Black Tea

When brewing tea, a layer of foam may appear on the surface of the tea liquor, known as tea foam. Opinions about this foam have been divided throughout history. Tea sage Lu Yu believed that this layer of foam contained the essence of the tea, but not everyone appreciates this layer of foam. There is even a saying that "foam indicates high levels of pesticide residues." So what causes the foam? Is there any relationship between the foam in the tea and the quality of the tea? Image What is tea foam? The formation of foam in tea liquor is mainly due to the presence of a substance called tea saponin. Tea saponin, also known as tea sapogenin, is a fine columnar crystal found in the roots, stems, leaves, and seeds of tea plants. Its aqueous solution can produce persistent, soap-like foam when shaken. Tea saponins are a class of structurally complex glycoside compounds with a bitter and pungent taste. They have strong foaming properties and are not affected by the hardness of the water, so teas with abundant foam tend to have a relatively rich flavor. In the Wei-Jin era, Du Yu wrote in a poem: "The foam forms…...

The world of a teapot is vast, and the life of tea is long! Whether you're new to the world of purple clay teapots or an experienced aficionado, there are always questions that need answers! Here we have collected some frequently asked questions from enthusiasts and provided detailed answers. 1. Why does my new purple clay teapot have an unusual smell? Answer: The reason why tea brewed in a purple clay teapot tastes particularly good is due to its unique double-pore structure, which can absorb the aroma of tea. Naturally, it can also absorb other odors. A newly made purple clay teapot may have some earthy smell or a slight burnt odor, which are normal kiln-related scents. 2. Is purple clay exclusive to Yixing? Answer: Purple clay is a unique mineral found in Yixing. In May 2006, Yixing purple clay was included in the first batch of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection List. To date, no one has discovered anywhere else in the world with the same type of ore as Yixing's purple clay. Clay from other mountains often contains a lot of sand and impurities. Purple clay from other regions can be considered purple clay pottery, but the finished…...

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 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…...

There are six main types of tea, and the storage time after opening varies depending on the type. Green and yellow teas can typically be stored for about 2 to 3 months after opening. These types of tea are particularly susceptible to oxidation and should be consumed as soon as possible. Black and Oolong teas can be stored for 6 to 12 months after opening. Dark teas and Pu'er teas can be stored long-term if properly preserved after opening. How Long Can Opened Tea Be Stored? If tea is left unsealed after opening, it can be stored for around 3 months. The key to preserving tea is keeping it dry, sealed, away from light, and free from odors. Leaving opened tea unsealed makes it susceptible to external influences, accelerating the oxidation of its internal components and shortening its shelf life (to around 3 months). If you seal the tea in an aluminum bag and place it in a metal tin, then cover the tin with a plastic bag and tie it securely, you can store it in the refrigerator. How to Store Opened Tea: After opening, store the tea in containers or bags with high airtightness at room temperature. To…...

Pu'er tea is made from large-leaf varieties in Yunnan and is known for becoming more fragrant with age. It is rich in theaflavins and thearubigins, which can help enhance immunity, boost metabolism, and improve gut motility when consumed regularly. Additionally, Pu'er tea contains higher levels of polyphenols and caffeine, which can help refresh the mind and alleviate fatigue. However, it's not advisable to drink strong or overnight infusions. What Are the Benefits of Drinking Pu'er Tea Regularly? 1. Quenching Thirst The most genuine benefit of drinking tea is quenching thirst, as it is pleasant to drink and enhances one’s comfort, allowing timely hydration and a boost in energy. 2. Warming and Heat Dispelling Among China's six major tea categories, Pu'er (specifically ripe Pu'er) is similar to black tea in its warming properties. It can warm the stomach and dispel cold, making it particularly suitable for those with a constitution that tends to be cold. Many people in the north often brew Pu'er tea, which is especially comforting during cold winters. 3. Boosting Immunity Regular consumption of Pu'er tea has anti-aging and immune-boosting effects. Ripe Pu'er tea contains higher levels of catechins, which effectively mitigate the side effects of caffeine in…...

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.…...

