It is said that the first tea originated in China some 4,000 years ago. The legend goes like this:
Emperor Shen Nung in 2737 B.C. was boiling some water for drinking one day when some leaves of a nearby plant fell into his pot. After drinking the beverage, the emperor became so enchanted by its delicious smell and taste that he began urging his people to drink it.
The plant of course is the common tea plant, Camellia sinensis. And drinking tea was soon elevated from just another normal everyday occurrence to an art form and a form of alternative medicine.
From that single drink, Chinese tea evolved into some 15,000 known varieties. Depending on how it is processed, tea falls loosely into six categories, white, yellow, green, oolong, red (known as black tea in the West), and Chinese black tea.
As implied from its name, brewed Chinese black tea ranges in color from a dark reddish brown to black. One of its unique characteristics is that it mellows with age and grows richer and deeper in flavor. You probably heard how wine becomes better with age. With Chinese black tea, you will experience the same thing.
Vintage varieties of Chinese black tea are superlative. They boast of flavors and aromas that conjure up the same adjectives used to describe fine wine or whiskey. Unlike green tea, its much more popular cousin, Chinese black tea is richer in flavor and more full-bodied. Some varieties have even a certain spice to their tastes. To be sure, the tea has the most intriguing taste out of all tea varieties.
Storing Chinese black tea is simple. Just keep it in a well-ventilated place. The tea doesn’t even require temperature regulation. Unlike other teas, Chinese black tea comes in compressed cakes of various shapes and sizes. Sometimes, they’re round. Sometimes, square. Other times, they may even be fashioned into bamboo-like tubes.
Truly like wine, black teas differ subtly in flavor and aroma depending on where they were grown and how long they have aged.
“Although tea-drinking has long been a global trend, interest in black tea has soared in the past two or three years,” explains Shaojun Luo, chairman of the China National Center of Quality Supervision and Inspection of Tea. “China’s well-to-do are passionate about buying black tea. Still, with such limited quantities produced, vintage black tea is very hard to come by.”
All teas are green from the start. By steaming these green tea leaves and leaving them to ferment naturally, Chinese black tea is produced. But how did the drink acquire its characteristic color? The process actually involves the workings of molds, such as aspergillus and penicillium, and in that respect, is much like making cheese.
Although Sichuan is credited as the first main district that produced Chinese black tea, the history of the beverage remains integrally linked to Tibet, Mongolia, and the Uyghur people of northwestern China. In these areas, drinking black tea is synonymous with health and going without it for even a day is to invite illness.
Posted by admin in Health
China Black Tea
... and the theaflavins form into another compound called thearubigins, which ultimately render China black tea its final dark brown or black color. The theaflavins are also associated with the "brisk" flavor and brightness of China black tea. The thearubigins, on the other hand, are responsible for the tea's strength and color. After a few hours, when oxidation is complete, the aroma of China black tea changes from a "leafy" smell to a "fruity" one. The last step is drying and firing. This is when China Chinese Black Tea black tea is subjected to extreme heat - sometimes in an open fire - in order to change the color of the leaves to its characteristic black color. China Black Tea Types * Ching Wo (Fujian Province) - includes Lapsang Souchong and Panyang * Dayeh (Yunnan Province) * Dian Hong (Yunnan Province) * Hainan (Island of Hainan, South China Sea) * Keemun (Keemun County, Anhui Province) - includes...
Black Rum Tea
... your cup of tea. Glenbrook Farm offers their Caribbean rum tea in 4 oz., 8 oz., or 16 oz. Adagio.com - Rum Tea Adaigo Teas has always been known to produce excellent quality tea. Now, with their new black rum tea, they offer you the perfect gourmet tea - premium black tea from China flavored with a spoonful of island rum. Adaigo's rum tea is an intoxicating treat, not only because it has a dash of alcohol in Chinese Black Tea it, but because the intensity of its flavors. If you like your black tea served with added flavors, then you'll be pleasantly surprised by the superior flavor of Adaigo's black rum tea. UrbanTeaParty.com - Black Rum Tea "No worries, 'mon." That's exactly what UrbanTeaParty.com offers with their premium black tea from China flavored with a spoonful of tropical island rum. Offered at 4 oz., making ten cups, this black rum tea is intoxicating and soothing all...
Chinese Landscape Painting
The Chinese landscape was an inspiration to the poets of the past too, poetry being another important part of Chinese culture. In fact the actual landscape, poetry, painting, pottery and calligraphy all seem to complement each other. The rest of the world discovered Chinese landscape painting, when the trading routes were established. It was fashionable in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, for the aristocracy in the UK to collect Chinese landscape painting and pottery and show it off in their stately homes. The Chinese landscape, and therefore the Chinese landscape Chinese Black Tea painting are unique. There is a combination of mountains, forest and water that can't be found anywhere else. There are several movements, known as art dynasties, most of them enduring for hundreds of years. Royal court officials and members of the aristocracy in ancient times, were often gifted in calligraphy and painting. Painters worked on silk and then paper became popular after it was invented in the first century. As...
