Tea – a beverage with many properties – Fit recipes and places.
Tea – a beverage with many properties
Tea is not only an aromatic beverage that effectively quenches thirst, but also a true wealth of valuable ingredients for health and beauty! Green tea is becoming increasingly popular among consumers, but white and red tea are also appreciated. No wonder, each of them has unique properties, wonderful aroma and excellent taste!
Green tea –health itself
Green tea is made from leaves, which are immediately dried without allowing them to ferment. Thanks to this, the leaves retain their valuable substances and the taste of the infusion is milder than in other types of tea. Green tea contains less caffeine and tannins, but is a rich source of flavonoids (mainly catechins), which are effective antioxidants, vitamins and trace elements. The components of green tea are attributed with health-promoting effects, such as:
- detoxification of the body
- slows down the body aging process
- inhibiting the development of certain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
- Prevention of breast cancer and prostate cancer
- reducing the risk of heart disease
The medicinal properties of green tea are used by the pharmaceutical industry. Products containing green tea extract (such as ointments) are used to treat fungal diseases and ulcers. The cosmetics industry, however, appreciates its benefits in the production of anti-aging cosmetics. There are creams, lotions and tonics available on the market that contain green tea extract. Regular use improves the condition of the skin and slows down the aging process.
How to brew green tea?
Water temperature and steeping time are important for the infusion to retain its valuable properties. One teaspoon of green tea leaves should be poured over hot water at a temperature of 70 to 80 degrees, covered and left for about 5 minutes. Some varieties of green tea can be brewed up to three times. The infusion of the first brew has stimulating properties, the next one has a calming effect.
White tea – delicate taste
White tea is made from young buds, before they even have time to develop. Harvested only in spring, it is then heated with steam to inhibit enzymes and then dried naturally. The dried fruit has a characteristic silver hue. White tea is a rich source of flavonoids and other substances beneficial to human health. The infusion has a light yellow color, a very delicate taste and has the following effects:
- antibacterial effect
- increases the body’s resistance
- has a good impact on memory
- Helps regenerate skin cells
- helps in the treatment of diabetes
- promotes weight loss
How to brew white tea?
As with other teas, water temperature and steeping time are important. Pour hot water with a temperature of about 85 degrees over the leaves, cover and let stand for about 10 minutes. It is only after this time that white tea develops its full flavor and aroma.
Red tea – an ally in the fight against excess weight
Red tea (Pu-erh, Oolong, Puszong varieties) is created by subjecting the leaves to light fermentation. The process is stopped when the leaf tips turn red. Pu-erh varieties must still mature under specific conditions after fermentation. The highest quality red tea can mature for up to 50 years (which contributes to its high price). Red tea infusion has an intense taste and smell, contains significant amounts of micronutrients caffeine, enzymes and polyphenols, which accelerate the conversion of fat into energy, and therefore has a slimming effect (Pu-erh tea is considered the most effective for weight loss). In addition, the ingredients of red tea:
- lowers the level of bad LDL cholesterol
- normalizes blood pressure
- Diuretic effect
- stimulates microcirculation
- promotes digestion and fat burning
- help fight infections
- They alleviate the effects of alcohol consumption
How to brew red tea?
Pour 90 degrees water over the dried leaves, cover, let stand for about 5 minutes. Do not add sugar to red tea under any circumstances, as it can destroy some of its health-promoting properties. The infusion is best drunk half an hour before each meal.
In summary: tea is a drink with many benefits, and drinking it regularly in combination with a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle and physical activity promotes well-being and has a beneficial effect on appearance. It’s a good idea to go for loose leaf teas because they contain the highest quality dried tea, and avoid the generally lower quality express teas in bags..
