Theanine

Pu'er tea stands out from other types of tea because it can improve with age, becoming more fragrant and flavorful over time. Within a reasonable storage period and under proper conditions, the taste of Pu'er tea becomes richer and more complex as it ages. Pu'er tea comes in two varieties: sheng (raw) and shou (ripe). Each has its unique flavor profile; some prefer the pure sweetness of sheng, while others enjoy the mellow richness of shou. Without considering the differences in taste, which type is better for long-term storage—sheng or shou? Let's delve into this question for tea enthusiasts. 1. Under Identical Storage Conditions for Long-term Storage Sheng Pu'er Has Greater Potential for Transformation The answer is clear: in terms of long-term storage, sheng Pu'er has greater potential for transformation, and here's why: The main difference between sheng and shou Pu'er lies in their production processes. Compared to sheng, shou Pu'er undergoes an additional step known as "wet-piling" fermentation. During wet-piling fermentation, the raw Pu'er tea undergoes enzymatic reactions, microbial fermentation, and the effects of heat and moisture. These processes cause the tea's internal compounds to change rapidly within a short period, resulting in significant transformations of the tea's internal…

Tea leaves are a treasure; you wouldn’t know if you don’t drink them. The benefits and health preservation effects of tea leaves are summarized comprehensively for everyone today. Tea can reduce the risk and mortality rate of cardiovascular diseases. A recent study reported that Japanese researchers have been tracking over 40,000 individuals aged between 40 to 79 years old since 1994. Compared to those who drink less than one cup of tea a day, men who drink more than five cups of green tea daily have an average risk of death from cerebral vascular disease reduced by 22%, while women see a decrease of 31%. The reduction is most notable in cases of cerebral infarction, with a drop of 42% for men and a significant 62% for women. According to the UK’s Daily Mail, a new study found that drinking three cups of tea a day can lower the risk of myocardial infarction by 70%. Studies from Finland and France also show that drinking two to three cups of tea a day can reduce the risk of stroke. Tea can lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Researchers at Hong Kong University discovered that drinking tea can reduce total blood cholesterol levels…

Tea is the best beverage for middle-aged and elderly people. Scientific analysis has shown that tea contains proteins, fats, over 10 types of vitamins, as well as nearly 300 components such as polyphenols, caffeine, and lipopolysaccharides, which can regulate physiological functions and play a variety of health-preserving and pharmacological roles. What are the greatest benefits of drinking tea? 1. Improves Muscle Endurance. There is an antioxidant in tea called "catechins," which can increase the body's ability to burn fat, improve muscle endurance, help fight fatigue, and increase the duration of physical exercise. Regular consumption of green tea shows the most significant effects. 2. Fights Ultraviolet Radiation. Tea polyphenols are water-soluble substances. Washing your face with tea water can remove facial grease, tighten pores, and have disinfecting, sterilizing, and anti-aging effects on the skin. It also helps reduce damage from ultraviolet rays in sunlight, acting as a natural "sunscreen." 3. Maintains Body Shape. The caffeine in tea can promote the secretion of gastric juice, aid digestion, and enhance the body’s ability to break down fat. Regular tea consumption can reduce waist circumference, lower body mass index (BMI), and thus help prevent diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. 4. Protects Against Radiation. Tea polyphenols…

In our daily lives, coffee and tea are indispensable beverages for many people. Not only do they have unique flavors, but they are also popular due to their significant effects in boosting alertness and mental clarity. For many, having one or two cups of coffee or tea each day has become a habit, driven not just by their enticing aromas but also by the invigorating effects they provide. Some people are particularly fond of tea, not only for its stimulating properties but also because of the health benefits associated with the polyphenols found in tea leaves. First, let's delve deeper into the composition of tea. There are three main components closely related to tea leaves: polyphenols, caffeine, and theanine. Polyphenols are abundant in tea and are responsible for the astringency in taste. They include flavonoids, epigallocatechin, gallate (EGCG), and other catechins. Caffeine is a potent central nervous system stimulant and the key component that provides the energizing effect in tea; it is also the source of the bitter taste. Theanine gives tea a fresh and pleasant flavor and helps the body resist fatigue for longer periods.   Now let's look at the composition of coffee. The stimulating substances in coffee…

