Black Tea

Tea soothes the spirit and calms the mind, embodying the myriad facets of life and the ebb and flow of time. It is an indispensable “spiritual sustenance” in the lives of Chinese people.China has a vast array of tea types, which can be categorized into six main categories based on their degree of fermentation: Green Tea, Yellow Tea, White Tea, Oolong (or Qing) Tea, Black Tea (which refers to what is known as Red Tea in the West), and Dark (or Hei) Tea. Given the seasonal changes from spring's warmth, summer's heat, autumn's coolness, and winter's cold, there are specific teas that are best suited for each season according to climatic conditions. 01Seasonal Tea Drinking Spring — Flower Tea: With its slightly sweet and cool nature and fragrant aroma, flower tea helps to dispel the cold accumulated in the body during winter, promotes the circulation of qi and blood, and strengthens liver function. Common flower teas include osmanthus tea, jasmine tea, and magnolia tea. Summer — Green Tea: Slightly bitter but with a hint of sweetness and a cool nature, green tea is effective in relieving heat and thirst, clearing heat and dampness, calming the heart, and treating diarrhea and…...

The journey of nurturing a pot starts from the very first use, which can be considered the initial stage of 'pot nurturing'. To achieve a lustrous and smooth effect, it is essential to have not only a good quality pot but also to adopt the correct maintenance methods. Remember these three points in your daily tea brewing process: 1. Before Brewing Tea Rinse both inside and outside of the teapot with warm water to heat the pot, remove any musty odors, and sterilize it (pay attention to the temperature difference and use lukewarm water to avoid thermal shock). 2. During Brewing During each brewing interval, wipe off the tea water with a clean damp cloth (one with good absorbency) and then polish the pot body with a dry cloth (soft). Consistency will bring out a warm and lustrous texture. 3. After Brewing Tea After using the Yixing teapot to brew tea, clear out the tea leaves and tea water, then rinse the inside and outside of the pot with hot water. Do not use chemical cleaning agents; otherwise, you may confuse the natural aroma retained by the pot and affect its luster and texture. In addition to the daily routine,…...

Anhua Black Tea is a type of dark tea, which is a post-fermented tea. Its main products include Fu Brick Tea, Black Brick Tea, Hua Brick Tea, Qing Brick Tea, and Xiangtian (Xiang pointed tea). Anhua Black Tea belongs to the category of dark teas and has benefits such as providing dietary nutrients, lowering blood pressure, aiding digestion, reducing grease, and regulating the gastrointestinal system. Anhua Black Tea's Nine Key Benefits Benefit 1: Supplementing Dietary Nutrition: Anhua Black Tea contains a rich array of nutrients, primarily vitamins and minerals, along with proteins, amino acids, and carbohydrates. Anhua Black Tea can also be an important source of essential minerals and various vitamins. Benefit 2: Assisting Digestion, Reducing Grease, Regulating the Gastrointestinal System: The caffeine, vitamins, amino acids, and phospholipids in Anhua Black Tea help with digestion, regulate fat metabolism, and the stimulating effect of caffeine increases gastric acid secretion, thereby enhancing appetite and aiding digestion. Benefit 3: Lowering Blood Pressure: Anhua Black Tea effectively reduces fat, inhibits blood clotting, promotes fibrinogen dissolution, and relaxes the walls of blood vessels, increasing their effective diameter. This inhibits the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta and coronary arteries, achieving the effects of lowering…...

Tea brewing is both an ancient and modern art form, rich in culture and technique. Whether you are a tea novice or an experienced aficionado, mastering the correct brewing method will enhance your enjoyment of every cup. This article will guide you step-by-step on how to brew the perfect cup of tea. (Image source: internet, delete if infringement) Selecting the Right Tea and Equipment Firstly, choosing high-quality tea leaves is the foundation of brewing good tea. Whether it's green tea, black tea, oolong tea, or white tea, each type has its unique flavor profile and brewing requirements. Choose tea that suits your taste and ensure its freshness. The selection of tea equipment is equally important. If using loose leaf tea, it is recommended to use a tea strainer or tea ball; for tea bags, a teapot with a built-in filter is more convenient. Different tea tools not only affect the taste of the tea but also add to the pleasure of the entire brewing process. (Image source: internet, delete if infringement) The Importance of Water Quality and Temperature Water is the soul of tea, and the quality of water directly affects the taste. Using fresh filtered water is the best…...

