Dark tea is named for its black appearance when finished. It is one of the six major categories of tea and is a post-fermented tea. The main production areas are in Hunan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Anhui, Sichuan, Yunnan, and other regions. Traditional dark tea is made from mature raw dark tea leaves, which are primarily used as the main ingredient for compressed teas. Can dark tea be paired with milk? Dark tea contains rich vitamins and minerals, while milk has a high content of proteins and minerals. Combining dark tea with milk is not only nutritious but also very healthy. Therefore, it is possible to brew dark tea with milk. In Northwest China, many people like to mix dark tea with milk and add a moderate amount of salt, creating a cup of milk tea with a distinctive Western Chinese flavor! It's really convenient and simple! When brewing dark tea with milk, note that boiling water or hot tea should not be used to mix with the milk, as this can cause the milk to curdle and reduce the nutritional value. It is recommended to wait until the dark tea has cooled to between 60-80°C before adding the milk. This will…

Firstly, everyone understands the severe harm smoking does to the body—it's all bad and no good. Let’s look at the benefits of drinking tea: First, the polyphenols in tea can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and invigorate the spirit. Polyphenols can lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, prevent clot formation, and maintain cardiovascular health. Second, moderate consumption can promote gastric acid secretion, increase appetite, and improve symptoms of indigestion. Third, tea has antioxidant properties that delay aging, help prevent tumor formation, and boost the immune system. It’s worth noting that people with chronic insomnia or digestive issues should avoid tea as it may exacerbate their conditions. So what happens to those who smoke long-term but persist in drinking tea? Doctors have an answer: For long-term smokers, there are some benefits from drinking tea, primarily due to its diuretic and detoxifying effects, which promote the excretion of toxins from smoking. This reduces the time toxic substances remain in the body, thus alleviating the damage caused by these toxins. Some compounds in tobacco can lead to thickening of the arterial intima and reduced gastric acid secretion, while catechins in tea can prevent cholesterol deposition on vessel walls, lessening the harms of smoking.…

As the national drink of China, tea carries a long history and profound cultural heritage. Tea culture not only embodies the Chinese people's love and appreciation for life but also contains rich philosophical thought and wisdom about life. This article will explore the inheritance and development of tea culture, as well as its status and role in modern life. I. Inheritance of Tea Culture 1. Spirit of Tea Ceremony The spirit of tea ceremony is an essential component of tea culture, rooted in Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. The tea ceremony emphasizes “harmony, tranquility, joy, and truth,” pursuing inner peace and serenity. The spirit of tea ceremony is fully demonstrated in tea art performances and tea gatherings, becoming an important carrier for the inheritance of tea culture. 2. Tea Art Skills Tea art skills include selecting tea, brewing tea, and tasting tea, with strict standards and techniques for each step. Tea artists showcase the charm of tea culture through their exquisite skills, making tea art an important means of inheriting tea culture. 3. Local Tea Customs Unique tea customs are found across China, such as morning tea in Guangdong, gaiwan tea in Sichuan, and Pu'er tea in Yunnan. These local tea…

As the moon rises above the willows, the Qixi Festival arrives once more, with the Milky Way gently pouring down and starlight shimmering, illuminating a millennia-old love story.On this romantic night, tea is not just a beverage; it becomes a bridge connecting hearts, much like the magpie bridge in the ancient legend of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maid, allowing love to flow endlessly. White tea, elegant and refined, grows on mist-enveloped mountain peaks, drawing the essence of heaven and earth, carrying the spirit of the ages. It is not as fresh as green tea or as rich as black tea, but it has its own serenity and composure, much like the purest form of love—no need for grand words, only quiet companionship through the ordinary days, growing stronger with time. On the Qixi night, brew a pot of aged white tea, and in its amber-colored infusion lies the tenderness of time and the aroma of years gone by. Taking a sip, one can almost hear the gentle footsteps of time, leaving a subtle aftertaste in the mouth, much like the unspoken understanding and harmony between lovers. White tea tells its own story of how "companionship is the longest confession…

