Tea, for body and mind

Tea, for body and mind

Setting in time
Tea comes from China and there are over 5000 years drunk. From China, went to tea on the Japanese culture and later in Portugal (1559). Until the 18th century tea was established in our society.

Location in the world
The tea bush, which was formerly a wild plant, thrives in a tropical or subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 18 ° and never frost, usually on mountain slopes. Also Sun (at least four hours per day) and rainfall (about 1600 liter per year) are two important factors for this shrub. Besides meteorological factors, the soil is very important and the extent to which this plant grows, at altitude, the best quality found.

Processing
A tea plant is already four years old before harvesting can begin. It is a carefully wer usually done by women. When harvesting, pick a young one leaf bud and two leaves below it young. Because it is so delicate, it is best to manually although large quantities needed: for a kilo of tea has been four pounds of fresh leaves needed. Although the harvest throughout the year can, the dry season is the best monsoon. The processing of tea, done immediately after harvest to no loss in flavor and quality to suffer. First, in allowing the leaves fresh lenses by them until 18 hours in some heated air to explain. This leaves the loss of one third of their moisture and are flexible for further processing. Then the leaves are rounded and crushed under pressure making them the rest of their fluid losses. Then put the tea into a room with a temperature of about 25 ° C several hours in which the fermentation takes place. This fermentation is a reaction with oxygen making tea gets its color and aroma. As a final step, the dried tea.

Black tea
Black tea, which in Chinese is actually red tea, is characterized by a heavy oxidation. This makes the tea stronger and makes it more caffeine (in relation to tea often called theine, but is this really the same). Although caffeine is often negative connotations because it is quite toxic (lethal to 10 grams) and is not recommended in young children and people with an alcohol or drug abuse history, this component also has a positive aspect. Caffeine causes reaction and vigilance when driving increases, helping the short-term memory and would have a protective effect on Alzheimer.

Green Tea
This tea is often used in slimming methods. The leaves of green tea which is to ensure that water is excreted in fat cells, provides a reduction of fat intake and the number of calories contained and provides a better metabolism. Also, this condition loss by tea. The antioxidants in green tea, this is particularly beneficial in reducing arthritis, helps to fight heart disease and could even have a positive impact on cancer patients. Because of these effects, green tea is also available in tablet form.

Beneficial effects of tea

* Tea contains an amount of fluoride, which is good for the teeth (if you drink the tea without sugar albeit) and the bones.
* The anti-oxidants ensure that we are less sick
* Tannins in tea provide a rustgevendend effect on digestion. It is a good idea for an after dinner drink tea bag
* Caffeine in tea by the tannins contained later than coffee, but is also more
* Tea contains almost no calories


What is not tea
Herbal Infusions contain no tea leaves so that no tea should be called. Examples are, Chamomile, Rooibos, licorice, mint tea, ... Although we do not include the healing effects of tea to enjoy themselves, these herbs have positive effects on many body and mind.