Tea leaves contain several chemical substances: amino acids, minerals, carbohydrates, caffeine, polyphenols and flavonols. Caffeine is one of the most prominent constituents of tea, enhancing the action of the digestive fluids, and acting as a mild stimulant.
Tea preparation: There are 4 generally accepted basic rules.
1. Boiling water is required, as the active tea substances do not dissolve completely in water of temperature below 96 degrees, the infusion of the tea being thus incomplete. The advice that the tea pot should be heated in advance is based on this fact, since cold water cools down the pot. For a faster release of the flavours and active substances, it is better to first put the tea into the pot, and pour boiling water over it, not vice versa.
Tea leaves of unbagged tea unfold best on a tea strainer, although tea bags enable the easiest access for the water to the tea. The concern that the filter paper affects the flavour of the tea is unreasonable. A completely neutral filter paper is produced for these purposes, and good tea producing companies naturally use only this material.
2. Good tea and its adequate amount yield good results.
What is good tea though, and what is an adequate amount? First, let us have a look at the quality offered.
Whether in tea bags, loose or in infusion pots, all tea is influenced to the highest degree by water.
Luckily, tea flavours vary, and everyone can find tea to their taste. What does an adequate amount of tea mean though? An ancient, basic rule applies here: "one teaspoon per cup and one teaspoon extra, that is for the tea pot". That means, for instance, 5 teaspoons are needed for 4 cups of tea.
This rule applies only for leaf tea, but this method is very outdated. Today's tea is mostly found in tea bags. Tea bags contain the finest and richest tea gained from tea leaves after removing the petiole and crushing the leaves.
Tea experts have been increasingly emphasising that tea is correctly flavoured and tastes good only when it is strong, that means when an adequate amount of tea has been used for the infusion.
However, for some people, strong tea means tea that has been steeped in a cup for a long time, and that is how it has acquired its dark colour. The time of processing (steep time), however, is not connected at all to the strength of the tea, it only determines the following ratio: "amount of tea to the amount of water"
3. Steep time must be between 2 and 5 minutes. As for the flavour, it has to be noted that steeping cannot last longer than 5 minutes, otherwise the tea becomes bitter. On the other hand, if steep time is shorter than 2 minutes, the resulting flavour of the tea will be weak.
The effect of tea on the mental and physical health of a person: This beverage offers an opportunity to cultivate ourselves and develop our ability to observe and perceive better. We realize the beauty of each and every moment, which might have passed without us noticing it, and we achieve a state of perfect awareness. The Chinese say: “One who drinks tea forgets the noise and unrest of everyday life”.
Tea contains vitamin B1, which enhances a person's resistance to noise, so it can been seen that the Chinese proverb corresponds to the findings of modern science. Tea is considered to be cooling in spite of its being drunk hot, since heat and cold are contrasts that influence the human organism. It refreshes and stimulates the body.
Several dentists recommend drinking tea for its high content of fluorides necessary for the human organism. Green tea contains twice as much of it as black tea. Fluoride strengthens the bones, prevents osteoporosis and protects the tooth enamel, which becomes more resistant towards caries. Drinking tea significantly reduces the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
The high percentage of selenium contained in green tea creates a natural defence against cancer in the body. Tea prevents the development of cancer also by preventing cell mutation. The polyphenyls in tea increase the content of white blood cells, warriors in battle against infections. Tea, thanks to its preventive and healing effects, contributes to longevity. Tea truly strengthens health and prolongs life; as the Taoists have put it, it is the “elixir of longevity”.
