Leaf tea: varieties and subtleties of choice
The most common drink in the world is tea. There is no such people who would deny themselves the pleasure of enjoying its taste and aroma. There are many types and varieties of tea drink, however, loose leaf tea occupies a leading position among all their diversity.
Peculiarities
Most people cannot imagine their life without tea drinking. Before work, at work, at home, with friends, in a cafe, wherever a person is, he will definitely drink a cup of hot, invigorating leaf tea during the day. It can be large-leaf, medium-leaf and small-leaf in size. The tea plant itself does not have a variety of species. The different size of a tea leaf is reached by its technological processing.
When the crop is harvested, the tea leaves are dried. As a result of this process, the leaf becomes drier. After that, all tea leaves are rolled, fermented and dried. As a result of such technological transformations, teas of different colors are obtained. They can be black, as well as green or red drinks.
There are rare tea leaves that have white or yellow leaves. All of them differ in the degree of usefulness for the human body, as well as in the ability to have a beneficial effect on the fight against microbes and pathogenic bacteria.
One or another drink should be consumed in moderation, because oversaturation of the body with substances that are part of the tea drink can adversely affect the functioning of individual organs. An important point is the ability to properly brew a tea leaf. This will make it possible to preserve all the useful components in it and not harm the body.
Kinds
Leaf tea plant according to the country of cultivation and production of the finished product is divided into three main types. It may be the Chinese version. Its category includes teas from Japan (“Sencha”, “Bancha”), Vietnamese (Kim Ahn), Georgia (“Bouquet of Georgia”, “Extra”).
Teas grown in India ("Assam", "Darjeeling"), Indonesia (Tea Terra) and Africa ("Rooibos", "Honeybush") are classified as Assamese. There is a third category of teas. This is a Cambodian group. It includes the two previous categories. This tea is grown in Indochina.
The largest amount of this plant from the world supply is grown in Sri Lanka. This is a very tasty Ceylon leaf and granulated tea.
Green tea drink is the patrimony of Japan. She is engaged in its export to the countries of the world. African black tea is grown in Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Popular teas from the UK (Lipton, Ahmad tea).
Black leaf and green leaf drinks are the most common and most commonly used for drinking. Green tea drink contains many useful substances that improve metabolic processes in the human body, and have a beneficial effect on its mental activity.
It also removes a huge amount of toxins from the body, improves the functional abilities of the liver and stomach. Unlike black tea, its processing is not such a multi-stage procedure.It is not subjected to fermentation, but only drying is carried out.
The tart taste of the black tea drink and its dark color is achieved through a technical processing that includes several stages. It is vigorously fermented and dried. Black, as well as a green leaf, has an effect on the removal of toxins, toxins and harmful substances from the body. In addition to the qualities of green tea, black tea also enhances blood circulation and has a positive effect on the functioning of blood vessels (expands them) and helps to get rid of spasms.
Red leaf tea contains a huge amount of potassium. To increase the pressure in people suffering from hypotension, it is very useful. Just like black and green, it has a beneficial effect on the human body, has an antipyretic effect in case of colds and helps to strengthen the cardiovascular system. It is collected early in the day, then dried and fermented for 24 hours.
Yellow tea drink removes a lot of toxins from the human body.
The most expensive in terms of cost and very sensitive to its processing and storage is the white tea leaf. It is divided into several varieties. It is not subjected to fermentation, but only dried and then dried. When this leaf is brewed, the aroma of the tea resembles that of a bouquet of wildflowers.
It is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols. These components not only fight viral infections in the human body, but are also capable of destroying cancer cells. White tea drink has long been considered an expensive drink. It has no equal among other teas in terms of healing properties. This is an elite drink.
Variety and tea packaging
The tea leaf can be of the highest grade, medium grade, low grade tea.The latest teas include a crushed product that looks like tea dust. Also, low-grade drinks can be sold in bags.
The packaged version contains a large amount of tannins. It is very strong when brewed. Manufacturers often add various plants (leaves of trees) and flavors to the tea bag. Also, a sheet whose expiration date has expired can be used for production. As a result of prolonged use of tea bags, metabolic disorders in the body are possible.
High-grade tea bags are expensive, and their packaging in the form of tea bags will necessarily be made of rayon or nylon. Also, each bag is packed in an envelope, which prevents the tea from drying out from light exposure.
