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If you’ve been reading Chinese tea blogs you know that there is a lot of discussion around the health benefits of drinking tea. Do you know why? Well, do you want to know? Let’s find out! Chinese tea has been consumed for thousands of years. The first record was in the year 6th century during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). It wasn't until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) that it became popular among the general public.

In ancient China, it was believed that drinking tea helped to cleanse your body and invigorate your spirit. Also, due to its ability to absorb odors and its ability to hold other flavors, drinkers had an appreciation for how well matched different teas were with food or fruit. Over time, more research has been done about the specific health benefits of drinking this delicious beverage.

However, much of what we read today is still speculation because most studies have involved minor cups of black tea per day over a period of years rather than a matter of seconds per day as we drink our green or oolong teas.

 

What are the benefits of drinking Chinese tea?

It seems that everyone is talking about tea these days, with good reason. It contains antioxidants, which help fight cancer and heart disease. The polyphenols in the tea also aid in weight loss and can help prevent diabetes.

As for actual health benefits, the following are some of the top findings:

- Black tea can lower your risk for heart disease
- Green and oolong teas can lower your risk for cancer
- Green tea may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's
- Oolong tea may help reduce cholesterol levels

There are so many reasons to make Chinese green or oolong tea a staple in your home or office!

 

How to prepare Chinese tea for health benefits

The first step is to use high-quality tea leaves. The leaves should be whole and not broken, speckled or light brown in color. To prepare the tea, you'll want to use a gaiwan (a type of Chinese pot). This will help your tea stay fresh and flavorful for as long as possible.

If you're going to drink it iced, chill your tea overnight. Otherwise, steep it at 100 degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes and then cool it down to around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. For the best health benefits, drink one or two cups per day. The amount of time you should wait between drinking these cups varies on the type of tea. You can have lots of different variations with this simple recipe; try adding honey or lemongrass while brewing it!

 

Better sleep

One of the most common benefits of drinking tea is better sleep. This is due to the caffeine within it that helps your body to relax, which then allows for you to fall asleep faster and sleep longer. With this in mind, if you drink enough tea, there is a chance that you could even get your desired amount of sleep by drinking one cup before bedtime.

 

Weight loss

People who drink tea are more likely to lose weight than those who don't. This is because of the caffeine in the tea. When you consume caffeine, it increases your metabolic rate so that you burn more calories a day and your body flushes out toxins more quickly.

Additionally, people have also found that green and oolong teas also have some unique compounds that boost weight loss. One compound in green tea is called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This compound activates the fat cells in your body to release fatty acids into your bloodstream which then can be used by the liver to produce energy or stored as fat.

Another compound found in oolong tea is called catechins. These compounds help prevent the development of cancer and improve blood flow throughout the body.

 

 

 

Detoxification and clearer skin

Many health benefits have been reported by those who drink Chinese tea. One of the most popular is that drinking tea can help detoxify the body.

Detoxification is a process that removes toxins from your body and helps you feel better. It also helps you have clearer skin and it can help reduce inflammation in your joints.

 

Immune system support

There is plenty of evidence that drinking tea can help to improve your immune system. Most of the studies done on this subject allude to the antioxidant and polyphenol content of tea, which are known to have an important role in supporting your immune system.

These antioxidants can also help to reduce inflammation throughout your body which may be helpful for reducing pain and preventing cardiovascular problems as well.

Besides having health benefits in itself, drinking tea can also help you maintain a healthy weight. While it’s not known exactly why this happens, there is speculation that the high caffeine content found in green teas may stimulate your metabolism and aid in fat burning.

Another benefit of drinking tea is it’s ability to cleanse your body from toxins like heavy metals. There has been some research in this area as well that has shown that both oolong and green teas contain compounds called catechins that bind with heavy metals and remove them from the body by excretion through urine or feces.

 

Heart health

According to scientific research, drinking green or oolong teas are able to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and lower the risk of diabetes. Drinking green tea has also been shown to decrease inflammation in your blood vessels.

Studies have shown that Chinese tea has a beneficial effect on your overall body health and well-being. 

You may believe it's simple to find the best green tea, but the real question is: what makes a tea good? How do you choose the best option?

There are a variety of options for selecting the best Chinese green tea. Some teas are delicate and light, while others are dense with antioxidants and nutrients. Some are best served with hot water, while others are best served cold. Which option should you select?

If you are interested in drinking a cup of Chinese tea that will make your taste buds sing and improve your health, consider the following information about Chinese green tea and tips for selecting the best type of green tea for you:

What is the Origin of Chinese Green Tea?