The sustained attention to health has long been one of the main themes in today's society and an important part of improving our quality of life. Seeking a healthier lifestyle has become a common consensus among many people. Among these, the role of tea is significant. The remarkable aspect of Puer tea is that soaking a few leaves in water creates a drink that can bring health benefits, with Puer tea standing out among them. When we delve into the microscopic world and examine the primary components of Puer tea, there are hidden wonders of health. Tea Polyphenols: The Main Forces that Can Attack and Defend Tea polyphenols are the general term for about 30 types of phenolic substances hidden in Puer tea, which is a major chemical component of the tea and one of the main sources of its color, aroma, and taste. In terms of health preservation, tea polyphenols also hold a dominant position, like a main force, helping us maintain the health of our bodies. Tea polyphenols have impressive fighting power and strong physiological activity, efficiently eliminating "free radicals" within the body. Free radicals are harmful substances produced during human respiration of oxygen, resulting from excessive oxidative…

April is the time when spring tea hits the market. Many tea enthusiasts buy pre-Ming green teas such as Longjing and Biluochun. While these spring teas are delightful before the Ming festival, they do have their drawbacks. Some tea lovers ask why this Longjing that costs thousands of yuan per kilogram tastes so mild and doesn't hold up well through multiple infusions, unlike Tieguanyin or Dahongpao, which are more durable. Could it be that the quality of the tea isn’t good? Why do more expensive teas have a milder taste? Firstly, from the perspective of the raw materials used, more expensive teas are typically made from spring or early spring teas. These teas are picked early, with a high content of tender buds and relatively low levels of catechins, proteins, and amino acids. Catechins and proteins are the primary components responsible for the bitterness in tea, while amino acids contribute to a sweeter and fresher taste. Therefore, in pricier teas, the bitterness is lower, and the sweetness and freshness are stronger, resulting in a milder taste. The more expensive the tea, the richer its internal substances but slower their extraction rate, which explains why premium teas may not have much…

Basic Introduction to Baojing Golden TeaBaojing Golden Tea is a sexual population variety formed through long-term natural selection, characterized by group genetics with complex genetic inheritance. It exhibits diverse genotypes and phenotypes, including many unique superior individual plants. Its amino acid content is more than twice that of other green teas, and its water-soluble extractives approach 50%. The processed tea products possess the quality characteristics of "aromatic, green, refreshing, and strong." As verified by Mr. He Shihua, Vice President of the Pu'er Tea Culture Research Association, the ancient Baojing Golden Tea trees located at Golden Bridge belong to the large-leaved tree type category and share a certain phylogenetic relationship with the Jinggu Broad-leaf Magnolia that existed 35 million years ago. Baojing Golden Tea is a distinctive and rare tea tree variety. Nutritional ValueThe high theanine content in Baojing Golden Tea endows it with numerous medicinal and health benefits:1) In the nervous system, theanine can promote brain function and neural growth; prevent diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's;2) In the cardiovascular system, it helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, particularly effective in reducing abdominal fat;3) In the digestive system, it can increase beneficial gut flora and exhibit antioxidant effects;4) In…

Autumn has arrived, and winter is not far behind. With the coolness of autumn mornings and evenings, it's time to consider enjoying a cup of black tea, which can warm your body better than anything else. For those who love and wish to learn more about black tea, these seven questions should prove quite helpful. 01. Does the saying "high mountains produce good tea amidst clouds and mist" apply to black tea as well? Yes, it does. Tea plants prefer diffused light and are best grown under the shade of larger trees or amid clouds and mist, where sunlight is sparse and less intense. Under such conditions, tea plants find it easier to synthesize theanine. Tea plants grown at high altitudes tend to have richer theanine content, resulting in a fresher and more refreshing flavor. 02. What causes the sweetness when drinking black tea? The sweetness in black tea comes from the presence of sugars and amino acids. During fermentation, very complex chemical reactions occur centered around the enzymatic oxidation of polyphenols. The chemical composition of fresh tea leaves changes significantly, with over 90% of polyphenols reduced and new components like theaflavins and thearubigins produced. The aroma compounds increase markedly.…