Anhua black tea possesses a variety of biological activities, including regulating metabolism, tonifying the stomach and intestines, modulating gut flora, and enhancing immunity. It can also strengthen capillary resilience and prevent metabolic syndrome. The development of products derived from Anhua black tea in sectors such as beverages, functional foods, and daily chemical goods has become a critical breakthrough for industrial upgrading and development. Through deep processing steps like extraction, filtration, concentration, separation, purification, and drying, using Anhua black tea as the raw material, we obtain products such as concentrated black tea essence, instant black tea, and extracts of black tea functional components. I. Development of Anhua Black Tea Beverages 1. Liquid Anhua Black Tea Beverage In 2019, Hangzhou Wahaha Group launched its summer novelty product "Anhua Black Tea," which uses premium golden flower Fu brick tea as the raw material. This is a natural, additive-free, zero-calorie, sugar-free healthy tea drink that is easy to carry. Bingweis is a functional black tea beverage developed from Anhua black tea, preserving the taste and flavor of black tea while focusing on radiation resistance. It comes in original and flavored varieties to cater to different consumer preferences. Hangzhou Wahaha Group's "Anhua Black Tea" 2.…

The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month is known as Laba Festival in China. As the saying goes, "Little children, don’t be greedy; once Laba has passed, Chinese New Year will soon follow." By this time, all agricultural work has been completed, and with the approach of the Spring Festival, the customs of Laba take on many festive colors. Soaking garlic in vinegar, eating Laba porridge, and enjoying a fragrant cup of tea are all part of these traditions. They not only help warm the body but also imbue the air with a strong sense of the upcoming New Year. What teas are suitable for drinking during this cold month? Black Tea (Red Tea) In the depths of winter, black tea is an excellent choice. There are many varieties of black tea in China, the most famous being Qimen black tea. The number of black tea enthusiasts in China is growing, and the range of products available is becoming increasingly diverse. Black tea is mild in nature and particularly suitable for consumption during the winter months. Aged White Tea Aged white tea is very suitable for brewing during the winter. In accordance with the natural laws of dormancy, it…

With the beginning of the Liqiu solar term, the hashtag “The First Cup of Milk Tea in Autumn” trended on Weibo, sparking a wave of new tea beverage consumption. This year, many new tea beverage brands have added health labels to their ordering pages. As competition in the new tea beverage industry intensifies, embracing health has become a new direction for industry development. In recent years, the number of new tea beverage enterprises in our country has steadily increased, and the overall market scale has expanded. The homogenization of competition in the new tea beverage sector has become increasingly fierce. According to the 2023 New Tea Beverage Industry Research Report, jointly released by the China Chain Store Association’s New Tea Beverage Committee and Meituan’s New Food Service Research Institute, the national new tea beverage market size is expected to reach 149.8 billion yuan in 2023, and it will further expand to 201.5 billion yuan by 2025. However, while some new tea beverage brands are rapidly expanding, they have also exposed certain issues, such as solely pursuing business performance at the expense of consumer rights protection. The China Consumer Association’s report on the top consumer rights protection concerns in the first…

The simple character for tea contains profound truths about the cycle of nature. The character for tea, when broken down, means "human among grass and wood," implying that human nature is hidden within plants and that humans transform through their interaction with them. Adapting to the natural flow of time is the foundation of health preservation. Today, Cup Xiaocha selects 14 solar terms from the 24 solar terms and introduces 14 corresponding teas along with their benefits. There are specific considerations for drinking tea during different seasons. Adjust your tea-drinking habits according to natural changes. Tees picked at different times of the year have distinct characteristics, which can either nourish or drain, stimulate or calm, depending on the state of the person and the season. These seasonal teas adjust the body's imbalances to achieve harmony between yin and yang. As winter turns into spring and summer gives way to autumn, each tea has its own unique properties. 14 Seasonal Teas, Corresponding to 14 Benefits 1. Pre-Ming Tea Leaves picked before the Qingming (Pure Brightness) solar term are known as Pre-Ming Tea. Pre-Ming Tea is the first harvest of spring. After a dormant winter, the buds break through the bark, much…

