Puer and oolong. What you need to know about tea to drink it with pleasure

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Among the variety of different drinks, only tea constantly accompanies a person, from a young age to old age. He has long been an indispensable participant Everyday life, without which no breakfast or lunch is complete, gala dinner or a festive feast.

Today there are a variety of types of tea, each of which has its own special taste and aroma. Among the abundance bright packaging With different names It is sometimes difficult for an inexperienced buyer to decide which variety he wants.

Despite the large selection, the base of each variety consists of a tea leaf or bud. A certain processing technology (fermentation - oxidation of tea leaves) allows you to obtain one or another type of tea:

1. Green tea.

To produce this species, a leaf is used that is collected all year round. The processing process involves drying and curling. No fermentation is carried out. Due to gentle processing, the leaf retains vitamins (A, B1 and B2, E, F and K) and nutrients (potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, phosphorus). Useful for hypertensive patients. Normalizes glucose levels, promotes prevention cancer diseases, tones and improves overall well-being. To give green tea an exquisite floral aroma, jasmine blossom is added to it, which adds a touch of tenderness to the drink.

2. White tea.

Belongs to the class of elite drinks. For its production, tea buds or the two topmost leaves are used, which are collected only two days a year. It undergoes very weak fermentation, which makes it closer to green tea. Also rich in vitamins and minerals, and good for health. Tea has antibacterial properties and normalizes blood pressure, lowers cholesterol and improves immunity.

3. Yellow tea.

To obtain this type, only tea buds are used, which undergo a two-day light fermentation, which gives the drink during the brewing process yellow tint. Its composition corresponds to white tea and has the same set of beneficial properties.

4. Red tea.

For this species, it is necessary to collect mature leaves, which will then undergo the entire processing technology: pre-drying, rolling, 60% fermentation and final drying. When processed, the leaf acquires a rich dark red color, which gives the drink an original shade. Red tea is rich in flavonoids, organic acids, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Its use helps normalize work nervous system and heart, improves the condition of hair and skin, regulates liver function, and has a beneficial effect on the absorption of nutrients by the body.

Read about 5 more types of tea and tips for brewing tea on the next page.

Black, green, white - we explain why it’s time to switch to tea and which tea is healthier. About milk oolong By the way, we didn’t forget either!

Many drinks are now called tea, but real fans consider only black, green, white, oolong and pu-erh to be real teas. Derived from Camellia sinensis leaves, these teas are rich in special antioxidants called flavonoids.

Natalia Vyaznikova

All types of tea are produced from the tea bush (in China) or tea tree(India, Ceylon), although it is also produced in other countries - Kenya, Japan, Vietnam, Nepal.

Each type of tea has its own characteristics of effects on the body. The beneficial properties of tea depend on the growing conditions of the tea bush and the method of processing the tea leaves. Tea leaves are known to contain theine, or tea caffeine. It has a tonic effect on the body, increases blood pressure, but more mildly than caffeine in coffee. This is explained by the fact that theine is in a bound form in the drink, unlike coffee caffeine. Therefore, tea has a milder and longer effect compared to coffee.

What determines the concentration of tea caffeine in tea? The smaller and “younger” the leaf, the more caffeine it contains. This means that tea with tips - tea buds - is the richest in caffeine, just like high-mountain tea (the caffeine content in tea leaves is affected by temperature changes, and this leaf grows more slowly in the mountains). The more sunlight, the more caffeine in tea. Therefore, tea from northern countries has less caffeine.

Green tea

The taste of green tea is milder than that of black tea - the leaves are dried and processed almost immediately after picking, and this stops the fermentation process.

What is useful: Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate, a compound that can prevent many diseases, including some types of cancer and heart disease. Just one cup of green tea a day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 10%.

Inessa Shkurina

Up to 500 useful substances and compounds have been found in tea, and in the huge palette that exists on the market, you can always find what you like based on the degree of fermentation. Of course, green tea is healthier; it retains more nutrients if it is brewed correctly. But this type of tea may not be suitable for some.