In the world of tea, tea stems, often overlooked as the “green leaf,” actually play an indispensable role, particularly in dark tea. They are not only a source of aroma but also a flavor harmonizer. This article delves into the unique value of tea stems in dark tea and how they influence its aroma and taste, inviting you to appreciate the charm of tea stems.   Tea Stems: The Source of Dark Tea’s “Perfume” Tea stems contain rich aromatic substances. During the production of dark tea, these aromatics release from the stems, blending with the buds and leaves, combining with the active components of the tea to transform into higher-quality fragrances. An appropriate amount of tea stems, like the base notes in perfume, adds depth and layers to the dark tea, making its aroma richer and more lasting. Tea Stems: The Choice “Flavor Enhancer” for Dark Tea Mature tea stems contain more tea polysaccharides, proteins, minerals, and other components than tender leaves. These water-soluble substances dissolve quickly in the tea infusion during brewing, enriching the mouthfeel and making it fuller and smoother. The theanine in tea stems gives dark tea a distinctive freshness, enhancing its overall flavor and turning it…

1. Do we feel joy when drinking tea? Dopamine, a term we are all familiar with, is a central neurotransmitter that activates brain nerve cells and its physiological activity is closely related to one's emotional state. Scientific experiments have proven that L-theanine in tea can significantly promote the release of dopamine in the brain’s central nervous system, enhancing the physiological activity of dopamine within the brain. (Reference: China National Knowledge Infrastructure - "Research on the Performance and Synthesis of L-Theanine" by Chen Yinxia) It must be admitted that tea is a very charming beverage. 2. Flower + Tea = Happiness > 2 Jasmine + Green Tea: Jasmine has a fresh and vivid aroma while green tea is refreshing. Through the skilled craftsmanship of tea artisans, the scent of jasmine is infused into the tea. The result is a jasmine green tea that is subtle yet fragrant, not too light nor too heavy. Sipping it releases the full fragrance of summer between your lips and teeth. Osmanthus + Black Tea: Osmanthus has a rich and intense fragrance, while black tea is sweet and mellow. The osmanthus black tea produced through this process has a soft and sweet liquor, with the scent…

As one of the top ten famous teas in China, Baihao Yinzhen is not only well-known but also enjoyed by many tea enthusiasts. However, do you know the story and origin of Baihao Yinzhen? Legend has it that long ago, there was a prolonged drought in the region around Zhenghe, leading to an outbreak of plague with countless sick and dead. On Donggong Mountain, shrouded in clouds and mist, there was a dragon well, beside which grew some miraculous herbs. The juice squeezed from these herbs could cure all diseases; if dropped into rivers or fields, water would surge forth. Therefore, to save their fellow villagers, someone had to obtain these miraculous herbs. At the time, many brave young men set out to find the miraculous herbs but never returned. A family with three siblings lived nearby. The eldest brother’s name was Zhigang, the second brother was Zhicheng, and the youngest sister was Zhiyu. They decided that the eldest brother would go first to search for the miraculous herbs. If he did not return, the second brother would go next, and if he too failed to come back, then the sister would continue the search. One day, before setting out,…

In 2022, a study involving half a million people published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that, compared to those who don't drink tea, drinking 2 to 3 cups daily is associated with a 13% lower risk of all-cause mortality. It Helps with Antioxidation Tea contains a high amount of polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties and can eliminate excess free radicals in the body. Studies have found that the antioxidant effect of tea polyphenols is stronger than that of vitamin E. Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease A study published by Professor Gu Dongfeng, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and former Vice President of Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology showed: Regular tea drinking can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, with more significant health benefits for those who maintain a long-term habit of drinking tea, men, and those who drink green tea. Reduces Risk of Diabetes Research has found: drinking green tea daily can prevent type 2 diabetes; individuals with diabetes who regularly drink green tea can significantly lower their risk of all-cause mortality. Compared to those who never drink tea, daily tea drinkers have an…

