How is Black Tea Different from Other Teas?
April 5, 2011
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that drinking tea can be a healthy experience. Tea contains ingredients which may be beneficial in the fight against heart disease, cancer, and various stress-related illnesses. In the Western World, green tea has gotten a great deal of attention in recent years. However, black tea remains a popular beverage worldwide. If you are not familiar with black tea, you may be wondering how it differs from other brews.
An Intriguing Flavor
To begin with, black tea has a heartier flavor than other forms of tea, particularly green tea. As a result, an individual who is interested in an intriguing taste sensation may be drawn to black tea. The black tea produced in China comes in varieties that are both sweet and spicy. They may also contain a chocolaty flavor or even one reminiscent of orchids.
Differences in Preparation
Interestingly enough, black, green, and oolong teas are derived from the same plant. However, they differ significantly in the way they’re prepared. Oolong teas are partly fermented, while black teas are fully fermented. Meanwhile, herbal teas come from the flowers, leaves, bark, and seeds of other plants. All teas may have therapeutic benefits–but which is the healthiest for you?
Is it as Healthy for You as Green Tea?
With all the publicity surrounding the health benefits of green tea, you may be wondering whether black tea can have similar therapeutic effects. The short answer is a resounding, “Yes!”
It is true that green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, a dynamic anti-oxidant. When tea is fermented to make black tea, EGCG is changed into other compounds. As a result, initially, scientists believed that black tea was not as rich in health benefits as green tea.
But recent studies have changed that view. The primary compounds in black tea–theaflavin and thearubigens–are not there just to make black tea appear dark, rich, and flavorful. They can also be a powerful antidote to what ails you.
Taking a Closer Look
Let’s examine the health benefits of black tea in greater depth. To begin with, an extensive study conducted by the Netherlands National Institute of Public Health and the Environment discovered a connection between black tea consumption and reducing the risk of stroke. A study of more than 550 men over a 15-year time period found that black tea flavonoids cut the production of LDL, or bad cholesterol. This cholesterol can play a role in the development of strokes and heart attacks. In fact, male subjects who consumed more than four cups of black tea each day had a lower risk of stroke than males who drank no more than three cups daily.
Similarly, a study at Boston’s School of Medicine found that consuming black tea can reverse the abnormal functioning of the blood vessels that lead to stroke or heart attack. This improvement was apparent within just two hours of drinking a single cup of black tea.
In addition, a research study of more than 3,000 adults in Saudi Arabia indicated that drinking black tea can cut the risk of coronary heart disease by as much as 50 percent. Black tea tends to be preferred over green tea in the Arab nation.
Any of the teas that have been derived from the camellia plant contain a healthy dose of polyphenols, which are a form of antioxidant. Both green tea and black tea have as many as ten times the amount of polyphenols that are contained in fruits and vegetables.
If you examine the people of the nations of Japan and China, you’ll quickly find that tea drinkers tend to be healthier than non-tea drinkers. Researchers note that Japanese and Chinese tea drinkers have less of an incidence of heart disease. In addition, they don’t have the kind of cancers that many Westerners have to combat on a daily basis.
Still, it is critical to note that additional research needs to be done in order to fully explore the benefits of black tea consumption. As Jane Higden of the Linus Pauling Institute stated in published reports, “Although numerous observational studies have examined the relationships between tea consumption and the risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer, there is no conclusive evidence that high intakes of tea are protective in humans.”
Summing it Up
It is true that not all teas are created equal. But whether you choose black tea or green tea as your beverage of choice depends on your personal preferences. If you like a full-bodied tea that tends toward the exotic, you may want to add black tea to your weekly shopping list. Thankfully, research indicates that black tea may be just as appropriate for the health-conscious as green tea is. As a result, you can indulge in black tea, knowing that it may be just as effective in battling illness as green tea is.
| Jon Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, black tea [http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea] and wholesale tea [http://www.goldenmoontea.com/WholesaleTea] go to goldenmoontea.com
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Types of Tea to Choose from
March 21, 2011
Although there are different types of tea around, you might think that it comes from different sources. The truth is that all teas come from a single source, namely the evergreen of the Camellia family. The main factor that affects their own flavor is the processing methods used on them the climate of their habitat, the region from where they are gathered, soil condition, and so on. With that said, there are thousands of different kinds of teas around the globe. There are even teas blended with different kinds of leaves, herbs, flowers, and even oils.
