Everything you need to know about tea and its benefits.

1) Drink tea and stay cool!

In this article, we give you a maximum of information and all the necessary knowledge to approach the world of tea in full knowledge.

2) How was tea discovered?

There are Chinese legends that tell the supposed story of the origin of tea. One of the most common legends is that tea first appeared around 2500 BC.

The custom of using tea leaves to scent hot water was discovered by chance in China by theemperor Shen Nung.

While he was boiling water in the shade of a tree, some leaves fell into the emperor’s pot. The color of this decoction seemed pleasant to the emperor. This one tasted, and while drinking the infusion, he realized that the effect was at the same time pleasant and stimulating. Then the emperor shouted: “T’sa”, which means “the divine”.

Even today, tea is called “T’sa or cha in Chinese and Thai.

3) The history of tea, or how it came to Europe

The golden age of tea was during the Tang Dynasty. It ceased to be considered only as a medicinal tonic and became a social drink. Its consumption began to develop into a mundane affair. A group of tea merchants commissioned the writer Lu Yu to write the first book on tea, “Su Cha Ching”.

Following this work, the consumption of tea became so important that it was called “Su Cha Ching” the “sacred book of tea”.

The Dutch were the first to import tea into Europe

Tea at that time had many names depending on the region and accent. It was called tcha cha tay tee. The first exchanges between Dutch and Chinese traders took place in the port of Amoy, Fujian province.

From the Amoy dialect, the Dutch translated the first Western name for tea as “you”. That’s where all the translations came from, until the English named it “tea”

4) Some figures on tea.

Tea is the second most consumed drink in the world after water. It has been drunk for thousands of years and its consumption has spread to almost every culture in the world.

The consumption of tea is constantly increasing throughout the world.

It is estimated that between 1.8 and 2 billion cups of tea are drunk every day. Tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant, a perennial shrub native to China.

It can reach 30 meters high, although to facilitate its harvesting, we try to limit its height to 1.5 or 2 meters

5) Slimming action of tea True or False?

Without hesitation, I would say YES, and it is scientifically proven. Various studies have shown that drinking tea helps reduce abdominal fat.

6) But why and how does it work?

These effects are largely attributed to catechins. Most of these researches, show that men who consumed green tea extract before a physical activity, burn much more fat.

Green tea consumption improves insulin sensitivity and glucose absorption.

The applications of tea in sports are very interesting, because they promote the burning of stored fat while preserving the muscles.

7) The truth about tea-based diets.

Green tea, but also all other teas, are beneficial for diets. These diets must be accompanied by physical activity.

The success of tea in dieting, comes from its actions on the assimilation of lipids, glucose and the elimination of fats.

Don’t trust miracle teas that claim to be “diet” teas. Under no circumstances should a tea trigger diarrhea. Although diarrhea is effective for weight loss (in the short term), it is very harmful to your health. You will lose a lot of water and especially dehydrate, but you will lose little fat.

The benefits of tea.

Antioxidant, purifying, digestive, rich in minerals, sodium, fluorine and vitamins. The health benefits vary somewhat depending on the type of tea you choose. Although most studies have been done on green tea, overall, the same benefits are common to all types of tea.

They are antioxidant, detoxifying, digestive, rich in minerals, sodium, fluoride, vitamins A, B and C. It strengthens the immune system and can help the body to protect itself in case of viruses and infections.

Some studies also point to improvements in diseases that degrade cognitive abilities, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

The properties of the predominant polyphenols in green tea EGCG, EGC, ECG, EC and their ability to scavenge free radicals, make it a valuable ally in cancer prevention.

9) The different types of tea.

The choice of the types of teas that we will consume can become a real headache when we have to decide.

It is true that with more than 3,000 varieties, there is no lack of choice. The nuances are sometimes very small.

Chinese green tea and Japanese green tea are considered to be different. However, it is the same plant. What differs is the harvesting season and the method of preparation.

However, for the uninformed, it will be very difficult to tell the difference. Below is a summary of what is generally accepted and the twelve predominant varieties in the West.

10) The 12 most famous types of tea.

Green tea.

Type of tea Camellia Sinensis does not undergo oxidation during processing. The leaves are picked fresh and roasted. Green tea accounts for almost one fifth of all tea produced in the world.

You can find the green tea on sale by clicking HERE.

Red tea.

Pu-erh or red tea is native to the Chinese province of Yunnan. It is also known as the “tea of the emperors”, because for many years its consumption was forbidden to the rest of the population. It has a very strong, earthy flavor.

The infusion is dark red. It is a post-fermented tea, it requires a long maturation process in cellars that can last several years.

You can find Pu erh tea on sale by clicking HERE.

Black tea.

To make this variety, the fresh leaves of Camellia Sinensis go through a complete oxidation process. This transforms the original green color of the leaf into a dark brown, making the aromas more complex.

