Tea varieties Archives

Health benefits of India’s beloved Tea: A Steaming Cup of Wellness

Reading Time: 6 minutes The Health Benefits of Tea: A Steaming Cup of Wellness “Ti (Tea) – a drink with jam and bread “, remember this line from the song “Do Re Mi” from the 1965 Hollywood movie “The Sound of Music”? Well, that’s what we are talking about today, our cuppa Tea in English, Cha in Gujarati and Bengali, Chaha in Marathi, Chai in Hindi, and so on. The Botanic name of tea is Camellia sinisis and it is native to the Indian Sub-Continent, South East Asia, and East Asia. “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” C.S. Lewis This quote by C.S. Lewis reflects the comfort and satisfaction that many people find in a cup of tea and a good book. It speaks to the idea that tea has a soothing and calming effect, making it a perfect companion for moments of relaxation and reflection. If we want to relax – we drink chai, if we are meeting friends- we drink chai, if we are stressed- we drink chai, if we visit relatives or vice versa- we brew a hot cup of tea and drink chai, be it any occasion, we Indians love our Chai and this shows the diversity of different varieties of Chai found pan India. Irani Chai: This tea is laced with Mawa or Khoya, to give it a distinct flavour. It is sweet, creamy and milky to drink. Kangra Chai: The Kangra region in Palampur, North India, has some of the finest teas in India, It is also called the Tea Capital of India. Sulamaini Chai: This is found in the Malabar region of Kerala State. It is a type of Aromatic spiced Black tea of Arabic origin Darjeeling Tea: Also referred to as “Champagne of teas”, the finest Black tea is grown at the World’s highest altitude in Darjeeling in West Bengal State. This has a sweet musky flavour. Lebu Cha (Lemon Tea): The Bengali variant of tea is called Lebu Cha. It is black tea infused with a bit of lemon that gives it a unique taste. Ronga Saah, Assam: This reddish-brown variety is grown largely in Assam State. It has a very refreshing taste. Noon Chai, Kashmir: This is very famous in Kashmir. It is an infusion of Gunpowder tea leaves, milk, salt and baking soda and has a distinct taste. Nilgiri Tea: this variety is grown in the subtropical region of the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu State. It has a strong scent and spicy aftertaste. Butter Tea: This variety is suitable for people residing in the Himalayan regions, as It helps them cope better with working and farming at such high altitudes. It is also called Po Cha and Cha Suma. Masala Chai: This is made with water, tea, milk and sugar and adding in some tea masala or cardamom/cinnamon/ginger/tulsi/pudina/fennel seeds (anything you prefer). Who can forget the “Kadha” – an infusion of ginger, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, honey and many such ingredients, that we swore by during the Lockdown period in India? Health Benefits of Tea Herbal teas have long been cherished for their soothing flavors and potential health benefits. Tea with its various permutations and combinations boasts many benefits, namely: Antioxidants: Tea, especially Green Tea is rich in antioxidants like Catechins, which help in fighting the harm caused by free radicals in our body. Improved heart health: Tea helps to reduce our blood pressure and cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart problems. Better Digestion: Herbal teas help to reduce digestive problems like indigestion, bloating and nausea. Weight Management: Some teas with the combination of caffeine and antioxidants boost the metabolism levels and induce more burning of fat, thereby reducing weight. keep Stress at Bay: Some infused teas like Bayleaf tea contain Linalool which helps to lower stress hormones and thereby reduce the chances of depression and anxiety in our body and the aroma makes us unwind. Blood purification: Green tea contains anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory substances that purify the blood and flush out toxins making our skin glowing and healthy. It also aids in weight reduction. Regulation of Blood sugar: Tea is good for managing our blood sugar levels and maintaining them. Alertness: Black tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid, that increases our alertness naturally and also energises us. Thereby enhancing our mental clarity and improving cognitive functions. Oral health: Black tea reduces the plaque and growth of bacteria thereby lessening the chances of cavities in the teeth owing to the presence of polyphenols (particularly catechins and theaflavins) in tea. Reduce Inflammation: Herbal teas have anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat ailments like Arthritis, headaches, haemorrhoids, and gastrointestinal pains. Boost Immune System: Tea helps to boost our immune system so that we are fitter and more able to ward off germs and diseases. Herbal Teas for Healthy Skin and Hair. [Image Source: Pixabay] Tea Garden, Assam, India. [Image Source: Pixabay] Beyond their delightful taste and calming properties, many herbal teas offer a treasure trove of advantages for your skin and hair. From preventing premature ageing to promoting hair growth, these teas have found their way into beauty routines worldwide. Rose Tea: Rich in antioxidants, it can help reduce fine lines, and wrinkles, prevent premature ageing and improve skin complexion. Chamomile Tea: Known for its soothing properties, it can promote healthy hair growth. Black Tea contains antioxidants that can help combat signs of ageing and promote skin health. Ginger Tea: Its antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial for skin health. Green Tea: Loaded with antioxidants, it can detoxify the skin and protect against wrinkles. Peppermint Tea: May help prevent clogged pores and reduce acne. Matcha Tea: Rich in antioxidants, it can detoxify the skin and promote overall health. Lavender Tea: Known for its calming effects, it can benefit the skin by reducing stress-related issues. Hibiscus Tea: Contains antioxidants and can promote detoxification and hair growth. Dandelion Tea: Rich in antioxidants, it can help fight signs of

