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Chinese Tea – Unique in the Tea World
By: Steven Jack
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Chinese tea culture refers to the methods of preparation of tea, the equipment used to make tea and the occasions in which tea is consumed in China. Tea culture in China differs from that of Europe, Britain or Japan in such things as preparation methods, tasting methods and the occasions for which it is consumed. Even now, in both casual and formal Chinese occasions, tea is consumed regularly. In addition to being a drink, Chinese tea is used in traditional Chinese medicine and in Chinese cuisine. |
Not everyone agrees on the origin, but no one disputes that tea is deeply woven into the history and culture of China. The beverage is considered one of the seven necessities of Chinese life, along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce and vinegar. Some writers classify Chinese tea into four categories, green, white, black and oolong. Others add categories for red, scented and compressed teas. All of these come from varieties of the Camilla sinensis plant. Varieties of Chinese teas are available aplenty at premier online tea shopping site – Goldenteahouse.com. They include green teas, oolong teas, white teas, black teas, herbal teas, blossoming teas, early spring teas and Wuyi teas.
Green tea is the most popular type of tea used in China. Green tea is now well known for its many health benefits; with each cup holding a wide variety of nature's special nutrients. Aside from white and herbal teas, greens have the least caffeine content of all Chinese tea classes, as well as the best documented medical value, which are both partly a result of the fermentation process being skipped entirely.
Oolong tea is a variety of semi-fermented tea that is known for its sweet and flowery qualities. The oxidation of the leaves during the drying process establishes Oolong's unique place among tea between Green and Black tea classes. Oolong has many metabolic stimulating attributes and can be used for weight management in addition to a well balanced diet.
Black tea is known literally as red tea in China. The tea leaves are rolled until completely bruised, thereby breaking open the cells and allowing total oxidization that sometimes referred to as fermentation. It is this process which causes it to have the highest caffeine content. Herbal teas from Goldenteahouse.com are among the highest quality tea alternatives available. You’ll find all kinds of flavors and a wide variety of health benefits - with not a milligram of caffeine. Visit Golden Teahouse to purchase varieties of Chinese tea and enjoy their taste for your entire lifetime. |