From the court of the Chinese Emperors to the cups of the whole world: The Magic Story of Tea
It's battling only coffee for the world's most popular drink and for thousands of people it's a favorite morning or afternoon habit: with its unique taste and health-friendly qualities, tea has conquered mankind !
The origins of tea
Seeking the for the roots of tea, we are driven to China, 2000 years before the birth of Christ. According to Chinese mythology, emperor Shennong used every afternoon to enjoy a cup of boiling water until an afternoon, a light breeze threw in his mug a few leaflets of a plant that rose in the courtyard of the palace. The emperor not only was thrilled with the taste of the drink, but also felt unprecedented well-being, so ... tea was made!
Despite this beautiful myth, it is certain that tea, the Camellia Sinensis plant, began to be cultivated systematically in China by the Shang dynasty around the 15th century BC. Initially, its use was mainly pharmaceutical, as the Chinese took advantage of the natural soothing and antioxidant properties of tea, but quickly began to enjoy it as a daily drink. Gradually, tea consumption began to spread in various Asian countries, but Europe would wait thousands of years to try this delicious beverage.
Tea conquers Europe and the rest of the world
Although there are Europeans who talk about this "Treasure of the East" as early as the 12th century AD, such as Marco Polo, tea struck Europe's door in the 16th century when it was brought to Europe by the missionaries and merchants from Portugal. One after the other, countries such as France, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia and of course England will be excited about exotic tea. England's fury for tea will break the Chinese commercial monopoly as tea will be first grown for commercial purposes in India. Up to now, 60% of the total tea production comes from China and India.
In Europe, tea will begin to become distinct, as Europeans will begin to mix it with various herbs, spices and aromas. Tea leaves have the ability to naturally absorb the aromas of other plants, making tea leaves the ideal base for delicious, aromatic drinks. Later, tea will pass easily into the New World, where it will become a part of American History, as its overestimation will be one of the sparks that began the revolution for the independence of the United States of America. Today, tea is enjoyed by millions of people around the world, both for its taste and its benefits to human health.
Tea's beneficial characteristics
Tea is known to improve various cognitive functions such as concentration and memory, and medical studies have been underway in recent years to examine the contribution of tea to reducing the risk of developing heart disease and various forms of cancer. Mostly, however, tea has been known for its antioxidant properties in recent years, as it contains up to ten times more antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables, while its relationship with increasing metabolism and its role as a device in attempts weight loss.
Getting to know the categories of tea
White Tea: White tea is made from unoxidized tea leaves, and so they produce a beverage of lighter color and lighter taste. For the production of white tea the leaves of the plant are not treated after harvesting, and often they are collected early. White tea harvesting requires experience in order to produce high quality tea.
Black Tea: If the tea leaves are oxidized after harvesting, black tea is produced, with its characteristic intense flavor. It is particularly durable as it retains its aroma for years, while most of the time different varieties of black tea are blended to produce beverages with a complex character and a special flavor.
Green Tea: Less processed than black, but more than white, green tea is a favorite flavor for many tea lovers. Light but at the same time full of aromas, green tea has a special, earthy taste that has gained fanatical fans.
Other beverages: In English, the word "tea" refers mainly to the beverage from tea leaves, but in other words it is also spoken in other beverages that are extracted in the same way. A particularly popular category is hibiscus tea, which combines pleasant flavor, exotic aroma and healthy properties without the natural caffeine contained in tea.
Synonym of a healthy lifestyle, ideal for calm afternoons or mornings, available in classic flavors as well as in eccentric aromatic combinations such as lemon & macaroon tea or blueberry & muffin tea, tea is a favorite habit for millions of people - a magical world full of flavor and taste waiting to be discovered!
