Types of Tea

China Tea

Tea or cha as it is called in China is not just a beverage; it is part of the Chinese culture. Chinese tea refers to the processing of tea leaves using methods inherited from China.

China is a major tea producing region, and countries all over the world import Chinese tea. China produces hundreds of varieties and styles of tea and categorizes them according to the leaf shape and size and the district name.

History of China Tea

Historians believe that China is the birthplace of tea. The Chinese have been enjoying tea for the past 4,000 years. The use and importance of tea has changed in every dynasty:

- The Han dynasty regarded tea as medicine.

- The Zhou dynasty considered tea as a religious offering.

- The Tang dynasty saw major changes in the use and consumption of tea. Tea was considered as a beverage in this dynasty and tea drinking evolved into an art. The tea leaves were processed and molded as tea bricks. Tea was brewed using a piece from the tea brick and boiling it in water.

- The Song dynasty witnessed significant changes in the production and preparation of tea. Powdered tea became famous in this era. Tea leaves were picked and steamed to preserve their color and fragrance. The leaves were then dried and ground into fine powders. Tea was brewed by adding powdered tea to boiling water. Many forms of white tea were made in this dynasty.

Tea houses served tea and people enjoyed tea at a social and spiritual level. Tea experts were graded depending on the way they conducted the tea drinking ceremony and on the quality of the tea leaves, water, and brewed tea. The art of making ceramic tea pots developed in this period. The Japanese tea culture has its roots from this dynasty.

- The Ming and Ching dynasties brought tea as an everyday beverage in the life of the rich and the poor. Different methods for processing tea leaves originated during this period, and this resulted in the different types of teas such as green tea, black tea, and oolong tea. Tea was brewed using loose tea leaves steeped in hot water.

Varieties of Chinese Tea

Chinese tea includes five different varieties, depending on the way the tea leaves are processed. The varieties include:

- Green tea: the tea leaves undergo minimal oxidation and the leaf color is preserved. The famous green teas from China include the Longjing and the Gunpowder tea from the Zhejiang province, the Xin Yang Mao Jian tea from the Henan province, the Chun Mee tea from the Jiangxi province, and the Da Fang and Hou Kui teas from the Anhui province.

- Black tea: the tea leaves undergo complete oxidation. This tea is referred as the ¨red tea〃 in the Chinese culture. The famous black teas from China are the Lapsang souchong from the Fujian province, the Keemun tea from the Anhui province, the Dian Hong tea from the Yunnan province, and the Ying De Hong tea from the Guangdong Province.

- Oolong tea: referred as the ¨Wulong tea〃 in China. The tea leaves are subjected to 10 to 70% oxidation, somewhere between the black and green tea oxidation. The processing includes wilting, yoaging, rouqing, shaqing, cooling, drying, grading, and packaging. The famous Oolong teas originating from China include the Da Hong Pao tea and the Ti Kuan Yin tea from the Fujian province.

- Compressed tea: is also referred to as tea bricks. Tea bricks are whole or finely ground tea leaves that have been compressed and molded into shapes. Tea bricks were used as a form of currency in China. This type of tea is usually produced in the Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces.

- Scented tea: fragrant flowers are mixed with the tea leaves during processing. The commonly used flowers for scenting are jasmine and magnolia. Jasmine, Pearl Jasmine, and Rose Oolong are the famous scented teas.

Chinese Tea Culture

The Chinese consider tea-drinking as an art. The major aspects of this art include making the tea, the utensils used for tea-brewing, and the occasions on which tea is consumed.

Brewing a cup of China tea involves: 1. Selecting the right tea: Chinese tea is categorized into green, black, oolong, compressed, and scented teas. Xin, Gau, Jun, Xiang, and Jing are the five methods for choosing tea. The Xin method gives importance to fresh tea. The Gan method uses tea leaves with low moisture content. Jun is the style in which you choose leaves of the right thickness and color. Xiang method signifies tea that has soft scented fragrance. The tea should not have a burnt, sour smell. Jing means that the tea should be pure. The best floral teas are free from any foreign substances and have a fresh, pure scent.

2. Selecting the right water: There are different qualities of water, graded according to the origin of water. Certain rivers and mountains in China contain good quality water. The chief among them are Jiang-su-zheu river, Wu-xi-hui mountain, Su-zhou-hu pond, and Hang-zhou pond. You can make good tea from the well and tap water. However, you should avoid water that contains high sodium level.

3. Selecting the right tea ware: Tea making utensils are also important in brewing tea. Chinese tea sets as referred to as tea pots, tea saucers, tea bowls, and tea trays. Selecting the tea set depends on the type of tea. Large ceramic tea pots are used to brew floral teas. Green tea is usually brewed in ceramic tea pots with a lid and served in small cups. Large cups are not used to serve green tea or any tea with fine leaves. If these teas are served in large cups then there would be excess water which would brew the leaves very fast, resulting in discolored leaves. A regular kettle is used to brew the oolong tea.

4. Selecting the correct temperature: Temperature plays an important role to preserve the taste and color of water. Green tea requires boiling to 80 degrees. If you use very hot water, then the color of the tea changes to yellow and it tastes bitter. Black tea and Oolong tea require water boiled to 100 degrees. If the temperature is too low, then the tea is not brewed properly.

Tea is an everyday beverage in the life of the Chinese. However, tea is also used to show respect, as a sign of apology, to connect families on wedding days, and to express gratitude to elders on oneˇs wedding day.

Health Benefits of China Tea

The Chinese have always valued tea for its medicinal properties. The Chinese end their meal with a cup of tea as it aids in digestion. Tea serves as a cure to clear toxics by improving bowel movements and urination. Tea is beneficial for smokers as it discharges nicotine from the body at a faster pace.

Tea contains antioxidants such as Beta-carotene which improve the immune system and help in preventing cancer. The Flavonoid found in tea lowers the risk of heart diseases, improves urination, and increases the metabolic rate. Tea contains fluorine which prevents tooth decay.

Older women consuming tea are 60% less likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Regular tea drinkers are likely to have stronger bones. Tea relaxes the mind and the body.

Chinese green tea contains little caffeine, and this aids in stimulating the blood flow in the body. This tea also gifts you with a younger-looking skin.