The British custom of drinking tea originated when Catherine of Braganza married Charles II in 1661 and brought the practice of drinking tea in the afternoon with her from Portugal
Tea houses are not very common in Malta and, outside the home, most would opt for a coffee rather than tea. However, at home, we Maltese drink lots and lots of tea - especially in winter. A tea culture is predominant in England while nearly non-existent in Italy. In the Arab World, tea is a focal point for gatherings, while in the Far East tea it is consumed also as a traditional medicine.
There are 4 main groups of teas, namely Black Tea, Green Tea, White Tea and Oolong Tea. These, in fact , are all derived from the same plant, but of course they are processed differently or grown differently (as in the case of the White Tea). There is also the Red Tea (Rooibos) which is not a tea in itself. While Black Tea has been popular for ages, in recent years people have become aware of the benefits of Green Tea and its consumption has grown a lot. On the other hand, in Malta, White Tea is still not very popular and it is not very easy to come by because the demand for it is rather poor. However, White Tea is nowadays considered superior to Green Tea in terms of health benefits and thus awareness of this tea is growing.
In my opinion, all tea drinkers should opt for an organic variety of tea. This in order to reduce the intake of harmful chemicals while enjoying a good, tasty sip. Those who claim that organic tea costs more than non-organically grown teas should do their homework well - it does not! Also, all tea drinkers should go for fair-trade teas. This is because, unfortunately, there is still a lot of child labour around the world, and this applies especially to countries where tea is grown. Fair-trade teas ensure that child labour was not resorted to in order to produce that good tea, while also ensuring that the growers have received their fair share of the money that we eventually pay to buy our tea.
When it comes to brewing tea, the size of the tea bag could not be more important. Clipper Teas use a bigger tea bag size to allow the tea leaves to uncurl, circulate and infuse to produce the best possible cup of tea. Also, since Clipper Teas are organic, the tea bags are not bleached.
Black Tea
Tea without milk contains no calories. Using semi-skimmed milk adds around 13 calories per cup, but you also benefit from valuable minerals and callories. Tea with milk provides 21% of daily calcium requirement in 4 cups. Black tea contains some zinc and folic acid and is a source of the minerals manganese, essential for bone growth and body development, and potassium, vital for maintaining body fluid levels.
The average cup of tea contains less than half the level of caffeine than coffee. One cup contains only 50mg per 190ml cup.
Black Tea is a natural source of fluoride and drinking four cups makes a significant contribution to your daily intake. Varieties of black tea include the English Breakfast Tea and the Earl Grey Tea. English Breakfast Tea is the standard tea found in tea shops and traditionally used in British homes. It is considered to be an ‘elite’ tea. It is either drunk on its own or blended with milk, and sometimes sugar is added.
Earl Grey Tea was named after the 2nd Earl Charles Grey, a British Prime Minister in the 1830s. According to a legend, a grateful Chinese mandarin presented this particular blend of tea to the Earl to show his appreciation for saving his son from drowning. This black tea has the additional taste of citrus and oil of Bergamot. Most of the times it is drunk on its own - however some prefer to add milk as well.
Green Tea
Green Tea is known for its anti-cancer properties. Numerous studies suggest that green tea protects against a range of cancers, including lung, prostate and breast cancer. The reason cited is the antioxidant Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG). The Oxford Life Science Journal, for example, quotes a study which shows that Green Tea has the capacity of suppressing breast cancer growth.
Green Tea ncreases the metabolic rate. Clinical trials conducted by the University of Geneva in Switzerland indicate that Green Tea raises metabolic rates and speeds up fat oxidation. In addition to caffeine, Green Tea contains Catechin polyphenols that raise thermogenesis (the rate at which calories are burned), and hence increases energy expenditure. There is also a suggestion that it can increase endurance in exercise by improving fat metabolism.
Epidemiological evidence also exists indicating that drinking Green Tea may help prevent diabetes, although it is worth noting that future studies are needed to confirm the effect.
Greeh Tea is thought to boost the immune system and aid mental alertness. The amino acid L-theanine, found almost exclusively in the tea plant, actively alters the attention networks of the brain, according to results of human trials announced in September 2007. John Foxe, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience, biology and psychology at City College of the City University of New York, found that Theanine is absorbed by the small intestine and crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it affects the brain's neurotransmitters and increases alpha brain-wave activity. The result is a calmer, yet more alert, state of mind. The tea is also thought to lower the chances of cognitive impairment. A 2006 study showed that elderly Japanese people who consumed more than 2 cups of Green Tea a day had a 50 percent lower chance of having cognitive impairment, in comparison to those who drank fewer than 2 cups a day, or who consumed other tested beverages. This is probably due to the effect of EGEC, which penetrates the blood-brain barrier.
Other studies indicate yet more advantages when the consumption of Green Tea is high. A 2006 study published in the September 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded "Green tea consumption is associated with reduced mortality due to all causes and due to cardiovascular disease ..." A study, conducted by the Tohoku University School of Public Policy in Japan, followed 40,530 Japanese adults, ages 40-79, with no history of stroke, coronary heart disease, or cancer at baseline beginning in 1994, showed that participants in the clinical trials who consumed 5 or more cups of tea per day had a 16 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 26 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than participants who consumed less than one cup of tea per day. The study concludes that "If Green Tea does protect humans against CVD or cancer, it is expected that consumption of this beverage would substantially contribute to the prolonging of life expectancy, given that CVD and cancer are the two leading causes of death worldwide."