In the past decade, the popularity of green tea has increased significantly. Green tea has been consumed for centuries in China and Japan, and its popularity has risen recently in the United States and Europe. It is comprised of Camellia sinensis plant leaves. Green tea leaves are harvested when they are four to six weeks old.

If you drink green tea, you are likely familiar with the various available green tea types. However, were you aware that Chinese and Japanese green teas are distinct? Both are derived from the same plant via different methods. The leaves are first steamed and then dried to prepare Chinese green tea. In contrast, Japanese green tea is prepared by rolling the leaves.

China's tea industry was still in its infancy when the English tea market was booming. Green teas, introduced to China in the early nineteenth century, were not mass-produced until the 1950s.
China produces over forty per cent of the world's green tea at present.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, commercial production of green tea began for the first time (1368-1644).

 

 

Should I Purchase Organic Green Tea from China?

The consumption of Chinese green tea has become a health craze with a strong consumer following. Although green tea has numerous health benefits, a question you may wish to ask is, "Should I buy organic Chinese green tea?" The answer to this inquiry is affirmative! According to studies, organically grown produce is healthier and tastier.

 

Which Chinese Green Tea Leaves Are the Finest?

For Chinese green tea leaves to be of the highest quality, it is essential to ensure that their sizes are uniform. This ensures that the tea is brewed evenly and that the flavour and aroma are smooth. In addition, the tea should be kept in a dry environment to prevent the growth of mould and mildew. The best leaves for Chinese green tea are plucked and processed within a few hours.

 

How Long Does Brewing Chinese Green Tea Take?

There is no clear answer to this question. Everyone's brewing method is unique. Each brand of teapot and water container can brew tea differently. Some teapots require you to add water directly into the pot before adding the tea leaves, whereas others require only the addition of boiling water. Some teapots require at least three minutes of steeping time, while others require only a few seconds.

 

 

Which Types of Chinese Green Tea Are the Best?

There are three primary types of green tea produced in China: Tieguanyin (also known as Pu'er), Wuliangye, and Yancha. Each has a distinct flavour profile, but all are crafted from the same leaves. Longjing is the most expensive and flavorful tea. Maojian and Biluochun are less costly and have a milder taste.

Concluding remarks

According to most studies, drinking Chinese green tea can help you live a healthier lifestyle due to its many health benefits. The high antioxidant content of Chinese green tea makes it an excellent beverage for weight loss. It is not surprising that Chinese green tea is one of the most popular beverages globally, given the variety of benefits it offers. There are many benefits to drinking green tea.

Please feel free to browse our online shop to view all available high-quality Chinese green teas.

 

Learn how to keep loose leaf tea fresh and as long-lasting as possible by following these simple guidelines. When storing loose leaf tea, there are a few essential things to consider.

 

MAKE SURE IT IS DRY

Keep tea in an airtight container. Usually, the bag it came in works. Prevent moisture from getting into the container and ruining it. You can also keep unused tea fresh for longer with an airtight caddy.

Before resealing a bag, squeeze out as much air as you can.

 

DON'T LET IT COME IN CONTACT WITH AIR

Before you vacuum-seal your tea bag, remove as much air as possible from the pack. Use the right clip. Tea vendors vacuum-seal their tea before shipping so the active components in loose leaf tea don't get oxidized. Add oxygen absorbers to your tea if you've got them.

 

DARKNESS IS ESSENTIAL

Store loose leaf tea in mylar bags or opaque containers like brown glass bottles to reduce light exposure. One container is acceptable, but make sure it's not too big, so there isn't too much air inside.

 

KEEP THE TEMPERATURE DOWN

If you keep your tea leaves cool, your tea leaves will last longer. Keep them between 10° and 25°C or 50°-68°F.

 

 

TEA LEAVES STAY FRESHER WHEN VACUUM-PACKED 

Tea should be stored in a dark, cool place with little air contact. Even though your refrigerator is cool, it is too humid to keep tea properly. Follow these steps, and you will never have to store tea in the fridge again. The tea leaves might condense moisture if kept in the refrigerator, so it is best not to do that.

 

DO NOT EXPOSE THE TEA TO STRONG SMELLS 

Also, keep your tea away from strong smells and don't store it in airtight tins or plastic containers that have a strong scent. You shouldn't store tea in wooden containers, airtight cans with rubber seals that smell strongly, and receptacles with rubber seals.

Those are some simple things to keep in mind when storing loose leaf tea!