Chinese Herbal Remedies
Nowadays, most people perceive that Chinese herbal remedies are pretty good. That's why, many people reason that they are always safe to take and you can find it everywhere. Herbal weight-loss supplements, immune systems support boosters, and many other drugs are all derived from herbal Chinese remedies. You know that in the last few years, traditional Chinese medicine has become a big business in this country. Everyone wants to get into acupuncture, acupressure, Tai Chi, and of course, Chinese herbal remedies. However, you should remember that, just because something is a Chinese herbal remedy, it doesn't mean that it is safe for everyone. These herbs are traditionally only given out by trained healers, so self-diagnosis can be extremely dangerous. We all know that, there are specific medicines for men and women and these include Nu Bao capsules for women, which help to balance the body's hormones. his regulates a woman's period and reduces pain after giving birth. There are various products that promote healthy skin are...
Information on Black Tea
... pine. Keemun Produced in Qimen, precinct of Anhui province in central China, Keemun black tea is known for its winey and fruity taste with depth and complexity. Like Lapsang Souchong, Chinese Black Tea this black tea type also has a hint of pine in its flavor and floweriness, but not at all as florid as Darjeeling tea. This information on black tea will tell you that Keemun black tea's taste is very distinctive and well balanced. Dian Hong Used mostly in blends, Dian Hong is gourmet black tea made from the golden tips (or buds) of a young tea plant. Finer teas of this variety have a sweeter taste but gentler aroma. The color is somewhat different from other black teas in that Dian...
Organic Black Tea
Often referred to as the "Champagne of teas," Darjeeling is praised for its aroma and delicate flavor. Incidentally, the Darjeeling region also produces excellent green and oolong teas - both known for their delicate tastes. The organic black teas are delicately flavorful but still full-bodied and succulent with a wide range of flavors from floral to nutty and sometimes with subtle muscatel notes. Lapsang Souchong Another organic black tea from China and Taiwan, Lapsang Souchong is also a style of tea with an intensely strong smoky flavor that many find, if not particularly delicious, then intriguing. The flavor is produced by drying the leaves over a smoldering pine fire. This organic black tea is made from larger leaves that contain lower amounts of caffeine, making it a popular evening drink. Lapsang Souchong Chinese Black Tea is not for everyone's palate. If you want to experiment a little with your organic black...
Black Tea Health
... of years, the Chinese people have been drinking tea Chinese Black Tea because of its refreshing and soothing effects. Like all three of the major Asian teas in the market, black tea comes from the plant called Camellia sinensis. But the difference between the tea types lies in how the leaves are processed, not on where they come from. In the case of black tea, the leaves are first dried and then fermented. Black tea undergoes full oxidation, which actually accounts for its aromatic and rich taste. Compared to green tea and oolong or black dragon tea, black tea has a fuller taste and tastes better with age. However, black tea is not only known for its intriguing flavor (comparable to wine!). New research suggests that it may be a major contributor of health-promoting nutrients in the U.S. diet. Black tea health benefits lies in the presence of flavonoids in tea. Before, scientists believed that the process of fermentation...
Black Tea Nutrition
... polyphenols in black tea nutrition to change into the chemical theaflavin, which is the reason why black tea has that brown, reddish color and brisk flavor. When theaflavins bind with other chemicals in black tea, they are transformed into theaburigins which give black tea its characteristic black or dark brown color. But more than lending black tea nutrition its color and flavor, these chemicals are also great antioxidants that help protect the arteries, thus reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. A recent study at the American Chinese Black Tea Heart Association showed just how black tea nutrition could help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Scientists have observed earlier that abnormal dilation of the arteries (a condition associated with stroke and heart failure) is caused by the lessening of nitric oxide production. Black tea apparently has an effect on nitric oxide, maintaining its normal production so the arteries begin to dilate normally. Black tea is also said to contain fluoride, a compound that helps reduce plaque and prevents tooth decay....
Chinese Zodiac Symbols
... zodiac symbols. At the successful matching of all tiles on the board, an animated scroll appears, opens, and reveals one of Chinese Black Tea the animals, holding an object that represents a phenomenon or human spiritual characteristic. Here are the Chinese zodiac symbols and their "gift", as they appear on Pogo: 1st game-rat is the design, and the rat brings the gift of charm or jade, representing perfection 2nd game-ox is the design, and the ox brings the gift of optimism or apples, representing education 3rd game-tiger is the design, and the tiger brings the gift of sensitivity 4th game-rabbit is the design, and the rabbit brings the gift of humility or oranges, representing good fortune 5th game-dragon is the design, and the dragon brings the gift of energy or a green box, symbolizing harmony 6th game-snake is the design, and the snake brings the...