Black tea is a common type of tea in daily life, being a fully fermented tea. It has a dark brown and lustrous appearance with a rich, sweet fragrance, hence the name black tea. We recommend brewing black tea using a white porcelain gaiwan with water at 90 degrees Celsius, suitable for most types of black tea. Below, ChaYou Network introduces the brewing method. Steps for Brewing Black Tea 01 - Choice of Teaware White porcelain gaiwans can brew out the fresh and elegant flavor of black tea without overpowering its aroma. The white porcelain beautifully complements the red hue of the tea, making it easy to observe the color of the tea. It's simply beautiful. 02 - Tea-to-Water Ratio When brewing tea, it's important to get the right ratio of tea to water. Many tea enthusiasts rely on experience. Using too much tea is the main reason for overly bitter or astringent tea. When using a gaiwan to brew black tea, the amount of tea should be around 4 grams. If too little tea is used, even with less water, it will not fully bring out the fragrant and mellow flavor of the black tea. If you prefer a…

Does drinking strong tea help sober you up after drinking alcohol? Not only does it not help, but it also adds extra burden to the kidneys. After drinking alcohol, it is important to drink plenty of plain water or milk to alleviate the pressure on the stomach and intestines. The next morning, you can drink some ripe Pu'er tea or dark tea to help restore the function of your digestive system. Does Drinking Strong Tea Sober You Up? People have always believed that "drinking strong tea sobers you up," which is incorrect. When you drink alcohol, a large amount of it enters the body and is eventually broken down into carbon dioxide and water through the action of enzymes. The idea of sobering up means accelerating the metabolism of alcohol. Drinking strong tea after drinking alcohol causes the theophylline in the tea to rapidly exert its diuretic effect on the kidneys. This promotes the premature entry of unmetabolized acetaldehyde into the kidneys, potentially damaging kidney function. Alcohol has a significant stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system, increasing heart rate. Strong tea is rich in caffeine, which also has a stimulating effect on the heart. Using both together increases the burden…

Mr. Liang Zhangju once praised the baking technique of rock tea: “The Wuyi baking method is truly the best in the world.” Here, the baking method refers to traditional charcoal baking. To this day, mid-to-high-end Wuyi rock teas are still largely processed using traditional ancient charcoal baking techniques. Among the baking techniques used for major tea varieties, there is indeed no other tea that surpasses the Wuyi rock tea from Fujian's Wuyi Mountains. The charcoal baking and processing technique for Dahongpao, a type of Wuyi rock tea, is unique to it and has been listed as one of China’s first batch of national intangible cultural heritages. The "Complement to Ben Cao Gang Mu" (Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica) comments on Wuyi rock tea: “All teas are cold in nature; those with weak stomachs often experience stagnation after drinking them. Only Wuyi tea is warm and does not harm the stomach. It is suitable for those who have stopped drinking tea due to addiction.” Charcoal baking, as its name suggests, involves continuously baking tea using the residual heat of high-quality charcoal. During charcoal baking, the temperature in the baking cage is approximately 120 degrees Celsius. Let’s take a look at…

A green tea latte is a beverage typically made by combining brewed green tea with steamed milk, similar to a coffee latte but using green tea instead of coffee. This drink is caffeine-free, making it a good choice for those who wish to avoid or are sensitive to caffeine. A green tea latte not only offers the health benefits of green tea, such as antioxidant intake, but also the creamy texture of milk. It can be prepared by mixing hot green tea with milk according to personal taste, sometimes with added honey or vanilla for extra flavor. The green tea latte is becoming increasingly popular in cafes and health drink shops.