Introduction: A brief history of the Chinese Pu-Erh tea

The origin of Chinese Pu-Erh Tea can be traced back to ancient times. Legend has it that a tea connoisseur discovered a unique tea leaf in a mountain cave during the Tang Dynasty. The leaves were not from a tea plant but instead from a wild tea tree growing on the slopes of the Himalayas. The special tea was brought back to China and planted in Yunnan Province, where it's still produced today.

While the history of Pu-Erh tea is relatively unknown, it is clear that it had become a major export product in the early 1900s. The tea originated from the Yunnan province in China and was often gifted to important guests by the Emperor. The name "Pu-Erh" comes from the word for "raw" or "uncooked", which is an accurate descriptor for this type of tea because it hasn't been roasted like other teas such as black tea.

In the west, tea is often consumed as a drink with a taste and aroma that can vary from light to strong. In China, however, tea is more than just a drink: it is an integral part of the culture. The Chinese typically drink Pu-Erh tea: a dark and rich type of unfermented brew that can be stored for years and gets better with time.

 

Types: The different types of Pu-Erh tea

Pu-Erh tea is a fermented, dark tea originating from the Yunnan province in China. The black tea undergoes a process of oxidation and fermentation with minimal oxidation.

It comes in three grades: A grade, B grade, and C grade. C grade is the cheapest and most common type made from mature leaves. This tea can be aged up to twenty years to produce an aged Pu-Erh tea with a stronger flavour and is more expensive.

Pu-Erh tea is known as "young tea" or "raw" Pu-Erh tea. The black teas undergo a process of fermentation and oxidation before they are pressed into cakes and aged for years. The ageing process adds to the complexity and variety of flavours and elevates the antioxidant levels.

 

Benefits: What are some of the health benefits of drinking Pu-Erh tea?

The Chinese have been drinking Pu-Erh tea for many centuries. Drinking it usually takes place in two phases. The first is to drink, inhale the tea, swallow it, and then the second is to take a small sip of tea, breathe in its fragrance, and finally spit out the tea. This ritual has been speculated to be a way of honouring the dead. It also purportedly relieves headaches, anxieties, mental exhaustion and chronic indigestion.

Pu-Erh tea has become the most popular drink in rural areas in China, replacing traditional Chinese green tea. Pu-Erh tea is made using fermented leaves that are aged for several months to create a distinctive flavour. The result is a reddish-brown tea with an earthy smell. Traditionally, Pu-Erh tea was used as currency because of its value and stability.

Pu-Erh tea is a black tea made from the plant Camellia sinensis. The ritual of drinking Pu-Erh was developed to offer a profoundly spiritual experience. More recently, this type of tea has been appreciated for its health benefits by many people worldwide. Pu-Erh tea is typically brewed strong with whole leaves left to steep for 3-5 minutes before being strained.

The leaves are aged in piles, undergoing natural fermentation to produce a rich flavour with earthy notes. Pu-Er Tea's popularity has increased in recent years due to its high antioxidants, which are believed to promote health and vitality.

 

Process: How is puer tea processed?

Puer tea is a fermented, semi-fermented, or dark tea that is a favourite among tea enthusiasts. It is made from the leaves of the native 'Assamica' variety of Camellia sinensis allowed to partially decompose before being lightly dried and rolled into balls, cakes, or bricks.

Pu-Erh tea is a fermented, dark tea. The black tea undergoes a process of oxidation and fermentation with minimal oxidation.

 

 

Conclusion: Why should you drink Pu-Erh tea?

The fermentation process also makes Pu-Erh tea healthier than other teas because it removes some of the tannins and caffeine. Puer strikes a balance between earthy flavours and natural sweetness that is both complex and stimulating and calming and grounding.

The leaves are aged in piles, undergoing natural fermentation to produce a rich flavour with earthy notes. Pu-Erh Tea's popularity has increased in recent years due to its high antioxidants, which are believed to promote health and vitality.

Making tea is technical work but also delicate work. Every link in the process may impact the tea soup from selecting water, boiling water, selecting equipment, and preparing tea to brew.

 

Water selection: try to choose soft water, avoid alkaline water

Modern scientific research has proved that the influence of water on tea mainly comes from two aspects: the minerals in the water and the acidity and alkalinity of the water.

Many minerals, calcium and magnesium ions, are generally rich in content and have the greatest impact on the whole process. The hardness of the water can measure the content of the water. The higher the content, the harder the water.

After the hard water is boiled, calcium and magnesium ions will inhibit the dissolution of tea polyphenols, and tea polyphenols are vital to the tea's flavour. Inhibiting its dissolution, it is inevitable that the tea soup is weak, and the tea fragrance is low turbid. Therefore, try to choose water with low hardness.

