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Due to the popularity of recent findings, green tea has almost become
synonymous with weight loss and diet. The addition of green tea diet into
diet pills and weight loss supplements is perhaps spurred by reports of
harmful side-effects of other drugs like ephedra.
The Benefits of Chinese Tea
Tea has always been a common beverage. In recent years, its beneficial effect
on health has been noted. There have been numerous reports on the benefi
of chinese tea in the prevention of cancer and other diseases.
Tea contains catechin. In its oxidized condensed product, antibodies of
oxidization can prevent formation and growth of cancerous cells.
The fragrant oil in tea could break down fat in the body and benefit those
who are overweight, as well as those with blood pressure and heart problems.
Tea is also a deodorant thus drinking tea in the mornings will freshen up
your breath for the day.
In general, tea contains lots of nutrients, hence drinking tea will certainly
be beneficial to health. It is estimated that half of the world population
practice tea drinking daily. Tea is definitely one of the most common health
care beverage throughout the whole world.
Tea Plus Low in caffeine, high rich in antioxidants and vitamin
C, green tea which researchers believe may kill bacteria, cancer cells,
and some viruses, plus preventing heart disease.
Green Tea plus
Extract contains catechins, powerful polyphenol antioxidants that are
200 times stronger than vitamin E at neutralizing free radicals-molecules
that attack lipids in the brain and other tissues. Green tea also possesses
antimicrobial properties (immune system support and circulatory health
), helps normalize vascular blood clotting and total cholesterol, and
supports healthy kidney function.
Green tea from the
Camellia Leaves, is unfermented at its processing. The leaves are allowed
to wither only slightly after picking, and then are rolled and dried before
they can oxidize. These polyphenols antioxidants are more effective at
de-arming potentially dangerous free radicals than other popular antioxidants
such as Vitamin C.
The Chinese have used green tea for thousands of years. Recently it was
introduced on the American natural health market.
Steeping the Tea
Steeping times vary with the amount and type of tea selected. In general, we recommend using more tea and steeping for shorter periods so you can steep the tea several times over. Depending on the tea, the second or third steeping is often considered the best.
Tea Leaves
If stored properly, teas will keep their full flavor for many months.
Teas should be kept in airtight containers in a cool dry space away from
direct light and odors.
Chinese Tea Culture
Chinese tea culture refers to the methods of preparation of tea, the equipment
used to make tea and the occasions in which tea is consumed in China.
Tea drinking was popular in ancient China as tea was regarded as one of
the seven daily necessities, the others being firewood, rice, oil, salt,
soy sauce, and vinegar. Though tea is last on the list, we still can see
the importance of tea in daily life. Tea culture in China differs from
that of Europe, Britain or Japan in such things as
preparation methods, tasting methods and the occasions for which it is
consumed. Even now, in both casual and formal Chinese occasions, tea is
consumed regularly. In addition to being a drink, Chinese tea is used
in herbal medicine and in cooking.
A simple meal in Chinese is Cu Cha Dan Fan namely coarse tea and tasteless dinner. Even a simple meal is finished off with tea so its importance is obvious.
For the Chinese, tea drinking and tea tasting are not the same. Tea drinking is for refreshment and tonic effect.
Tea tasting has cultural meaning. Tea and tea wares should match surrounding elements such as breeze, bright moon, pines, bamboo, plums and snow. All these show the ultimate goal of Chinese culture: the harmonious unity of human beings with nature.
Tea is compared to personal character. The fragrance of tea is not aggressive; it is pleasant, low-keyed and lasting. A friendship between gentlemen is also like a cup of tea. With a cup of tea in hand, enjoying the green leaves in a white porcelain cup, you will feel peace. Fame, wealth and other earthly concerns are far away. Tea is the symbol of elegance.
Tea is regarded as the most Zen-like drink. As early as the Tang Dynasty,
a reputed Zen master answered three monks of different status with "Go
and have your cup of tea!' This same answer was meant to clear up the
perceived inequality among monks. After all, we all are born equal.
Aside from mention in specific how-to books, tea is frequently discussed
in poems and novels and appears in paintings.
In The Dream of the Red Chamber, one of four ancient Chinese classic novels,
the author, Cao Xueqin revealed his knowledge of and insight into tea, as
well as his knowledge of the tea-drinking customs of the Qing Dynasty.
