What is the difference between long leaf tea. Long leaf tea - what is it and why is it called that?

Long leaf black tea is not a curiosity that has recently appeared on the shelves of stores in our country. Despite this, many have a vague idea of ​​how it differs from thousands of other varieties of tea. Let's figure out when such tea came to us and how it should be handled?

Long leaf tea - a guest from the eastern shore

Long leaf black tea appeared in Europe several centuries ago and at that time was perceived as a Chinese exotic. Almost immediately, the meaning of the word "beach" on European soil changed. In Chinese, the expression "bai hua" means, oddly enough, "white eyelashes." What do white eyelashes and black tea have in common? Right! Nothing.

In medieval China, this expression denoted an elite variety of white tea, the production of which was considered a real art. Meeting European merchants, the Chinese immediately realized that the white guests did not really understand the varieties of tea. They passed off ordinary tea as the famous bai hua, thereby increasing its cost at times. Over time, bai hua, which is difficult for European languages, was replaced by the adjective “bai hua”.

The main differences from other types of tea

Long leaf tea is opposed to slab and pressed tea. Its main feature is that it is loose. It is not difficult to guess that this is the most common type of tea in our country.

The color of the finished drink is black. A gray or other shade of tea leaves gives a rhinestone its poor quality. Such tea will be insipid and will not please with a refined aroma.

What else should be remembered when choosing a brew?

• The color of the tea leaves should be as close to black as possible.
• The mass itself must be homogeneous. Ideally, the tea leaves are the same size. In a low-quality product, along with small tea leaves, dust and all kinds of garbage come across.
• Do not buy tea with strange unwanted inclusions - pieces of foil, fragments of tea branches, etc.
• Twisted tea leaves are an indicator of high quality. This means that the future brew has undergone fermentation.
• The humidity of tea leaves is evidence of its danger to health. Tea that is too wet will grow mold and become toxic.
• Tea should not be burnt either. To eliminate this option, rub a few tea leaves between your fingers. If they turn into dust, then you have a poor quality product. Another sure sign is a burning smell.
• The smell of black long leaf tea is either sweet or resinous-floral. High-quality tea leaves do not smell like burning, metal, gasoline, fish or cat food

Health benefits and harms

Long leaf tea, like any other type of this drink, can become an ally in the fight against health problems. What benefit will it bring?

• Cheer up in the morning. The content of caffeine in black tea is not less than in coffee. It has a slightly different structure, thanks to which it lasts longer.
• Normalizes the work of the cardiovascular system: cleanses the blood vessels, strengthens their walls, improves the functioning of the heart muscle.
• Saves from diseases of the digestive system.
• Stimulates the production of serotonin, providing a good mood.
• Improves brain reality, helps to concentrate attention, remember even the smallest details.
• It will help keep your teeth healthy and save them from caries (of course, if you drink it without sugar).

No need to think that such tea will bring only benefits. In some cases, it is better to refuse a cup of aromatic drink. Who is at risk?

People with cardiovascular disease. Excessive consumption of this drink can provoke unwanted vasodilation and heart palpitations.

• Suffering from inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
• Hypertension. Black leaf tea increases blood pressure.
• For the same reason, it is contraindicated in patients with glaucoma.
• For those who have trouble falling asleep, it is better not to drink tea at night.
• People with increased nervous excitability.

Brewing Secrets

This type of drink must also be prepared in a special way, given its main characteristic - friability.

Tea leaves can not be poured with boiling water. It will kill all the beneficial properties and significantly distort the aroma and taste. In China, traditionally, such tea leaves are poured with slightly cooled water (up to about 80-90º C). Dishes need to be selected special. Porcelain teapots are best suited for brewing: they are soft in texture and give off heat easily.

The Chinese believe that tea brewing is best left to a woman. Only female energy will make it useful and tasty. It is very important to approach the matter with a good mood. Chinese beliefs say that tea leaves perfectly feel the smallest fluctuations of the soul. Negative emotions will make the drink unfit to drink.

If you try modern black long leaf tea from five different manufacturers, the taste of each will be strikingly different. How can the same variety be so versatile? There is a logical explanation for this, rooted in the history of China and our country as well. Let's take a closer look at what it is.

