Benefits of drinking tea

Tea is a drink that is enjoyed by people across the globe. Black tea represents approximately 78% of the total consumed in the world and Green Tea accounts for approximately 20%, although over the last few years sales for Green tea have seen a fantastic rise.

Both green and black tea come from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis but the processing that the leaves undergo to make the final tea is different. The leaves for black tea are fully oxidised while those for green teas are lightly steamed before being dried.

The consumer is much savvier than they used to be. They are concerned about health issues and are prepared to shop to find the producer they feel most comfortable about. There are also a lot more choices available.

Teas, such as Clipper use natural infusions with no chemical concoctions but you can have green tea with everything from mint or lemon to Ginseng or the more exotic Echinacea.

Tea at Work Far from being consumed as simply a health drink, workers said they thought a cup of tea acted as an icebreaker; the equivalent of extending a welcoming handshake; and a means of de-stressing and relaxing during times of pressure. The humble cup of tea also has the ability to heighten feelings of togetherness and remove boundaries between departments and employees of different seniority. Without a doubt, the making and drinking of tea still represents a high point in the day of many employees, in fact it's good news for employers too as 72% of women admitted to feeling refreshed and therefore more productive after a tea break. It looks like the freshly brewed cuppa will play a key role in helping the workplace evolve well into the future.

Where does tea come from?

Although tea was discovered in China nearly five thousand years ago, it took several thousand years before the plant found its way to other parts of the world. Today, tea is grown on a commercial scale in approximately three dozen countries. In each country, the product makes a significant contribution to the economy of the agricultural sector. Tea is grown from China to Argentina, Nepal to South Africa, and, next to water, tea is the most consumed drink in the world.

India is one of the main tea growers, exporting more than 12% of the world's tea and with 523,000 hectares under cultivation. Although indigenous to the Assam region, the first commercially produced teas were raised from seeds brought from China. Known as the birthplace of tea, for hundreds of years China produced the only teas known to the western world. Although consuming much of her own production, China still accounts for over 18% of world exports.

China has 1,351,900 hectares planted with tea. One of the oldest of the African producers, Kenya has a history of tea dating back to 1903, when tea seeds from India were first planted on a two acre farm. Today, Kenya has 69000 hectares under cultivation by smallholders (shambas), under the protection of the Kenya Tea Development Authority, and tea producing companies in the public and private sector.

Kenya exports over 349,000 tonnes of tea per year (22% of world exports).

Tea for health

The latest research has shown that drinking your cuppa can help maintain good health. The antioxidants, hydrating properties, caffeine and fluoride found in tea mean that you need never feel guilty about reaching for the teapot.

What about Herbal Tea?

Black, green, white and red teas derive their leaves from a warm-weather evergreen tree known as Camellia sinensis. The leaves from this tree contains polyphenols. Herbal tea is not derived from this leaf and so does not have the same health-promoting properties.
Indeed, most herbal teas in the market are not tea at all. They are infusions made with herbs, flowers, roots, spices or other parts of some plants. The proper term for this type of beverage is "tisane". Therefore, read the labels properly.

Although tisane does not contain as much polyphenols, it does promote other various health qualities such as relaxation and calming effects.

Health Benefits of Liquorice:

• Relieves coughs and sore throats
• Improves digestion
• Eases menstrual cramps
• Believed to increase libido
• Reduces seasonal allergies and congestion

• Improves appetite
• Stimulates digestion
• Eliminates flatulence
• Relieves stomach cramps
• Soothes throat, and coughs

• Eases many stomach and digestive problems
• Helps relieve headaches
• Relaxing

• Eases diarrhoea
• High in many vitamins and minerals
• Menstrual aid
• Antioxidant

• Improves circulation
• Relieves cold and flu symptoms
• Eases stomach cramps and nausea
• Reduces menstrual cramps
• Regulates blood sugar

• Cleanses the blood
• High in vitamins A and C
• Improves liver and kidney functions
• Eases coughs and other respiratory problems
• Relieves diarrhoea and constipation

Q: What is an antioxidant?
A: An antioxidant is a compound, which retards oxidation. In the body antioxidants can 'soak up' free radicals.

Q: What is a free radical?
A: Free radicals are unstable substances which can disrupt biochemical processes in the body and have been implicated in cancer and heart disease.

Q: Does tea contain antioxidants?
A: Tea, like fruit and vegetables is a natural source of polyphenols and flavonoids which have antioxidant activity.

Q: How do they produce decaffeinated tea?
A: Simply by "washing the tea leaves towards the end of the production process in an organic solvent. The method is strictly governed by legal limits.

Q: Is green tea better for you than black tea?
A: Both varieties come from the plant Camellia sinensis and both have similar amounts of antioxidants and minerals.
Thanks to Clipper Tea for information supplied. www.clipper-teas.com