Have you ever wondered why there is a huge variety of tea when in fact tea came from the same plant? The answer is simple: the way it was planted, grown, brewed, and processed highly contributes to its differentiation. Due to the dissimilar methods of how each tea is made, the taste looks, and benefits also vary. Considering that it is the second most affordable beverage after water that is stacked with health benefits and brings positive change into someone’s lifestyle, perhaps that’s what makes it so well-known to people of all ages, cultures, and socioeconomic levels all over the world. There are also numerous tea brands globally. Some farms are even found here in the Philippines and they offer tea farm tours. Our friends from Guide to the Philippines made an article highlighting Philippine Tea and tea farm tours in the Philippines. Click the highlighted link to learn more.
Are you a connoisseur of tea? Maybe someone who is just moving in on your newly-purchased condo for sale Philippines and is aiming for a change and adopts a better lifestyle by starting a healthier diet with the help of drinking teas? Or conceivably simply someone whose interest got piqued due to the growing popularity of tea from across the globe? Well, whatever your ‘tea life’ status is, it is always good to learn something new. With that, here are five of the most famous types of tea and how it differs from one another.
Green Tea
Green tea was originally produced in China and it gradually spread globally, particularly in Asia. Green teas require more processing steps than white teas but less oxidation takes place which helps keep the important green color of the leaf. This type of tea is usually prepared by either steaming or pan firing and then dried to prevent it from being oxidized, bringing out more of its unique flavors as well, which range from buttery and grassy to smoky or even citrus-like.
Green tea is very beneficial to regular tea drinkers. It is packed with antioxidants that can protect cells from free radicals, lessening the risk of health damages that can lead to blood clot formation, atherosclerosis, and cancer. It also has about 20 to 45 percent of polyphenols which according to some clinical studies, may help decrease tumor growth. Green tea can also lower the risk of strokes and protect individuals against UVB radiation damage.
White Tea
Cultivated in China, white teas undergo the least amount of processing. This type of tea is made from very young leaves harvested each year during spring and prepared from the first flush—which refers to the picking of new leaves or immature buds in its earliest spring growth making it more delicate and tender and therefore more light, fresh, and floral in flavor. The leaves are picked, withered, and dried, resulting in a light-colored beverage although unlike what the name suggests, white tea is pale yellow in color when brewed. This type of tea is not rolled or oxidized, unlike black and green teas to retain its subtle flavor for a more gentle and soothing taste.
White tea is also known for being one of the most expensive types of tea. But similar to any other variation of tea, white tea has its own share of health benefits. As aforementioned, it is less processed unlike the other types of tea so it retains antioxidants better. These antioxidants can help boost cardiovascular health, lower bad cholesterol levels, may boost metabolism, and manage healthy weight loss. Additionally, white tea has lower caffeine content as compared to black or green tea. Although caffeine has scientifically proven health benefits, it also has some not-so-great side effects such as a risk of addiction and sleeplessness. While a lot of people enjoy having caffeine in their beverage, there are certain groups of the population who need to cut back or avoid caffeine so the fact that white tea has lower caffeine levels makes it acceptable and safer to drink for more individuals.
Interestingly, due to its fresh and gentle flavor, white tea is also known as one of the most popular scents. With its fruity flavor and floral notes, it has a deeply aromatic scent that can transport those who inhale it to a magical realm of relaxation and luxury. This can easily transform any space into a soothing atmosphere. So if you are looking for something that can spice up your new condo for sale Philippines—may it be a condo in Laguna that’s intended for a sweet escape from the city noise or a Tagaytay condo for sale that has outstanding scenery and cooler climate that makes you want to have a cozy environment—perhaps a white tea scent will be the one to exquisitely elevate your home.
Black Tea
One of the most famous, and probably the most common type of tea is black tea. This type of tea is heavily oxidized which in turn alters the green leaves’ color into black and brewed strong, therefore making it known for its bold and stronger flavor that contains more caffeine than other teas but less caffeine than coffee. Unlike white, green, or oolong teas, black teas have the ability to be kept for several years due to their high oxidation. Moreover, it is processed and separated into a grading system wherein tea leaves are examined based on how it looks, their size, and whether it is broken or whole; it is believed that the size and wholeness of a leaf highly influence the taste, clarity, and brewing time of the tea. Black tea is also known for its variety of blends and how it makes a great breakfast drink or a soft afternoon tea.
Over the years, black tea has often been blended with other plants to produce new and different flavors. Similar to most types of tea, it is also very high in antioxidants and compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the body. It reduces blood pressure and may reduce the risk of stroke.
Oolong Tea
Originating in China, the name oolong is derived from a Chinese name, “Wulong” which means black dragon. It is considered to be the most complex type of tea to produce as the process of preparation is very meticulous, profoundly relying on both time and temperature and it requires numerous steps to follow. Leaves are usually rolled or balled up; they can also be steeped eight or so times, wherein in each step, a new dimension of flavor and variation is made. Furthermore, Oolong Tea is semi-oxidized—being somewhere between green tea (which is unoxidized) and black tea (which is oxidized). Thus, its oxidation levels can be as low as 10 percent (close to a green tea) and as high as 85 percent (close to a black tea) although it can vary depending on the type.
Oolong Tea has distinctive tastes and fragrances, with flavors that vary greatly depending on which type of Oolong tea you are to have. It also has numerous benefits such as improving mental alertness and thinking skills and, you guessed it, it also has loads of antioxidants that can boost metabolism. It is rich in L-theanine which is an amino acid that slows down the absorption of caffeine, giving a steady boost of energy.
Pu’erh Tea
Pu’erh Tea is a fermented type of tea that is divided into two styles: raw and cooked. It also originated in China and has become a traditional Chinese beverage over time. This type of tea is made by drying and rolling the leaves that have undergone microbial fermentation and oxidation. After oxidizing, when there is a small amount of moisture on the leaves that’s left, it is then aged for months or even years. What’s different about Pu’erh Tea is that it undergoes a unique aging process. The leaves will be gently roasted, then sun-dried, and steamed afterward into balls or cakes. It improves with age, bringing out more of the tea’s distinct flavor over time, and has an extremely long shelf life.
Pu’erh Tea can be paired well with various foods such as meat and chocolate. It also has low tannin levels therefore it does not have a bitter taste. It can be compressed and turned into cakes that are easy to transport, and scientific research shows that having Pu’erh Tea can help reduce total cholesterol levels in the blood.
Whether it is summer or winter, tea can be enjoyed all year round. Statistics have shown that nearly four billion cups of tea are consumed every day worldwide. This goes to show how people appreciate the taste, incredible benefits, and overall appeal of tea. So wherever you are in the world, whether at work or at home in that newly acquired condo for sale Philippines of yours, if you are looking for a healthful drink in the morning, save your money on that expensive turmeric shot and green juice. Instead, boil some water and grab a bag of tea—inexpensive, yet natural and just as healthy, or even better.
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