Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — Are you a tea lover? You will definitely be pleased to know its many benefits and effects on human health.
And the Gulf Health Council stated, through its official account on the “Instagram” website, that tea is among the most widespread drinks in the world after water, as all kinds are extracted from the Chinese camellia flower.
However, the flavors and types of tea differ depending on where the leaves were harvested and how they were grown and processed.
The most popular types of tea:
- Black tea (most popular in the world)
- Green tea
- white tea
What are the main benefits of tea?
- Contains antioxidants that protect against chronic diseases
- Contains flavonoids that improve heart health
- It helps to increase alertness and improve attention and activity
The Gulf Health Council advises the need to stay away from added sugar, as drinking 2-3 cups of unsweetened tea per day is associated with a reduced risk of premature death, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
What is the difference between the types of tea?
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White tea: not fermented
It is not subject to oxidation, ie fermentation. The method of manufacturing it occurs after harvesting the leaves, where the process of wilting leaves begins, and then drying them.
Its leaves are white-silver in color as a result of a very simple processing. The Gulf Health Council stated that it is considered one of the rarest types of tea.
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Green tea: not fermented
The manufacturing process begins with the leaves being withered and then steamed. This process prevents fermentation and oxidation of the leaves. After the fumigation is over, the process of shaping and drying the leaves begins.
This type of tea is distinguished by the color of its green leaves, as the evaporation process helps to preserve its color.
Matcha is a type of green tea, but the way it is made varies.
The Gulf Health Council stated that the leaves are placed in the shade, which leads to an increase in chlorophyll levels, to give the leaves a darker color, which increases the production of amino acids.
The leaves are ground to a fine powder. It also contains more antioxidants and caffeine.
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Black tea: fermented tea
The method of manufacturing it occurs by exposing the leaves to the process of withering, and then the process of wrapping and shaping the leaves. After that, the oxidation process begins, i.e. fermentation.
At the last stage, the tea leaves are dried.
The drying process is characterized by turning the leaves into a dark brown color, through which the tea leaves acquire their density and distinctive aroma.