Tea is an essential element in the daily lives of countless individuals worldwide, making it difficult to envision a life devoid of this beverage. To illustrate, consider visiting a Chinese restaurant and not being served the customary hot tea with your dim sum order.
Tea was originally a luxury reserved for the wealthy, who debated its health effects. However, it eventually became popular among all households and gained acknowledgment for its beneficial health impact.
Contrary to popular belief, the roots of tea consumption can be traced back to China instead of Britain. The ancient narrative originated in China over 5,000 years ago. As the legend goes, Shen Nung, an early emperor known for his wisdom and support for the arts, was also a skilled scientist. One of his groundbreaking decrees was that all drinking water should be boiled as a precautionary step to maintain cleanliness.
During a visit to a distant region of his realm, the Emperor and his court took a break to rest. The servants began boiling water for the court’s consumption as instructed by the Emperor. Unfortunately, dried leaves from a nearby bush accidentally dropped into the boiling water, causing it to turn into a brown liquid. As an inquisitive scientist, the Emperor became intrigued by this unexpected occurrence and decided to sample the new liquid. To his delight, he found it remarkably revitalizing.
Legend has it that tea was invented, and mythologists saw a strong connection between the narrative and real-life occurrences. Tea started gaining popularity in the late nineteenth century, particularly among women, turning into a favored pastime.
Although tea was mainly consumed at home, it was a popular option for breakfast across different social classes. Wealthy individuals would often have tea with a grand selection of bread, toast, cold meats, pies, eggs, or fish. Conversely, poorer families would typically start their day with a cup of tea accompanied by bread, butter, and maybe porridge.
Tea was consumed regularly throughout the day, demonstrating its versatility in being paired with any meal. Historically, tea was the predominant beverage in coffee houses. Interestingly, tea got its name because coffee had arrived in Britain before tea did. Furthermore, tea used to be quite expensive as England controlled the tea market.
Only wealthy individuals could afford to indulge in its opulence. The accessibility of this beverage to the general public emerged when the Chinese acquired the knowledge of cultivating these herbs. Tea became a spectator to the ongoing revolution, while witnessing the birth of free speech facilitated by these coffee houses.
In the past, tea merchants held dominion over the black market as a result of the high value placed on this widely consumed beverage. Tea played an observant role in the unfolding events surrounding it. With its increasing popularity, a larger number of individuals became engaged in cultivating and revolutionizing the practice of tea consumption, resulting in the emergence of diverse tea varieties.
With an increasing number of merchants competing in the tea market, some merchants started sending samples in small bags to coffee houses. These bags were then used by coffee houses to steep tea, preventing kitchen messes and the mixing of tea leaves with water while drinking. This practice gave birth to the tradition of using tea bags when indulging in a cup of tea.
Various coffee houses have introduced different drinks to compete in the market. As a result, chai tea and iced tea have gained popularity among people. These concoctions vary depending on the location and weather, playing a significant role in satisfying the consumers. For example, in the Philippines, a tropical country, iced tea is preferred over hot tea due to the humid climate and its refreshing taste.
Previously, the market only offered bottled sodas and juices. However, numerous companies recognized the demand for bottled tea and entered the market. Different cultures have their own ways of consuming tea. Now, we can consider tea as a popular everyday beverage, enjoyed by everyone not only for refreshment but also for its health benefits.
There is global consensus on the extensive health advantages of tea consumption, with researchers acknowledging its undeniable positive effects on the body. Drinking a pot of tea every day offers efficient protection against heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other illnesses. The abundant antioxidants in tea effectively safeguard the body’s cells from harm.
Tea has the potential to improve overall health and prevent diseases due to its antioxidants. It also contains fluoride, which helps maintain dental well-being by eliminating bacteria, controlling bad breath, and preventing plaque formation. Although tea can cause teeth stains, dentists do not consider it harmful in the long term. Testimonials from supporters of tea’s positive effects suggest that it may be beneficial for heart disease patients.
According to the Journal of the American Heart Association (2001), green tea has potential in preventing esophageal cancer. Harvard Medical School (2004) suggests that both green and black tea might slow down prostate cancer progression. UCLA’s School of Medicine (2004) proposes that drinking green tea could potentially decrease the risk of colon, stomach, and skin cancer. Moreover, a study by UCLA School of Public Health (2001) indicates that green and oolong teas can reduce hypertension risk.
(National Cheng Kung University, 2004)* According to the National Academy of Sciences in 2003*, tea from the National Cheng Kung University in 2004 is believed to enhance the immune system. The Mayo Clinic also reported in 2004* that a compound found in green tea can effectively eliminate leukemia cells. Additionally, Newcastle University discovered in 2004 that tea consumption may potentially delay Alzheimer’s Disease. As health and social responsibility continue to gain importance in food and drink choices, numerous teas have been introduced to the market.
Tea, derived from drying and processing leaves of the camellia sinensis plant species, ranks as the second most popular beverage globally after water. It is important to distinguish herbal teas and infusions made from dried flowers and herbs instead of actual teas.
There are four main types of tea: white, green, black, and oolong. White tea is produced from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant and goes through a distinctive processing method. It is the least common among the four choices. In contrast to other teas, white tea experiences minimal processing that results in a flavor closely reminiscent of fresh leaves or grass.
Green tea, derived from processed herb leaves, is a well-liked type of tea. It contains the least amount of caffeine and is believed to possess superior antioxidant properties. Its flavor is comparable to that of white tea.
Green tea, black tea, and oolong tea possess varying levels of caffeine. In our nation, certain businessmen favor serving green tea for its invigorating qualities. Despite being difficult to process, oolong tea can be seen as a compromise between green and black teas.
Black tea is the most popular type of tea because it undergoes partial oxidation during processing, distinguishing it from other varieties. Although it has the highest caffeine content, black tea also contains antioxidants, although in smaller amounts than other teas. The way it is prepared also affects its properties.
Iced tea is a well-liked drink in many countries, whether sweetened or unsweetened and flavored with mint or lemon. It originated in China during a hot spell when drinking hot tea was not appealing. To solve this problem, a forward-thinking coffee house came up with the idea of adding ice to the tea, thus creating the refreshing beverage we know today.
The global demand for Chai Tea, a modern way of enjoying tea, is increasing. Comparable to lattes found in coffee and tea establishments, Chai Tea has gained popularity in the western hemisphere. The process entails steeping robust black tea and blending it with a medley of spices, milk, and sugar.
Chai tea recipes typically consist of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, and ginger. Traditionally, chai tea is consumed hot and sweetened to amplify the delicious combination of spices.
