Guide to Tea

Tea is good for you. Tea contains polyphenols — antioxidants that repair cells and may help our bodies fend off cardiovascular diseases, cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, and other maladies. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just green tea that’s good for you. Black, white, and red tea also have health-giving flavonoids and polyphenols.

It takes around 2,000 tiny leaves to make just one pound of finished tea. There are more than 1,500 types of teas in the world. Tea plants grow wild in parts of Asia, but over 25 countries cultivate tea as a plantation crop. The very best tea comes from high elevations and is hand-picked.

Timing is crucial to steeping the perfect cup of tea. Ideal steeping times and temperatures vary depending on what variety of tea you’re making. For black tea, steeping time is 3-5 minutes at 200°F. For white tea, steeping time is 1-2 minutes at 170°F. Green tea steeping temperatures depend on where the tea comes from.
Until the middle of the 17th century, all Chinese tea was green tea. As foreign trade increased, Chinese growers discovered that they could preserve tea leaves with a special fermentation process. The resulting black tea kept its flavor and aroma longer than the more delicate green teas and was better equipped for export journeys to other countries.

Tea bags were developed in the United States by accident. In 1908, a New York tea merchant sent samples of his product sealed in silk bags to restaurants and cafes throughout the city. After some time, he discovered that the restaurants were brewing his tea directly in the silk bags to save time. This method of brewing immediately caught on.

The next time you are drinking one of the 3.7 billion cups of tea consumed every day, take a moment to reflect on tea’s long and interesting history. Tea is available wherever you travel, can be consumed hot or cold, and has a variety of flavors and health benefits.