What black tea contains: Benefits and harms

For many centuries, the value of black tea has remained quite high.

Around the world, people cannot do without this delicious drink, drinking a cup at work, at home, at a party.

But tea is not only tasty, but also healthy. About the benefits of black tea in this article.

History

The first mention of black tea is found in the myth of Shen-nun, who in Chinese mythology is considered the patron saint of medicine and agriculture.

There is a legend that he swallowed a poisonous plant, but did not get poisoned. He was saved by tea leaves, which he ate after poisoning. They absorbed and removed all the poison from the hero's body.

In addition, annals over three thousand years old were found. They provide the first recipe for the drink. Before that, leaflets were used as food and medicine. By the way, in some regions of China they still do this.

Until the 10th century, black tea was distributed in compressed form. This period was marked by the heyday of tea drinking culture. In privileged Chinese strata, such a process was considered enlightenment for creative minds.

In the 16th century, loose product became fashionable. In Europe, it was only available for important persons. It is worth noting that the cooking method has also changed: the leaves began to be brewed, not boiled.

And already in the XVII century the plant fell into the hands of the first Russian Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov.

The first documentary mention of trade dates back to 1674.

At this time, it was sold in pharmacies as a medicine.

In 1689, regular trade relations were established between Russia and China, and in 1728 the Kyakhtinsky treatise was signed. But due to the fact that the transportation took a huge amount of time, the goods cost colossal money. And you could find it only in Moscow or St. Petersburg.

But in the 19th century, tea traditions began to spread throughout the country, as the cost of a product finally fell.

How to Assemble and Procure

The sheet assembly process takes place both manually and by machine. The first option is used to collect elite varieties: upper leaves and buds. It is labor intensive, but provides high quality.

When mechanically assembled, old leaves and twigs get into the raw materials, which are subsequently removed manually or using special machines.

A little about manufacturing

It involves several steps. This happens as follows:

• The upper part of the shoots is taken.
• To soften the plant, as well as remove excess moisture, the raw materials are dried for several hours.
• Then twist manually or using special equipment. After that, an oxidation (fermentation) process occurs, as a result of which tea acquires its taste and aroma.
• Finally, the sheets are finally dried and cut (unless it is an all-sheet version).
• The last step is to sort according to the size of the cups, and add flavors if necessary.

How does it differ from green

Perhaps for some this will be a discovery, but two of these varieties are produced from the same plant. The difference lies only in the method of treatment, which changes the properties of the product and its chemical composition.

The greenish hue of the drink is given by the absence of fermentation, that is, oxidation, at one of the stages of production.

What black tea contains

Infusion of tea leaves is known to be beneficial to the human body. After all, it contains substances such as:

• Carotene. Improves skin and hair.
• Tannin. Restores blood and also has anti-inflammatory functions.
• Nicotinic and pantothenic acids. The first is involved in maintaining energy balance and breaking down fats, while the second creates healthy cholesterol.
• Fluoride. Provides excellent dental and oral health.

It also contains vitamins:

• С – despite the fact that more than half of its volume is destroyed during fermentation of leaves and brewing, it remains quite a lot in tea leaves;
• В1 – supports tone;
• В2 – makes the skin and mucous membranes healthy, and also takes part in the synthesis of hemoglobin;
• Р – increases vascular elasticity and improves blood composition;
• К – normalizes the process of blood clotting and ensures healthy bones.

Chemical composition

But that's not all that black tea contains. The drink is half composed of substances that are easily soluble in water. They are called extractive.

Among them:

• Essential oils. They affect quality, and it is to them that the brew owes its aroma.
• Alkaloids & ndash; one of the main components. This group includes caffeine and thein. They stimulate the CNS and the heart, but at the same time they are much more useful than those contained in coffee.
• Proteins are nutritious. By their number, the sheets can be compared with legumes.
• Amino acids. There are about 17 of them and they, like ether, affect the smell.
• Tannins & ndash; tannin, polyphenols, etc. They increase strength.

In addition to these, the composition contains minerals and organic acids that are important for the body.