The differences between black and green tea: Different levels of fermentation, black tea is a fully fermented tea, while green tea is non-fermented; Different appearances, black tea has red leaves and a red infusion, the dry tea is dark and lustrous, tightly bound; green tea has green leaves and a clear infusion, the dry tea is tightly bound, robust, with a verdant color; Different processes, the process for green tea is picking, fixation, rolling, and drying, while the process for black tea is withering, rolling, fermentation, and drying. The first difference between black and green tea: Different appearance of the tea leaves From the appearance of the tea leaves, in general, green tea often displays fine downy hairs, revealing tender buds, with a bright infusion, high fragrance, mellow and refreshing taste, and a greenish tone. Famous varieties include Longjing tea, Biluochun tea, Huangshan Maofeng, Zijia green tea, Lushan Yunwu, Liuan Guapian, etc.; black tea reveals fine downy hairs, has a dark and lustrous color, a bright and red infusion, bright red leaves, a fragrant aroma that is rich and long-lasting. Famous varieties include Qihong, Dianhong, Yinghong, etc. The second difference between black and green tea: Different colors of the tea…

Basic Introduction to Puer Tea from YunnanPuer tea from Yunnan is produced from the unique large-leaf tea trees of Yunnan, and it is among Chinese famous teas that most emphasizes brewing techniques and the art of drinking. Its methods of consumption are exceptionally diverse; it can be drunk plain or mixed. Plain drinking refers to brewing without adding any additional ingredients, a practice more common among Han Chinese. Mixed drinking involves adding one's preferred ingredients to the tea, a practice more prevalent in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Durability in brewing is an advantage of Puer tea; when brewed with a lidded bowl or a purple clay pot, aged Puer tea can be infused over 20 times, with its flavor and color gradually diminishing with each infusion. Nutritional ValueSpring Tea Drinking for HealthIn spring, when the body is in a state of release, one may choose Puer tea with a certain degree of natural fermentation or a blend of raw and ripe Puer tea. Such tea has both warmth and vitality, which helps dissipate the cold accumulated in the body during winter, promoting the generation of yang energy, invigorating the spirit, alleviating spring fatigue, and enhancing resistance to disease.Summer Tea Drinking…

Tea, by nature, is cold and can help clear the mind and soothe the spirit. Different people have different constitutions, which means they should drink different types of tea. Therefore, choosing the right tea and drinking it well starts with understanding the nature of the tea and the suitable groups of people for each type. Nature of Teas 01 Green Tea: The core process is "fixation," making its nature cold. People with a hot constitution, high stomach fire, or abundant energy can benefit from drinking green tea, as it has great effects in clearing heat, refreshing the mind, and boosting alertness. Green tea also has excellent radiation protection benefits, making it ideal for those who work on computers. White Tea: The core process involves "withering and sun drying" followed by natural storage, which transforms the tea's nature from cold to cool and then to mild. Fresh white teas share many properties with green tea, but the most significant difference is that while aged green tea becomes like grass, aged white tea becomes even more precious. As it ages, old white tea becomes even milder, making it suitable for a wider range of people. Oolong Tea (Blue Tea): The core process…

Pu'er tea has the effects of warming the stomach, aiding in weight loss, quenching thirst, and promoting digestion. Moderate consumption is beneficial to health. However, many people prefer strong Pu'er tea, which can be harmful to health due to the excessive amounts of caffeine and polyphenols it contains. Below, we will discuss the disadvantages of drinking strong Pu'er tea. What Are the Disadvantages of Drinking Too Strong Pu'er Tea? 1. Strong tea has a high fluoride content. Drinking excessively strong tea over a long period can increase the risk of tooth decay and cause a dark enamel-like coating on the teeth's surface. 2. Strong tea contains relatively high levels of caffeine. Regular consumption can lead to a significant accumulation of caffeine, stimulating the central nervous system and causing an overexcited state, particularly affecting sleep when consumed in the evening. 3. Excessive intake of caffeine from strong tea can stimulate the body to produce insulin, potentially leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 4. Regular consumption of strong tea can harm bones. This is because strong tea contains high levels of caffeine, which inhibits calcium absorption in the duodenum and accelerates calcium excretion through urine. The dual effect of reduced absorption and…