Black tea is warm in nature. Regular consumption can help dispel cold and phlegm, and it also aids digestion, enhancing appetite. If you have a weak spleen and stomach, drinking some black tea would be beneficial. Drinking black tea regularly has many benefits, but who is suitable for drinking black tea? Who is Suitable to Drink Black Tea? Black tea is suitable for those lacking vitamin C, suffering from constipation, or experiencing coldness in their body. However, it should be consumed in moderation to avoid overburdening the gastrointestinal tract. Those deficient in vitamin C can drink some black tea as it contains abundant vitamin C, which effectively replenishes the body's need for this nutrient and promotes the absorption of other nutrients. People with constipation can also drink some black tea since it is rich in dietary fiber, which can effectively promote gastrointestinal motility and alleviate symptoms of constipation. Individuals with a cold constitution can also drink some black tea as its warm nature helps warm the stomach and generate heat, thus alleviating symptoms of a cold constitution. Although drinking black tea can be beneficial for people lacking vitamin C, suffering from constipation, or experiencing coldness in their body, it should…...

Have you ever wondered how many times a small tea leaf can be steeped? As a tea lover, this question has always intrigued me. The number of times tea leaves can be steeped not only affects the taste of the tea but also relates to our overall tea-drinking experience. Today, let’s explore this topic together. (Image source: network, delete upon request) The Type of Tea Determines the Number of Steeps Different types of tea have different numbers of steeps. Generally speaking, green tea and white tea can be steeped fewer times, while oolong tea, black tea, and Pu’er tea can be steeped more times. Green tea can typically be steeped 2-3 times. Since green tea leaves are tender, they lose their aroma and flavor after multiple steeps. White tea is similar and can generally be steeped around 3 times. Oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea with thicker leaves and a high tolerance for steeping, allowing it to be steeped 5-7 times. Black tea can be steeped between 3-5 times, while Pu’er tea, due to its unique fermentation process, can be steeped even more than 10 times. Factors Affecting the Number of Steeps Besides the type of tea, there are other…...

Black tea, as one of the world's three major black teas, is renowned globally for its rich flavor and abundant aroma. From ancient times to the present, black tea has always been deeply loved by people, becoming an indispensable part of daily life. However, faced with the myriad varieties of black tea available on the market, many tea enthusiasts suffer from choice paralysis: which black tea tastes the best? Today, we will delve into this question and guide you through the diverse world of black tea. Black Tea Varieties: Diverse and Unique in Their Own Way The production process for black tea is largely similar, but due to differences in origin, tea tree variety, picking season, and processing methods, a wide range of black tea varieties have emerged. Among them, the following are the most representative: Keemun Black Tea: Produced in Qimen County, Anhui Province, it is famous for its "Qimen fragrance." Keemun black tea has a tight, fine, and uniform appearance, a dark lustrous color, a clear and fragrant aroma with a hint of honey, a bright red liquor, and a sweet, fresh, and full-bodied taste. Zhengshan Xiaozhong: Produced in Wuyi Mountain, Fujian Province, it is one of the…...

Silver Shard Tea, a name that sounds quite special, right? It's not just any tea but also a witness to history. Today, let’s delve deeper into Silver Shard Tea, explore its uniqueness, and understand why it has such high discussion among tea enthusiasts. Origin and History of Silver Shard Tea Silver Shard Tea is actually a type of ripe Pu'er tea, categorized as old tea nuggets. Old tea nuggets form during the fermentation process when the tea leaves stick together to create large clumps. After further processing, these large clumps are broken down into small particles. These particles resemble ancient silver shards in appearance, hence the name “Silver Shard”. Some say that it was once used as currency along the ancient Tea Horse Road, replacing silver in transactions. Although this is a beautiful legend, it reflects how much people cherished and valued it. Appearance and Characteristics of Silver Shard Tea The appearance of Silver Shard Tea is highly distinctive. It typically consists of small black or brown particles that are smooth on the outside and compact on the inside, with a certain weight to them. Due to its high density, the tea does not disintegrate or expand even after multiple…...