Black tea, a fully fermented tea, is made from new shoots and leaves of suitable tea trees. It undergoes processes such as withering, rolling (cutting), fermentation, and drying. Withering is an important process in the initial production of black tea, which is called "wu tea" at this stage. The name "black tea" comes from the red color of the brewed tea and the infused leaves. Black tea can help digestion, stimulate appetite, promote diuresis, reduce edema, and strengthen heart function. It contains flavonoids that eliminate free radicals and have antioxidant properties, reducing the risk of myocardial infarction. According to traditional Chinese medicine, teas vary in their thermal nature; for example, green tea is cold and bitter, suitable for summer consumption (depending on individual constitution) to relieve heat. Black tea and Pu'er tea are warmer and more suitable for winter drinking. What Are the Benefits of Drinking Black Tea Long-Term? 1. Warming the Stomach and Dispelling Cold: Because black tea tends to be warm in nature, it can benefit those experiencing cold pain, poor appetite, indigestion, abdominal pain, or bloating due to a cold stomach by warming the stomach and dispelling cold; 2. Refreshing and Energizing: The polyphenols in black tea…...

The taboos of drinking black tea include pregnant women avoiding black tea, people with nerve weakness and insomnia forgetting to avoid black tea, and anemic people avoiding black tea. Drinking black tea can increase the burden on a pregnant woman's heart. Drinking black tea can exacerbate symptoms of anemia, and those with nerve weakness and insomnia may have their conditions worsened by drinking black tea. What are the taboos of drinking black tea? 1. Avoid drinking black tea during special periods. Drinking black tea during menstruation, especially strong tea, can induce or aggravate premenstrual syndrome. Medical researchers found that people with a habit of drinking tea are 2.4 times more likely to suffer from premenstrual tension syndrome than those without the habit, and those who drink more than four cups of tea per day are three times more likely. 2. Do not drink black tea on an empty stomach. Drinking black tea on an empty stomach can dilute gastric juices and reduce digestive function, leading to a high rate of water absorption, which allows harmful components in the tea to enter the bloodstream in large quantities, causing symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and weakness in the limbs. 3. Fever is…...

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…...

Black tea is a fully fermented tea rich in polyphenols, which have potent antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), black tea is considered warm in nature and has the benefits of warming the stomach, promoting health, invigorating the mind, enhancing intelligence, relieving fatigue, reducing edema, stopping diarrhea, having antibacterial properties, and boosting immunity. The caffeine in black tea stimulates blood vessels and the heart, accelerating metabolism and facilitating the excretion of lactic acid, thus alleviating fatigue. Additionally, the polyphenols in black tea can inhibit substances that harm bone cells, thereby strengthening bones. It also aids in controlling blood sugar levels. Black tea helps digest meat products, making it particularly suitable for those who consume a lot of meat, as it assists with digestion and lowering lipids. However, people with nervous weakness or cardiovascular disease should drink black tea in moderation due to its stimulating effect. Avoid drinking black tea before taking medication, as it may affect the efficacy of the drugs. Also, refrain from drinking it before bedtime to prevent disturbances in sleep quality. What Are the Detriments of Drinking Black Tea Long-Term? Boosting energy and relieving fatigue: The caffeine in black tea stimulates the brain…...

Tea lovers often keep a large amount of tea at home. Many people store their tea in the refrigerator, and some even purchase a small fridge specifically for this purpose. However, this is a misconception – whether or not to place tea in the refrigerator should be considered on a case-by-case basis. 1. Teas Suitable for Refrigeration Green tea, lightly fragrant Oolong tea, and dehumidified tea. Among the six major types of tea, green tea is the most prone to spoilage and requires extra attention during storage. You can place the tea in a sealed tea canister, then put it inside a sealed bag before refrigerating it. Lightly fragrant Tieguanyin and dehumidified Oolong, which have gained popularity, can also be stored in the refrigerator. Green tea, lightly fragrant Oolong tea, and dehumidified tea are suitable for refrigeration. 2. Teas Unsuitable for Refrigeration Dark tea, aged Tieguanyin, Pu'er tea, and white tea are not suitable for refrigeration due to their need for post-production transformation, especially Pu'er tea, where aging significantly affects its drinking value. Storing these teas in the refrigerator can lead to moisture issues. Additionally, in the low-temperature environment of the fridge, the activity of biological enzymes within the tea…...