Oolong tea

Tea is one of the world's three major beverages. In addition to its fresh and fragrant taste, the rich substances it contains are also one of the reasons people enjoy drinking tea. As is well known, tea is rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants with excellent antioxidant functions that can eliminate harmful free radicals, fight aging, resist radiation, and have antibacterial properties. But does drinking tea regularly really slow down the process of brain aging? Chinese scholars provide the answer. Addressing existing issues, they conducted extensive data analysis to arrive at more reliable conclusions. On November 21, 2023, a research paper titled "Tea consumption and attenuation of biological aging: A longitudinal analysis from two cohort studies" by Professor Zhao Xing's team from the School of Public Health, West China Hospital, Sichuan University was published online in the prestigious international journal "The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific" (IF=7.1). The results show that regularly drinking tea can slow down the aging process, and drinking about 3 cups of tea or 6-8 grams of tea leaves per day may provide the most significant anti-aging effects. In this study, there were 13,929 participants, including 7,931 participants aged 30-79 from the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) and…...

Basic Introduction to Lancang Ancient TeaLancang is one of the original birthplaces of tea trees, the hometown of Pu'er tea, with a long and splendid tea culture. Within its borders lies the Jingmai Mangjing Ten Thousand Mu Ancient Tea Garden, which has been cultivated for over 1,300 years, as well as the thousand-year-old Bongwei Large Tea King Tree, a transitional type. The Jingmai Mangjing Ten Thousand Mu Ancient Tea Garden is the largest in area, longest in cultivation history, and relatively intact man-cultivated ancient tea garden discovered so far in China. It is hailed by scholars at home and abroad as a "World Tea Tree Museum" and a "Living Fossil of Tea Varieties."Today, tea production in Lancang has become a pillar industry for the local area, with a total tea area of 360,000 mu (approximately 24,000 hectares), including 28,000 mu (about 1,867 hectares) of ancient tea gardens. About 280,000 people in 68,000 households are engaged in tea cultivation and production, with an average tea income per household of 5,412 yuan. When reporters visited the ancient villages of the Lahu, Dai, and Bulang ethnic groups on Mount Jingmai, they saw tea gardens hidden beneath primeval forests. Villagers set up their tea…...

Can you tell the difference between spring, summer, and autumn teas? While tea can be harvested throughout the year from a technical standpoint, the quality of the final product varies greatly depending on the season. Spring tea is considered the best, followed by autumn tea, with summer tea ranking last. Spring Tea The first harvest of the year occurs during spring, typically between March and May. The moderate temperatures and ample rainfall during this season are ideal for the growth and nutrient accumulation in tea plants, resulting in high-quality tea. Spring tea is known for its fresh, sweet aroma and bright green liquor. Summer Tea: In the summer, higher temperatures accelerate the growth of tea plants, increasing their yield, but the quality is somewhat lower compared to spring. Summer tea tends to have a more bitter taste and a lighter flavor, although it still retains some fragrance and palatability. Autumn Tea: As the weather cools down in autumn, tea plants enter a dormant phase. The lower moisture content in the leaves contributes to a richer flavor and a stronger aftertaste with a heightened sweetness and aroma. Spring Tea vs. Autumn Tea Spring is the season of renewal. As temperatures rise…...

As is well known, the advantage of purple clay teapots lies in tea brewing. What is the connection between them? Generally speaking, purple clay teapots are not picky about the type of tea; any kind of tea can be brewed using a purple clay teapot. However, how to best match the characteristics of the pot with those of the tea is a question worth studying. Brewing certain teas in specific pots can make the pot more lustrous and produce a richer, more fragrant infusion. 1. Crimson Clay Teapot 【Crimson Clay Teapot】usually has a high mesh count and a dense structure, which results in minimal loss of the aroma of highly aromatic teas. It enhances the tea's qualities by concentrating and enhancing its fragrance, making it an excellent companion for oolong teas. Crimson clay teapots are suitable for brewing highly aromatic teas such as Taiwanese high mountain teas and Tieguanyin from Anxi, effectively bringing out their aromatic properties. Teapots used to brew Tieguanyin often develop a particularly bright sheen due to the rich aromatic oils in the tea leaves. It should be noted that crimson clay has a very high shrinkage ratio and is prone to cracking due to thermal expansion…...