After the start of the dog days, most regions in our country officially enter "grill mode." The dog days fall between Minor Heat and Start of Autumn, marking the hottest, most humid, and sultry period of the year. As the saying goes: "It's hot during the dog days." This can be interpreted as: "During the heat, it's better to stay still than to move around." So, how should one maintain health during this season? First Challenge: Nourishing the Heart As temperatures gradually rise, the body's consumption also increases. Once summer arrives, many people feel unwell and lethargic. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), "the summer qi is connected to the heart qi." During this time, nourishing the heart involves two aspects: caring for the blood vessels and adjusting sleep patterns. Caring for Blood Vessels: To care for your blood vessels, it is recommended to maintain a light diet. Eat more foods like onions, mushrooms, black fungus, milk, lotus seeds, and bean products. Try to maintain a calm state of mind and eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to increase fiber intake, vitamin B, and vitamin C, which helps prevent arteriosclerosis. Adjusting Sleep Patterns: Sleep nourishes essence and qi,…

In daily life, drinking Puer tea in moderation can have excellent health benefits. It can refresh and invigorate, as well as aid in weight loss. When drinking Puer tea, it's important to understand the appropriate methods and timing. Drinking improperly or excessively can have adverse effects on health. Drinking a little Puer tea in the morning can help energize and clear the intestines. Drinking some in the afternoon can boost immunity and improve work efficiency. When is the best time to drink Puer tea during the day? 1. Drinking Puer Tea in the Morning After a night's sleep, the body has lost a lot of water. Drinking a cup of light tea in the morning can quickly replenish the body's water needs, cleanse the intestines, lower blood pressure, and be highly beneficial for overall health. In the morning, it is advisable to drink black tea, as it promotes circulation and removes coldness from the body, ensuring adequate blood supply to the brain. It can also be consumed with milk. When drinking tea in the morning, two points should be noted: First, drink only after breakfast. Second, avoid strong tea; opt for a lighter brew instead. 2. Drinking Puer Tea in…

No matter what kind of tea you drink, it should be appropriate for the occasion, time, and person. Drinking the right type of tea can maximize its effects and provide excellent health benefits. Traditional Chinese medicine recognizes that people have different constitutions, being either hot or cold in nature. Teas, after undergoing various processing methods, also have cool and warm properties. Therefore, it is important to consider one's constitution when choosing a tea to drink. A chart showing the properties of the six types of tea. What is your constitution? Which type of tea suits you best? A table matching the nine constitutions with the six types of tea. Cool green tea Dragon Well from West Lake, Anji White Tea, Biluochun from Dongting, Lu'an Guapian, etc. Suitable for those with a hot constitution, high stomach fire, and abundant energy. Drinking this tea on a hot day or when feeling agitated provides a refreshing and cooling sensation. Green tea has good radiation protection effects, making it very suitable for people who work frequently on computers. Contraindications: People with liver disease should avoid drinking green tea, as caffeine is metabolized by the liver, and excessive tea consumption can damage liver function. Pregnant…

The Charm of the Gaiwan A gaiwan is a traditional tea vessel with a long history, consisting of a bowl, a lid, and a saucer. Not only is it elegant in appearance, but it is also highly functional. Using a gaiwan for brewing tea allows better control over the steeping time, maximizing the release of the tea's aroma and flavor. Many people enjoy using a gaiwan because it provides a serene and relaxing experience. (Image source from the internet; please delete if infringing) Steps to Brew Tea with a Gaiwan Prepare the Tea Utensils: First, you need a clean gaiwan, a teapot, and a teacup. Ensure all the utensils are clean so as not to affect the taste of the tea with other impurities. Warm the Utensils: Before using the gaiwan to brew tea, rinse it and the teacup with hot water. This not only cleans the utensils but also raises their temperature, making the brewed tea more fragrant and rich. Place the Tea Leaves: Depending on the type of tea and personal preference, place an appropriate amount of tea leaves into the gaiwan. Generally, less tea is used when brewing with a gaiwan compared to a teapot due to…