Tea’s journey has been a remarkable one, originating in China over 4,700 years ago.
Since then, it has traveled the world and become an integral part of many cultures—from Britain to Japan. It’s no wonder that today tea is savored by millions on every continent as the second most popular beverage after water!
Tea has been an important part of the human experience for centuries and its popularity does not appear to be declining. The three main varieties – green, black, and oolong – offer distinctly unique drinking experiences that keep tea enthusiasts coming back for more!
The Science of Tea – It’s All in the Chemistry
So, have you ever wondered what makes one type of tea different from the other? It all comes down to chemistry! Specifically, oxidation – a chemical reaction that happens when something is exposed to oxygen or another oxidizing substance – plays an important role in creating unique colors and flavors for each blend. For example, if a slice of apple is left laying on a plate it will turn brown. This is caused by oxidation. Likewise, exposure levels can alter teas from light greenish-yellow hues to deep reds for black varieties.
Now that we know the science behind tea, let’s explore this exciting realm! Teas are all made from Camellia sinensis – an evergreen shrub native to China and India. What about herbal teas? Well, herbal teas aren’t actually ‘tea’; they’re tisanes which are blends or infusions of fruit, flowers, spices, or herbs in water. This article will only focus on true Tea – such as those brewed with leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Which One is Your Cup of Tea?
With hundreds of blends available on the market today, there are three main types of tea. Black tea, Green tea, and Oolong tea. Each of these teas is unique because each type of tea will have entirely different flavors and colors.
Black tea: Black tea is a beloved brew around the world, with many sipping it in place of coffee or other beverages. In fact, this popular type of tea accounts for an impressive 85% of total consumption in western countries! Black tea is made from tea leaves that have been oxidized for the longest of all the types of tea, it is sometimes called “fully oxidized”. The long oxidization times are what give it a stronger, more robust flavor and darker color.
Green tea is made from tea leaves that have been very minimally processed which results in a lower amount of oxidization. Some green tea varieties are pan-fired or steamed to stop the oxidation process, allowing the tea leaves to retain their green color, which results in a lighter flavor and greenish-yellow color.
Oolong tea is a semi-oxidized tea made from tea leaves that have been oxidized for a shorter time than those used for black tea. This results in a tea that is between black tea and green tea in both flavor and color.
The Health Benefits of Drinking Tea Might Astound You!
Black Tea – A study conducted by the National Cancer Institute in the UK over the course of 11 years found that people who drink two or more cups of Black tea per day had a 9% to 13% lower risk of death from any cause than those who did not drink any Black tea. Higher consumption of Black tea was also associated with a lower risk of death from specific causes such as cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/press-releases/2022/health-benefits-black-tea
Green tea – Because Green tea has undergone less processing than other types of tea green tea may contain higher levels of antioxidants and be more beneficial to health than other types of tea.
Two large studies have recently been completed in Japan. In one study 40.000 adults were followed over an 11-year period. The study focused primarily on the link between polyphenols(antioxidants) in green tea and a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study concluded that daily consumption of five cups or more a day of green tea does lower the risks of these diseases. The second study followed more than 82.000 participants for 13 years, this study concluded that people who drink a minimum of 4 cups of green tea per day had a lower risk of stroke than those who either drank less than 4 cups or did not drink tea at all.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-green-tea
Oolong tea – Oolong tea is a powerful elixir for overall health, as research has revealed it to be more effective than both green and black tea when it comes to its antioxidant and antimutagenic properties. Furthermore, regular consumption of oolong can aid in preventing type 2 diabetes by effectively lowering blood sugar levels and reducing insulin resistance.
Oolong tea has a wealth of health benefits, including reducing artery-thickening triglycerides and cholesterol levels. This can in turn reduce your risk for cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and heart attacks that are linked to high-fat levels.
Oolong tea can be a delicious and powerful ally in the fight against obesity. Recent studies have revealed that it could help reduce body fat while also ramping up metabolism, leading to an enhanced calorie burn of 3.4%. Making this traditional beverage part of your daily routine might just make all the difference!
Oolong tea is rich in L-theanine, an amino acid with powerful cognitive benefits. Studies demonstrate it increases brain activity and sleep quality while reducing stress levels – plus the antioxidants provide additional protection against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Oolong tea is a powerful source of health- and wellness-promoting vitamins, minerals, and fluoride – all important for dental hygiene. Studies have linked oolong to protection against cavities, tooth loss prevention, as well as oral cancer reduction!
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-oolong-tea
In Conclusion:
Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or just getting started on your tea journey, tea tasting can be an amazing experience to explore the various flavors. Enjoy trying out different types of tea and learning how they differ in taste! Ultimately, all three types of tea – black, green, and oolong – have numerous health benefits. They are rich in antioxidants that can reduce your risk for many common diseases, as well as improve cognitive performance and oral hygiene. Therefore, drinking tea on a regular basis is an easy and delicious way to keep your body healthy and functioning optimally. Enjoy a cup of tea today and reap the many benefits it has to offer!