In May 2006, researchers at Yale University School of Medicine weighed in on the "Asian paradox," which refers to lower rates of heart disease and cancer in Asia despite high rates of cigarette smoking. They theorized that the 1.2 liters of green tea that is consumed by many Asians each day provides high levels of polyphenols and other antioxidants. These compounds may work in several ways to improve cardiovascular health, including preventing blood platelets from sticking together, and improving cholesterol levels. Specifically, green tea may prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the "bad" type), which, in turn, can reduce the buildup of plaque in arteries, the researchers wrote.
Finally, another study found that Green Tea may reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis whilst a German study found that an extract of Green Tea and hot water (filtered), applied externally to the skin for 10 minutes, three times a day could help people with skin damaged from radiation therapy (after 16-22 days).
White Tea
Antioxidants are present in White Tea. Antioxidants are nutrients which protect the body from damage by free radicals. Free radicals are nasty molecules that go around wreaking havoc on your body, damaging DNA and accelerating aging. Antioxidants scoop them up and neutralize them.White Tea is loaded with these protective nutrients. For this reason, White Tea may have profound power against cancer-causing cells and against many different types of cancer, such as colon, prostate, and stomach cancers. Flavonoids, a class of antioxidants, inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent the development of new ones. In some cases, White Tea has been found to work as well as prescription drugs, but without the side effects.
Studies show that White Tea can thin the blood and improve artery function. It helps lower high blood pressure and maintains a healthy one. By promoting strong and healthy blood vessels, White Tea guards against the ravages of stroke. Catechins, another group of antioxidants, have been found to reduce cholesterol, and White Tea is teeming with them. Cholesterol is a special type of fat and is necessary for health. There is "good cholesterol" and "bad cholesterol", and White Tea increases the good while decreasing the bad. This helps prevent hardening of the arteries and blockage of blood flow. By thinning the blood, lowering blood pressure, and reducing cholesterol, White Tea protects the heart and the entire circulatory system. Researchers have also discovered that people who drink 2 or more cups of tea a day are almost 50% less likely to die after suffering a heart attack. White tea is truly a remarkable heart tonic.
Other studies have found that people who drank tea regularly had greater bone density and strength than non-drinkers. White tea may also have beneficial effects for sufferers of arthritis and osteoporosis.
On a different note, White Tea is a natural killer of bacteria and viruses. The antioxidants so abundant in White Tea tone up the entire immune system, providing protection against a variety of invaders and a wide range of diseases. Its helps guard against the common cold and flu.
White tea also contains small amounts of fluoride and other nutrients which keeps the teeth strong and healthy. It also kills the bacteria which cause plaque, tooth decay, and bad breath. Also, with these same antioxidants scavenging free radicals in the skin (from staying out in the sun too long, stress, and a poor diet), White Tea protects the skin and helps to reverse some of the damage. Drinking white tea promotes healthy and radiant skin.
White Tea may reduce blood sugar and help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of diabetes. It reduces stress and increases energy.
White tea may or may not aid in weight-loss. Studies suggest white tea may increase metabolism and encourage the body to burn more fat, but a balanced diet and regular exercise are more likely to produce results. Still, adding White Tea to your weight-loss plan can't hurt.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea requires a very elaborate production method that produces a complex flavour combining elements of green and black teas. Oolong Tea contains a considerable amount of polyphenols, which have been found to be powerful antioxidants, that may reduce cholesterol and the formation of free radicals. Oolong tea has been used in China for over 400 years as used as an aid to slimming. It is the most popular tea served in Chinese restaurants.
Basically Oolong Tea is full of antioxidants that help boost the metabolism and dissolve triglycerides. Apart from this, the polyphenols in Oolong Tea are apparently effective in controlling obesity. It is also very effective in preventing tooth decay.
Rooibos
The last in our list of teas, Rooibos contains a high level of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), which can help slow the aging process and boost the immune system. It is very low in tannin levels and contains no colors, additives or preservatives, thus making it an ideal, natural beverage. It also contains no caffeine. This tea contains almost no oxalic acid, making it a good beverage for people prone to kidney stones. It ontains the following minerals: copper, iron and potassium, calcium, fluoride, zinc, manganese, alpha-hydroxy (for healthy skin) & magnesium (for the nervous system).
According to studies conducted in South Africa and Japan, Rooibos has been shown to aid in health problems such as insomnia, irritability, headaches, nervous tension, and hypertension. Studies also show that this tea contains anti - spasmodic agents, which can relieve stomach cramping and colic in infants. In South Africa Rooibos has been used to treat allergies such as hay fever, asthma and eczema very effectively. It is also used to treat irritated skin and, in this case, Rooibos is brewed and placed directly on any infected areas.
Rooibos is a great thirst quencher and is an excellent beverage for active people, including children. Most kids will drink Rooibos without added sugar or sweeteners
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This article was compiled after reading a variety of informative web-sites:
www.oolongtea.org
www.clipper-teas.com
www.birtandtang.co.uk
www.rooibosltd.co.za
www.rooibos.com
www.tea.co.uk
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