The
China Tea Co.
Information
Health, Storage, Preparation, Food, Cost and Quality, Links
Researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University indicate that there are certainly health benefits from moderate tea drinking and green tea may have distinct potential for fighting cancer. The evidence indicates that tea drinking decreases heart attacks, kidney stones and dental decay (see http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/tea, and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3125469.stm).
There is also research to support the view that the flouride in green tea strengthens bones (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1984181.stm). Of course, there are adverse side effects from excessive consumption of caffeine, one of which is loss of calcium due to the diuretic effect of caffeine. Nonetheless, green and oolong tea are significantly lower in caffeine than coffee. For example, where a cup of green tea would contain around 8.4 mg of caffeine, oolong 12.5 mg, and black tea between 25 and 110 mg, a cup of coffee will contain between 60 and 120 mg of caffeine, depending on strength.
Sealed tea can be kept frozen for up to 18 months, unfrozen 12 months. Unsealed green and oolong tea will age after six months. Using an airtight tea caddy is highly recommended.
In China one will see many different methods of preparation, depending on the type of tea and the region.
In general, though, oolong teas are prepared with boiling water, whereas green teas need the water to be between 70-80 degrees Celcius. This is a common pitfall for those new to making green tea - if boiling water is used it cooks green tea and renders the leaves slightly bitter, and they must be discarded. Preheating the cup with hot water ensures the tea is drunk sufficiently hot without having to use boiling water. How do I know when the water is between 70-80 degrees? Generally when the steam first starts coming from the kettle spout. However, kettles that will boil to a specific temperature are readily available: for instance the 'Home-Tek HT355 Aqua Sensor Kettle'.
The universal gong fu method involves using small tea pots, often of Yixing stoneware, and small cups. The pot and cups are pre-heated with hot water during preparation, and any excess water is poured onto a preparation tray where it drains away. The pot is small as it is important that green and oolong teas are not left on hot water as the tea is only partially processed and adversely affected by further 'cooking'. For the same reason, boiling water is considered too hot for green tea: water between 70-80°C is used. Boiling water, however, is used for oolong (and red or black) tea. Often the tea will be 'washed' with a quick infusion with hot water: this first infusion washes away dust and allows the leaves to absorb water without expressing flavour. The second and third infusion are always the best, the tea remaining viable for three to four infusions in total. With each serving, the pot is completely emptied into the warmed small cups, and the drinker focusses on the aroma and quality of the tea - which, it should be pointed out, is often extremely expensive for the Chinese wage earner.
In Zhejiang, the home of Long Jing green tea, one will often find tea served in a large 300 ml glass of hot water, the 6-7 gm or so of tea sinking to the bottom of the glass. Similarly, in Suzhou the expensive Pilochen (or Bi Luo Chun) tea will sometimes be served even in tea houses in a glass. So-called 'art tea' that contains flowers, fruits and expands to form a pretty (and often delicious) arrangement is also served in a glass.
In Fujian, where the exquisite Tieguanyin oolong tea is sourced, the tea is prepared in a fashion similar to the gong fu method, with the teaware pre-warmed with hot water and drained away. However instead of a pot , the tea is infused in a medium-size china cup with a lid called a gaiwan. The lid is used to strain the tea from the recepticle into smaller cups.
The Westerner may find these methods unsuitable for every day use for several reasons - particularly if one works in an office or does not have time or space to prepare green tea in the traditional methods. Also Western drinkers prefer to use a mug for tea drinking, and not have any residual tea leaves in the tea. Often Westerners prepare a cup for themselves alone, so a pot is not as useful. The China Tea Company recommends using a gaiwan-style mug with a filter, as shown below, which prepares perfect tea. You can find them for sale here.
Metal tea infusers often used in Western posts are just as effective, although the metal can sometimes affect the flavour. It is also possible to use a small Bodum coffee plunger to strain the leaves, but it is important not to let the leaves stew.
Cost and Quality
For buyers looking for a gourmet green tea experience, price is not such an issue as much quality. At the China Tea Company we seek to provide a lot of quality for a reasonable price. Quality for us is non-negotiable; the tea must have a distinctive, pleasurable flavour. How expensive is gourmet green tea? £10 for 100g seems like a lot of money when compared to the cost of a tea bag, but let's look at that cost. Supermarket 'green tea' tea bags (50) going for £2.00 work out at 4p per cup, but there really is no comparison in quality. Gourmet tea which is reused three or even four times (remember the best cup is the second!) comes to around 23p per cup (using 7g). Which does not seem so expensive - it is far cheaper than a latte from a cafe or a can of softdrink, and it is a lot healthier too.
Green and oolong tea, from my own perspective, is similar to dry white wine when choosing foods. Sweet food, while balanced by the acridity of black tea, tends to swamp the perfume and subtle flavours of green and oolong teas. Savoury foods that are not too salty, sour or bitter go well with green tea. If possible, food should be chosen that does not overwhelm the flavours of the tea: meats, stews, BBQ and almost all vegetables are excellent complementary foods. If in China, try a serving of prawn dumplings!
There are many www sites dealing with tea. Just a few about tea are as follows:
General tea information http://www.tea.co.uk
Tea and health http://www.tea4health.com
Norwich Research Park (research into anti-Cancer properties)
A Taiwanese site on Oolong tea http://www.oolongtea.org/e/
Enthusiasts sites http://nobleharbor.com
http://groups.msn.com/TeaCentral
A Paris boutique tea shop House of the Three Teas (French/English)
