“My dear, if you could give me a cup of tea to clear my muddle of a head I should better understand your affairs.”-Charles Dickens
There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.”
― Lin Yutang, The Importance of Living
But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.”
― Jane Austen
A cuppa of tea is an integral part of our life. Folklore, fiction, Bollywood, music and writers have always been inspired by Tea/Chai. Ek garam chai ki pyali ho…Chai pe carcha…Tomake Chain and when Chai met Toast. In India `Adrak ki chai (Ginger Tea) is savoured in India and is not only very soothing for the nerves but also inspires creative minds.
For thousands of years, tea has added to our health, happiness, inspiration and wisdom. People world over love Tea and it is the most consumed brew in the world.
May 21st is celebrated as International Tea Day. The Indian government in 2015 at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization proposed that International Tea Day should be adopted. Earlier on it was celebrated on December 15, later was changed to May 21, as the month of May happens to be the quality tea manufacturing season in most countries where tea is produced in excessive quantity. Though, the date might have changed, it doesn’t truly change the love tea-lovers have for the beverage.
Health Benefits of Tea
Medical Studies and research have found that some teas may help with diabetes, encourage weight loss, lower cholesterol and bring about mental alertness. Tea also appears to have antimicrobial qualities.
Nutritionist, Shubda Gupte, says, “tea is great alternative to coffee. It has less caffeine, and the compounds in tea – their flavonoids are good for the heart and may reduce cancer.”
However, too many cups of tea with extra calories, milk and sweeteners are not good for us.
Types of tea
Tea is a name given to a lot of brews.
*Green tea
*Black tea
*White tea
*Oolong tea
*Puer tea
*Dark tea
*Ginger Tea
There are literally thousands of teas available, adding to a new sensory an aesthetic experience. There is also a wide range of herbal drinks made from flowers, grains and leaves.
They are all derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, a shrub native to China and India, and contain unique antioxidants called flavonoids. The styles of tea are produced by altering the shape and chemistry of the leaf by processing. The most potent of these, known as ECGC, may help against free radicals that can contribute to heart disease and clogged arteries.
Teas also have some amount of caffeine and theanine, which heighten mental alertness in the brain.