What is good Hubei tea? A seemingly simple question, but it's hard to sum up in a single phrase. Is expensive tea necessarily good tea? Is scarce tea necessarily good tea? Is tea that boasts ancient trees or master craftsmanship necessarily good tea? The answer to all these is “not necessarily.” Image | Hubei tea mountains shrouded in mist and clouds 01 Hubei’s Good Tea: The Three Essential Elements at the Source Must Not Be Missing For truly good tea, the three essential elements at the source must be right. What are the three essential elements at the source of tea? They are: region, variety, and processing method. Region More than a thousand years ago, Lu Yu, the Sage of Tea, wrote in Chapter One of "The Classic of Tea," about "the origin of tea"; then, in another chapter titled "where tea comes from," he detailed the various sources of tea production in the Tang Empire that he had researched and that were recorded in historical documents. This shows the importance of the origin of tea, that is, "region." Image | "The Classic of Tea" by Lu Yu Currently, 21 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in our country produce tea,…...

The suitable temperature for storing tea is between 0 and 25°C. According to national standards, the storage temperature for green tea and yellow tea should be between 0 and 10°C, while black tea, oolong tea, dark tea, and white tea should be kept at temperatures no higher than 25°C. It is important to note that both excessively high or low temperatures can affect the quality of the tea. In addition to temperature, other factors to consider include avoiding light exposure, maintaining a normal room temperature, ensuring airtight seals, preventing dampness, and guarding against odors. 　　Suitable Temperature for Storing Tea The temperature requirement for storing tea is 0 to 25°C, with a relative humidity below 50% to 70%. Green tea: The storage temperature should ideally be controlled below 10°C, with a relative humidity below 50%. Black tea: Should be controlled below 25°C, with a relative humidity below 50%. Oolong tea: Should be controlled below 25°C, with a relative humidity below 50%. Yellow tea: Should be controlled below 10°C, with a relative humidity below 50%. White tea: Should be controlled below 25°C, with a relative humidity below 50%. Dark tea: Should be controlled below 25°C, with a relative humidity below 70%. Tea…...

"Only This Green and Lustrous" Yunnan Green Tea, Oolong Tea Yunnan is the source of world tea, particularly the birthplace of large-leaf tea trees. Many people came to know Yunnan through Pu'er tea made from large-leaf varieties. In Yunnan, the history of ethnic minorities growing, processing, and drinking tea has a unique style that dates back a long way. However, before Pu'er tea became well-known, Yunnan tea had for a considerable period of time been outside the mainstream of Chinese tea. It has already been confirmed that large-leaf varieties in Yunnan are suitable not only for making Pu'er tea but also green tea, black tea, and white tea with remarkable taste. Due to the special nature of the large-leaf tea trees and the plateau terrain, especially for ancient tree teas, the sprouting is always later than small-leaf varieties. Pu'er tea only mentions "first spring," not "pre-Ming." When the first spring tea has yet to be picked and the spring scenery outside the window is at its best, everywhere is a scene of lush greenery – it is the perfect time to savor the "Only This Green and Lustrous" of Yunnan – green tea and oolong tea. Green - The Unique…...

After a light breakfast, start your day with a cup of mild tea; black tea is suitable in the morning as it replenishes energy and hydrates. After lunch and a brief rest, when fatigue sets in, green tea, oolong tea, or white tea can help alleviate tiredness and have the benefit of refreshing the mind and relieving fatigue. Following dinner, when the body is in a state of satiety, dark tea or aged white tea can help relax, boost the immune system, and aid digestion. How to Drink Tea for Optimal Health Throughout the Day Drinking an appropriate amount of tea after meals, avoiding very hot tea, and not drinking strong tea are beneficial to health. 1. Drink an Appropriate Amount of Tea After Meals: Tea contains caffeine, theophylline, and other components that can significantly stimulate gastric juice secretion, enhancing gastric motility. Drinking some tea after meals helps with food digestion and reduces the occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases. 2. Avoid Drinking Very Hot Tea: Some people prefer their tea hot, which can easily cause damage to the esophageal and stomach lining. When drinking tea, it's important to control the temperature to avoid scalding injuries. 3. Avoid Drinking Strong Tea: Tea…...

