Tea Knowledge
The Origin of Tea
Tea has been an item of trade and tribute for at least three thousand years. It was first cultivated and brewed in China, and many of the best varieties still come from China. Some of the finest oolongs in the world are grown in Taiwan. Japan also produces a considerable amount of green tea, most of which is consumed domestically.
We know that the British were responsible for spreading tea to different countries. The British set up huge tea plantations in India. Today, India, Sri Lanka, and other Asian countries produce a large amount of the world’s tea.
So What Is Tea?
Most people call the leaves that tea is made out of, tea leaves. The actual technical term for the plant used to make tea is Camellia sinensis. The most common way people drink tea is by putting the tea leaves in hot water. Tea is also the name given by the British to mean a mid-afternoon meal where tea is served with different foods.
Tea can be broken into 3 main groups: oolong, green tea, and black tea. These 3 main types of tea all come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis). What makes these types of tea different is how long they are oxidized in the processing phase. Oolong tea gets less oxidation than Black tea which is allowed to oxidize for a couple of hours. With green tea, the leaves are not oxidized at all.
Many different types of tea varieties are available within these 3 categories.
What Exactly Is Herbal Tea?
Different types of herbs with health benefits have been added to tea. These are called herbal teas. Tea professionals sometimes will only use the word “tea” to mean pure tea. For these professionals, you will see them use the following names to mean herbal tea:
1. Herbal infusion which is a drink made by steeping an herb in water that is hot.
2. Tisane which in French means any herbal drink.
Some common herbs that are used as tisanes are peppermint, chamomile, rose hips, lemon verbena, and fennel. A number of companies specialize in producing herbal blends. Many tea companies also sell tisanes.
The FDA has increased pressure on companies that make herbal infusions that have some pretty crazy health claims on their packaging. But some herbs do have scientifically proven health benefits. For example, peppermint has a calming effect on the stomach. Keep in mind though that herbs can also cause health problems for example Chamomile can cause an allergic reaction.