LEARN MORE ABOUT OOLONG TEA:
 The Health Benefits of Oolong Tea
by Jeffrey Lorien
Oolong tea has a long and rich history that includes being one of the plants that were grown and prized by ancient Chinese emperors and today is prized for its many known health benefits around the world. The history of the plant that is botanically known as Camellia sinensis has been used throughout history for good health, healing and averting illness. These tea leaves generally originate from the Fuijan Province of China or the mountains of Taiwan and can also be referred to as Wu-Long tea. There is some evidence that the tea leaves from this region have a history of at least four hundred years; arriving toward the end of the Ming Dynasty.
This tea now known for ensuring many different health benefits can be found as straight oolong tea or with other enhancements such as jasmine, orange blossoms and others.
The process of manufacturing the tea is done with utmost care and in a fashion that has transcended the ages; from the time it is picked until the time it is packaged it undergoes a careful hand process. After the leaves are picked they are laid out to dry for a short amount of time where the oxidation process begins. Then the leaves are placed in baskets and shaken in order to bruise them. This exposes the juice of the leaves to the air whereby the oxidation process continues after which the leaves are laid out to dry for a second time. This process will oxidize the leaves from 20-80%, depending on the type of final product desired. The leaves will then be fired to halt the oxidation. Then they are sometimes rolled while still freshly roasted and fired several more times. As a way of finishing the process the leaves are completely cooled and then fired a final time to give the oolong tea the special flavor while reserving the healthful properties of the leaves.
Tea of all types have been under the microscope of late, and oolong tea has been studied and found to have numerous antioxidants, vitamins and minerals along with polyphenols, which all fit into a healthful regiment. Polyphenols that are found in oolong tea have the ability to remove free radicals, which are known for prematurely aging the skin along with causing the dark spots associated with aging. Free radicals have also been associated with hindering the immune system and they are also associated with cancer cells as well as muscle tissue deterioration or damage.
Oolong tea is also known for enhancing the function of enzymes, which in turn are known to dissolve triglycerides. These are the fatty deposits in the body and therefore it can aid in a weight loss regiment. There have been clinical trials done and it was found that this type of tea can raise the metabolic rate, which speeds up fat oxidation and the catechin polyphenols raise the rate that calories are burned in the body. This in turn means that oolong tea has the compounds in it to aid directly in weight loss. It is also an aid in reducing blood pressure that will in turn help to prevent hypertension; this is because of its ability to use the fatty deposits in the body as fuel for energy.
There is also possible evidence that along with the caffeine there is also an increase in stamina, which can help in an exercise regiment. Caffeine is also known to stimulate the frontal cortex of the brain; this helps in memory function and enhances the thought process.
There are other health benefits that have long been believed by Chinese herbalists such as the properties in oolong tea to reduce tooth decay and to aid in speeding oral healing because of tannic acid that is present in the tea. They also believe oolong tea assists in aiding the kidneys, as well as improving the utilization of glucose, which in turn aids the regulation of insulin.
Research and studies have shown that the Chinese who are known for their consumption of drinking have significant lower incidences of heart disease and prostate cancer than other ethnic groups. There is also scientific evidence that tea can also be an aid in breast cancer treatment, when used along with tamoxifen.
A recent study of Japanese elderly demonstrated that those who consumed two cups of tea per day had a lower chance of cognitive impairment by approximately fifty percent. Other studies have pointed to tea’s positive impact on the onset of Alzheimer’s.
While there is evidence that oolong tea and tea in general can benefit the health of the body there is also the fact that this tea is consumption friendly. Unlike vitamins, pills, health drinks and other health foods and drinks that are supposedly good for promoting health, oolong tea has a taste that is a pleasure to drink – and it is rehydrating, and nourishing.
This is a tea that has the ability to be flavored with different herbs and florals as well as served alone. Alone it can be dark in color with a robust taste that includes a hint of raisin, honeysuckle or almond. It can also be light and floral if only partially oxidized. Flavored oolongs can be found with names and tastes such as ginger peach oolong tea, orange blossom and plum oolong tea and others. Each of these teas has their own unique flavor and some have history behind their name like the Oriental Beauty, which received its name from Queen Elizabeth II. She named the tea after a tea merchant who brought it from Asia. The name is still used today.
About the Author: Jeffrey Lorien is one of the owners of Zhi Tea, a discount retailer of quality organic teas from around the world. On their site you'll find products and great information from the
health benefits of Oolong tea to the antioxidant properties of green tea and much more.
Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/tea-articles/the-health-benefits-of-oolong-tea-478391.html |
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What Everyone Should Know About Oolong Tea
by Lee Dobbins |
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A study from Netherlands found that men who drank more than 4.7 cups of black tea a day were 69% less likely to have a stroke than men who drank less than 2.6 cups a day.
Although tea might not have been considered a health drink in the past, today various teas have considerably provided healthful benefits and have been proven to ward off toxics and other harmful elements in the body, notwithstanding its caffeine content.
Black and green teas contain bioflavonoids, compounds that increase capillary strength. With this element, people are more capable of maintaining a good heart and shun their way to stroke problems
Among the many variations of teas, the oolong tea is the most contentious. A crossbreed between black tea and green tea, oolong tea is said to be a combination of the superior attributes of both.
Generally, green teas are the unoxidised version and the black teas are oxidized first prior to their exposure to air. Alternatively, oolong tea is somewhere in between unoxidised and oxidized condition of teas. In turn, the distinct aroma and taste of this tea is exceptionally remarkable.
The Benefits
Extensive research showed how oolong tea had magnificently made a difference on diverting the market into consuming a new breed of tea from the traditional green and black teas.