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October 4, 2023

The Journey of Tea from China to India

Reading Time: 5 minutes The Journey Of Tea From China To India Tea is our “go-to” beverage. It is a ‘pick me up’ drink in the mornings to get us moving, to enjoy on a rainy day, to de-stress with friends, to enjoy it whenever and wherever we desire. We cannot imagine our life without it. Let’s see how this humble drink has travelled the world over to find an important place in our kitchens and our hearts. What is the process of brewing Tea? The technique of brewing tea is to steep the tea leaves in water, then add sugar (optional), some milk(optional) and allow it to boil and then strain it into a teacup/ earthen glasses (kulhad) , glass glasses, paper cups, glass cups, steel cups, tea mugs, however, you like it. What are different types of tea? There are many varieties of tea: Black tea, Green tea, Herbal tea, Masala tea, White tea, Oolong tea, Yellow tea, Chamomile tea, Darjeeling tea, Earl Grey tea, Rooibos, Hibiscus tea, Peppermint tea, Assam tea, Fermented tea, Ceylon tea, Gunpowder tea, Bilouchun, Ginger tea, Flowering tea, Gyokuru, Matcha, Ginger tea, to name a few. And last but not least, Iced tea. History of tea Tea energises us and it has cognitive benefits on our memory and focuses our mind. Tea contains caffeine, theobromine, theophylline and L-theanine, which help stimulate our minds and relax us. Tea has a very interesting history. Chef Ranveer Brar, on one of the episodes of Kaun Banega Crorepati, mentioned the origin of tea in China. Tea Plantation in China [Source: Wikimedia Commons] Chinese Connection: A Chinese legend has it, that, in 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung (Shennong) was sitting beneath a tree and his servant was boiling drinking water when suddenly some leaves from the tree blew into the water changing its colour and taste / or another version which says that the Emperor was drinking boiled water and the leaves from the overhead tree blew into the water thereby changing its colour and taste. He took a sip and was surprised with the taste and quite enjoyed the infused water. Tea was considered more of a medicinal drink in those days. The Emperor used to experiment with different herbs and plants and discovered that tea worked as an antidote too. If he chewed some poisonous leaves, he immediately chewed tea leaves to counter the poison Japanese Connection It was during the Tang dynasty that tea consumption became popular in Korea, Japan and Vietnam. During the Sui dynasty in China, the Buddhist monks, namely Saicho in 806 and Kukai, who travelled to China to learn about its culture, brought back tea seeds to Japan. The Emperor Saga encouraged the growth of these tea plants and thereafter Japan imported the tea seeds from China and made tea the drink of the royalty. The oldest book Kissa Yojoki- How To Stay Healthy by Drinking Tea, was written in 1211, It opens with the sentence “Tea is the ultimate mental and medical remedy and has the ability to make one’s life more full and complete”, and was written by Zen priest Eisai. How true it is to this day! Green tea was preferred by the Japanese gentry and priests. Korean Connection It was in 661 AD tea was offered to the spirit of King Suro, the founder of the Geumgwan Gaya kingdom and to the spirits of Buddhist monks in the year 918 -1392 during the Goryeo dynasty in Korea. The “Day Tea Rite” was prevalent during the Joseon Dynasty, which was a daytime ceremony that took place commonly and the “Special Tea Rite” was for special occasions. Global Connection In the 13th century, the Ajuran empire in Somalia, Africa, had bilateral trade relations with the Ming Dynasty of China which introduced tea in Africa. Macau was a trading port in 1557 during the Portuguese era. The Portuguese priests and merchants were introduced to tea, then called ‘cha’ by the Chinese. In the early 17th century, a ship belonging to the Dutch East India Company transported green tea leaves from China to Amsterdam. France recognized tea in 1636 and it was popular in Paris around 1648. In the year 1662, King Charles II married Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza, an ardent tea lover, and thereafter tea was introduced in the royal court in England. The protests against tea during the American Revolution saw a sharp decline in tea drinking and a steep rise in coffee drinking as the Americans considered tea an “unpatriotic” drink. The 17th century saw the advent of tea in Russia when China gifted it to the Russian Czar Michael in 1618, who disliked it and therefore Russia could reap its benefits only in 1969. There was less intrigue in Germany and England. Captain Cook saw the Australian Aboriginals drinking an infusion of the plant leptospermum and named it ‘tea’ and today the plant is known as ‘ti tree’. The first commercial plantation was established in Bingil Bay in North Queensland by the Cutten brothers. Indian Connection The British introduced tea culture in India in 1836 and Ceylon in 1867. The British introduced India to tea and to break the Chinese monopoly, the British cultivated land in Darjeeling, Assam and Ceylon (then a part of India) by using Chinese tea seeds and practising Chinese cultivation methods thus making Assam a leading producer of tea. In the 1950’s, the Indian Tea Board popularized tea through an advertising campaign. Black tea was the foremost variety which was grown and exported too. India was the topmost tea producer for almost a century but in the 21st century, China has become the number one tea producer “Tea is the ultimate mental and medical remedy and has the ability to make one’s life more full and complete” Zen Priest Eisai Conclusion This is how one of our favourite beverages has reached us. One thing we need to remind ourselves is that whatever variety of tea we are fond of, it should be consumed in moderation.