#tea and health

[dilnak]

The Art of Tea: A Journey through Culture, Health, and Flavor

Tea, the second most consumed beverage in the world after water, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. Beyond being a comforting drink, tea embodies culture, health benefits, and a world of flavors. In this article, we'll take a journey through the world of tea, exploring its origins, its impact on culture, its many health benefits, and the myriad of flavors it offers.

The Origins of Tea

The story of tea begins in ancient China, where legend has it that Emperor Shen Nong discovered tea around 2737 BCE when tea leaves blew into a pot of boiling water he was preparing. Over time, tea became deeply ingrained in Chinese culture, influencing everything from art and philosophy to medicine and daily rituals.

Tea eventually made its way to Japan, where it took on its own unique traditions, most notably in the form of the Japanese tea ceremony, or Chanoyu. This ritualistic practice celebrates the preparation and consumption of matcha, a powdered green tea that emphasizes mindfulness, aesthetics, and respect.

The British also played a significant role in tea's global spread. During the 17th century, the British East India Company began importing tea from China, making it popular in England and eventually leading to the Boston Tea Party in 1773, a pivotal event in the lead-up to the American Revolution.

Tea and Culture

Tea has had a profound influence on the cultures it has touched. In China, tea has long been associated with Confucianism and Daoism, and it has played a central role in various social rituals and ceremonies. In Japan, the tea ceremony is not just a cultural practice but a spiritual one, emphasizing harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.

In British culture, the tradition of afternoon tea became popular in the 19th century, and it remains a cherished custom today, complete with finger sandwiches, scones, and a pot of Earl Grey or English breakfast tea.

Tea and Health

Beyond its cultural significance, tea offers a wide range of health benefits. The leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which produces black, green, white, and oolong teas, contain polyphenols, antioxidants, and other compounds that have been linked to various health advantages.

Antioxidants: Tea is rich in antioxidants, such as catechins in green tea and theaflavins in black tea. These compounds help combat free radicals in the body, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.

Mental Alertness: Tea contains caffeine, which, though less than coffee, can provide a gentle and sustainable energy boost without the jittery side effects.

Weight Management: Green tea, in particular, is believed to aid in weight management by boosting metabolism and promoting fat oxidation.

Digestive Health: Herbal teas like peppermint and ginger can soothe digestive discomfort, helping with issues like indigestion and bloating.

Stress Reduction: The ritual of making and sipping tea can have a calming effect, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

Flavors of the World

Tea's diversity goes beyond its cultural significance and health benefits. Different types of tea are created through varying processes, resulting in a wide array of flavors.

Green Tea: Known for its grassy and earthy flavors, green tea is minimally processed, preserving its natural color and fresh taste. Varieties like Sencha, Matcha, and Dragonwell offer distinct profiles.

Black Tea: Black tea, with its robust and bold flavors, undergoes full oxidation. Varieties like Assam, Darjeeling, and Earl Grey showcase the diversity within this category.

White Tea: White tea is the least processed, resulting in a delicate, floral, and slightly sweet taste. Silver Needle and White Peony are well-known white tea varieties.

Oolong Tea: Falling between green and black tea in terms of oxidation, oolong teas are complex and nuanced. They can range from light and floral to dark and rich, with Tie Guan Yin and Da Hong Pao being notable examples.

Herbal and Fruit Infusions: Beyond the traditional tea types, there's a world of herbal and fruit infusions, including chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, and more, each offering unique and delightful flavors.

Conclusion

Tea is more than just a beverage; it's a cultural treasure, a source of well-being, and a voyage of flavors waiting to be explored. From the serene Japanese tea ceremonies to the bustling British afternoon teas and the myriad health benefits, tea continues to captivate hearts and minds around the world. So, whether you're seeking a moment of tranquility, a boost of energy, or simply a delightful taste experience, a cup of tea is always ready to take you on a journey of culture, health, and flavor.

[brawley1492]

Good morning everyone

Hello from Nature loving Australia

We awaken to a mostly cloudy but no rain expected this high humidity 96% no snow 22-27C a little cooler Spring Day

Having a nice cup of tea, tea can be so friendly and is good for ones health ... William

[lbteas]

Chun Mee Green Teas in Mauritania

West Africa is located between the Sahara Desert, Lake Chad and the Gulf of Guinea. West Africa generally includes Mauritania, Western Sahara, Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, and Canary Islands, etc., a total of 17 countries and regions.