The resulting infusions have an amber color, with an intense body and flavor. It is the most stimulating variety, because the oxidation promotes the release of theine in the infusion.

You can find the black tea on sale by clicking HERE.

The chai tea.

Also called Masala chai, is a typical drink of South India. It is composed of a mixture of tea, spices and aromatic herbs. The traditional version of Masala chai uses so-called hot spices: cardamom, cloves, pepper, star anise, ginger and cinnamon.

The official English preparation is served with fresh cold milk and sugar. From this drink, was born the dispute between the Chinese and the English for the sovereignty of tea.

In the beginning, Britain consumed only Chinese tea. But then they found out that in India it was not so popular then that grew very easily. They decided to open plantations in colonial India. This is where chai tea was born.

White tea.

White tea is considered the most refined, and instead of whole leaves, only the softest buds are plucked, where the plant sends the most nutrients.

These shoots or buds (still unopened) are covered with a white hair that covers the leaf from its birth (which gives the name to this variety).

It is harvested by hand for only a few days each spring. Then, thanks to a controlled ventilation, the leaves are withered and dried. It is mainly produced in China, in the high mountains of the Fujian province

You can find the white tea on sale by clicking HERE.

Rooibos tea

Rooibos does not come from the tea tree, but is worth listing in this article.

It is consumed as is because its flavor is very similar and its properties are similar, but it does not contain stimulants (theine). It is therefore a good alternative for children, people sensitive to theine or for night-time infusions.

The rooibos (scientific name aspalathus linearis) is a plant of South African origin. Its name in Afrikaans means “red bush”. This is why its infusion is also called “South African red tea”. But it should not be confused with the red Pu-erh tea, which comes from China and the tea plant.

You can find rooibos tea on sale by clicking HERE.

Blue tea.

Oolong tea, blue tea or semi-fermented tea, is a variety halfway between green tea and black tea. The term “halfway” is used because black tea is fermented and green tea is unfermented.

Oolong tea is a tea whose fermentation has been interrupted during the process. It is originally from Fujian China or Taiwan

Oolong teas from China have a shorter fermentation and the result is lighter, with vegetal flavors, more similar to green teas.

Taiwanese blue teas have a longer fermentation time (up to 70%), which results in darker, fruitier teas, more like black teas.

Yellow tea.

Yellow tea or Huang da cha, is between white and green. It is obtained by a short fermentation process that is slowed down by dry heat so that the leaves become a little yellow.

However, its name is not due to that, but to the fact that at the beginning it was only intended for the consumption of the imperial family, whose color is yellow.

It is as translucent as white, but with a slight yellowish color. Its taste is also between white and green, but its smell reminds more of black.

You can find the Yellow Tea on sale by clicking HERE.

Kukicha tea.

Also called three year old tea, stick tea or winter tea. It is a blend of teas made from petioles, stems and twigs of bancha tea. It is a common variety of Japanese green tea.

This tea has a unique flavor and aroma. This is due to the use of parts of the tea plant such as stems, which are normally excluded from blends.

Its properties are basically the same as those of green tea, as it comes from the same plant. However, it seems that the stems have the additional property of helping the acidity of the stomach.

Lapsang Souchong tea.

Also called fukienese, from its Chinese name. It is a black tea from Zheng Shan, a part of Mount Wuyi, in the province of Fujian, China.

It is a tea made from leaves smoked with pine wood, more precisely pine thorns. It is generally cultivated in altitudes.

According to Chinese legends, this tea appeared during the Qing Dynasty. When the military had halted the leaf drying process, the manufacturers decided to try to speed up production by drying the leaves over a pine wood fire.

It has a strong taste and a color similar to red tea but more translucent. It has less stimulants, since the buds are used like white tea.

Due to its heat drying, it loses a lot of its theine but gives off a smoky aroma. It is used in drink but also in cooking for its flavor that recreates the smoking.

You can find Lapsang Souchong tea on sale by clicking HERE

11) Blue Pea Tea.

This tea is very special, because it comes from a liana that gives blue flowers called Clitoria Ternatea. It owes its name to the shape of its flower and its pistil. It is a plant which belongs to the family of fabaceae.

This blue pea flower is used in salads when fresh. Its flavor is slightly sweet and very pleasant.

Blue pea flower tea is famous for its blue color. Used in Asia to color certain dishes. The blue tends to be purple depending on the PH. Thus, by adding a little lemon in your infusion you will obtain astonishing colors.

You will find the Blue Pea Flower Tea on sale by clicking HERE

The last word.

We hope you enjoyed this article. Of course there is much more to say about tea.

You will find in our store our collection on the world of tea. You will find all kinds of teapots, tea accessories and of course tea.

As always, each product sheet is a wealth of information and we invite you to browse this collection by clicking HERE.

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• If this article on tea has given you some new knowledge, I encourage you to check out our next chapter on the Boho movement. Otherwise, you will find many practical information in our other articles of our Gazette by clicking HERE, see you soon.