Many people say that drinking tea at night is a no-go as it can cause insomnia. Does drinking tea in the evening always affect your sleep? Not necessarily. While it's true that tea has stimulating properties, it can also have a calming effect. By making informed choices about the type of tea and how you drink it, you won't just avoid disrupting your sleep but may even improve its quality. Reasons for Insomnia from Drinking Tea The common belief that tea causes insomnia stems from the caffeine content in tea leaves, which can energize and keep you awake. However, this isn't an absolute rule. The amount of caffeine in tea depends on various factors such as the type of tea, growing conditions, harvest season, picking standards, processing methods, and brewing techniques. People also vary in their tolerance to caffeine due to differences in constitution and lifestyle habits. Some individuals find that even a small cup of tea before bed keeps them tossing and turning all night, while others who regularly drink tea can still enjoy a peaceful sleep after their nightly cup. How to Drink Tea Without Insomnia 01 Drink tea 3-5 hours before bedtime If you plan to go…

Many people say that drinking tea at night will cause insomnia. Does drinking tea in the evening necessarily affect your sleep? Not necessarily. While it's true that tea can be invigorating, it can also have a calming effect. By adjusting the type of tea and how you drink it, you can avoid disrupting your sleep and may even improve its quality. Main reason for insomnia caused by tea: People often say that drinking tea causes insomnia because it contains caffeine, which can both energize and keep you awake. However, this is not always the case. The amount of caffeine in tea depends on many factors such as the variety of tea, growing conditions, harvest season, picking standards, processing methods, and brewing techniques. People also vary in their tolerance to caffeine based on their constitution and lifestyle. Some people find themselves tossing and turning after just a small cup of tea before bed, while others who regularly drink tea still enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep. Here’s how to drink tea without causing insomnia: 1. Drink tea 3-5 hours before bedtime If you plan to go to bed at 11 PM, drink tea (after a meal) before 8 PM. This generally won’t…

The 22nd World Cup Football Championship will be held in Qatar from November 21 to December 18, welcoming the quadrennial football feast for fans, who will stay up late watching matches, posing a challenge to both their physical and mental stamina. In many fans' eyes, this World Cup is truly "the twilight of the gods": Messi is 35 years old, Ronaldo is 37, Pepe is 39... even Neymar, the youngest among them, says that this might be his last World Cup. During every World Cup, many fans prepare beer and late-night snacks to stay up and watch the games. However, it's well known that staying up late is detrimental to liver detoxification and overall health. Consuming alcohol and meat while staying up late can exacerbate these effects! If you want to indulge fully during the World Cup, drinking tea may be the best companion. Passionate World Cup, Healthy with a Teacup While tea drinking cannot completely offset the toll of staying up late, its invigorating and detoxifying effects are certainly beneficial while watching the games. Here are our tea recommendations for different phases: 9:00 PM Match - Raw Tea to Energize and Get into the Zone The 9 PM match…

01 Main Origin The communities of Wangjia in the Jinnajieling Subdistrict, Qiantengying and Dahedong in the Shazikou Subdistrict, Bijia in the Beizhai Subdistrict, and Tunsan and Xiaowang in the Wanggezhuang Subdistrict of Laoshan District, Qingdao City. 02 Quality Characteristics Laoshan Dragon's Beard is a type of green tea where buds and leaves are connected, fully spread out with short internodes and a pale yellow-green color. Its appearance features naturally spread-out buds and leaves in a uniform shape, with a fresh and lively green color. The infusion has a tender, bright green color, a fresh and high aroma; the taste is fresh, sweet, and mellow; the infused leaves are young, rich in buds, and brightly colored in a uniform manner. Laoshan Dragon's Beard contains 3.6% free amino acids, 2.17% theanine, 15.0% polyphenols, and 42.4% water-soluble extracts, all superior to reference values. Product Details 03 Environmental Advantages The production area for Laoshan Dragon's Beard is located in Laoshan District, where the soil is brown loam derived from weathered granite, with thick layers and an organic matter content greater than 1%, pH values between 5.5 and 6.5. The tea-growing areas have diverse topography, small plots, and lush surrounding vegetation (vegetation coverage rate of…