West Africa is located in or around the Sahara Desert, the largest in the world. Its climate and people's dietary characteristics are similar to those of Morocco and other countries in North Africa. Therefore, most people here also like to drink tea. They are used to adding sugar and mint leaves (or juice) when drinking tea.

Mauritania is located in the west of the Sahara Desert in Africa. More than 90% of the country's territory is desert area. It is a country mainly based on animal husbandry. It is said that the history of tea drinking in Mauritania originated in the 16th century, and was first introduced from Spain.

According to annual statistics from the World Tea Association, Mauritania imported $24.06 million in tea from China in 2021. Mainly medium to high-end chun mee green teas such as 41022, 41022AAA, 8147 and so on.

Drinking green tea is an ingrained habit in the lives of Mauritanians. Due to the dry and hot climate, people are prone to fatigue, and the living habit of eating beef, mutton, and camel milk as staple food has led to uneven nutrition. Tea can help digestion, cheer up the spirit, eliminate fatigue, and supplement vitamins.

In Mauritania, there is also the etiquette of "serving tea when guests come". When knowing that guests are coming to visit, the host will prepare tea in advance. In traditional customs, tea is usually brewed.

Mauritanians like drinking strong sweet tea. In this Islamic country, people start drinking tea after praying every morning. Usually, tea leaves are put into a small porcelain pot or a small copper pot to be boiled and drank. After the tea boils, sugar and fresh mint leaves are added, and then the tea juice is poured into a glass the size of a wine glass and it is ready for drinking. The color of the tea is like coffee, and the tea tastes sweet and mellow, with a refreshing mint flavor. Mauritanians need about 30g of tea leaves once to make tea, and the quality of the tea leaves is required to be strong and moderately flavored, and the color of the soup will remain unchanged after multiple times of brewing. They like tea with a darker color, so if the tea is stored for a longer period of time, it will become more popular. Mauritanians generally drink tea three times a day, three cups each time, and on holidays, they drink tea more than ten times.

Basic etiquette can only be completed after three rounds of tea between host and guest. The first round is a cup of tea soup with a small amount of mint, strong and bitter flavor, followed by a slightly sweet tea soup with more mint flavor, and finally a cup of tea soup with sweet and strong mint flavor. Generally, 3 to 4 sugar cubes are placed in a small cup of tea.

"Three rounds of tea" is a traditional tea drinking custom, but now some Mauritanians are no longer so particular. Drinking tea is basically based on personal needs, and most of them use the method of brewing.

Due to the high temperature and dryness, Mauritania is not suitable for growing tea. So far, it has no self-produced tea and relies entirely on imported tea, most of which is imported from China.

For more information about LBTEAS, please reach us at sales@lbteas.com or voice to us: +86-28-8754-3505.

[medicalhippie]

Benefits of drinking tea: 9 ways it can work wonders for your health

Lots of people can’t kickstart their day without having a cup of tea. It’s like a morning routine that people from all over the world follow. It’s not just a beverage; it’s like a comforting hug for your spirit. Some folks love it for the gentle caffeine boost, while others enjoy the tasty flavour that makes mornings feel calm and lovely. But did you ever wonder if your daily cup of tea does more…

[maxiglow]

[reunitedinterlude]

demands (2024 / 2016 / 2015)

bonus (2017):

[laneblooms]

feed your mind

[icewindandboringhorror]

On average, what is the total MONTHLY amount that you spend on dining out*?

*(This doesn't only count going out to restaurants, but also stuff like picking up fast food to bring home, getting a coffee on the way to work, getting a premade sandwich from a grocery store deli during lunch, buying a quick snack from a convenience store or food cart whilst walking somewhere, ordering a pizza or any other food to be delivered to your home, etc.)

*(If you often dine out in groups/as a household: calculate and divide the costs so that you get a Per Person average. This is for YOU individually, NOT the total household/group costs)

(I'm sure polls similar to this have been made before (very common topic), I just haven't personally seen one that I can remember, so, I was curious to do my own! I was discussing this with a group of people today and it was very interesting to see how widely the number varied between individuals. :0c )

(Reblog for bigger sample size if you can, and feel free to explain your answer in tags if there's anything extra to add!)

[petite-anni]

💜find your natural glow💜

❥how can you help yourself to rediscover your light? Unleash your natural beauty inside out

1. Everything starts inside.

You eat crappy food, have a messed up sleep schedule, don’t move and stay in your dark room all day? And you have the audacity to complain?

