what tea do chinese people drink
Green tea: Green tea is one of the most widely popular types of tea in China. It originated in southern China and is favored for its fresh color and refreshing taste. It is said that Chinese tea trees first grew on green tea mountains. There is an ancient poem describing the beauty of green tea: Bi Luo Chun, standing alone in front of a green field. Green tea is rich in tea polyphenols and vitamin C, which can help clear heat, detoxify, and refresh the mind. It is suitable for people who love fresh taste, and can be brewed using green tea brewing method at a water temperature of 70-80 ° C to taste its unique and refreshing taste.
Black tea: Black tea originates from Fujian Province, China. It is a fully fermented tea, named after the red color of the tea soup. Black tea has a rich aroma and mellow taste, sometimes with a hint of sweetness. People who enjoy deep and rich tea flavors will love black tea. The Qing Dynasty literati Lu You once wrote a poem: “The guests are enveloped by the fragrance of black tea, and the purple tower is illuminated by white dew. Black tea also has the effect of refreshing and invigorating the mind, suitable for enjoying in the morning or afternoon. When brewing black tea, hot water at 100 ° C can be used, and the brewing time is about 3-5 minutes.
White tea: White tea is one of the most primitive tea leaves in China, originating from Fujian and Jiangsu regions. White tea is made from its tender buds and leaves as raw materials. After slight processing, the tea leaves maintain their original flavor. The characteristics of white tea are elegant aroma and light taste. The ancients used white tea to describe the beauty of elegance: white doves carrying green grass, chirping with the fragrance of white tea. White tea is rich in various antioxidant substances, which are beneficial to physical health. Suitable for those who pursue a natural taste, the water temperature during brewing can be controlled at 80-90 ° C, and the brewing time is about 1-2 minutes.
Yellow tea: Yellow tea is the most precious type of Chinese specialty tea. It originated in Anhui Province, China and has a unique manufacturing process. Yellow tea is tea leaves that have undergone slight fermentation and steaming, with a yellow green appearance and unique aroma. Lu You, a scholar in the Song Dynasty, exclaimed: “The yellow leaves of Mount Huangshan are as yellow as golden toads in the drunken hometown.”. Yellow tea has a refreshing and sweet taste, suitable for those who pursue the aroma and taste of tea. When brewing yellow tea, the water temperature can be controlled at 80-90 ° C, and the brewing time is about 1-2 minutes.
Oolong tea: Oolong tea originates from Fujian and Taiwan in China and is a semi fermented tea. It is between green tea and black tea, with a unique flavor and taste. Oolong tea is sometimes described as having a semi-solid aroma with a fragrant aroma, including light, floral, or fruity notes. Tang Bohu, a literati of the Ming Dynasty, once recited: ‘Boil tea and cook the Dragon Cave, the taste is like three degrees.’. Oolong tea has the effects of refreshing and invigorating the mind, reducing food and dampness, and is suitable for those who pursue various tea flavors and tastes. When brewing oolong tea, the water temperature can be controlled at 90-95 ° C, and the brewing time is about 2-3 minutes.
Black tea: Black tea is a type of post fermented tea unique to China. It is mainly produced in Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan and other places. Black tea is sometimes referred to as “black tea”, but in reality, its production process and properties are different from those of black tea. Black tea is loved for its unique aged aroma and rich taste. Tea lovers often use black tea to describe the traces of time: the rain washes away the pear blossoms and closes the door, forgetting youth and missing it. Black tea has the effects of reducing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and aiding digestion, making it suitable for people with strong tea flavors and a pursuit of aged fragrance. When brewing black tea, the water temperature can be controlled at around 95 ° C, and the brewing time is about 3-5 minutes.
Disadvantages of drinking Chinese tea
Generally speaking, drinking tea does not have any harmful effects, but if you drink a large amount of strong tea for a long time, it may have certain negative effects on your health, such as insomnia, tooth discoloration, gastrointestinal discomfort, affecting iron absorption, and stimulating the central nervous system.
1. Insomnia: Tea contains caffeine, which can stimulate the central nervous system and increase brain excitability after consumption. If consumed for a long time or before bedtime, it can easily lead to insomnia, and some people may also experience symptoms of neurasthenia;
2. Tooth discoloration: If the tea leaves are too thick or if tea is consumed for a long time, the tea pigments in the tea leaves can easily adhere to the surface of the teeth, causing them to turn black or yellow;
3. Gastrointestinal discomfort: Drinking tea or strong tea on an empty stomach for a long time can dilute gastric juice, reduce the digestive function of the gastrointestinal tract, cause discomfort symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating, and even lead to stomach diseases in severe cases;
4. Affects iron absorption: Tea contains substances such as tannic acid, which can affect iron absorption. If tea is consumed for a long time, the body may become iron deficient, and some people may even suffer from iron deficiency anemia;
5. Stimulating the central nervous system: Caffeine in tea can stimulate the central nervous system, and long-term consumption can easily cause an increase in heart rate, leading to symptoms such as palpitations and chest tightness;
6. Other: If drinking tea for a long time or in large quantities, some people may also experience symptoms such as constipation, dental caries, and inhibited milk secretion.
Chinese tea benefits
1. Moisturize the lungs and reduce phlegm
Tea can nourish the lungs. Drinking tea regularly can eliminate lung toxicity. People with upper respiratory tract diseases can also drink tea to assist in treatment. Because tea contains a large amount of theophylline, it can effectively relax bronchial smooth muscle, thus relieving symptoms of cough and excessive sputum, and can also assist in the treatment of emphysema and bronchitis.
2. Consume and relieve greasiness
Tea contains caffeine and a large amount of tea polyphenols. Drinking tea can inhibit the body’s absorption of fat, and tea water can increase the secretion of stomach acid, which can help digestion. After eating a lot of greasy food, drinking some tea can not only help the body digest better, but also effectively prevent obesity.
3. Diuretic detoxification
Tea can also eliminate body swelling. For patients with difficulty urinating, they can drink more tea to promote bowel movements. Tea can inhibit the reabsorption of renal tubules, allowing toxins to be quickly excreted through urine.
4. Antibacterial and detoxifying properties
Tea can effectively kill a variety of pathogens and viruses, so people suffering from malaria or other infectious diseases can drink some tea as an auxiliary treatment.