|
Some facts about Tea
English tea is not grown in England because the climate
is not right for growing tea plants.
Neither decaffeinated tea nor herbal teas
contain caffeine. The decaffeinated teas have had the caffeine
removed while herbal teas are not really teas at all. They are
herbs that are brewed in hot water the same way that tea is brewed.
Tea should be stored in a tightly closed
container, out of the light. It should not be stored in the
freezer or with strong smelling foods as it absorbs smells.
Green tea and black tea both come from
the same species, Camelia Sinesis. Green tea is made by briefly
cooking the fresh tea using steam or dry heat. This process locks
in the green colors and flavors. For black tea, the tea leaves are
left outside until it becomes limp. It is then put into machines
which crush the leaves. The damaged leaves gradually change color from
green to brown and then black.
Black teas have
some caffeine (about half as much as coffee), oolong teas have half as
much as black, and green has one-third as much as black.
Although there is only one tea plant,
camelia sinesis, there are many varieties, just like grapes. Other
factors that influence the flavor and quality include the growing
conditions, age of the plant and the processing after the tea is picked.
Flavored black
teas infused with flower and fruit blossoms, such as jasmine, ginger,
lemon and almond add variety to your tea table. Earl Grey, probably the
most famous flavored tea, is black tea with oil of bergamot, which gives
the tea an orange-like aroma and taste. There are countless other
flavors.
|
