All tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant.
What makes each tea different is the way it has been processed. Tea can
be placed into 6 groups based on the amount of processing that goes into
the final product.
China Blacks
tea has been a staple in China and Taiwan for more than 2000 years. In
Chinese society there are historical, legendary and religious
connotations associated with tea. The best known China black tea is
Keemun with its rich aroma and complex taste. Keemun if stored properly
will keep for many years.
Yunnan has a very distinctive appearance. The leaf is very tippy with
more than half of the leaf being a light tan color blending into black.
This tea has a full bodied taste with subtle sweetness.
Scented teas from China should not be confused with flavored teas that
get their taste from flavoring oils, waters, and crystals. These teas
are scented using Jasmine flowers, rose petals, and lichee fruit.
Green
Tea
Green tea is from the same plant as (Camellia
sinensis.) as all other teas. After the tea leaves are plucked and
sorted, they are either steamed or pan fried. Green tea does not go
through the oxidation (fermentation) process. Green tea does have less
caffeine than black tea. The leaves are often rolled into different
shapes before drying. Sencha tea is rolled into fine strands, while
gunpowder tea leaves are rolled into pellets. Many Chinese green teas
are painstakingly shaped and tied. Once the leaves are shaped, they are
dried and packaged. Green tea also has HGCG; the most powerful
antioxidant known. This can only be found in green tea.
Oolong tea, like black tea goes through a
withering stage (wilting). The difference is the oolong tea, goes
through a shorter stage and the leaves are fired directly after that to
prevent continued oxidation (fermentation.) The leaves can range from
being almost black to dark green depending on when oxidation is
stopped. The longer the leaves are oxidized the closer to black tea
they will become. Formosa Oolong is an Amber Oolong with a rich amber
cup that is a little toasty tasting.) Se Chung leaves are not allowed to
oxidize as long, so the leaves have a dark green appearance and produce
a light yellow cup with hints of sweetness
White
tea is the least processed tea. The leaves are picked early in the year
while the tiny white hairs are still visible on the leaves and the bud
is still closed. Only the top leaf and a bud are picked from the plant.
The leaves are then allowed to dry in the sun; they are not steamed or
pan-fried.
Jin Xuan Oolong Tee No. 12
250 dried,
rolled leaves
€ 11.50
Directions:
Take 5-6 rolled leaves and blanch them in a small tea pot
of steaming hot water. Wait for the rolled leaves to unroll and then
discard the water. Fill the teapot up again with a second portion of
steaming hot water and let the leaves steep for a while. When the tea
has reached the colour and taste of your liking, take the leaves out of
the teapot and keep them aside for 2 or 3 more uses.
The health benefits of Oolong Tea
an article by Seema Adnani
from
www.organicfacts.net
Health benefits of oolongteainclude
reducing chronic bodily conditions such as heart diseases, inflammatory
disorders, providing vital antioxidants, reducing high cholesterol
levels, promoting superior bone structure, robust skin and good dental
health. Theoolong teais
fragrant with a fruity flavor and tasty aroma. It is considerably low in
caffeine and extremely relaxing to drink.
Health benefits of oolong tea are doubled because of combined qualities
of black teaandgreen
tea. According toTea
AssociationofUSA,
oolong tea falls between green and black teas, as its leaves are only
partially oxidized. There are numerous kinds of tea in this world;
oolong tea being one among them. The origin of oolong tea dates
back to almost 400 years in the history of
China.
It is a semi-green fermented tea. But, the fermentation process is
halted as soon as the tea leaves start to change their color.
Nutritional Value:Tea
is a nature’s gift that is rich in anti-oxidants. It also contains vital
mineralsand
vitamins such ascalcium,manganese,copper,
carotin, selenium, andpotassium,
Vitamin A, B, C, E and K. in addition to folic acids, niacin amide and
other detoxifying alkaloids. Developed in semi-fermented processing, the
oolong tea is rich in numerous polyphenolic compounds, adding value
health benefits of oolong tea.
Benefits:The
various health related benefits of oolong tea are as follows:
Controls
Obesity:The
polyphenol compound found in oolong tea is very effective in
controlling the fat metabolism of the body. It activates certain
enzymes and thus enhances the functions of the fat cells in human
body. Daily consumption of oolong tea can reduce obesity.
Removal of
Harmful Free Radicals:The
polyphenolic compound is also responsible for removal of free
radicals in our body, thus saving us from potential harm that these
free moving cells may pose to the human body.
Treatment of
Skin Disorders:According
to scientific experiments, patients diagnosed witheczemaskin
disorder can benefit from drinking 3 cups of oolong tea 3 times in a
day. The beneficial results of oolong tea could be seen in less than
a week with these patients showing remarkable skin improvement.
Promoting
Good Bone Structure:The
antioxidants present in oolong tea protect the tooth against decay,
strengthens the bone structure and boosts normal healthy growth of
human body.
Treatment of
Diabetes:Oolong
tea is used as an herbal brew for treating type 2 diabetic disorders
and as an appendage to other supplementary drugs for treating the
disease.
Protection
against Cancer:It
is well-known fact that tea drinkers have lower risk of acquiring
skincancer.
Moreover, oolong tea compound polyphenol promotes apoptosis in
stomach related cancerous growth. This polyphenol extract also acts
a chemo-preventive instrument against development of other cancerous
forms.
Stress
Buster:In a
detailed study conducted at theOsaka
Institute for Health Care Science, inJapan,
the experimental mice that were ingested with oolong tea showed a
remarkable improvement in stress levels by more than 10 to 18 %. The
natural polyphenols in the oolong tea is said to be the main stress
buster.
So,
drink several cups of oolong tea in a day, it is best to maintain good
health and also wonderful to taste.
