Black tea: types, benefits and harms

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-02 16:12

Many people cannot imagine their life without tea. The choice may differ only in the variety. Some consumers like green tea, others prefer black. The product has many varieties. Each of them differs in taste, aroma, richness. The benefits and harms of black tea are described in the article.

Production

Black tea is considered to be a processed tea leaf. The production procedure is as follows:

1. Plant shoot tips needed.
2. The raw materials are dried for several hours to soften and eliminate excess moisture.
3. Twisting is then carried out - manually or with special rollers, and then fermentation (oxidation) to reveal the taste of the drink and increase the shelf life.
4. At the end, drying at 95 degrees and cutting (whole leaf teas are not subjected to this).
5. Then they sort and perform additional processing - the finished product is sorted by the size of tea leaves. If necessary, aromatization and the addition of additional components are performed.

Quality black tea has rich orlight color, distinctive aroma. The drink is he althy, but still it should not be consumed excessively.

Difference from green

Black and green tea are the leaves of the same plant. But the technology for obtaining products is different, which changes the chemical composition and properties. The black view goes through the processing mentioned above. And with green, everything is the same, but fermentation is excluded, so the composition is similar to a fresh leaf.

Composition

Black tea is rich:

1. Tannins, which have hemostatic, astringent, anti-inflammatory properties. Components neutralize the effect of heavy metals.
2. Caffeine, which stimulates the nervous system, cardiac activity.
3. Amino acids. Components slow down aging, maintain normal metabolism.
4. Carotene, which improves the condition of the skin, hair, and the activity of the endocrine system.
5. Vitamin C. Present in small amounts as most of it is destroyed.
6. Vitamin B_{1 needed for overall tone.}
7. Vitamin B_{2, which helps to synthesize hemoglobin, maintain he althy skin and mucous membranes.}
8. Nicotinic acid, which breaks down fats, maintains energy balance.
9. Pantothenic Acid - Needed for the formation of he althy cholesterol.
10. Fluoride needed for he althy teeth and mouth.
11. Potassium necessary for normal muscle function, relieve spasms.
12. Vitamin P, which improves blood composition, vascular elasticity.
13. Vitamin K,which supports bone he alth, normalizes blood clotting.

This composition has both granular and leaf black tea. Drinking a drink in moderation has a positive effect on the general condition of a person.

What is the value?

The benefits of black tea are related to its composition. The drink has the following valuable properties:

1. Toning, vigor, improvement of physical and brain activity.
2. Calming and improving attention.
3. Protection against inflammation, bacteria, maintaining oral he alth.
4. Stimulating the work of the kidneys, urinary system, the fight against edema.
5. Elimination of migraines, spasms, muscle pain.
6. Normalization of digestion in indigestion.
7. Acceleration of skin healing, treatment of rashes, ulcers.
8. Improving well-being, relief from fevers.

The benefits of black tea are achieved only if the rules of preparation and use are followed. Many believe that coffee gives vigor, but it should be borne in mind that the effect of tea is gradual and long-lasting, so you should not abuse it.

Benefits of milk tea

Many experts claim that such a drink is useful due to the following properties:

1. Improve brain function, saturate the body with microelements and vitamins.
2. Suitable for those who can't drink plain milk as it is easy to digest and doesn't irritate the stomach.
3. Because of the milkpart of the caffeine is neutralized, so the drink is useful for nervous disorders, neurosis and depression.
4. Tea with milk restores immunity. The antioxidants and vitamins present in the composition support a weak body and have a positive effect on the kidneys.
5. The drink has a tonic effect, it neutralizes the aggressive effect of caffeine and other alkaloids.

Useful properties of "Monastic tea"

The drink includes many plants collected in ecologically clean areas. Its benefits are as follows:

1. Treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, baldness, prostatitis, psoriasis, hypertension and other diseases.
2. There are many biologically active components that have a positive effect on vision, nervous system, mental activity and reaction.
3. Tea is considered not only a valuable psychostimulant, but also an excellent antidepressant.
4. The drink restores immunity, normalizes metabolism and has a positive effect on the pancreas.

Views

Some believe that tea leaves are the same, but in fact there are different types of it. According to the size of the tea leaves, tea is of the following types:

1. Large leaf. Black tea of this type retains many valuable components and taste. The aroma is deep and soft. More expensive varieties are large-leaved.
2. Broken teas ("broken"). These are cut tea leaves that have rich colors and a deep aroma.
3. Siftings ("fannings"). These are small tea leaves.able to brew quickly.
4. Tea dust. It includes small particles of the sheet, from which strong tea leaves are obtained. Usually the product is brewed in disposable paper bags.

By the type of mechanical processing, there are the following types of black tea:

1. Baikhovy. This type of tea is also called loose tea. This is the most popular variety worldwide.
2. Pressed. It is presented in the form of dense layers processed with the help of facing tea material. There are tiled, tablet and brick. They have a rich flavor but little aroma.
3. Extracted. This variety is available as a powder or liquid extract, often flavored, but the main taste is not pronounced.
4. Granulated. The product is presented in the form of twisted tea leaves, not only the top 2 leaves of the tea shoot are used for it, but also coarse raw materials - up to the 5th leaf. Its aroma is weak, but the taste and color are rich.

In addition, many teas use natural and artificial flavors, but they affect the flavor rather than the properties of the drink.

Varieties

Which is the best black tea? It includes the following well-known varieties:

1. "Darjeeling". The cultivation takes place in India. The variety is one of the best among black teas.
2. "Assam". The name corresponds to the state of India where the variety is grown. Such a drink is strong and rich.
3. "Kenyan". Grown in Kenya, it tastes similar to the previous species.
4. "Nepalese". Production is carried out in Nepal, the taste of the drink is similar to Darjeeling.
5. "Ceylon". Black tea of this type is made according to the Assam variety of leaves. The drink has similar taste properties. Cultivation takes place in Ceylon.

