Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — Are you a tea lover? You will definitely be happy to learn about its many benefits and effects on human health.
And the Gulf Health Council has stated, through its official account on the “Instagram” site, that tea is among the most popular drinks in the world after water, since all types are extracted from the Chinese camellia flower.
However, the flavors and types of tea differ depending on where the leaves were harvested and how they were grown and processed.
The most popular types of tea:
- Black tea (most popular in the world)
- Green tea
- white tea
What are the main benefits of tea?
- Contains antioxidants that protect against chronic diseases
- Contains flavonoids that improve heart health
- Helps increase alertness and improve attention and activity
The Gulf Health Council recommends staying away from added sugar, as drinking 2 to 3 cups of unsweetened tea a day is associated with a reduced risk of premature death, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
What is the difference between types of tea?
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White tea: unfermented
It is not subject to oxidation, that is, fermentation. The production method takes place after the leaves are harvested, where the withering process of the leaves and then the drying begins.
Its leaves are silvery-white due to a very simple process. The Gulf Health Council has stated that it is considered one of the rarest types of tea.
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Green tea: unfermented
The manufacturing process begins with the withering of the leaves and then the steaming. This process prevents fermentation and oxidation of the leaves. Once the fumigation is complete, the process of shaping and drying the leaves begins.
This type of tea is distinguished by the color of its green leaves, as the evaporation process helps preserve its colour.
Matcha is a type of green tea, but how it’s made varies.
The Gulf Health Council has stated that the leaves are placed in the shade, which leads to an increase in chlorophyll levels, to give the leaves a darker color, which increases the production of amino acids.
The leaves are ground into a very fine powder. It also contains more antioxidants and caffeine.
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Black tea: fermented tea
The method of production is by exposing the leaves to the withering process, and then to the process of wrapping and shaping the leaves. After that, the oxidation process begins, i.e. fermentation.
In the last stage, the tea leaves are dried.
The drying process is characterized by the transformation of the leaves into a dark brown colour, through which the tea leaves acquire their density and characteristic aroma.
