Black tea: types, benefits and harms

Many people cannot imagine their life without tea. The choice may differ only in grade. Some consumers like green tea, while others prefer black. The product has many varieties. Each of them differs in taste, aroma, saturation. The benefits and dangers of black tea are described in the article.

Production

Black tea is considered a tea leaf processing product. The production procedure is as follows:

1. The tops of the plant shoots are required.
2. Raw materials are dried for several hours to soften and eliminate excess moisture.
3. Then twisting is carried out - manually or with special rollers, and then fermentation (oxidation) to reveal the taste of the drink and increase the shelf life.
4. At the end, drying is carried out at a temperature of 95 degrees and cutting (whole leaf teas are not exposed to this).
5. Then sorted and perform additional processing - the finished product is disassembled by the size of the tea leaves. If necessary, aromatization and the addition of additional components.

High-quality black tea has a rich or light color, a peculiar aroma. The drink is useful, but it should not be overused.

Difference from green

Black and green tea are the leaves of one plant. But the technology for producing products is different, which changes the chemical composition and properties. The black look undergoes the processing indicated above. And with green everything is the same, but fermentation is excluded, so the composition is similar to a fresh leaf.

Structure

Black tea is rich in:

1. Tannins that have hemostatic, astringent, anti-inflammatory properties. Components neutralize the effects of heavy metals.
2. Caffeine, stimulating the nervous system, cardiac activity.
3. Amino acids. Components slow down aging, maintain normal metabolism.
4. Carotene, improving the condition of the skin, hair, the activity of the endocrine system.
5. Vitamin C. Present in small quantities, since most of it is destroyed.
6. Vitamin B ₁ , which is needed for general tone.
7. Vitamin B ₂ , which helps to synthesize hemoglobin, ensures the health of the skin and mucous membranes.
8. Nicotinic acid, which breaks down fats, maintains an energy balance.
9. Pantothenic acid - is necessary for the formation of healthy cholesterol.
10. Fluoride, which is required for the health of teeth and oral cavity.
11. Potassium, necessary for the normal functioning of muscles, relieving cramps.
12. Vitamin P that improves blood composition, vascular elasticity.
13. Vitamin K, which supports bone health, normalizes blood coagulation.

Such a composition has both granular and leaf black tea. Drinking in moderate amounts positively affects the general condition of a person.

What is the value?

The benefits of black tea are related to its composition. The drink has the following valuable properties:

1. Toning, vitality, improvement of physical and brain activity.
2. Calming and improving attention.
3. Protection against inflammation, bacteria, maintaining oral health.
4. Stimulation of the kidneys, urinary system, the fight against edema.
5. Elimination of migraine, cramping, muscle pain.
6. Normalization of digestion with indigestion.
7. Acceleration of skin healing, treatment of rashes, ulcers.
8. Improving well-being, relieving fever.

The benefits of black tea are achieved only when the rules of preparation and use are fulfilled. Many people believe that coffee gives vigor, but it is worth considering that the effect of tea is gradual and long, so you should not abuse it.

Benefits of Milk Tea

Many experts claim that such a drink is useful due to the following properties:

1. Improving the brain, saturating the body with trace elements and vitamins.
2. Suitable for those who can not drink milk in its pure form, because it is easily absorbed and does not exert heaviness on the stomach.
3. Due to milk, part of the caffeine is neutralized, therefore, the drink is useful for nervous disorders, neurosis and depression.
4. Tea with milk restores immunity. The antioxidants and vitamins present in the composition support the weak body and have a positive effect on the kidneys.
5. The drink has a tonic effect, it neutralizes the aggressive effect of caffeine and other alkaloids.

Useful properties of "Monastic Tea"

The drink includes many plants collected in ecologically clean areas. Its benefits are as follows:

1. Treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, baldness, prostatitis, psoriasis, hypertension and other diseases.
2. There are many biologically active components that positively affect vision, nervous system, mental activity and reaction.
3. Tea is considered not only a valuable psychostimulant, but also an excellent antidepressant.
4. The drink restores immunity, normalizes metabolism and has a positive effect on the pancreas.

Kinds

Some believe that tea brewing is the same, but in fact there are different types of it. By the size of tea leaves, tea can be of the following types:

1. Large leaf. Black tea of ​​this kind retains many valuable ingredients and taste. The aroma is deep and soft. More expensive varieties are large-leaved.
2. Broken teas ("broken"). These are chopped tea leaves with rich colors and a deep aroma.
3. Sowing ("fannings"). These are small tea leaves that can brew quickly.
4. Tea dust. It includes small particles of the sheet, from which a strong welding is obtained. Usually the product is brewed in disposable paper bags.

By type of mechanical processing there are the following types of black tea:

1. Baykhovy. Tea of ​​this type is also called loose. This is the most popular variety in the world.
2. Pressed. It is presented in the form of dense layers processed using facing tea material. There are tiled, preformed and brick. They have a rich taste, but a weak aroma.
3. Extracted. This type is available in the form of a powder or liquid extract, often flavored, but the main taste is not pronounced.
4. Granulated. The product is presented in the form of twisted tea leaves, not only 2 top leaves of tea shoot are used for it, but also coarse raw materials - up to the 5th leaf. Its aroma is weak, but the taste and color are saturated.

In addition, many teas use natural and artificial flavorings, but they affect the aroma rather than the properties of the drink.