People of varying ages or status had tea made with different water in various tea wares. Miao Yu, a nun in the novel, treated aristocratic friends with either well-preserved rainwater from the previous summer or with snow water collected from snow on plum blossoms! This tasteful interest was a privilege of the past when the air was free of pollutants.
We also find from the novel that Thai tea was imported to China and enjoyed by the rich. One of the heroines from the wealthiest family in the city was bold enough to dislike this Thai tea; the rebellious hero also made negative comments about the tea. Maybe it had less to do with the taste of the tea than with their psychological makeup.
Tea is a mysterious but harmonious combination; it is spiritual as well as material, and invigorating as well as pacifying. Its character is flexible in different environments. For example, as tea goes in a different direction, a different tea culture is formed. In Japan, the rigorous tea ceremony reflects the nation's character of making full use of every resource, while tea also represents peace of mind. In the West, tea with sugar and milk may be served with desserts to create a leisurely and romantic atmosphere.
Similarly, tea-drinking habits vary in different parts of China. Roughly, scented tea is popular in northern China; green tea is preferred in eastern China, and black tea is optimum for people in Fujian and Guangdong.
Notably, Yum Cha (tea drinking) is very popular in Hong Kong and Guangdong
Province. Though dim sum, the true highlight of Yum Cha, is what attracts
gourmets, tea is an essential part of the meal.
Chinese Tea History
Chinese people are believed to have enjoyed tea drinking for more
than 4,000 years. Legend has it that Yan Di, one of three rulers in ancient
times, tasted all kinds of herbs to find medical cures. One day,as he was
being poisoned by some herb he had ingested; a drop of water from a tea
tree dripped into his mouth and he was saved. For a long time, tea was used
as an herbal medicine. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, tea was a religious
offering. During the Spring and Autumn Period, people ate fresh tea leaves
as vegetables. With the popularization of Buddhism from the Three Kingdoms
to the Northern and Southern Dynasties, tea's refreshing effect made it
a favorite among monks in Za-Zen meditation.
Tea as a drink prospered during the Tang Dynasty, and tea shops became popular.
A major event of this time was the completion of Tea Classics, the cornerstone
of Chinese tea culture, by Lu Yu, Tea Sage of China,. This little book details
rules concerning various aspects of tea, such as growth areas for tea trees,
wares and skills for processing tea, tea tasting, the history of Chinese
tea and quotations from other records, comments on tea from various places,
and notes on what occasions tea wares should be complete and when some wares
could be omitted.
Tinted by the cultural style of the Song Dynasty, tea culture at this time was delicate and sumptuous. New skills created many different ways to enjoy tea. The Ming Dynasty laid the foundation for tea processing, tea types and drinking styles that we have inherited.
During the Qing Dynasty folk art entered tea shops, making them popular entertainment centers. This habit is still practiced in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
During the Tang Dynasty, a Japanese monk brought tea seeds from Zhejiang
Province to Japan. Later in the Southern Song Dynasty, Zen masters brought
tea procedures and tea wares from China to Japan, promoting the initiation
of the Japanese tea ceremony. In the Song Dynasty, Arabic merchants exported
tea from Quanzhou, Fujian Province. In the Ming Dynasty, tea was sold
to Southeast Asian and South African countries. In 1610 tea went to Europe
via Macau in a Dutch merchant ship. Thus tea became an international drink.
There are many teas in china,mainly have green tea,wulong
tea,wuyi tea,puer
tea.Dragon well tea etc..,you can refer here,there
are all types of chinese tea.but they are not so correct translated !
Chinese Teahouse
Besides all the places of interest, the teahouses scattered in the city
are most worthwhile to visit, if you wish to know the local conditions
and social customs there. They are usually set up on bridge piers along
the river, to provide a resting place for travelers coming afar. Not large
in size but neat in configuration, they look like pergolas to some extent.
And the tea served there vary from green
tea to black tea, along with local delicacies and deserts. One may
come in the early morning and order a pot of tea, chat and enjoy the warm
sunshine at the same time, until it closes in twilight. Refills are also
free of charge as long as the cup is left open.
The practice of tea drinking can be dated back to as early as the period
of Three Kindoms (220-265 A.D). Though the teahouse appeared later in
the history, the particular norms and customs accumulated and took shape
over long periods of time. People pay special attention to the teapots,
tea leaves and water.