Tea, as a traditional Chinese beverage, carries profound cultural significance and is an indispensable part of daily life. However, when we enter the tea market and face the myriad varieties of tea, prices vary widely, leaving many wondering: how much does tea cost per pound? Today, let's delve into the mystery and uncover the secrets behind tea prices. Factors Determining Tea Prices Origin: The origin of tea is one of the critical factors influencing its price. China has numerous famous tea-producing regions, such as West Lake Longjing, Yunnan Pu'er, and Anxi Tieguanyin, where tea often commands higher prices due to their unique geographical environments and climatic conditions that are ideal for tea cultivation. Variety: The variety of tea also affects its price. Different tea plant varieties have varying growth cycles, leaf sizes, aromas, and flavors, all of which influence the price of tea to some extent. Picking Time: The picking time of tea leaves is equally important. Generally, spring teas are of the best quality and thus command the highest prices. Summer and autumn teas have lower quality and are correspondingly cheaper. Processing Method: The processing method of tea is complex, involving steps such as fixation, rolling, fermentation, and drying.…...

Generally, Oolong tea is best for gongfu brewing, but white tea, black tea, yellow tea, and dark tea can also be used. Since these teas are processed after fermentation, the resulting infusion is clear and bright in color with a better taste and lingering flavor. Can Black Tea Be Used for Gongfu Brewing? 1. Selecting Suitable Black Tea: Gongfu brewing usually suits single-origin teas, and there are many varieties of black tea, each with different flavors and aromas. Choosing the right variety of black tea is crucial. Generally, Yunnan black (Dian Hong), Lapsang Souchong, Keemun black tea, and Golden Eyebrow are suitable for gongfu brewing. 2. Controlling Brewing Time: Gongfu brewing requires shorter steeping times, while black tea typically needs longer steeping times, usually around 3-5 minutes. It's important to control the brewing time to avoid overly strong or weak tea. 3. Adjusting Water Temperature: Gongfu brewing typically uses boiling water, whereas black tea should be brewed at a slightly lower temperature, around 90°C. Adjusting the water temperature is necessary to prevent the tea from being too hot or too cool. 4. Selecting Suitable Tea Ware: Gongfu brewing often uses clay pots or glass cups, while black tea is better…...

Drinking tea for health has become the choice of many office workers. The purple clay teapot is a commonly used tea utensil, but what kinds of tea are suitable for brewing in it? Does it have anything to do with the shape and size of the teapot? In fact, when using a purple clay teapot for brewing tea, apart from considering the type of clay used, you can also make choices based on the capacity and characteristics of the teapot's shape. So, what kinds of tea are suitable for brewing in a purple clay teapot? What rules should be followed? Black Tea: West Beauty Teapot, Rongtian Teapot The common feature of the West Beauty Teapot and the Rongtian Teapot is their large belly, deep body, and plump, round shape, which can fully bring out the aroma of black tea without damaging the leaves. As the color of black tea infusion is relatively dark, it is suitable to use darker colored clays such as Tianxing clay, blue-gray clay, or Dicaoqing clay for making the purple clay teapot. Oolong Tea: Duozhi Teapot, Dragon Egg Teapot Most oolong teas expand significantly after brewing, so teapots with slightly larger mouths, like the Duozhi Teapot,…...

Tea is an extremely common beverage in people’s lives. In addition to its many preventive effects against human diseases, it also has antibacterial and antiviral properties. As early as over 1,000 years ago during the Tang and Song dynasties, Chinese medical texts recorded numerous instances where tea could kill bacteria and stop dysentery. Early medical books contain many compound formulas for treating dysentery and cholera. With the continuous advancement of scientific research, the antibacterial and antiviral effects of tea have gradually been revealed, and they have achieved good application results in areas such as drug development, food preservation, and daily chemical products. ☀ Inhibitory Effect of Tea on Influenza Virus The components in tea, such as tea polyphenols, catechins, and theaflavins, have shown significant inhibitory effects on influenza viruses and possess potential pharmaceutical development value. ☀ Inhibitory Effect of Tea on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus that infects human immune system cells. Research has found that when the concentration of EGCG is greater than 10 μmol/L, it can reduce the affinity of viral protease for its substrate. Derivatives of theaflavins can be considered as candidate microbicides to prevent the transmission of HIV, with pharmaceutical development…...