Do you currently feel bloated? There is tea for that. Can’t shake off your stress? There is tea for that. Want an energy boost? There is tea for that. Need immune support? There is tea for that. I have a sore throat? There is tea for that. Want a new morning ritual? There is tea for that. stop thereSo yes, there is tea (or many) for every occasion and ailment.Today we take a deep dive into all things black tea. Specifically, is black tea good for you, the benefits of black tea, and how to supercharge. your kappa.
featured image Riley Reid.
What is black tea?
It may be known as English breakfast, early gray, sweet tea or iced tea. What do they all have in common? Made with black tea.Red tea, or black tea as many of us know it, is the most widely consumed tea in the West. Black tea leaves are the most oxidized of all tea types. pick-me-up!), and strong flavor.
Tea: a lesson in history
tea history Qing dynastyIn 1610 the Dutch brought it to Europe. Demand for tea soared in the 1700s as England increased sugar imports. By 1800, an Englishman was consuming about 3 pounds of tea and he 17 pounds of sugar per person each year. Thanks to sugar, the market for strong black tea has exploded. By 1911, black tea had become the most popular tea sent to Europe and America, and Qimen tea is one of Europe’s most famous black teas. Fun Fact: This tea is known as the ‘Queen of Tea’ and is a favorite of the British royal family.
How is tea processed?
Believe it or not, all teas are made from the same plant. From oolong tea to black tea, all caffeinated varieties are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. So what makes black tea different from other types of tea? How it is processed. Black tea leaves are fully (or mostly) oxidized before being heat treated and dried. When they are oxidized, the oxygen interacts with the cell walls of tea plants. This causes the leaves to turn a darker, richer color. These are some of the colors that black tea is famous for. Oxidation also changes the flavor of tea. Halo, malty, fruity and even smoky notes in a mug of tea.
Orthodoxy vs.unorthodox black tea
orthodox processing
This method was originally developed by the Chinese. Whether by hand or by machine, we strive to preserve the integrity of the leaves. This way you can make one batch of tea in one day.
unorthodox processing
This method uses a machine to crush the leaves into small pieces in a time-saving and highly efficient manner. These pieces fit easily into commercial tea bags unlike traditional tea bags. In just a few hours, you can have a finished batch of tea.
Tea naming convention
Before answering your question—Is tea good for you?—Let’s talk about naming conventions. What most of us call “black tea” is known as “tea” (tea) in China. This is based on the reddish color of the brew.But South Africa’s Tisan Rooibos is also often called “red tea”. Adding more confusion to the kettle, there is another type of Chinese tea called “black tea” (heicha). For simplicity, here are the naming conventions for the three teas:
Black tea: The leaves are fully oxidized before roasting, which generally refers to teas with strong flavor, dark color and high tannin content. This is the most widely consumed tea in America and Europe.
Dark tea: It refers to the category of teas that have historically been produced in China and have undergone a secondary fermentation process. Kotobuki/Ripe Pu-erh is the most famous strong tea.
Red tea: It refers to rooibos or honeybush grown in South Africa. They are antioxidant-rich, caffeine-free herbal infusions.
What’s the best way to store tea?
Black tea can be stored for a long time, and its quality improves as it ages. However, caffeine levels tend to naturally decrease over time.Choose a porcelain or glass container on your shelf pantry. Tea absorbs odors easily, so the more airtight the container, the better.
Power up your tea with these superfoods
Although black tea has less caffeine than coffee, it does bring many other key compounds to the table, including L-theanine, an amino acid known to calm the mind. is it? Consider adding these superfoods to your mug of tea.
1. Ghee
For brain food and anti-inflammatory benefits, stir in a spoonful of ghee (preferably grass-fed). Ghee is clarified butter. This means it has minimal lactose (a common cause of dairy allergies).is rich in glycemic friendly fatty acids and vitamin K. This is a delicious alternative to creamer.
2. Coconut oil
Choose coconut oil instead of ghee. Coconut oil contains a type of saturated fat that is easily digested and converted into energy. coconut oil Improves memory, energy levels and digestion.
3. Grass-fed collagen
Collagen is an essential building block for life. But as we age, collagen production slows down. Regularly adding a grass-fed collagen source to your tea can improve the condition of your skin, hair, joints, and gut.
10 health benefits of black tea
So is black tea good for you? Below are 10 health benefits of black tea.whether you’re trying to cut you Whether you’re consuming coffee, creating a daily tea ritual, or just curious about the world of tea, take a sip of these reasons and make tea a part of your lifestyle.
1. Moisturize
That is correct. A popular myth is that tea causes dehydration. the study There is no difference in urine production (or hydration levels) between tea and water. I got
2. Rich in antioxidants
contained in tea Polyphenol— a type of antioxidant. A group of polyphenols such as catechins, theaflavins and thearubigins are the main sources of antioxidants in black tea. All of these can promote overall health, including reducing the risk of chronic disease.
3. May Support Heart Health
Black tea contains another group of antioxidants called flavonoids. Benefits Heart HealthAlong with black tea, you can find flavonoids certain vegetables, fruit and dark chocolate. Studies show that drinking black tea regularly (at least two cups a day) can heart disease risk.
4. Reduces risk of stroke
Stroke (blockage of blood vessels that carry blood to the brain) Second main cause Worldwide, of death. Drinking tea may be one way to reduce your risk of stroke. the study Drinking at least two cups of tea each day has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke by 16% compared to non-tea drinkers.
5. Can extend life
To live a long and healthy life, there are some basic pieces to the puzzle: minimizing stress, getting restful sleep and eating. nutritious food, find fun ways to spend quality time with loved ones and get your body moving. Is it on this list too? drink tea. A recent study found that drinking at least two cups of tea daily reduces the risk of death from any cause by about 13% compared to non-tea drinkers. study.
6. Lowers blood sugar
WARNING—Make sure you don’t throw away 1 teaspoon after adding 1 teaspoon of sugar. Blood glucose level Improves the body’s ability to manage insulin. research Tea has also been shown to improve Blood glucose level straight away Postprandial in normal and prediabetic adults. Can’t you get enough of the bitter taste of black tea? Try whole milk, unsweetened dairy-free milk (such as coconut or almond), or a packet of monk fruit.
7. Generate stable energy
Unlike herbal infusions, tea contains caffeine (about half the amount of coffee). As mentioned earlier, it also contains amino acids called amino acids. L-theanineThese two components help with alertness and concentration. Caffeine by itself can induce more nervous energy, but adding L-theanine to black tea produces a steady, steady type of energy.
8. May Improve Gut Health
We all know that gut health is related to almost every aspect of health. Good news!The polyphenols contained in black tea are effective maintain a healthy gut It promotes the growth of good bacteria and suppresses the growth of bad bacteria.
9. Can lower blood pressure
Unfortunately, high blood pressure can increase your risk for everything from heart and kidney failure to blindness. Fortunately, you can lower your blood pressure by making changes in your diet and lifestyle.a Research review—Examining the effects of black tea on blood pressure—Drinking black tea was found to significantly lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
10. It’s a relaxing ritual
Tea is not only good for the body, but it is also a simple and beautiful ritual. To make tea, first boil water. If you are using store-bought tea bags, simply place the tea bags in your mug and add hot water. If using loose leaf tea, use 2-3 grams of tea leaves for every 6 ounces of water in a strainer.Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on taste preference. Remove the tea leaves or tea bags from the water after steeping. Enjoy with your favorite mug.
Consult your healthcare provider before taking Black tea, especially if you are currently taking blood thinners, iron supplements, or thyroid supplements.