Types of Tea
As mentioned there are thousands of different Kinds Of Tea with their own unique flavor. If however you’re looking for a way to learn the basic four types of tea, all you have to remember is that there are White, Green, Black and Oolong teas.
White Tea
Among the four types of tea, white tea is the least processed one. Most commercially prepared white teas come from China or Japan during the spring time. This type of tea has a pretty light and mild flavor to it with a bit of sweet and malt taste. Also, this tea is known to have the least amount of caffeine among the four types of tea containing just around 15 mg of caffeine per cup. What’s more is that you can even decaffeinate the tea yourself. To make things even more interesting, you could add a twist of lemon if ever you’re looking for a more citrus taste.
Green Tea
This type of tea is also known as the unfermented tea. This is so because once the tea leaves are picked and dried, they are heated thus making sure fermentation doesn’t take place. This particular type of tea has several health benefits that come with it and it is by far one of the more popular types of tea around. It has a pale green color to it and you’ll notice that it has an herb like flavor that tastes fresh and mild. In terms of its caffeine content, it has low content, but still it has more compared to white teas. You’ll get an average of 20 mg of caffeine per cup. If you want to make tea latte, you could add a bit of milk in order to do so.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is probably the most sophisticated among the four types of tea. Good oolong teas can cost a bit much compared to the common teas mainly because of the strict processing required. Also, you can experience the smoothest flavor any tea can offer if you brew the tea correctly. Oolong tea can be considered something as a middle tea to the herb flavored green tea and the strong black tea. In terms of caffeine content, you’ll get around 30 mg of caffeine per cup.
Black Tea
This is the most complex type of tea and its strong flavor is also a very notable characteristic. The tea’s color is brown to red in color. Its flavor is very bold and to some people, things can get quite bitter. In order to get a better mix, you could add a bit of milk to it thus getting rid of the bitterness, or at least lessening it to an extent. Also, note that this type of tea has the most caffeine content per cup, averaging to a substantial 40 mg per cup.
There are different things to consider when choosing your tea. Among the types of tea to choose from, you’ll have to consider their caffeine content, availability, price range, flavor, and so on. Also, note that the flavor of the tea can make it perfect for certain types of dishes and cuisines as well.
Some Facts about the Oolong Tea
March 7, 2011
A lot of people nowadays drink tea on a daily basis. This is most true on Asian countries such as China or Japan. There are four Kinds Of Tea for you to choose from and one of which of course is oolong tea. Good oolong tea can be more expensive than the other types of tea since it needs strict processing in order to bring out the best in it.
The Processing Method
Like teas of all kind, oolong tea also comes from the evergreen of the Camellia family although most commercially used oolong tea usually comes from either China or Taiwan. Oolong tea is a semi fermented tea that uses whole tea leaves that are bruised. Once the leaves are plucked, they are immediately dried. In order to bruise the leaves slightly, they are put together in a basket and they are shaken after which they are exposed to heat. Once ready, they are rolled into balls. There are also variations in the processing method of oolong teas however they generally stick to the basic method of preparing the tea.
Oolong Tea Characteristics
Oolong tea has a very smooth flavor to it, but the actual taste of the tea varies differently due to several factors such as climate, soil conditions, processing method, and so on. Oolong tea can come in sweet, semi sweet, fruity, nutty, or even flowery flavors. A cup of oolong tea comes with 30 mg of caffeine which is less than the strong black tea and more than the soft green tea. This gives oolong tea a very distinct flavor that is somewhere in between of black tea and green tea. Oolong is a tea that can’t be simply defined through its color mainly because oolong tea comes in different shades of green. You’ll be able to see oolong tea with the standard green color up to the darker shade of it.