If it is brewed with alkaline water, water with a higher pH level, the tea polyphenols are unstable and will oxidize quickly. For teas with a low degree of oxidation, such as green tea, yellow tea, and Tieguanyin, the normal tea soup colour should be bright light green, light yellow, or yellow-green. If it is alkaline blisters, it will quickly become a reddish colour.

Generally speaking, ready-made purified water is more suitable for making tea. If you want to go further, you can buy a pH meter to measure the acidity and alkalinity and then buy a conductivity meter to measure the hardness of the water.

The water should be boiled quickly on high heat, rather than simmered. When the water is continuously bubbling and boiled, the water activity is better. If it is boiled for too long, the oxygen content in the water will decrease, and the activity will decrease.

If you use tap water to make tea, you need to boil it a little longer. When the tap water is boiling, open the kettle's lid and keep it boiling for about one minute, removing part of the residual chlorine from disinfection and reducing any peculiar smell.

Different tea sets should be used for different teas

Green tea: It is advisable to choose a glass cup or a glass pot to watch it dancing in the water. It is not advisable to select a purple clay teapot. The water temperature required for green tea is low, and a purple clay teapot with strong heat preservation will suffocate the green tea.

Black tea: Use glass tea sets or white porcelain tea sets to observe black tea's soup colour and golden circle easily.

Oolong tea: If you want to show the exuberant aroma of oolong tea, you can use a porcelain tureen, which is convenient for smelling and will not smoke; if you're going to show its deep flavour, you can choose a purple sand pot, which can better stimulate the tea. The purple sand has good heat preservation and can be heated to ensure the brewing temperature.

Pu'er tea: Especially for old Pu'er tea, a purple clay pot is suitable. The purple clay teapot has a unique double pore structure and good air permeability, reducing some abnormal gas generated when Pu'er tea is stored. The tea has a better layer and flavour.

White tea: The raw materials of Baihao Yinzhen are very tender, and the brewing temperature should not be too high. Therefore, it is advisable to make tea with a large mouthful to avoid suffocating the tea, while for white peony, shoumei or gongmei, there are not too many restrictions on the use of tea sets, old white tea You can also boil and drink in a clay pot.

Baihao Yinzhen

 

 

Proportion: strictly control the proportion of tea and water

To make a cup of tea soup with a stable flavour, controlling the tea-water ratio is particularly important.

Choose the right proportions.

Safe ratio: When it is challenging to separate tea and water, such as when travelling or using mugs, strictly control the tea-to-water ratio at 1.5:100 (that is, 100 ml of water corresponds to 1.5 grams of tea), which is a "safe ratio", even if it keeps suffocating. The tea will be bitter.

Daily ratio: In daily tea brewing, you should use a tea-water ratio of 1:30 (that is, 30 ml of water corresponds to 1 gram of tea), which is more suitable for multiple brewing and drinking.

If you don't have an electronic scale, you can roughly determine how much tea you put in as long as you follow the tea's shape and the teapot's volume.

Green tea: flat green tea, green bamboo leaves, etc., cover the bottom of the pot with a thin layer. Slightly fluffy green teas such as Maofeng and Melon slices account for about 1/5 of the pot volume.

Black tea: For lighter tea like Qi Hong and Jin Jun black tea, the amount of tea should accounts for 1/5 of the pot volume. Thick black tea such as Dianhong, the volume should be about 1/4.

 

Jin Jun black tea

 

Oolong tea: Oolong tea has a relatively large amount of tea. If it is in the shape of particles like Tieguanyin, put about 30 pieces. If it is a thick strip of tea like Shanzong and Yancha, add 1/3~1/2.

Pu'er tea: Put in about 1/3 of the strip-shaped Pu'er loose tea, and pry a piece of the pressed Pu'er tea to cover the bottom of the pot.

White tea: Baihao silver needles take about 1/3 of the pot volume, while the thicker and older white teas such as Baipeony, Shoumei or Gongmei are very fluffy, and you only need to use about 1/2 of the amount.



Controlling the water temperature: A critical factor when making tea.

Green tea: Should not be brewed with water higher than 90°C. Otherwise, the freshness of the tea soup will decrease.

Black tea: Use water at 85℃~90℃ to keep the sweetest taste. The temperature is too high, and it is easy to be sour and astringent.

Oolong tea: Use boiling water to brew. Otherwise, the aroma will not be good.

White tea: Brew it with water below 90°C to highlight their sweetness and avoid bitterness. Gongmei with lower tenderness can be brewed with boiling water.

Dark tea: Boiling water can brew its thick soup and mellow taste.