Tea

Tea is an aromatic beverage made by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to East Asia. It originated in the borderlands of south-western China, north-east India, and northern Myanmar. After plain water, tea is the most widely consumed drink in the world. There are many types of tea, each with its own unique flavor, ranging from cooling and slightly bitter to sweet, nutty, floral, or grassy notes. Tea has a stimulating effect in humans, mainly because it contains caffeine.

The earliest credible record of tea drinking dates back to the third century AD in a medical text by Chinese physician Hua Tuo. It became popular as a recreational drink during the Chinese Tang dynasty and later spread to other East Asian countries. Portuguese priests and merchants introduced tea to Europe in the 16th century, and during the 17th century, it became fashionable in Britain. The British then began planting tea on a large scale in India, where it had previously been used only as a medicine.

Herbal tea is a term used for drinks not made from Camellia sinensis. These are infusions made from fruit, leaves, or other plant parts, such as rosehip, chamomile, or rooibos. They are sometimes called tisanes or herbal infusions to avoid confusion with tea made from the tea plant.

Etymology

Main article: Etymology of tea

The words we use for tea around the world tell us about the history of tea trading and drinking, starting from China. Most of these words fall into three main groups: te, cha, and chai. The first one to come into English was cha, which arrived in the 1590s through traders from Portugal. They heard the word in Cantonese. The more common word tea came later in the 1600s, brought by traders from Netherlands, either from a Malay word or directly from Min Chinese. The third word, chai, means "spiced tea" and came from northern China, traveling to Persia and gaining a Persian ending. The Chinese word for tea may have originally come from the languages of the places where tea plants first grew in southwest China or Burma.

Origin and history

Tea plants grow naturally in East Asia. They likely started growing near the Irrawaddy River, spreading into places like China, Assam, and Thailand. People in ancient East Asia first ate tea leaves raw or added them to soups before drinking them as a warm beverage.

Over time, different ways of making tea developed. In China, people began boiling tea leaves to make a drink, and later created many types of tea like green, black, and oolong. Tea spread from China to other parts of the world, becoming popular in places like Japan, Russia, and Europe. Today, tea is enjoyed by people all around the globe.

Main article: History of tea and History of tea in China

Chemical composition

See also: Phenolic content in tea

Tea is a mix of water and compounds from tea leaves, such as polyphenols and amino acids. It is one of the most popular drinks in the world.

Caffeine makes up about 3% of tea's dry weight. This means a cup of tea has between 30 and 90 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the type of tea and how it is made. Tea also contains small amounts of theobromine and theophylline, which are like caffeine and can make you feel more awake.

The slightly bitter taste of tea comes from polyphenols, which are very common in tea leaves. These make up 30–40% of the tea leaves. Polyphenols include flavonoids, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and other catechins. While some studies have looked at whether teas might help with health, there is no proof that these compounds actually protect against diseases.

Health effects

Main article: Health effects of tea

People have believed that drinking tea has many benefits for a long time. However, there is no strong proof that drinking tea makes us much healthier, except that it might help us feel more awake because of the caffeine in the leaves. Studies in recent years have shown that tea does not really change our health or prevent diseases.

Both black and green teas do not have many important nutrients, except for a small amount of manganese, which is a mineral we need. Some special kinds of tea, called "brick tea," may have too much of a thing called fluoride if we drink too much of it, which could be bad for our health. This happens because of the soil where the tea plants grow.

Cultivation and harvesting

Camellia sinensis is a plant that grows best in warm places, like tropical and subtropical areas. Some types can grow in cooler places too, like Cornwall in England, Washington in the United States, and even as far south as Hobart in Tasmania.

It takes about 4 to 12 years for a tea plant to grow big enough to produce seeds, and about three years before you can pick its leaves. Tea plants need a lot of rain—about 1,200 millimetres (47 in) each year—and they like acidic soils. The best tea plants often grow on hills that are up to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) high. Even though they grow slower there, the tea tastes better.

There are two main types of tea plants. One type is used for most teas from China, Taiwan, and Japan, and the other is used for teas from India, like Pu-erh. Tea plants can grow very tall if left alone, but farmers usually cut them down to make harvesting easier. This also helps the plants produce more fresh leaves.

Only the top part of the plant, about 25 to 50 millimetres (1 to 2 in), is picked for tea. These parts are called 'flushes' and grow every 7 to 15 days during the growing season. Some teas, like Darjeeling, come from special flushes and can cost more.

Tea plants can sometimes get sick or be eaten by bugs. One bug that can harm tea plants is called a mosquito bug, which is not the same as a regular mosquito. Farmers may use special sprays to keep these bugs away. There are also other bugs and diseases that can affect tea plants.