What is value

The benefits of black tea directly depend on its composition. The drink is known for the following effects:

• improves attention and calms the nervous system;
• energizes and tones the body;
• increases mental and physical activity;
• protects against bacteria and microbes in the oral cavity;
• eliminates headache and muscle spasms;
• affects skin healing and ulcers;
• normalizes the gastrointestinal tract;
• stimulates the kidney.

This benefit is achieved through the proper preparation and consumption of the drink. As well as its action is gradual, so it is not recommended to abuse it.

Why black tea with milk is useful

Many experts argue that the value of this combination lies in:

• Improve brain function and supply vitamins and minerals.
• Partial neutralization of caffeine, which helps with nervous disorders and depressive states.
• Immune reconstitution. The presence of vitamin complexes and antioxidants is involved in maintaining a weak body and has a beneficial effect on the kidneys.
• Easy digestion of dairy products for those who cannot drink them neat.

The Benefits of & laquo; Monastery Tea & raquo;

This variety includes many plants grown in environmentally friendly areas. Its positive qualities include:

• Presence of biologically active substances affecting vision, mental function and nervous system.
• Immune reconstitution, normalization of pancreatic metabolism and activity.
• Therapeutic properties against gastrointestinal tract disorder, prostatitis, hypertension, psoriasis.
• This is not only an antidepressant, but also an excellent psychostimulant.

Varieties

There are multiple infusion classifications.

First, the size of the cups is divided:

• Large-leaved. This drink has a mild aroma and deep taste. These are expensive varieties that retain many valuable components.
• Seeding. They are also called "Fannings." These are small leaves that are quickly brewed.
• Broken, or & laquo; broken & raquo;. Cut sheets with a rich color and bright smell.
• Tea dust. These are tiny particles that are usually placed in disposable bags.

Secondly, the separation takes place according to the type of machining:

• Pressed. These are dense briquettes of various shapes and sizes, consisting of whole tea leaves that have undergone hot steam treatment, pressed and dried. They have a weak aroma, but at the same time they taste rich in content.
• Granular. Twisted cups, for which not only the upper leaves are used, but also raw materials up to the fifth leaf.
• Baykhovy, or loose. The most famous species that is popular around the world.
• Extracted. A powder or liquid extract of tea that does not require brewing and easily dissolves even in cold water. Retains basic taste characteristics.

Artificial or natural flavors are also added to many teas. They give the drink an unusual aroma, but do not affect its taste in any way.

Grades

Tea leaves vary by where they are grown. Let's take a look at the most famous of them.

Indian tea

Climate and proper care have created excellent conditions for the plant to become famous not only on the Hindustan Peninsula, but throughout the world.

The best known varieties include:

• Assam. We have a tart taste and a spicy smell with honey shades. It has an invigorating effect and also strengthens blood vessels.
• Darjeeling. It is assembled manually, which is why it is considered elite. Improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and tones the body.
• Nilgiri. It has a soft aroma with notes of lemon. It contains antioxidants, & nbsp;
  which have a positive effect on the functioning of the heart.

Chinese tea

Black tea is not as popular in the domestic market as green tea.

It is produced in Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi and Sichuan provinces.

Among the fully fermented, Puers are also distinguished.

Ceylon Tea

The best high-altitude options are:

• Dimboola;
• Uda Pusselava;
• Uva;
• Kandi;
• Ruhuna;
• Nuwara-Elia.

 

They all have a brown hue and a tart, velvet taste.

Indonesian tea

Indonesian varieties are similar in their characteristics to Ceylon. Fullness of taste, amber color of the infusion, as well as its saturation and strength & ndash; all this makes Indonesian tea quite popular.

Kenya Tea

The first plantation was founded at the beginning of the last century. The climate of the country contributes to the year-round growth of tea bushes, which allows you to supply about 245 tons of products.

Turkish tea

Due to the mild climate, the taste and aroma of the drink are thin and delicate. Tea easily quenches the feeling of thirst and at the same time the content of caffeine in it is less than that of similar ones.

