By Smita Agrawal
It’s probably safe to say that most of us have been drinking the refreshing beverage called Tea (or are familiar with it) almost all our lives. But what do you know about the basics of tea? What actually is tea?
To make Tea more than a beverage you drink in the morning to wake yourself up, The Tea brand Unchi Wali Chai has been curating varied Tea experiences, most recent being the launch of KREMA café at Oterra Hotel in Electronic City. Attended by the socialites of Bangalore, Tea was enjoyed, explored and discovered at this table.
So, What’s the story behind Tea’s Origin?
“Tea is more than a drink. It’s a story.. a feeling.. Tea is a work of art”.
Tea is an integral part of F&B culture in most countries , especial in the East. It’s debated whether tea first originated in India or China. The documented evidence, according to the history of tea drinking in India, dates back to 750 BC in the ancient epic of the Ramayana, when Lord Hanuman was sent by Lord Rama to the Himalayas to bring back the Sanjeevani tea plant for medicinal use. Japanese legends ascribe tea’s origin in China to the Indian monk Bodhidharma (ca. 460-534), a monk born near Madras in India, and the founder of the Ch’an (or Zen) sect of Buddhism.
Leaving the complicated origin debate to the historians, what’s interesting to note is that today, India and China combined account for a whopping 70% of the world’s tea production, other producers being Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Japan.
What exactly is the definition of Tea?
Did you know that tea is the second most consumed beverage after water. Tea commonly refers to an infused beverage derived from the leaves of the tea plant called “Camellia Sinensis”. To simplify, “tea” is anything derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, and tea types can be classified into four main categories:
- White Tea: Least oxidized or unoxidized by definition
- Green Tea: 0-5% oxidized
- Oolong Tea: 10-80% oxidized constituting large varieties within
- Black Tea: 80-90% oxidized
However, another category of tea commonly encountered (besides the 4 above) is the herbal tea or Tisanes which do not have any component of the tea plant camellia sinensis (and contain no caffeine). These tisanes are teas produced from various herbal plants like Chamomile Tea , Hibiscus Tea, Rooibos Tea, Peppermint, or Rose Petals.
Also, with tea having become such a trend, there are also blends being created which are made by mixing actual tea types with herbal infusions. For example you may come across , say, peach tea which would be a blend of peach fruit extract in some form and black tea or a lavender green tea which is an outcome of lavender flower and green tea blended together. There are also spiced tea varieties which are produced by infusing basic teas with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
Did you say my Tea cup is healthy?
Lucky for all you tea lovers, tea is associated with significant health components and benefits, some of which are believed to be found in tea alone naturally.
Tea plant and its chemistry is complex. Tea leaves contain thousands of chemical compounds like polyphenols, amino acids, enzymes, pigments, carbohydrates, methylxanthines and minerals but Tea derives its health benefits from three primary water soluble components:
- Amino Acids (Theanine) – are a type of amino acid called theanine provides tea the rich flavor(umami) and has a relaxing affect. Tea is the only plant to contain this, and it is because of theanine that the release of caffeine in tea is so balanced and synergized. Theanine is associated with multiple health benefits such as suppression of high blood pressure, protection of our central nervous system cells, reducing stress, improving concentration and sleep quality (as it promotes α wave production).
- Polyphenols/Catechins – are a type of polyphenol that provides an astringency component in tea and are also referred to as tannins. The health benefits are skin regeneration, metabolism boost, slowing of aging process, prevention of cancer, promoting bone health, and fighting Alzheimers.
- Caffeine – Caffeine is the stimulant in tea which gives tea its bitterness. Main effects of caffeine include increased alertness and a mild diuretic The Caffeine content in a cup of tea ranges between 20 to 70mg but strongly depends on infusion time and the type of tea (A cup of coffee, in comparison, has 40–155mg of caffeine per cup).
As oxidation increases in teas (going from white to green to oolong to black), the amount of caffeine increases and the health components like catechins and theanine start to fade away. This makes white and green teas higher in health benefits than other teas.
Tea cultures around the world
Although tea is enjoyed worldwide, its culture is very regional and local. For example, most tea drinkers in India drink Indian Chai (black tea with milk and sugar). Whereas Chinese and Japanese people primarily drink green tea. Great Britain celebrates tea in the form of afternoon or high tea, and there are local tea ceremonies in countries like Russia, Kenya, and Turkey that differ greatly. Tea is truly special and creates harmony among the many cultures that favor the drink. Tea drinking promotes the virtues of friendship, tradition, togetherness and even selflessness. There is a subtle charm in the taste of tea which makes it irresistible and capable of idealization. As is rightly said about this humble yet complex beverage in the Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō, “It has not the arrogance of wine, the self-consciousness of coffee, nor the simpering innocence of cocoa”.
So, lets keep calm and drink tea!
