable Green Tea can be to your health, you would not be the first to assume that its flavour may leave something to be desired, nevertheless at odds from this; it in fact expels a brilliant flowery flavour and is superbly invigorating in contrast with standard coffees and teas!

If you are excited to find out so much more about nutrition tea and this amazing natural plant and its many health benefits go here and find out how to make your own chemical free organic green tea!

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