How are tea leaves selected? There are 11 in total, by which quality is determined. All of them are arranged according to the following principle:

• The cheapest varieties are made from large sheets without adding buds. Twisted into tubes or balls;
• A rank higher than the previous ones - the tips of the plant and young leaves are mixed. A small content of shoots in expensive varieties is acceptable;
• With the addition of Golden - made from the tender parts of the plant (tips, tips, young leaves);
• With the postscript Finest - the most expensive varieties. Such black and green tea is made from selected raw materials.

Baikhov tea what is it

Have you ever heard the name "Baihao Yinzhen"? It is known to any true connoisseur of herbal drink. This is not green tea, as many people think, but a rare variety that came from the Middle Kingdom, also known in our country as Bai Hao. It is translated into Russian as silver needles or villi. Looking at the structure of the tea leaves, it becomes clear the origin of the name - these are light-brown sticks with pointed ends, covered with white fluff on top. What does long leaf tea mean? These are not only the leaves to which we are so accustomed, but also the buds of the tipsa bush, which have begun to bloom. The more the latter, the more valuable the product.

Tea and the Emperor: From the 12th to the 18th century, this drink was only available to the nobility, produced exclusively for the imperial palace. For its export, the death penalty was supposed, which did not stop the smugglers who received huge money from European buyers.

What can be considered real long leaf tea? With the beginning of international trade, enterprising Chinese merchants began to apply the well-known name to other varieties. Thus, many nobles from Russia and European countries received the wrong tea drink at all. Only over time did they manage to figure out how to identify a real product. It is produced in two counties - Zhenghe and Fuding, and also has its own differences. The Zhenghe product is darker and larger, while the body of the tips in the Fuding variety grows small and the taste comes out lighter.

Long leaf tea today - what does the market offer us?

As can be understood from the foregoing, it will be possible to buy the same drink, produced by only a couple of provinces, by laying out a tidy sum. But, this does not mean that tea, which has received overwhelming popularity, is not produced elsewhere. Today, tipsy buds are grown both in various cities of China and in neighboring countries, more often sold by weight.
What are the big manufacturers? The concept of "beach tea" is not a registered trademark - it's just the word "Bai Hao" translated in our own way. Today, it is customary to call loose varieties of the product. Therefore, the company can release green tea or any other, giving it this name.
How is the real Baihao Yinzhen assembled? Just like 800 years ago, the requirements for the personnel working on the plantations are extremely high. The person must be cleanly washed and dressed. The use of perfumes is prohibited.

What kind of tea to buy?

Despite the differences between the modern product and the original white Bao Hao, it deserves attention. Over the years, manufacturers have bred many worthy species containing a lot of useful properties that have good taste. Take a closer look at the existing ones:

• Black: During manufacture, the leaf is rolled and fermented to naturally obtain the desired level of oxidation. The production of expensive varieties provides for the presence of a technologist who manually determines the readiness of the product. Finally, drying is done.
• Green: There are several ways to make green tea - in some cases it is cured, in others it is not. The process of bringing the humidity up to 60% and the two-stage procedure for getting rid of moisture remain unchanged.
• Yellow: A popular product in China. Roasting and steaming are added to all of the above operations. It is aromatic and has a strong stimulating effect on the human body.
  Red: Light fermentation gives this type of tea a burgundy-brown hue. Like the previous type, it is roasted and has a pronounced floral smell.

How to brew and drink long leaf tea?

In countries where tea has become a national culture - these are China, Japan, England, special attention is paid to the process of drinking it. Show a Briton how we drink this drink here - casually, spontaneously, to chat with a neighbor, and he will be horrified. He won't say it out loud, but he will think to himself that such behavior is barbaric.

The cultural value of tea drinking lies in the observance of the rules, thanks to which a person separates himself from the animal world and contacts with his society. Therefore, it was inherent in the first place to the kings, educated aristocrats, and only then entered the masses.