Varieties

What is the best black tea? The following known varieties are attributed to it:

1. Darjeeling. Cultivation takes place in India. The variety is one of the best among black tea.
2. "Assam." The name corresponds to the state of India where the variety is grown. This drink is strong and rich.
3. "Kenyan". The variety is grown in Kenya, to taste it is similar to the previous species.
4. "Nepali". Production is carried out in Nepal, the taste of the drink is similar to Darjeeling.
5. "Ceylon". Black tea of this type is made according to the Assamese variety of sheets. The drink has similar taste properties. Cultivation is carried out on the island of Ceylon.

There are also Chinese varieties of tea, Indonesian, Turkish. It is difficult to say which one is better to choose, since each person has his own tastes.

The choice

A good drink will be only with a quality product, so you need to be able to choose it correctly. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the following nuances:

1. Color. Quality product has black gulls. If it is gray, then this confirms improper storage, and if brown, then the tea is of poor quality.
2. Homogeneity. Tea leaves should have one size.
3. The absence of impurities. The product should not contain fragments of stems, branches, other debris.
4. Torsion of sheets. The better they are twisted, the longer the shelf life of the product and the brighter the taste. Loosely twisted gulls are soft.
5. Suitable humidity. You should not choose packed, brittle tea, as well as with the smell of burning and mold. Relative elasticity and pleasant aroma testify to quality.
6. Freshness. We must look at the date of packaging. A drink will be much better if its age is not older than 5 months, otherwise it loses valuable properties.

The product must be labeled according to international classification. According to reviews, black tea will be tasty and fragrant if it is selected according to the above criteria. In addition, all the benefits will be preserved in it.

Storage

Storage rules are as follows:

1. Shelf life - up to 1 year.
2. The product is capable of absorbing odors.
3. Sun rays reduce shelf life.
4. High humidity adversely affects the quality of welding.
5. Air negatively affects quality.

The tea leaves must be stored in a dark place, placing it in an airtight container. The container may be glass or metal, but porcelain and earthenware are permitted.

Brewing

There is black tea in bags, which is prepared very simply: just put it in a mug and pour boiling water. Insisting in 5 minutes will be enough, after which it can be consumed. If the product is loose, then you need to use the following rules:

1. Wash and dry the kettle thoroughly. It is desirable that it be porcelain, glass or ceramic. And metal utensils should not be used.
2. The water must be brought to a boil and rinsed with a 2-3 times kettle.
3. The tea leaves are placed in the container: 1 tsp. on a glass. Insisting is carried out 1-2 minutes.
4. The teapot is filled in half with boiling water and the container is tightly closed.
5. After 3 minutes, you need to add boiling water and again cover the dishes.

After 3-4 minutes, you can pour the drink. It is worth considering that it is not recommended to brew the same tea leaves or drink yesterday's tea a second time - it loses its benefit.

Use

In China and Japan, the drink is consumed without additives. It was in these countries that the tea ceremony was born. They drink tea several times a day, but in small quantities. Drinking with lemon is common in Iran and Turkey. Sugar is replaced with raisins, figs, almonds, jamming with these products.

Spices, such as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, may be added to the drink. Arabs prefer to add mint tea and usually do not use sugar, but add citrus juices. Europeans do not consume sweets with tea, but use a small amount of sugar. If desired, the drink can be combined with sugar, honey, milk, flour products, citrus fruits, apples, cranberries, sea buckthorn, spices.

Harm

Many people prefer to drink several cups of the drink. But you should take into account the harm of black tea. Reduce the strength of the drink, reduce consumption or abandon it in some cases:

1. High excitability. The drink includes a lot of caffeine, which has an active effect on the nervous system. Therefore, you should not use it before bedtime or during an exacerbation of a neurosis, as this will lead to insomnia, mood swings, heart palpitations and headaches. Only 1-2 cups of a lightly brewed drink with honey or milk are allowed.
2. Eye diseases. Strong black tea helps increase eye pressure, therefore, with glaucoma it should not be consumed.
3. The presence of tannin at a high concentration has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane, therefore, with gastritis and exacerbation of a stomach ulcer, it should not be used, as well-being is much worse.
4. In black tea, there is fluoride, which in small amounts is useful, and when overused, it destroys calcium compounds, which negatively affects the condition of teeth and bones. To prevent this harmful effect, you should not brew a strong drink and do not drink it often.
5. Caffeine and tannins complicate the absorption of iron, so you should not drink a drink with iron-containing products, as well as in the treatment of anemia.

There is no huge harm from the drink. If you use it correctly and moderately, then no negative consequences are expected.

Is there any harm to milk tea?

This drink is loved by many. True, there is an opinion that there may be harm from him. But in fact, there are several properties that can be equated with negative, but not harmful:

1. Diuretic effect, so do not drink tea at night so that there is no load on the kidneys.
2. With the addition of milk, the effect of tea on the vessels is neutralized, since they will not be able to expand, and therefore the beneficial effect of the drink is reduced.
3. Infusion includes a valuable component - catechin. With the addition of milk, this substance is mixed with casein, which reduces the number of useful elements.
4. Some people have intolerance to such a product.

Cosmetic procedures

The drink is useful in losing weight. The reason for this is the theophylline present, which speeds up the metabolism in the body. Tea brewing can be used as a lotion during sunbathing. Essential oils protect the skin from burns, and tannins give the skin a golden tone.

Daily wiping the face with fresh tea leaves keeps the skin fresh and youthful. If you need to get rid of edema or dark circles under the eyes, then swabs moistened with strong unsweetened tea should be put on your eyelids. The time procedure takes 10-15 minutes.

Toning baths are taken with a decoction of black tea. To do this, you need to brew a strong tea leaves: 5 tsp each. dry product per 1 liter of boiling water. After infusion, the broth is poured into the bathroom.

Thus, black tea is beneficial to the human body if consumed in moderation. And what kind to choose and with what to combine it, depends on personal preferences.