The benefits are diverse. From its unique flavor and aroma to its endless list of healthful benefits, oolong tea is definitely a must-add element in your everyday health regimen.
To know more about oolong tea, here is a list of its proven health advantages.
1. It contains higher amount of polyphenols
The tea is considered more powerful weapon in the fight against stomach cancer. A study in Shanghai, China, where oolong is consumed by more than 80% of tea drinkers, showed that oolong tea drinkers had a lower risk of stomach cancer than those who did not drink oolong tea. That is because it
contains higher concentrations of polyphenols, anti-oxidative substances that can inhibit the formation and growth of a variety of tumors, including stomach cancer.
Best of all, polyphenols are known substances that remove free radicals from the body, thereby, enabling the body to fight against cancer.
2. Foils skin damage
Sometimes the best way to fend off skin damage is to get back to the basics. So toss your high-tech skin treatments aside and indulge in great-smelling, mouth-watering oolong tea. According to the experts, this tea can significantly protect your skin from excessive appearance of dark pigments
brought about by free radicals.
Moreover, these free radicals are known culprits for facilitating skin ageing. With oolong, you can definitely stop the ageing process by instilling polyphenols in the body, which in turn, delay the ageing process.
3. Cut down triglyceride level
Too-high triglyceride levels are another factor associated with a greater risk of heart disease especially when the count reaches 150 or above. This is even true in some people with total cholesterol levels of 150 or below. If you have already had a heart attack, you need to take an especially
aggressive stand against these troublemakers by aiming for a target of 100 or below.
If your triglyceride score is too high, restrict saturated fat. Weight loss is particularly important in normalizing triglycerides. With the help of oolong tea, you can easily gain control in losing triglyceride because of its polyphenol content. This substance activates the enzyme that is in charge
of melting fatty deposits known as triglycerides. Plus, this tea can facilitate fat metabolism within the body.
4. Lesser caffeine content
For those who want to enjoy an afternoon cup of hot drink, instead of coffee or any other type of tea, it is best that they drink oolong tea instead. Experts say that the caffeine content in the tea is half as much as that of the black tea and green tea.
Higher dosage of caffeine in the body tends to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system that manages the heart rate. This will, in turn, trigger heart palpitations.
So for healthy reasons, it is best to drink oolong tea. You may never know its health benefits unless you try.
About the Author: Lee Dobbins writes for http://tea.topicgiant.com where you can learn more about different kinds of tea including Oolong tea. |
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Chinese Tea: Oolong Tea Brewing
by Golden Tea House |
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There are four main methods of steeping tea, two conventional and two traditional. Since I’m only referring to Chinese loose leaf teas, the principles behind all these methods need a bit of further explaining for those crossing the bridge from tea bags to fine loose teas. Remember, tea is still always a matter of letting leaves sit in water and then enjoying, so don’t be put off by all the methods written below for making a cup of Chinese tea – It’s still a cup of tea!
The first principle of tea steeping to remember is that the few leaves/pieces/bits/rolls of tea that you start with can be used to produce dozens of rounds of tea. How many rounds is dependent on the type of tea and often the quality as well. Each time you brew one round of tea, it is called an ‘infusion’. Once the liquid is removed or ‘decanted’ it can again be used with more hot water and ‘reinfused’; creating another infusion. All of these main tea methods exist as ways for infusing tea, decanting, and then pouring into cups. The idea is to preserve the leaves while you drink the tea to allow them to resist further infusions and continue to properly let out flavor. For example, if you are planning on drinking tea alone and make a whole pot for yourself, without decanting the pot of tea, the leaves will let out their entire flavor into the first infusion while you drink your first cup! That isn’t to say that decanting is 100% necessary, just as long as you have enough tea drinkers to empty a pot.
How Oolong Tea is produced Manual production method supported by tradition and craftsmanship.
The production of delicious oolong tea requires time-honored tradition and outstanding craftsmanship. Tea leaves are picked on the morning of a clear day. They should be picked in units consisting of one bud and three leaves and exposed to the sun. This is the first stage. The second stage is to dry them indoors to promote fermentation. The most crucial part in the production of oolong tea is when to stop fermentation. As oolong tea is fermented to some extent, it is called semi-fermented tea. Experience is required to identify the best time to stop the fermentation, which is when the leaves are 30% red and 70% green. After this, they are rubbed repeatedly to generate good flavor, aroma, and texture. Then they are dried using charcoal. At the final stage, a tea master grades the quality according to the flavor and characteristics of each batch. China’s Fujian Chaye Jin Chukou Gongsi (Tea Import and Export Corporation and Fujian Tea Association) exports oolong tea to Japan.
Flow of Production Stages (China)
- Tea leaves are picked by hand in units of one bud and three leaves
- First fermentation
- 30% red and 70% green
- Careful decision on when to stop fermentation
- Generation of the qualities unique to oolong tea
- Charcoal drying
- Grading by a tea master
- Export to Japan
In China, tea has historically been used as a medicine. Many studies have been carried out up to the present day about the effects of tea. It has been known for some time that tea helps to control obesity and this is common knowledge in China. A Chinese classical pharmaceutical book called the Bencao Shiyi (The Compendium of Materia Medica) states, “Drinking Chinese tea for a long time will make one live long to stay in good shape without becoming too fat and too heavy.”
A cup of tea in the morning sets the pace of the day. Sitting and chatting with a few good friends over a couple rounds of tea makes life worth living. Brewing Chinese tea calms me down.Chinese tea is more than just something to drink. It has in fact become a way of life for many.
About the Author: We are here to share with you our passion for Chinese tea and offer you our finest selection direct from China! We have the best
oolong tea there is!Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/tea-articles/chinese-tea-oolong-tea-brewing-759962.html |
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