There are also Chinese, Indonesian, Turkish teas. It is difficult to say which one is better to choose, since each person has his own tastes.

Choice

A drink will be useful only with a quality product, so you need to be able to choose it correctly. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the following nuances:

1. Color. A quality product has black tea leaves. If it is gray, then this confirms improper storage, and if it is brown, then the tea is of poor quality.
2. Uniformity. The tea leaves must be the same size.
3. No impurities. Products should not contain fragments of stems, branches, other debris.
4. Twisted sheets. The better they are twisted, the longer the shelf life of the product and the brighter the taste. Loosely twisted tea leaves are soft.
5. Suitable humidity. You should not choose clotted, brittle tea, as well as with the smell of burning and mold. The quality is evidenced by the relative elasticity and pleasant aroma.
6. Freshness. You have to look at the packaging date. The drink will be much better if its age is not older than 5 months, otherwise it loses its valuable properties.

The product must be labeled according to the international classification. According to reviews, black tea will be delicious andfragrant, if it is selected according to the above criteria. In addition, all the benefits will be saved in it.

Storage

The storage rules are as follows:

1. Expiration date - up to 1 year.
2. The product is able to absorb odors.
3. Sunshine reduces shelf life.
4. High humidity has a negative effect on brewing quality.
5. Air affects the quality.

The tea leaves should be stored in a dark place, placing it in an airtight container. The container can be glass or metal, but porcelain and faience are allowed.

Brew

There is black tea in bags, which is prepared very simply: just put it in a mug and pour boiling water over it. It will be enough to infuse for 5 minutes, after which you can use it. If the product is in loose form, then you need to use the following rules:

1. Wash and dry the kettle thoroughly. It is desirable that it be porcelain, glass or ceramic. And metal utensils should not be used.
2. Bring the water to a boil and rinse the kettle with it 2-3 times.
3. The tea leaves are placed in the container: 1 tsp. on a glass. Infusion is performed for 1-2 minutes.
4. The tea leaves are poured halfway with boiling water and the container is tightly closed.
5. After 3 minutes, you need to add boiling water and again close the dishes.

After 3-4 minutes you can pour the drink. It should be borne in mind that it is not recommended to brew the same tea leaves again or drink yesterday's tea - it loses itsfavor.

Use

In China and Japan, the drink is consumed without additives. It was in these countries that the tea ceremony was born. They drink tea several times a day, but in small quantities. Drinking with lemon is common in Iran and Turkey. Sugar is replaced with raisins, figs, almonds, eating these products.

Spices can be added to the drink, for example, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon. Arabs prefer to supplement their tea with mint and usually do not use sugar, but add citrus juices. Europeans do not use sweets with tea, but use sugar in a small amount. If desired, the drink can be combined with sugar, honey, milk, flour products, citrus fruits, apples, cranberries, sea buckthorn, spices.

Harm

Many people prefer to drink several cups of drink. But the harm of black tea should also be taken into account. Reduce the strength of the drink, reduce consumption or refuse it in some cases:

1. High excitability. The drink includes a lot of caffeine, which has an active effect on the nervous system. Therefore, you should not use it before bedtime or during an exacerbation of neurosis, as this will lead to insomnia, mood swings, heart palpitations and headaches. Only 1-2 cups of weakly brewed drink with honey or milk is allowed.
2. Eye diseases. Strong black tea increases eye pressure, therefore, it should not be consumed with glaucoma.
3. The presence of tannin at high concentration has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane, therefore, whengastritis and exacerbation of stomach ulcers, you should not use it, as well-being deteriorates significantly.
4. Black tea contains fluoride, which is beneficial in small amounts, and when consumed in excess, it destroys calcium compounds, which negatively affects the condition of teeth and bones. To prevent this harmful effect, do not brew a strong drink and do not drink it often.
5. Caffeine and tannins complicate the absorption of iron, so you should not drink a drink with iron-containing products, as well as in the treatment of anemia.

There is no huge harm from the drink. If used correctly and in moderation, no negative effects are expected.

Is milk tea harmful?

This drink is loved by many. True, there is an opinion that it can be harmful. But in fact, there are several properties that can be equated with negative, but not harmful:

1. Diuretic action, so do not drink tea at night, so that there is no load on the kidneys.
2. With the addition of milk, the effect of tea on the vessels is neutralized, since they cannot expand, and therefore the beneficial effect of the drink is reduced.
3. Infusion includes a valuable component - catechin. With the addition of milk, this substance is mixed with casein, which reduces the amount of useful elements.
4. Some people have intolerance to this product.

Cosmetic treatments

Drink is useful in losing weight. The reason for this is the presence of theophylline,which speeds up the body's metabolism. Tea leaves can be used as a lotion during sunbathing. Essential oils protect the skin from burns, while tannins give the skin a golden tone.

Daily wiping the face with fresh tea leaves keeps the skin fresh and youthful. If you need to get rid of swelling or dark circles under the eyes, then you should put tampons dipped in strong unsweetened tea on your eyelids. The time procedure takes 10-15 minutes.

Tonic baths are taken with a decoction of black tea. To do this, you need to brew a strong tea: 5 tsp. dry product per 1 liter of boiling water. After insisting, the broth is poured into the bathroom.

Thus, black tea is good for the human body if consumed in moderation. And what kind to choose and what to combine it with depends on personal preferences.