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Tea, the most popular beverage for the Chinese, is one of China's
specialties and traditional exports. According to historical data, China
began to grow tea about two thousand years ago during the period of
the Warring States (403-221 B.C. ). Tea
from China falls into five major categories, i.e. , black tea, jasmine
tea, Wulong tea (a tea that is half fermented), green tea,and brick
tea, which is otherwise known as tightly pressed tea.
Green tea is made by firing the leaves to dry them. Black tea needs
fermentation--often a natural sort of fermentation which takes place
when leaves are heaped together for some time, say, 24 hours. Jasmine
tea is a mixture of dried tea leaves and jasmine flowers, the ratio
of the mixture bearing heavily on the quality of the tea. Wulong tea
,' which is a half-fermented tea, has been suc-
cessfully marketed as a drink that keeps people fit and slim. Brick
tea for its sheer compactness used to be a favourite for people living
in the remote areas. Whichever type ii may be, the tea leaves
come from the evergreen bushes in the hilly areas in China.The growth
of tea requires proper climatic and soil conditions. Climatically, tea
bushes grow well where it is warm and humid. The temperature must not
drop down below --5'C, otherwise the bushes will suffer. The rainfall
must exceed 1, 000
mm 'on a yearly basis. During the period of fast growth, the monthly
rainfall should not be less than 100 mm. As far as soil conditions are
concerned, the pH value should range between 4.5 and 6. In other words,
the soil should be acidic. On the other hand, the land wvhere tea is
grown has to be well-drained. That is precisely why tea bushes are found
in hilly or mountainous areas, but never in the plains. It would take
3 to 4 years for a tea seed to grow old enough to be fruiful The yield
will be high and steady for almost 25 years if it is well tended. Afterward
the yield will drop and the farmers would chop the bushes by the root
for new crops. In a year or two it would be productive again, and would
last for 25 more years. The chopping can be done to a bush only twice.
In other words, a tea bush can live up to 75 years or even longer in
terms of output. What is the benefit of drinking tea? Well, drinking
tea will not only quench thirst, overcome, fatigue, but help digestion.
Tea leaves, we know, contain some aromatic substances that can dilute
fat. It is said that a cup of tea would do good to one who has been
stuffed with fat. Tea is known to be rich in various vitamins, notably
Vitamin C. It is interesting to know that green tea
contains five to six times more Vitamin C than black tea. That is perhaps
why there has been an increasing demand for green tea in the world market.
Scientific tests in recent years have discovered a new effect in drinking
tea, i. e., radiation protection. This is attributable to the phenols
in the contents of tea leaves which can absorb radioactive strontium.
Tea can also be used as an antiseptic. In the past, for instance, people
in the remote areas, in China would use tea to wash boils and wounds
for sterilization and healing.The way of drinking tea differs in different
countries and regions. In Africa, for. example, people often drink tea
that is mixed with sugar or mint. Many Europeans add sugar or milk to
their tea. in China, too, herdsmen drink tea that is mixed with sheep
or cow milk. The Han Chinese, however, prefer to drink what one might
call plain tea, with its natural flavour.
Which is better, plain tea or tea that,is mixed with sugar or mint or
whatsoever? According to a national tea research center expert in Hangzhou,
plain tea is distinctly better, for the mixing will reduce the medicinal
or tonic value of the tea to a certain degree. But old habits die hard.
Changing the age-old drinking habits is hardly possible. The time-honoured
tradition will linger ad infinitum.
There are always two sides to an issue: Overdrinking tea,especially
strong tea, may result in stomach disorder or insomna.One who is not
used to tea is advised against having tea before going to bed, otherwise
he will find it hard to fall asleep.
Finally, it is important to remember that the water for tea brewing
mustn't be too hot. When it is more than 80'C, the water is likely to
destroy the Vitamin C built in the tea leaves. Also
one mustn't take tea and medicine at the same time, for often they are
likely to be incompatible with each other.
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