Today, long leaf tea, like any other, should be brewed based on the basic rules:
Quality and temperature of water: the liquid should be soft, not containing a large number of metals. If one is not at hand, it is enough to let it settle. Re-boiled water is never used, moreover, it should not be brought to a temperature of 100 degrees at all, otherwise oxygen disappears from the composition, and with it the liveliness of taste. It is better to remove the kettle when it reaches 70-90 degrees.
The quality of the dishes: have you already seen how lovers of a vegetable drink rinse the kettle with boiling water? This is done to get rid of the smell. It is absolutely not important what the container is made of - as long as it does not enter into a chemical combination with water. Clay, porcelain, faience are preferred.

Duration of infusion: pour tea leaves to a quarter of the size of the vessel. After 50 seconds, fill it completely. Such actions will first capture the main part of the taste, making it strong, and then bring the product to perfection. Two minutes is enough for him to gain the necessary power.

With what to drink long leaf tea?

Do they drink it with sugar? Of course, a certain part of people, and all over the world, are very fond of this option, which is not traditional. A real connoisseur of a vegetable drink will never sweeten it, so as not to lose subtle notes in the aroma, preferring other additives that decorate them:

• Milk - an Englishman, whether an ordinary resident of the country or the queen herself, will definitely pour milk into a cup. He will do this at the beginning, before he pours the tea leaves. So two noble liquids will mix evenly, and fragile porcelain will not crack from overheating;
• Lemon - today it is not known for certain where the tradition of adding lemon came from. There is an opinion that a similar method was invented in Russia. Even in the West there is an expression "Russian tea", referring specifically to this method of preparing the drink.
• Desserts - in terms of food, the UK is similar to the CIS. Sweets and desserts are a must. In the old days, the ladies were even allowed to loosen the corset during tea drinking, as after overeating, they would lose consciousness due to lack of oxygen. But on, this procedure is exclusively isolated and does not imply the presence of dishes on the table.

From all of the above, we can conclude that each country has its own values ​​regarding the use of the drink under discussion. This does not mean that someone has them better. It's just that each nation has its own preferences and goals, and good tea is always in place.

Tea is the most noble and ancient drink. Legends and tales are composed around him, tea ceremonies are dedicated to him. In a large number of antioxidants that help the body cope with various diseases, stop premature aging. In tea shops of all countries, you can now see a variety of types and varieties of teas: black, hibiscus, fruit and herbal. Long leaf tea is especially popular. Many mistakenly assume that only black tea, which is sold in loose form, is called long leaf. But it's not.

Long leaf tea: what is it

Bai hao tea can be of different types depending on the manufacturing technology: black, red, green. Initially, only white tea was considered long leaf, which was produced from the beginnings of leaves with small white villi. The more buds there were in tea, the more it was valued. This variety was harvested and processed by hand. The tea was fragrant, fragrant and tasty. Over time, the concept of "long leaf" spread to almost all tea varieties, although this did not always correspond to the properties of white tea.

Useful properties of green leaf tea

Green tea is very popular in Japan and China. It tones well, refreshes, quickly quenches thirst. The brewed tea is light green in color with a yellowish tinge. The drink has a tart taste, aroma of rose petals and dry hay. Tea has many health benefits:

• improves mood;
• strengthens the immune system;
• has an antioxidant effect;
• favorably affects prostate adenoma;
• improves digestion;
• lowers blood sugar levels;
• helps to lose weight.

Tea has a positive effect on the immune system. Even one cup of this drink improves mood and gives a charge of vivacity. Regular intake of tea prevents the development of infectious diseases, strengthens the body. Tea has antimicrobial and antiviral effects.

The drink slows down the aging of the body. Among those who take this tea regularly, there are a lot of centenarians. It can improve metabolism.

Tea is used for cosmetic purposes. The antioxidants contained in it improve the condition of the skin, slow down its aging. The skin becomes beautiful, tender and smooth when using products that include long leaf tea extract.

Baykhovy for men's health. It has been proven that most men after 40 years of age suffer from prostate adenoma. The results of the studies showed that those men who took up to 5 cups of green tea per day had prostatitis twice as less.

Green tea drink has a beneficial effect on the body of diabetics. Sugar level decreases with regular use.