There are very simple requirements for tea. If it is green tea, then the water temperature should be from 60 to 80 degrees; You don’t need to insist for long, just two minutes. Good green teas brew very quickly. Temperature- This required condition: Do not brew green tea with boiling water, because this immediately kills the beneficial substances, and burnt leaves can taste bitter. This is why many people don’t like green tea: they pour a lot of it, let it sit for ten minutes, and then say that it’s disgusting.

Black tea

Black tea is made from fermented leaves and forms the base of most flavored teas.

What is useful: Black tea protects the lungs from the effects of tobacco smoke, lowers cholesterol and, if drunk several cups a day, reduces the risk of stroke.

Inessa Shkurina

Black tea is more fermented and “tolerates” temperatures of 90 degrees. It is important to select good water, and it’s better to buy the tea itself in specialized stores, because there are enough of them. If you buy bagged tea in supermarkets (people appreciate it, bagged tea is fast), you need to look at the time of collection on the package, because when tea is transported in bags, it loses its aroma and its properties, and if it is packaged locally, freshness is maintained longer . And it is better, of course, to choose vacuum packaging.

White tea

Young leaves white tea It is processed the least, so its taste is the mildest, and the beneficial properties of tea are better preserved.

What is useful: Another difference between white tea and other types is that it can improve glucose tolerance and lower cholesterol levels.

Oolong combines the qualities of black and green tea: it is only half fermented - the edges of the leaves and part of their surface.

What is useful: the enzymes in this tea can dissolve edible fats, which are stored in fatty tissues, so consuming oolong tea promotes loss excess weight- of course, if in addition to it you drink enough plain water.

Many people think that black tea and green tea are two different types of tea. In fact, black and green tea come from the same plant species, just different ways. The technology for processing tea leaves to produce green tea is such that it retains all the vitamins and nutrients. Thus, green tea is healthier for the body than black tea. Natural green tea without flavorings has a specific, slightly astringent taste, has virtually no odor. Whereas black tea is both tasty and aromatic. The choice depends on the preferences of the buyer.

Green tea pleasant in combination with jasmine, bergamot, lemon, they give its taste beauty and uniqueness, enriching this healthy drink additional vitamins.

You need to know that you should not drink black tea in unlimited quantities, as it overuse provokes diseases such as constipation, insomnia, varicose veins. Green tea in large quantities may cause drowsiness (or vice versa, insomnia), weakness and irritability.

To avoid the above problems, you should not drink more than 5 cups of strong green or black tea per day.

When choosing tea, the main question that arises among buyers is: which tea is better - in bags or regular tea? Nowadays there is a belief that tea bags are made from tea dust and waste and are therefore harmful to health. This is only partly true. Indeed, in order for a disposable tea bag to brew quickly, it contains tea crumbs and seeding. But the manufacturers claim that this crumb is made from the same high-quality raw materials as regular tea, so the tea bag cannot pose any threat to health. A tea bag has the same beneficial properties, just like regular brewed tea.

The main advantage of disposable tea bags is that they are convenient to use. You can quickly enjoy strong, hot tea, which, moreover, will not have tea leaves floating in it. It is better to buy tea bags that do not contain additives or harmful impurities. Quality tea When brewed, it is clear rather than cloudy brown.

The advantages of tea bags are that they are indispensable on the road, on hikes and travels, and in the office. But at home, it’s still better to brew regular tea the old fashioned way for the whole family.

The disadvantages of disposable tea bags include: high price compared to regular tea of ​​the same brand, short shelf life, since the tea bag quickly “exhales”, that is, it loses its inherent tea aroma, this happens because the tea in the bag is highly crushed . In order for tea to retain its aroma longer when opened, many manufacturers began to produce individual packaging for each tea bag.

