The Birth of Tea

Chinese tea is alleged to have been first brewed in 2737 BC by a servant of the Chinese Emperor Shinning when a tea leaf incidentally dropped into a cup of served hot water. There are numerous documents all though history showing how tea drinking developed. Tea became incredibly popular through ancient China, causing emperors to send troops and servants to different ends of the land for the most rare kinds and even using tea as a sort of currency.

Tea was also highly priced due to its proved relaxing and medicinal effects. Chinese tea was found to provide a few great effects on mental and physical health, for example boosting digestion, losing wastes and irritants in the body, hastening the healing process, improving blood flow, improving concentration and focus, raising mood and relaxing the muscles. There also are computer effects of tea, such as quickly dumping nicotine from the body, working as a diuretic to get rid of excess water and working as a catalyst for certain drugs and ingredients to boost health.

Tea Preparations

Tea preparations and techniques also sundry throughout the ages. Some of the people make crushed and formed teacakes to share during special events like birthdays or the New Year. Others had a preference for modern way of roasting the tea leaves rather than steaming. Others also use a spread of items for preparing and serving tea. Different tea sets were made according to the particular preferences of individuals. You will find porcelain wares, earthenware, glassware and even tea sets made of steel or gold. There are also associations with the various kinds of Chinese tea being prepared. Monks, fortune tellers and spiritual healers say that tea drives out demons among possessed people. Others claim that it is important to drink tea in the New Year or on your birthday for good luck and fortune.

The Kinds of Tea

Plenty of the Chinese tea varieties available right now are from the same plants and leaves gathered centuries ago. The known varieties include black tea, white tea, green tea, oolong tea, yellow tea, red tea, purer tea, jasmine tea, kudu tea and chrysanthemum tea. Other types of herbal and medicinal teas are also available. The giant fact is all tea originates from one specie of tea only – the Camilla Saneness plant. There are 4 general sorts of tea, according to the appearance, source, age and process. These are specifically black tea, white tea, green tea and oolong tea.

White tea come from tea leaves with buds that are yet to open, causing the white appearance. Green tea is not fermented and stays in the same leaf colour. Black tea is fermented and processed so it would appear dark or black. Oolong tea appears as a mix of black and green as the leaves aren't completely fermented. Scented teas are a special type comprised of petals and flowers rather than leaves. The jasmine tea is included to this kind. Tea can be prepared in alternative ways by adding other ingredients and changing the duration, methodology or slight tools of the process.

Grading Teas

There are various grades and levels of quality. Centuries back, these were rated depending on the time and season the leaves were picked, the province where the tea leaves come from and the technique of cultivating and growing the tea bushes. There were farmers that specialized in tea plant growing. Till today, experts continue to grade and score the quality and excellence of tea in varied settings. There are high-grade teas, premier grade teas and second to fourth grade tea. The prices of each will also vary widely according to quality and source. Even though some alternatives of tea plants are grown in other areas of the planet, many tea fans and experts say the original flavour of Chinese tea can only really be enjoyed from products directly harvested in specific provinces.

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The Different Sorts Of Chinese Tea is a post from: WiredWriter