There’s always more to learn (and enjoy) about the world’s most popular beverage.
1. Not all teas are made equal.
Teas (black, green, oolong, and white) are made from Camellia sinensis plants and have natural caffeine. Teas with dried herbs, fruits, or flowers like chamomile or echinacea are known as herbal teas. Red tea is a unique category since it is produced from a South African plant.
2. The ideal water temperature varies depending on the tea.
Green and white teas require water with a temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit, while black tea demands boiling water with a temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. The ideal steeping time is also determined by the type of tea.
Green and oolong teas are quicker to prepare, brewing in about 1 to 3 minutes, whereas herbal tea may take anywhere from 1 to 6 minutes to steep.
4. Bitterness is reduced by cold brewing.
Do you have a low tolerance for harsh tastes? Cold-brewing is a more time-consuming method than steeped tea, reducing the chance of bitterness as a result of over-steeping. It’s suitable for many loose leaf teas, as well as oolongs and herbal teas.
5. It is healthier to make your own than to purchase it.
According to one research, store-bought tea does not have the same number of cancer-fighting antioxidants as homemade tea. To make the beverage more palatable for public consumption, beverage producers frequently filter out polyphonous components from tea (and therefore decrease its nutritional value).
6. Adding milk helps to keep your teeth white.
There’s a simple method to keep your pearly whites from getting tea stains. According to research recently published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, a splash of milk is more successful at preventing stains than whitening toothpaste.
7. It’s best to keep it in an opaque tin.
Keep your loose-leaf teas fresh by storing them in airtight containers in a cool, dry location out of the light, heat, and dampness.
8. Some snacks complement tea better than others.
Green tea complements delicate tastes such as chicken salad and watercress sandwiches, while strong black tea goes well with rich foods like chocolate and red meat.
9. There are numerous uses for used tea bags around the house.
Don’t throw out those old bags! Use them to make a weak tea to water plants with, which prevents fungus infections. Or soak dirty pots and pans in warm water with a couple of teabags; watch previously stuck-on food glide off the sponge with the swipe of a towel.
10. It’s easy to make in a french press.
Some people swear by brewing tea in a French press, which they claim allows leaves to expand and properly steep.
11. Green tea is the most recent cancer-fighting weapon.
Green tea has been shown in several recent medical studies to be useful in treating oral cancer, enhancing brain scans of cancer patients, and preventing prostate cancer. It may very well become a popular alternative to cancer therapy in the near future: Green tea does not produce the same side effects (hair loss, weakened immunity) as chemotherapy, which destroys both healthy and malignant cells.
12. Catnip can be used to make an insomnia-relieving tea.
A soothing beverage may be made from any feline’s favourite plant. One teaspoon of dried catnip leaves or three to four teaspoons of fresh catnip should be steeped in a cup of boiling water.
13. Tea is the most popular beverage in the world, with the exception of water.
Tea is a powerful unifier. When someone invites you to share a cup of tea, they’re really offering friendship.
