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What is Tea? Traditional tea is made from the buds and internodes of the leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant. The leaves are prepared and cured by various methods to produce many different types of teas. Tea contains chemical compounds possessing antioxidant activity called polyphenols. Contrary to popular belief though tea does not contain tannic acid, a substance with antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant qualities. After water, tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world. Its cooling, slightly bitter and aromatic flavour appeals to people from all over the world. These days tea is also made from other botanicals and/or herbs. If a tea does not contain any Camellia Sinensis in it, then it is generally referred to as a herbal tea.
The Origins of Tea Tea is believed to have originated in China more than 5000 years ago. Legend has it that an early emperor named Shen Nung, who is also known as the deity of herbal medicine in China, discovered it by accident one day whilst drinking his cup of water. Shen Nung who was also a scientist and an art patron ruled that for hygienic reasons all water must be boiled before consuming. According to legend on a particularly blustery day, his servants were preparing his daily boiled water when the dried leaves from a nearby bush blew into the pot. Despite the water being turned brown Shen Nung was intrigued and decided to taste it. he found the resulting drink to be refreshing and tasty, and so tea was born. Mythologists feel that the story is so steeped in practical narrative that it may actually be close to the truth. Click here for a more detailed time line of the history of tea. Varieties of Tea Tea can be generally classified into 2 groups:
Traditional Tea There are many varieties of traditional tea which include the white, yellow, red, oolong, black and the pu-erh tea. All of them are made from the Camellia Sinensis plant. The different varieties are the result of different varieties being used, different processing methods or different growing methods. Click here for more information on traditional teas. Herbal Tea Herbal tea usuall refers to water infusions made from other botanicals including leaves, fruits, flowers and/or herbs that are not from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Click here for more information on herbal teas.
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