Oolong Tea with Food
If you’re wondering what types of food goes well with oolong, you’ll want to pair oolong tea with savory foods containing meat or fish. You can even pair it with spicy foods as well since the average bitterness of the tea helps to wash down the intense flavor of most foods. Also, you’ll be able to choose from several types of oolong tea such as the Wu Yi leaves, Iron Goddess of Mercy, Kwan Yin, and more.
Health Benefits of Oolong Tea
Like most teas, oolong tea also has some neat healthful advantages as well. Oolong tea is rich in polyphenol which can aid in combating diseases. This will help you steer clear of cancer and other heart ailments as well and it will also help you lose weight.
Overall, oolong tea is indeed a nice addition to anyone’s day. A good idea is to allocate a certain portion of your time to drinking oolong tea with either your friends or your family. This will not only tighten the bond between each other, but it will also let you have better chances of avoiding certain diseases as well.
Oolong Tea – The Best Beverage in the World
February 14, 2011
The Western world has embraced a lovely export from Taiwan and simply cannot seem to get enough of it — Oolong tea. The largest producer of “Formosa oolong tea” worldwide, Taiwan’s unique blend is considered the most delicious variety, and one of the best beverages in the world.
“Oolong,” translates to “black dragon” in Chinese – the original home of this fine drink, and it is often called” Wu Long tea”, the name of its’ creator. Despite its’ literal translation, Oolong is neither black nor green, and its’ fermentation time is shorter than for the black variety. In color and flavor, Oolong resembles green tea but is made only from the large leaves growing further down the plant – not from the top.
Formosa oolong tea has two varieties, differing by length of the fermenting period. True Formosa oolong teas resemble Chinese oolong tea. Both are fermented until about 30% of their leaves are red, and about 70% green. Formosa Pouching leaves are closer to the green variety, with about 15% red and 85% green.
For Formosa oolong and pouching teas, the leaves are harvested in early morning and left to dry in the sun. Bruising the leaves starts the fermenting process. Tea artisans watch their leaves closely, sometimes shaking or tumbling them to speed up the fermentation. When the leaves have fermented to the appropriate amounts of green and red, the process is over. This is then the perfect time to steep a cup!
Imperial Formosa oolong, an intensely flavorful tea, is considered to be of the utmost quality in the world. When it’s ready, it has a golden hue and a crisp taste. One can pick up the significant faint taste of orange and nuts, and the finish is woodsy, with a sweetness that lingers.
Imperial Formosa oolong tea is rare and slightly more expensive than other blends. True connoisseurs will agree that Imperial Formosa oolong has an exceptional flavor, and a variety of nuances.
All oolong teas are high in antioxidants, thus healthy. Tea naturally has a high count of antioxidants, but varying degrees of fermentation can lower the count. Oolong blends are only partially fermented, preserving more of the healthy antibiotics in their natural state. The leaves contain a high level of polyphenols, a very powerful antioxidant. Polyphenols have aided in the treatment of cancer and heart disease. Scientists have researched the Health Benefits Of Tea and believe that a lifelong drinker will live a longer and healthier life.
Oolong tea is also used a healthy weight loss supplement. This tasty beverage contains caffeine, which, mixed with the antibiotics, speeds up metabolism, and helps with the oxidation of fats. Research has shown that oolong tea is different than other caffeinated beverages. It does not raise the heart rate, nor make one jittery and on edge. This makes this a healthy alternative for those who are caffeine-sensitive.
People who have sampled a wide variety of teas will tell you that Imperial Formosa oolong is the most fragrant, flavorful tea in the world. Each cup presents you with different nuance! For a newcomer to this fabulous beverage, Imperial Formosa oolong is the most sophisticated introduction to tea you can enjoy.
Author Suzanne Bender has enjoyed a wide variety of tea from around the world, and wants to share more oolong tea benefits with you! Go steep yourself a cup, then sit down to read everything you need to know about the benefits of Bojenmi tea.