Thus, if you like tea bags, then pay attention to its price and packaging. A quality drink will not be cheap.
Granular is a crushed leaf tea produced mainly in India. The tea leaf is processed in special machines that cut it into small pieces. During processing, the sheet is twisted. It becomes the size of a granule.
The basis of such tea is not only individual leaves, but also a tea branch. The production technology makes it possible to obtain an almost waste-free product, since most of the tea tree is recyclable.
Tea in granules is made from medium varieties of tea trees. After processing, the useful properties are partially lost, but basically the finished product does not lose its quality characteristics. Its color is saturated. It has a pleasant tart taste.It contains caffeine in its composition, which makes it possible to acquire a state of cheerfulness after drinking tea.
Manufacturers believe that loose tea prevails over granular tea. It contains much more useful vitamin substances, it is endowed with a better aroma, and the ability to be brewed more than once. Tea in granules differs in price, it is lower. It takes much less time to brew.
With additives
Any leafy drink may contain various herbal or fruit additives. Such teas are called "Phyto". As an additional material, essential oils and flavors, berries and fruits (drying), herbs are used. Teas with the addition of rose petals, bergamot or jasmine-containing drinks are very popular.
Herbal teas are used as medicinal drinks that have a positive effect on the treatment of various ailments. The herbs added to their composition can be different in their healing properties. These are herbs such as:
- St. John's wort and chamomile;
- currant, wild rose and oregano;
- mint, thyme, hawthorn and others.
All of them are nutritious and healthy, without caffeine and contain high amounts of antioxidants.
How to make the right choice?
In specialized stores selling tea leaves, you can buy quality goods. A high price for a 100-gram package will indicate the naturalness of the product and the quality. However, if you yourself want to buy good tea, then you need to pay attention to a number of points. Choosing tea for its taste, color, and aroma is not difficult.
The main component of tea of high and medium quality is its packaging and expiration date. Leaf high-quality tea is packed mainly in cans.This helps to keep it intact.
The packaging can also be cardboard, but at the same time it is covered with a protective film with the top layer. The tea itself in the box is additionally wrapped in foil. Each package has a packaging date.
Quality tea cannot be packaged more than two years ago. This is the storage limit. The best leaf tea plant is considered to be packaged in the same period as the harvest period.
The place of packaging has a great influence on the cost. If it was packaged in the same place where it was assembled, then its price will differ significantly upwards.
International labeling is of great importance in the choice of tea. Each package has its own. For example, the letter F on the package indicates that the product is made from slightly blossoming tea buds and belongs to the highest grade.
The letters OR (orange pekoe) symbolize that the sheet in the package is large. The low price of a tea leaf may indicate the quality of the product, shelf life and additives in the composition. Therefore, if you want to drink high-quality tea, then treat the choice with due attention.
How to brew?
Before brewing, you should prepare a special dish - a small teapot. Boil water in a kettle and rinse the teapot with hot water. After that, pour 2-3 tablespoons of tea into it. Then you need to boil the water in the kettle again and pour the contents of the teapot with boiling water. Cover it with a lid and a clean cloth or small kitchen towel for 5-6 minutes. After tea is poured into cups and enjoy the taste.
The color scheme of the finished drink can be of various shades, it can be light and have a rich color. Black tea is bitter, while green leaf tea is bitter.Green tea is light, and red takes on the shade of autumn maple leaves.
Expert advice
Companies involved in the cultivation and production of tea products have a wealth of experience in this area.
When you have a choice: to buy Ceylon leaf or Ceylon granulated tea, it is best to give preference to the first. This is a more nutritious and high-quality, finished product.
The brewing time for green tea leaves is different from the brewing time for black tea leaves. When preparing green tea brewing, it is recommended to drain the first water and brew again. At the first brewing, the leaves are thoroughly washed with boiling water and opened. Having brewed the leaf for the second time, you can enjoy the beneficial components of tea.
It is best to store tea leaves at home in a special container with a lid (porcelain ware). This will prevent the penetration of sunlight and shrinkage of the tea leaf, and also protect it from moisture.
Black tea leaves can only be black. If the leaves differ in color (they are grayish or with a brown tint), then the quality of such a tea leaf is low. What kind of drink to drink, and in what packaging to buy it, each buyer decides for himself.
The main thing is to enjoy the process of tea drinking and get the maximum amount of vitamins for your body to work.
For information on how to choose the right tea, see the video below.