BLACK TEA
The difference between black, green, and white tea is the way they are processed. During the processing stage, black tea is fermented and oxidized which gives it it’s unique color, flavor, and health benefits. Black tea is more oxidized than oolong, green, and white teas. It is generally stronger in flavor than the less oxidized varieties.
Types of Black Tea
There are many types of black tea available. Most commonly available black teas are blends of black teas with different origins. Popular black tea blends include English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, and Afternoon Tea.
Additionally, many favorite black tea blends are flavored with fruit, flowers, and spices. Classic flavored black tea blends include:
- Earl grey: which is flavored with bergamot essential oil or citrus flavor.
- Masala Chai: which is blended with various spices.
- Fruit- or flower-scented black teas such as Rose Black Tea and Lichee Black Tea (both of which originated in China).
In recent years, many tea companies have started to offer more exotic and non-traditional black tea blends. These may include dessert teas with flavors like chocolate or vanilla, wood or smoke, tropical fruits, warming spices, and dried herbs.
Black teas are also sold by their origin. These teas may be:
- Blends of teas from a particular region such as a Darjeeling or Assam.
- Single-origin teas such as a Darjeeling first or second flush black tea from a single estate or a Keemun black tea from a particular farm.
BENEFITS OF BLACK TEA
Plain black tea is rich in antioxidants known as polyphenols and also has minimal sodium, proteins, and carbohydrates. Compared to other tea types, black tea is particularly high in chemical compounds called thearubigins. These chemicals give black tea its reddish color and are formed during the oxidation process of making black tea. Studies suggest that thearubigins benefit the body and mind in many ways, including lessening the effects of coughs and colds, providing anti-inflammatory effects that benefit certain illnesses such as IBS, and fighting prostate cancer and A375 melanoma cells. Its many other benefits include the following:
- Prevents Cardiovascular Diseases: regular consumption of black tea can help repair coronary artery dysfunctions in heart patients. Thus, it is beneficial for the health of heart patients.
- Treats Diarrhea: black tea contains tannins, which are beneficial for intestinal disorders. It is advisable for all diarrhea patients to sip plain, black tea slowly at short intervals, until recovered.
- Relieves Asthma: Hot and brewed liquids in general bring relief to asthmatic conditions. Black tea is especially beneficial as it expands the air passage, thereby allowing asthmatics to breathe more easily.
- Improves Digestion: Black tea is rich in tannins and other chemicals that have a positive and relaxing effect on the digestive system. This anti-inflammatory quality of black tea is also helpful in curing digestive disorders.
- Reduces Cholesterol: According to a study conducted by the American Heart Association, people who consume black tea can reduce their LDL levels significantly. It has also been found that people who drink 3 to 4 cups of black tea daily are at a lower risk for heart problems than those who consume less amount of tea or none at all.
- Prevents Breast Cancer: Drinking tea, either black or green variety, prevents cancerous growth in the breasts, especially women in the pre-menopausal phase. Tea assists in raising the level of globulin hormones during the menstrual cycle. The presence of theaflavins in black tea destroys abnormal cells in the body before they cause any major damage or change into cancerous cells.
- Benefits the Immune System: The tannins in black tea don’t just give it its characteristic taste. Several studies have shown that tannins help fight viruses such as influenza, dysentery and hepatitis. Black tea also contains alkylamine antigens, which help boost immune response.
- Black Tea and Skin Health: Drinking black tea benefits the skin in three ways.
- It nourishes the skin with vitamins B2, C and E, with minerals such as magnesium, potassium and zinc, and with essential polyphenols and tannins.
- Its chemical components can kill oral viruses, which helps prevent skin infections, including acne and pimples.
- Black tea has been shown to reduce signs of premature aging.
Black tea can also benefit your skin with direct contact/application. For example, placing black tea bags under the eyes reduces puffiness and dark circles. Using black tea for herbal baths can provide an antioxidant boost for your skin and may even provide low levels of sun protection.
- The Bone and Connective Tissue Benefits: Those who drink tea regularly are more likely to have stronger bones and connective tissues than someone who doesn’t drink tea regularly. This may be due to the phytochemicals found in the tea.
Word of Caution
- High doses (4 cups +) can cause addiction and may lead to headaches when the tea is removed or its daily intake is reduced.
- Black tea is also known to cause acidity issues in the stomach.
- Avoid drinking tea after lunch or dinner, as it may lead to indigestion. Whereas, at other points in the day it can promote healthy digestion.
- All black teas are caffeinated, which is not great if you have high blood pressure or a fast heart rate as it can make things worse.
HOW TO BREW A PERFECT CUP OF BLACK TEA
Of all the types of tea, black tea is usually the easiest to steep.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of black tea leaves
- 1 cup of water
Method
1. Bring the water to a rolling boil.
2. Steep the tea leaves for two to six minutes (depending on your taste and the strength of the tea).
3. Strain out the tea leaves.
4. Add milk, sugar, mint leaves, or lemon as desired.
HOW TO MAKE INFUSIONS
You can use cold water and cold steep (“cold infuse” or “cold brew”) your black tea for four to eight hours in the fridge, then strain out the leaves.
To make iced black tea, you can double tea leaves, steep the tea as usual, and then pour the hot tea over ice.