Benefits of Black Tea
... antioxidant properties that can help rid the body of harmful free radicals. In a study done at the American Heart Association in New Orleans, researchers also found that the benefits of black tea may include lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke. According to their findings, certain compounds found in black tea help relax and Chinese Black Tea expand the arteries, thus increasing blood flow to the heart and minimizing clogging of the arteries. The eight-week study on the benefits of black tea involved 50 men and women with coronary artery disease. They drank four cups of either water or tea a day for four weeks. The result was that the group who drank black tea produced more nitric oxide - the chemical released by the body that...
Loose Leaf Black Tea
... decreed that tributes of tea to the court were to be changed from brick to loose leaf form. This imperial decree quickly transformed how people drank tea in China, changing whisked teas to steeped teas. In addition, loose leaf black tea also required the creation or use of new vessels. For instance, to steep the tea leaves properly, the tea pot was needed. Unlike in powdered or brick form where the tea leaves are merely whisked in the drinking vessel, the very nature of loose leaf black tea makes it impossible to perform the infusion Chinese Black Tea in the same vessel. To get the proper concentration of loose leaf black tea, a tea pot had to be used and the tea must be kept warm at all times. The tea pot also comes in handy to separate the leaves from the infusion. Another vessel created as a result of the loose leaf...
Asian Black Tea Set
But sometimes, it really pays to match the kind of Asian black tea set that you use with the tea type you're drinking. For instance, many people say that for China black teas or China green teas, a Chinese Yixing teapot is the best. You see, Yixing teapots are made from unglazed clay, and that's why teas drank from such teapots taste better because the flavor is fully preserved. So if you want to savor the taste of your tea and experience the different subtle variations of black tea, the kind of Asian black tea set you use Chinese Black Tea matters. Below are a few good shops where you can look for the perfect Asian black tea sets. KitchenKapers.com At KitchenKapers.com, you can find an elegant-looking, white-colored Asian black tea set...
Black Dragon Tea
... complex, intriguing, and rich flavor that could only be ascribed to the black dragon tea or oolong. Taiwan high mountain oolong is typically left unroasted, whereas Dongding oolong undergoes carefully attended, long, slow roasting at low temperatures to produce a richer brew. Other types of specialty black dragon teas that require unique cultivation methods include Oriental Beauty and Baihao oolong. What a Cup of Oolong Means Asian culture has become increasingly integrated into Western society in an aspect more profound than the ubiquitous presence of Asian cuisine. I'm talking about more than anime, feng shui, and oriental medicine here. I'm talking about a rich cultural influence that continues to pervade modern society today. I'm talking tea, my dear, and not just any tea. The current trend of tea has inspired many Western scientists today to search for scientific evidence that attests to how tea promotes health. Most of the studies came up with the following astounding conclusions: * Lowers blood cholesterol...
Buy Black Tea
... why you ought to buy black tea at their shop: * Some of the very best green, black, white, yellow, oolong, and puer teas in the world. * Our three promises and full money back guarantee. * Our unique personal relationships with the world's most famous tea farms. * Importing directly guarantees quality. * Importing directly guarantees freshness. * Importing directly guarantees the best prices. * We're genuine tea lovers; we really do care! Advertising aside, SevenCups.com does offer an astounding collection of fine Chinese organic black teas imported directly from tea farms known for their quality produce. Not only that, if you know next to nothing about tea, then you ought to check out their Tea Education section, featuring everything from tea health benefits, how to buy tea, and how to make tea. InPursuitofTea.com True to their name, InPursuitofTea.com explores the remote regions of Asia to supply you with the finest teas, going from Burma to...
Birthday Decorating Ideas
... dealt with. We bought the paper Chinese lanterns as well as a strand of Chinese lantern lights. We also bought paper plates and cups that had oriental floral designs on them. For food I ordered takeout from our favorite Chinese restaurant. I took one of the paper plates to the bakery to see if they could duplicate the design onto the birthday cake. The decorator said she would be able to do this. On the morning of the party we strung the lanterns along with some balloons. We set up several backyard games for the children to play. Everyone enjoyed the Chinese food as well as the birthday decorating ideas that we had come up with. When the party was over I surprised my daughter by showing her the family room area. I had strung the strands of Chinese lights and had set out sleeping bags for her and her friends. I had also rented several movies for them...