Life is a rush, and what’s most precious is the joy that comes from within. Tea is a gentle touch of extraordinary in our ordinary days. Though it doesn’t speak, it quietly weaves a web of happiness in its unique way. Taking a sip of fragrant tea slows down the entire world. The lingering aroma not only nourishes the palate but also soothes the restless mind. The magic of tea lies in its rich aromas, which act as nature’s perfumers, gently sweeping away worries and leaving behind tranquility and peace. Theanine, the source of tea’s fresh and sweet taste, enhances the flavor of the tea while acting like a masseuse for the soul, helping us find serenity amidst busyness and restlessness. Brewing tea is a tender conversation with time. Preparing water, selecting tea, and steeping it—each step requires patience and should not be rushed. In “Four Lectures on Taste,” Jiang Xun discusses the aesthetics of life: “If you eat a meal hurriedly, you won’t love your life. But if you prepare and enjoy a meal carefully, you will love your life because you feel that you have spent time and effort on it, that you have prepared for it.” Tea…

Basic Introduction to Jiaoling Huangkeng Tea The Huangkeng Junbao Tea Factory is located in Jiaoling, Meizhou, a Longevity Town of China. It was originally established in 2002 and, through renovations and expansions over the years, has developed into a medium-sized tea production enterprise that integrates planting, processing, packaging, and sales. The Huangkeng green tea from Huangkeng Village, Xuxi Township, Jiaoling County, is characterized by its tightly rolled leaves, silver-gray color with a frosted appearance, clear green infusion, rich aroma, and smooth taste. According to records in the "Zhenping County Annals" published in the first year of the Kangxi era (1662) during the Qing Dynasty, tea cultivation began in this village in 1662. Over time, continuous improvements in tea-making techniques have resulted in a traditional, fragrant, sweet, and smooth Huangkeng tea. Nutritional Value Green tea is known as the "national drink" of China. Modern scientific research has confirmed that tea contains biochemical components closely related to human health. In addition to its effects of refreshing the mind, relieving summer heat, aiding digestion, clearing phlegm, reducing fat, quenching thirst, calming the mind, detoxifying, and reducing alcohol intoxication, tea can also help prevent modern diseases such as radiation sickness, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.…

Intelligence is a gift, kindness is a choice, and drinking tea is an investment. Some might argue that buying and storing tea is the real investment. To many, tea only holds investment value when it's traded as a commodity, and drinking tea is just a consumption process. In fact, storing tea can be an investment, but drinking tea is an even higher-level investment! Life is short, and the best investment you can make is in yourself. Drinking tea is one such investment that can increase your worth. Once you've been drinking tea for years and tasted its benefits, you'll truly understand. 1. Drinking tea increases our health value. Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs, encountering seventy-two poisons in a day, which were cured by tea. Tea, a miraculous leaf gifted to humanity by nature, has always been beneficial to human health. From its earliest use as medicine by Shennong to today’s various health supplements made from tea's unique components, the connection between tea and health is increasingly recognized. Tea provides undeniable health benefits. Regular tea drinking keeps us looking younger. The active ingredients in tea, such as polyphenols and theanine, have anti-aging and antioxidant properties. Regular tea drinking reduces illness. The…

The scorching summer is the most unbearable time of the year, causing inexplicable irritability. At such a moment, sipping on a cup of Pu'er ripened tea is an exquisite pleasure. Some say that drinking green tea helps to quench internal heat in summer, while drinking black tea and Pu'er tea promotes health in winter. So, is it suitable to drink such a warming Pu'er ripened tea in the scorching summer? Some even directly put ripened Pu'er tea on the "blacklist" of summer beverages, but this is not the case! Ripened Pu'er tea, after undergoing pile fermentation, has a mild nature and a mellow, smooth taste. Drinking ripened Pu'er tea in summer can warm the body and dispel dampness, quench thirst, warm and protect the stomach, and promote sleep at the same time. Who is Suitable to Drink Pu'er Ripened Tea in Summer 1. Overweight People In summer, overweight people are more suited to drink Pu'er ripened tea. The caffeine, vitamins, amino acids, phospholipids, and other components in Pu'er tea help with digestion and have a significant effect in inhibiting the increase of abdominal fat. The tea is rich in vitamin B1, which is essential for burning fat and converting it…