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10 Teas That Heal
January 25, 2011
Drinking tea — research shows it to be a healthy activity, because tea contains antioxidants that help fight cancer and even slow the aging process. Vitamin C, found in some teas, helps fight illnesses and colds. Some teas contain polyphones, which strengthen teeth by reducing plaque and also help aid digestion by increasing the flow of digestive juices in the stomach.
Tea, in short, has many healing properties. Here are 10 natural healing tea therapies.
1. Black Tea
Black tea blends are the most popular in the Western world. After the leaves are picked, they go through full fermentation that makes the leaves darken to almost black. Black tea can be flowery, fruity, and spicy or even have a nutty taste. Black tea, known for lowering the risk of stroke, contains antioxidants, which help reduce clotting of the arteries. Black Tea varieties include: Black Tea, Rose Black Tea, English Breakfast Black Tea, and Earl Grey Black Tea.
2. Chamomile Tea
Considered a floral tea, Chamomile has a very aromatic, fruity flavor and is a member of the daisy family. This tea helps with toothaches, insomnia, and muscle cramps, plus it reduces the swelling of skin irritations.
3. Green Tea
Green tea with its huge nutritional benefits is the most popular tea in Asia. Varieties include: Jasmine Green Tea, Jasmine Dragon Pearl, Green Peony Tea and Roasted Japanese Green Tea. After green tea is picked, it is dried using hot air. The leaves are then pan fried, but not fermented, which helps preserve the high nutrient and vitamin content. Vitamin C in green tea helps boost the immune system and promotes overall good health. Fluoride, found naturally in green tea, strengthens bones and prevents dental decay.
4. Oolong Tea
Oolong tea, known for aiding indigestion and lowering cholesterol levels, is made from large, mature trees. The leaves are left to wither after being picked, which removes moisture. Semi-fermentation happens after the leaves are left in the shade. Oolong tea has a a full-bodied taste, a pleasant aftertaste, and a sweet fruity aroma. Some varieties are: Jasmine Oolong Tea, Ice Peak Oolong Tea, Hairy Crab Oolong Tea and WUYI Rock Tea.
5. Red Tea
Grown in Africa, Red Tea is rich in antioxidants. This kind of tea has been proven to help boost the immune system, and is also caffeine-free. Varieties of Red Tea include: Florida Orange Red Tea, Organic Cape Red Tea, Organic Green Red Tea and Organic Green Summer Red Tea.
6. Rosebud Tea
A floral tea, Rosebud tea is made using rosebuds from a rose bush. The tea has a very sweet, floral aroma and a light, sweet taste; it is often brewed with other types of tea. Essential oils in this tea help aid circulation.
7. White Tea
Made by using very young tea leaves that are still covered in down, white tea leaves are not fermented. Instead, they are steamed and dried in the sun. Because of the lack of fermentation, white tea contains a high concentration of chemical compounds, known to help fight cancer. The brewed tea has a silver-white appearance because of the downy leaves. It has a sweet aroma and fresh flavor. White tea varieties include: Silver Needle, White Peony, and Jasmine Silver Needle.
8. Paraguay Mate
Very popular in South America, Paraguay Mate is brewed with spices and sipped with a straw from a gourd. The tea is used to aid many health problems, including depression, digestion, and boosting energy levels.
9. Wild Holy Tea
Wild Holy Tea has a bitter taste. It is used for medicinal purposes: to detoxify the body, aid in blood circulation and improve digestion. With regular consumption, Wild Holy Tea has been shown to help control blood pressure and obesity.
10. Milk Tea
The most popular tea in India and Sri Lanka is an Indian black tea mixed with spices. It’s called Milk tea because it is usually brewed with milk and spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. Milk tea added with other types of tea, such as green tea, contributes to overall health.
Visit teas to learn more. Ron King is a writer and web developer, visit Articles for authors.
Copyright 2006 Ron King.
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