Cameroon Tea

Highland varieties are the most popular. Cameroonian tea has original taste qualities, in which light malt shades are felt.

Malaysian tea

The Malaysian species gathers in the Cameron Highland mountain area and is owned by the company & laquo; BOH & raquo;. Tea leaves are harvested by hand, and the drink itself has a tart aroma and taste.

Nepali tea

The Nepali variety resembles Indian or Ceylon. It has a rich color, subtle aroma with a slight fruity tint.

What criteria should I use when choosing black tea

Note the following when buying tea:

• Color of the cups. In a quality product, they are always black. Gray indicates incorrect storage, and brown & ndash; to poor quality.
• No extra elements. There should be no pieces of stems or branches.
• Humidity. Walk past caked leaves and products that smell burning or mold.
• Strong twisting. This is proof of good fermentation.
• Freshness. After 12 months of storage, the sheets will lose many useful characteristics. Therefore, it is worth looking at the packing date.
• Homogeneity. All cups are the same size.

Tea Storage

Store the product in a place protected from sunlight. Expiration date & ndash; 1 year. It is important that increased humidity and air negatively affect the quality of the leaves if they are not in an airtight package. Therefore, the tea leaf must be placed in a glass or metal container in a dark place.

Tea calorie content

Sugar-free black tea contains 0 kcal per 100 ml volume.

Drinking tea

In Japan and China, where the tea ceremony first appeared, the drink is drunk without additives several times a day. In Iran and Turkey, lemon is added by eating raisins, almonds or figs.

Various spices can be put in the brew: cinnamon or cardamom. Arabs use mint as a supplement, and instead of granulated sugar, they add citrus juice.

The combination with honey, milk, sea buckthorn, apples or cranberries also gives more taste.

Why black tea is harmful

Many people get into the habit of using several cups a day. However, in addition to its beneficial properties, tea infusion also has a harmful effect:

• High excitability. Due to the large amount of caffeine, the drink negatively affects the nervous system. Therefore, drinking it before bed or during the period of neurosis is highly discouraged, as it will cause insomnia, migraines and frequent mood swings.
• Fluoride contained in the product, when abused, destroys calcium compounds. Teeth and bones are affected.
• Tannin complicates the process of iron absorption. Therefore, you should not drink tea with iron-containing products.

In general, tea is not harmful if consumed in moderation.

Influence of tea on pressure

As we already know, all varieties include alkaloids, which accelerate the heartbeat and cause mild agitation. In addition, caffeine is present, which increases blood pressure.

Therefore, it is worth regularly drinking a drink for people suffering from hypertension, and refrain from those who have the opposite situation.

Contraindications

In addition to these cases, be careful who has:

• eye diseases;
• gastritis;
• exacerbation of gastric ulcer;
• Increased excitability or irritability.

And also strong brewing is the cause of darkening of the teeth. Therefore, after tea drinking, it is worth rinsing your mouth with ordinary water.

Selection

To understand the benefits of black tea, you need to understand what properties a quality product has. The list of criteria includes many subtleties that only specialists understand.

For an ordinary buyer, the well-known rule & laquo; The more expensive, the better & raquo;. But to buy less tea leaves, but at the same time pay more, or, conversely, everyone decides for himself.

Brewing secrets

Buy a good product & ndash; that's only half the story. You still need to be able to cook it correctly. There are several general rules, including:

• Soft water. If it is not available, you can buy it in the store or defend it.
• Be sure to warm up the teapot. So we will not allow contrast in temperature.
• Glass, ceramic, or porcelain dishes are best.

Tea brewing water temperature

90-95 & deg; works best by removing the container from the heat just before boiling.

Strength and brewing time

These parameters depend on the variety: coarse leaves last longer than fine leaves.

Individual taste preferences for each person also play an important role here. Therefore, it is difficult to answer this question unequivocally. But on average, it is recommended to brew the drink for 3 to 5 minutes.

Conclusion

So, we looked at the benefits and harms of black tea for men and women, and we can confidently say that it is useful if consumed in moderation.

But what to combine it with and what kind to choose & ndash; depends on your personal taste.