In order to brew delicious, aromatic tea, you need to choose the right one for it teapot. Porcelain teapots perfectly preserve the quality, taste and color of tea; they are also very beautiful and will decorate any home tea ceremony. Glass dishes are also convenient for brewing; they do not affect the quality of tea, but tea in glass containers cools down very quickly. Ceramic is the most convenient material for brewing tea, as it is breathable, which prevents the tea from premature souring. A ceramic teapot reveals the full taste and aroma of brewed tea leaves to the greatest extent.

Avoid buying metal teapots, as the tannic acid contained in tea, when combined with iron, turns into real ink in our stomach!

The ideal teapot should be round shape, there should be a small hole on its lid, thanks to which the tea can breathe.

For different types tea: black and green - it is better to have separate teapots.

Here's everything you need to know about tea. Enjoy your tea!

Since ancient times, people have known about the wonderful properties of Ivan tea, so they carefully collected it, dried it and stored it for the winter, providing themselves with a delicious warming drink and an excellent medicine. Why should you drink Ivan tea?

Beneficial properties of tea

Not every person knows why Ivan-tea is needed? It’s a pity, because it has the ability to restore mechanisms for the body to function properly, Special attention It is worth paying attention to its medicinal properties:

• contains a colossal amount of vitamin C, which is necessary to strengthen the immune system and preserve youth;
• normalizes human blood by alkalizing it;
• cleanses the body, helping to remove waste and toxins;
• perfectly increases potency, even in men of advanced age, ensures normal functioning;
• improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• reduces fever, inflammation and helps fight colds;
• helps with severe migraines;
• can prevent cancer;
• has a relaxing effect on the nervous system;
• quickly restores strength after a hard work process;
• restores health to hair, strengthening and preventing hair loss;
• helps with diseases of the stomach and intestines due to its enveloping properties.

Preparation for the winter

Every year in the summer the time comes when you need to collect Ivan-tea grass. In July - early August (learn more about) it reaches a state in which beneficial components are at their peak of activity. The top ones are torn off, and they should be juicy and healthy, which means that the color should be bright green without yellowish spots or signs of spoilage. It is better to get up early in the morning and, if no rain is expected, go to the field to pick tea, since at this time the plants will be the most juicy after the night. This suggests that active ingredients will be more than after a hot day, when all living things are exhausted from the rays of the scorching sun. Then you need to dry Ivan-tea. To do this, lay it out in a thin layer in a well-ventilated place where direct sunlight does not reach. At what temperature should Ivan tea be dried? The drying temperature is about 20 degrees, this will allow the tea to retain all the benefits and aroma. But we have also prepared an article if you are interested in the question. After complete drying, fold the grass into tight paper bags and close it well to prevent insects from entering, because tea exudes a very pleasant, alluring aroma.

Find out more in this informative article.

Do I need to wash Ivan tea after picking? Depends on the condition of the plants. If it rained the day before and washed away all the dust, then you don’t have to wash it. But if you see that there is dirt or soil has got in, it would be a good idea to rinse it, as it needs to be in a form suitable for further use. There is still tea, but it requires effort and time, so in order not to complicate your life, you can buy ready-made fermented tea at a pharmacy or specialty store, and our information site will help you figure out how best to use and store Ivan tea.

Secrets of use

To get the most useful and delicious drink should be taken exclusively quality water– spring or multi-level purification. Take a teapot or thermos, previously scalded with boiling water. Take tea at the rate of: 3 teaspoons per half liter of water - to get the most rich taste and aroma. Experts recommend pouring boiling water in two stages - fill the vessel one-third full, wait 5 minutes and top up completely. After 10-15 minutes you can enjoy an excellent drink. In addition, it has a unique feature - it retains its properties and taste, even if you add water to the teapot several times, and can be stored in finished form for two whole days, and even when cold it will be extremely tasty. As a dessert, it is recommended to consume Ivan tea with honey, figs, halva, nuts, and dried apricots.

Video about what the herb Ivan-Chai is needed for