Chinese teas are processed from the Camellia sinensis plant, which belongs to the “Theaceae” family. All different teas drank worldwide are produced from these plants’ leaves. The only thing that varies is the production process of each tea.
The True Origin of Tea
Yes, you read it right. The origin of the teas used worldwide is from China. Most of the different types of teas were first invented in China. China is the founder of tea. Chinese have a long history with tea, and their love for tea is unmatched.
Types of Chinese Tea
There are several different types of Chinese teas. All of the popular types of teas are based in China. These teas are:
- Black Tea
- Green Tea
- White Tea
- Oolong Tea
- Pu-erh Tea
All these teas are made from the leaves of the same plants.
1. Black Tea
Black tea is made from fully oxidised tea leaves. The production process involves harvesting the leaves from the plant and then lightly crushing them. The leaves are left alone to oxidise, and the crushing speeds up the oxidisation process.
The qualities of black tea are:
· It has a dark colour (a dark shade of red).
· It has a robust and malty taste and a rich aroma.
· Black tea is generally consumed with milk, sugar, honey, and lime.
2. Green Tea
Green teas are enjoyed worldwide, especially by health-conscious people. This tea contains catechins, believed to have many great medical benefits.
The catechins are retained in the leaves as the tea is not oxidised because after the leaves are harvested, they are subjected to extreme heat, which does not allow them to oxidise.
Some facts about green tea are:
· It has a floral taste.
· The colour of the tea is yellow, green, and light brown.
· Green tea is usually used as is, but some people like to add a little lime or honey to enhance the flavour.
3. White Tea
White tea is also produced in China from the finest young tea leaves that are hand-picked and dried immediately after. The process of picking the perfect leaves is taxing, which gives white tea the value it has. Some facts about white tea are:
· White tea is least oxidised in most cases
· White tea has a pale-yellow colour.
· White tea tastes fresher and has a fruity and floral taste.
4. Oolong Tea
These are some of the facts about Oolong tea:
· The oxidation of the best Oolong tea is between black tea and green tea
· It also has catechins like green tea.
· Its taste varies depending on the oxidation state, from fruity and floral to nutty.
· Its colour also varies on the oxidation state of the leaves.
5. Pu-erh Tea
These are some facts about the Pu-erh tea:
· It originates from Yunan province in China.
· Its production process is extended as the tea is left for fermentation for a long time.
· In China, Pu-erh tea is called black tea.
· It has a deep taste that is stronger than even black tea.
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Benefits of Chinese Teas
Chinese teas have the following health benefits.
· Strong Bones
These teas contain antioxidants that help protect and strengthen bones. People who drink Chinese tea have better bone health.
· Anti-Inflammatory
These teas have anti-inflammatory properties that help improve the digestion system and clear your digestive tract, improving the overall quality of life.
· Better Dental Health
These teas promote stronger teeth and gums; their fluoride helps prevent plaque. People who drink unsweetened tea get the most out of it.
· Cancer Protection
Teas are known to protect you against different forms of cancer because of their antioxidants. These include:
- Prostrate cancer
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
· Fight Against Free Radicals
The tea’s antioxidants also help fight the free radicals that prevent heart diseases, brain diseases and Alzheimer’s.
· Weight Loss
The catechins in teas, especially in the best Oolong tea and Green tea, help speed up the metabolism and aid in the fat-burning process, which can help with weight loss.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we saw that most of the different forms of tea that are popular worldwide and cherished by tea lovers due to their taste and aesthetic originate from China, making Chinese teas unique. Chinese teas also have numerous health benefits.