Good tea thrives with proper nutrition; fertilizers are the material foundation for increasing yield and improving quality in tea production. Fertilization plays a crucial role in the growth of tea plants and the yield and quality of tea leaves. While some nutrients are supplied by the soil itself, its nutrient content is limited and subject to environmental factors, leading to significant losses through leaching and volatilization, which greatly reduces nutrient availability. This is insufficient to meet the needs of tea plant growth, let alone high yields and quality standards. Additionally, as a leaf-harvesting crop, the annual harvest of large quantities of buds and leaves removes a certain amount of nutrients. Therefore, most nutrients must be replenished through fertilization. When soil nutrient imbalances occur or there is an extreme deficiency of one or more nutrients, it is necessary to use appropriate fertilizers to correct the nutritional deficiencies to ensure high-yield and high-quality tea production. Therefore, proper management of tea gardens during different seasons is crucial, and fertilization is a key technology in garden management that should receive significant attention. Especially during autumn, a critical period for tea garden management, the focus is on rapidly restoring tree vigor to lay the groundwork…

The benefits of dark tea Dark tea is one of the six major types of tea and is a fully fermented tea. When consumed in moderation by healthy individuals, it can help protect blood vessels, regulate blood sugar levels, promote digestion, and alleviate greasy feelings. 1. Protects Blood Vessels: High levels of lipids in the body can cause lipid deposition on the walls of blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Dark tea has certain effects in degrading fat, inhibiting blood coagulation, and promoting the dissolution of fibrinogen. It helps inhibit or reduce the possibility of platelet aggregation. This allows the blood vessel walls to relax, maintaining normal blood flow, which helps to regulate blood pressure, lipids, and soften blood vessels. 2. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels: Dark tea contains higher levels of tea polysaccharides, which are more active than those found in other types of tea. Therefore, dark tea can help promote carbohydrate metabolism, aiding in the regulation of blood sugar levels. 3. Promotes Digestion and Relieves Greasiness: Dark tea contains certain amounts of theobromine, tea polyphenols, vitamins, amino acids, and phospholipids, which can help regulate fat metabolism, offering some positive assistance for weight loss and making it suitable for…

The benefits of drinking Pu'er tea are a common topic among tea enthusiasts. Anecdotal evidence from friends, aggressive marketing by tea merchants, and health lectures by tea experts all touch on this subject. Since the 20th century, scientific research has delved into the medicinal properties and therapeutic mechanisms of tea, such as polyphenols, theaflavins, and L-EGCG. Although research on Pu'er tea started later, it has produced significant results. These findings suggest that the various phytonutrients in Pu'er tea can have real effects on human health. Ancient and Modern Health Needs In Tibetan folklore, there is a saying: "Cha is blood (tea nourishes the blood), Cha is flesh (tea sustains the body), Cha is life (tea is essential for living)." They have long believed that Pu'er tea is a powerful health drink that can "counteract the toxicity of meat and dairy." During the Qing Dynasty, Pu'er tea's functions of "cutting through grease, aiding digestion, and sobering intoxication" were greatly promoted. It crossed mountains to become the supreme tribute tea in the Forbidden City, marking the first peak in Pu'er tea history. The reason for its popularity in the imperial court was due to the Manchu people, who were nomadic by origin…

When brewing Anhua black tea, have you ever wondered, “Why are there so many stems?” Sometimes, you might even remove and discard the larger ones. However, stems are not contaminants in the tea leaves; on the contrary, they have significant value. Don’t throw away these treasures out of ignorance—read on to find out why! Picking Standards In the picking standards for Anhua black tea, more mature fresh leaves are required. Therefore, the presence of stems is quite normal in these three categories of tea. Taste Requirements As the nutrient-conducting organs of fresh leaves, stems contain higher levels of sugar. Therefore, when blending black tea, stems are also added in appropriate amounts. For example, 3 kg of Fu brick tea includes large-leaf stems that have been accumulated over more than a year, contributing to its unique taste. Pressing Requirements Stems also play an important role in the pressing process, especially for Hei brick tea. During processing and storage, Hei brick tea requires certain temperature, humidity, and oxygen conditions for fermentation. A certain amount of stems can increase the air gaps within the brick, ensuring adequate oxygen supply, which is beneficial for quality development. Additionally, a specific stem content facilitates the drainage…