Production

Tea is mostly grown in Asia and Africa, with some in South America and around the Black and Caspian Seas. The biggest tea-producing countries are China, India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka. Together, they make up most of the world's tea. In 2022, the world made about 29.8 million tonnes of tea. China made the most, followed by India. Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Turkey also made tea.

Tea needs special storage to stay fresh. Black tea lasts longer than green tea. Some teas, like flower teas, only last a month, while others, like pu-erh, taste better as they age. To keep tea fresh, store it away from heat, light, air, and moisture in a sealed container at room temperature. Green tea goes bad faster than black tea. Using special packets, vacuum sealing, or keeping tea in the fridge can help it last longer.

Packaging

Tea bags

In 1907, a tea seller in America started putting tea in small silk bags. People found it easy to reuse the bags for more tea. The idea became popular later. During World War II, tea was limited in the United Kingdom. In 1953, a company in Yorkshire, UK, began selling tea bags, and they became very popular.

Loose tea

Loose tea leaves are sold in containers like cans or paper bags. Some teas are packed tightly to keep them fresh. When you use loose tea, you measure it yourself, which lets you control the taste, though it takes more effort. Special tools like strainers or tea balls help keep the leaves out of your cup.

Compressed tea

Compressed tea, like tea bricks, is made for easy transport and storage. It can last longer without spoiling. To use it, you break off a piece and steep it in water. Long ago in China, compressed tea was ground into powder and mixed with hot water. This method was later used in Japan to make matcha. Today, some people still enjoy compressed tea, especially in parts of Asia.

Instant tea

Main article: Instant tea

Instant tea is like quick-mix tea that you can drink hot or cold. It was created in the 1930s. People add flavors like vanilla or honey to it. Soldiers during World War II sometimes received instant tea, but they didn’t always like how it tasted.

Bottled and canned tea

Main article: Canned tea

Bottled and canned tea is already made and ready to drink. It started in Japan in 1981. Before that, an Indonesian company began selling bottled tea in 1969. Later, a Swiss company started making iced tea on a large scale.

Tea culture

See also: American tea culture, Argentine tea culture, Brazilian tea culture, Chinese tea culture, Dominican tea culture, Indian tea culture, Tea culture in Japan, Mexican tea culture, Russian tea culture, Senegalese tea culture, and Tea in the United Kingdom

Tea is an important part of many cultures and is often enjoyed at special events, like tea parties. Different places have their own ways of preparing and enjoying tea. For example, in China and Japan, there are special tea ceremonies that involve careful steps to brew and serve the tea.

In the United Kingdom, many people drink tea every day. It's common for hosts to offer tea to guests when they arrive. Afternoon tea with cakes is a well-known tradition there. In Ireland, people also love tea, and they often add milk or sugar to their cups. Turkey has a strong tea culture too, where tea is a common drink, especially in the Rize Province. Russia has a long history with tea, and it is a key part of social gatherings.

Pakistan enjoys both black and green teas, with different regions having their own favorite ways to drink it. In India, tea is very popular and is often made with milk and sometimes spices. Iran also drinks a lot of tea, and teahouses are common places to enjoy it. In Myanmar, tea is eaten in different forms, including pickled tea leaves, which are a special treat.

In Mali, tea is served in three different ways, each with a special meaning. The United States loves iced tea, especially in the southern areas where sweet tea is a favorite.

Economics

Producers and consumers

Further information: List of countries by tea consumption per capita

Tea is the most popular drink in the world, even matching drinks like coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol together. Most tea drunk outside East Asia comes from big farms in the hilly areas of India and Sri Lanka, made for big companies. But there are also tiny farms that make special, expensive teas loved by people who enjoy rare things. These teas can cost as much as some very expensive wines.

India drinks the most tea of any country, even though people there only drink about 750 grams (26 oz) each year. Turkey drinks the most tea per person, with people there drinking 2.5 kilograms (5 lb 8 oz) each year.

Certification

Several groups give special labels to tea to show it was made in a good way, such as Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, UTZ Certified, and Organic. From 2008 to 2016, the amount of tea with these labels grew very fast, and in 2016, about 1.15 million tonnes of tea with these labels was made.

Tea with the Rainforest Alliance label is sold by Unilever brands Lipton and PG Tips in Western Europe, Australia, and the U.S. Fairtrade labeled tea is sold by many companies around the world. UTZ Certified tea is sold by Pickwick tea.

Contemporary issues

The weather is changing, and this affects tea farms. In places like China and India, tea plants are growing for shorter times, and sometimes they get too hot. Farmers are finding new ways to help their tea plants, like planting trees together with tea plants and using special soil methods.

Some teas sold in stores might not be pure. Sometimes cheaper ingredients are used instead of real tea, or extra colors and flavors are added without telling customers.

In some countries where tea is grown, children are sometimes made to work on tea farms, and workers may not be paid fairly.