If you are not aware of China's fascination with tea, you got to be a little better updated. These are some of the facts that would help you understand why it is important to know about this Chinese and tea connection. Very own discovery: Chinese take pride in the discovery of this beverage which is now consumed all over the world in different forms and taste. It is said that like all other inventions, it was accidental when Emperor Shen Nung was lying under a tree and his servant was boiling water for him. Some of the leaves from the tree actually fell into the boiling water and tea was born! Largest producer of tea: If China would not have been in the world, the total tea production in the world would have gone down by a massive 30%. China yearly produces almost approximately 2.10 million ton of tea which is then most consumed domestically and some exported worldwide. Used as a medicine: Long before during 8th century BC, tea in China was used as a medicine. The Chinese believed that it removed excess heat in the body and also improves the eyesight. Even in today's time, white tea is…...

For Chinese, seven essentials to begin the day with is ‘firewood, rice, salt, oil, sauce, vinegar, and tea’. One can imagine the kind of importance it holds in China. How do people in China drink tea? Usually, we prefer to have their tea with friends and family. It is a refreshing experience for us to calm the minds. We have small teapots (usually 3 inches long) and tiny cups in which we consume tea. The Just correct amount of tea leaves, enough to cover the pot is put in. Some hot water is poured onto the tea leaves. This is generally done to show the guests that the flavors of the tea are now ‘open'. After allowing tea to brew for a minute, the host fills a small jug (gaiwan) with the entire contents of the teapot. The tea from the jug is poured into tiny tea cups and guests are asked to pick the cups. They are now asked to relish the aroma, flavor, and taste of the tea in order to tranquilize their senses. Having authentic tea with the Chinese people and exploring the culture is a major tourist attraction in China. What teas do Chinese people drink? With modern day creation such…...

Although tea is the second-most popular beverage in the world after water, only 2% of the tea produced and consumed is oolong tea – despite its abundance of health benefits! Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves, the same plant used to make green tea and black tea. The characteristics of oolong tea fall between green and black tea because of its unique processing method. But what exactly is oolong tea? Why is it “between” green and black tea? Find your answers here: the history, flavor, differences with other types of tea, caffeine content, health benefits, brewing methods, and where to find the best ones. The history of oolong tea There are several stories about how oolong tea was discovered. First, the “tribute tea” theory. This theory tells us that the name “oolong tea” is a tribute to its predecessor, Dragon-Phoenix tea cakes, a tea famous during the Song Dynasty era (960-1279 CE). The name “oolong” was used to replace the old term, as loose-leaf tea became more common. Since the tea is dark, long, and curly, it is called wūlóng (literally means dark dragon) tea – now known as oolong tea. The second theory…...

When you think about teas, you may imagine green (or even dark) leaves – but that is not the case with white tea. Cultivated in the early days before the leaves are fully opened, white tea buds are still covered by fine white hairs, which is why it is named “white tea”. During processing, this type of tea is the least processed tea. It is not oxidized nor rolled, creating a very pure and delicate type of tea. You might be wondering now, why did white tea come into existence in the first place? What does white tea taste like? Are there many types of white tea, and what are the differences? Does white tea contain any caffeine? And is white tea healthy for our body? Read on to learn more about this unique yet delicate type of tea. The history of white tea The history of white tea goes back almost 1,500 years ago to the Tang Dynasty era (618-907 CE) in Fujian Province, the birthplace of Silver Needle (Baihao Yinzhen) white tea. In that era, white tea was a special kind of tea picked in early spring – the perfect time to get the silver needles. Those young…...