Tea, tea, tea
Do you like to drink tea? If like me you drink gallons of the stuff then read on. Personally I find tea preferable to coffee. Although there are people who hold the opposite opinion. Here are some interesting facts about the age old drink known as 'tea'.There are three basic types of tea:
- Black tea is fully oxidized as part of its processing. Most Irish teas are of this type and yield an amber-colored beverage with a hearty flavor. There's good reason for that. It's often said that a good Irish cup of tea is "strong enough for a mouse to trot on."
- Green tea isn't oxidized, has a more delicate flavor and is lighter in color.
- Oolong tea is partly oxidized and has a distinctive taste that is different than either black or green tea.
Irish teas in recent decades have tended to use teas from East Africa and Sri Lanka, so much so that the high quality East African teas now dominate the Irish blends. It is possible to blend your own tea, on your way to making the "Perfect Cup of Tea." What "equipment" will you need? A porcelain or pottery teapot is best. A kettle is essential and an infuser is useful if you'll be using loose tea leaves.
Research shows that drinking tea can help maintain your health as part of a healthy lifestyle. The antioxidants, hydrating properties, caffeine and fluoride found in tea provide health benefits for you body.Please note that the following information would also apply to tea drinkers in Ireland.
Health Facts and Nutrition Data (based on UK research)
- Approximately 40% of the UK's fluid intake today will be tea
- Tea without milk has no calories. Using semi-skimmed milk adds around 13 calories per cup, but you also benefit from valuable minerals and calcium
- Tea with milk provides 21% of daily calcium requirement in 4 cups
- Tea contains some zinc and folic acid
- Tea with milk contains Vitamin B6, Riboflavin B2 and Thiamin B1
- Tea is a source of the minerals manganese, essential for bone growth and body development, and potassium, vital for maintaining body fluid levels
- The average cup of tea contains less than half the level of caffeine than coffee. One cup contains only 50mg per 190ml cup
- Tea is a natural source of fluoride and drinking four cups makes a significant contribution to your daily intake
- Only 11% of UK water supply has fluoride added
- Green and black teas are from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, and contain similar amounts of antioxidants and caffeine
Labels: Camellia sinensis, coffee, tea
posted by Thomas @ 12:13 am
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