❥your life’s worth lays in your hands.

~find a healthy diet that suits you and fits into your daily life. Don’t label food into bad or good. Just know what you should eat occasionally and what to eat daily (and what amount). Control your portions.

~go to bed early. Get up early. Getting up before 6 and going to bed before 9/10 is a game changer. Woman need more sleep, so make sure to fulfill those needs.

~get some kind of movement in. Whatever it is. Just move. You’ll feel lighter in every way possible.

(Walking, Running, Pilates, swimming, weight lifting, cleaning your place, anything)

~a book is usually better than your phone.

2. Care and share

❥Haircare

~Oil your scalp with different oils (Castor, Rosemary, coconut, jojoba), heat it up a little and massage it into your roots and the rest for the lengths. Let it sit for some time and wash out properly.

~Use a fitting shampoo (hydrating, cleaning, etc) and use conditioner and hairmasks regularly.

~also, don’t dye your hair any crazy colour. Your natural haircolour is mostly perfectly fitting. Just take care

❥Makeup

Why am I seeing so many girls walk around with bronzer covering every inch of their face? Since when is a blush supposed to be that thickly applied?

~use a mirror. It does not look good.

Your natural beauty does not deserve to be suffocated

~the more natural the better. Apply makeup the way it FITS you and doesn’t bury your skin in products

~love you

[byjove]

My house has the shittiest drink selection. I mostly drink tea and water so if you come over and want something to drink but don’t want tea, coffee or water, I’ll open the fridge and be like “Yeah, do you want a single Miller Light tallboy my stepdad left in here 2 years ago? You want a singular lime flavored White Claw from 2021? What about blue Powerade that expired last year? Cooking wine? Maybe this random mysterious health elixir from Earth Fare? Shirley Temple flavored soda from a startup company? THC/CBD sparkling water? Blood orange flavored La Croix? You want the Shirley Temple and the weed seltzer? Okay, alright.

[cultivating-wildflowers]

ladies, I need to wander despondently across a foggy moor asap

[tea-tuesday]

from two months ago, when i was busy with my last ever finals (i meant to post this back then)!! my 3L hobonichi ended in march so i had to use the last few grid pages as a weekly schedule bc i wanted to keep the school year contained in one planner, which actually worked out great since i wasn't doing much everyday aside from studying....

[n1pp]

Teas For Healing

01. Rosemary Tea

Promotes brain health and increases blood circulation.

02. Hibiscus Tea

High in vitamins and is refreshing.

03. Lemon Balm Tea

Treats beadaches and bas a calming effect.

04. Chamomile Tea

Helps you sleep better and treats stomach aches,

[girlwgreentea]

you are more capable than you think ♡

[avatar-firelordzuko]

IROH'S TEA HERBS FOR HEALTH CARE 🐲

☺️🫶🏻🍵🍃

It really helps 🙏🏻♥️

(Artwork by InHisaArt on Twitter)

[springsteens]

herbal teas guide —

🌿🍃 having conversations with my mutuals all over the world, i was stunned to find out that not every country/culture practices drinking herbal teas for health issues. as a slavic person i decided to create this little guide because – and i'm saying this as a skeptical person who hates superstitions – they really work. 🍃🌿

mint tea (mentha piperita) is for digestion and relaxation chamomile tea (matricaria chamomilla) is for digestive system horsetail tea (equisetum arvense) is for skin, hair, nails condition, remineralization and circulatory system linden tea (tilia cordata) is for a cold lemon balm tea (melissa officinalis) is for relaxation and sleep nettle tea (uritca dioica) is for urinary tract sage tea (salvia officinalis) is for when your throat or teeth hurt fennel tea (funiculum vulgare) is for digestive system white mulberry tea (morus alba) is for carbohydrate metabolism pansy tea (viola tricolor) is for clean skin and body detox purge tea (cistus incanus) is for immunity hawthorn tea (crataegus monogyna) is for heart and circulatory system damian leaves tea (turnera diffusa) is for anxiety and libido dandelion tea (taraxacum officinale) is for liver, stomach and digestion st john's wort tea (hypericum perforatum) is for emotional balance, good mood, digestive system and kidney function

🌿🍃 to create this guide i was using a booklet from my pharmacy store. if you google them, you will find out that each of these have even more usage methods than the ones listed. 🍃🌿

🌿🍃 if you're from a different country/culture and you know more herbal teas like these, feel free to add them. 🍃🌿