The history of tea stems from the tea plant Camellia sinensis, which is native to the borderlands of China and northern Myanmar. Drinking tea has been dated to the Shang dynasty, where tea was considered medicinal. During the early 16th century, Portuguese priests and merchants in China introduced tea to the western world. In the 17th century, tea began to become popular in Britain and the British East India Company began commercial tea production.
People now drink tea all over the world. Several studies have shown that tea can boost your immune system, fight off inflamation, and prevent cancer. While some may be more advantageous to drink than others, drinking any tea can make a positive impact on your health.
"Tea … is a religion of the art of life." – Kakuzo Okakura, *The Book of Tea*
Green tea is generally made with heating leaves using pan-firing or roasting. It has a high number of flavonoids to help your heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and blood clotting. It can also have a possible impact on liver, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. It is also anti-inflammatory, which helps with keeping your skin clear.
Matcha tea is a form of green tea. It's a fine powder that is made with the entire leaves of tea bushes grown in the shade. It contains even more antioxidants than regular green tea.
Black tea is made from the same leaves that make green tea, but the leaves are dried and fermented. Black tea is caffeinated, so you should keep an eye on how much you drink. Flavonoids help with inflammation and healthy immunity. It can also be pressed onto minor cuts, scrapes and bruises to relieve pain and reduce swelling. A black tea bath can ease skin rashes and things such as poison ivy as well!
While similar to white teas, they contain a blend of herbs, spices, fruits, or other plants in addition to tea leaves. They don't contain caffeine, and are known for being a great drink after a long day. Chamomile tea halps improve sleep and reduce stress. Rooibos helps with blood pressure and circulation. Peppermint can soothe an upset stomach and help with migraines. Ginger helps fight chronic indigestion and joint pain. Hibiscus lowers blood pressure, improves liver health, starve sweet cravings, and prevent kidney stones.
Oolong tea is partially oxidized, which is a good in between of green and black tea. It's notable for containing l-theanine, an amino acid that's responsible for reducing anxiety, increasing alertness, and increasing attention. It can also prevent Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cancers, and type 2 diabetes.
White tea is the least processed type of tea. It may also be the most effective tea to fight cancer because its high level of antioxidants. It can be good for your teeth because it contains high levels of fluoride, catechins, and tannins. These can strengthen your teeth and make it more resistant to acid and sugars. It also has the least amount of caffeine!
Formal tea ceremonies in Japan are multi-hour events that start with a kaiseki course meal. This is a specially prepared multi-course dinner with small sequences of dishes. Nowadays, these ceremonies are much shorter. Protocol for tea ceremonies are defined to exact hand movements which can vary slightly. In most cases, tourists aren't expected to know the rules, but there are some basic rules. Dress code should be modest, avoiding strong perfumes. Many ceremony venues are in peaceful gardens.
There are also tearooms, which are generally held in tatami rooms. After bowing, the guest enters the room and takes a seat closet to the alcove. The host then prepares the tea in front of the guests, whisking the tea. A sweet is served before tea and should be eaten before drinking. You should pick the cup with your right hand and place in your left palm. Then turn it clockwise by 90 degrees and drink!
If you're interested in learning more about tea ceremonies, you can go to Japan-Guide.com.
If you have any questions about tea, feel free to email me!