This tea has an antioxidant effect. It reduces the risk of developing malignant tumors. from radiation.

Tea helps with poisoning, digestive disorders. To normalize the condition, it is recommended to drink strong green tea for several days.

Approved for use by pregnant women. It reduces toxicity.

Often this kind of tea helps to lose weight. It has a diuretic effect, removes excess fluid from the body, reducing weight. The tea drink contains a lot of polyphenols, they enhance heat transfer, helping to burn fat.

Green tea contraindications

• Combining tea with alcohol is not recommended. This can greatly undermine the condition of the liver and kidneys.
• No need to drink low-grade green tea. It won't hurt, but it won't do any good either. It is better to buy tea in a specialized store.
• On an empty stomach, experts do not advise drinking green tea even for healthy people. This can irritate the stomach lining.
• You can not brew tea again, it is not recommended to drink yesterday's tea.

How to brew green tea

Speaking of long leaf tea, the benefits and harms of which we have already considered, it is worth clarifying that you only need to drink freshly brewed tea. It is better to use spring or purified water. The temperature for brewing green tea should not exceed 80°C. If you use boiling water, the beneficial properties of tea will disappear, the taste of the drink may also deteriorate.

The brewing vessel must be heated with hot water. For 150 ml of water it is worth taking one teaspoon of tea leaves. Tea is brewed, left to infuse for two minutes. After that, it is better to immediately drain the first brew and fill it with water again. Then the tea leaves can really open up. Tea is poured into cups. The taste of tea should be rich, even slightly bitter. Those who like sweet tea can add a spoonful of honey.

Often on the packaging of ordinary tea you can read "long leaf tea". Have you ever wondered where this expression came from?

There is a variety of indicators by which you can classify the whole variety of finished tea. Baikhovy in our, Russian, understanding means "loose", but this is not entirely true. The word appeared in our vocabulary a long time ago - it comes from the Chinese phrase " bai hoa", What means " white eyelash". The Chinese called so one of the components of tea - barely blossoming buds, which are covered with tiny white villi. It is believed that the higher the percentage of such buds - according to the terminology borrowed from the British later they are called tips - in tea, the higher its grade, the more aromatic and tastier the tea. Therefore, when Chinese merchants sold tea with tips to Russian merchants and wanted to emphasize its high value (and at the same time an expensive price), they repeated “bai hoa”.

Our tea merchants, who did not know Chinese, decided that the mysterious “bai hoa” was synonymous with high quality, and they did not go into the reasons. Subsequently, the term "bai" came to be used to refer to all loose teas, to distinguish it from the so-called brick or slab tea, which at that time was of inferior quality - although both loose and pressed tea may include "bai hoa". That is, not any loose tea is long leaf, but not only loose tea is long leaf.

There has been a similar confusion in Western tea terminology. There, too, there is a classification derived from the phrase "white eyelash" - orange pekoe(abbreviated as OP). More precisely, the word "pekoe" comes from it. Although at first glance it does not look like our Russian, this is due to the fact that Western countries and Russia purchased tea in different regions of the Celestial Empire, each of which had its own dialect, and, accordingly, pronunciation.

The term "orange pekoe" was coined by Sir Thomas Lipton, a nineteenth-century British tea magnate. Many mistakenly think that "orange" means that the tea is flavored with orange oils. But this is either due to the color of the tea leaf before drying, or, much more likely, marketing considerations. The Dutch East India Company played a central role in tea imports to Europe, and the British then associated the Netherlands primarily with the Orange dynasty (Orange in English). Probably, Sir Thomas found it profitable to "indirectly link" his brand of high-quality tea to the name of the main importer. And later, "orange pekoe" began to mean high quality tea and was determined by the size of the tea leaf - that is, as in Russian history, it means the value of tea, and not the presence of tips in it. Moreover, the term "orange pekoe", despite its Chinese origin, is now used only to classify black teas from India and Sri Lanka.

Long leaf tea is the most common and highest quality loose tea. This tea is a separate tea leaves that are not connected to each other. Among all teas, black tea is the most popular. In addition to black tea, there is no less popular green tea, red, yellow and white tea, which is the best tea among other types of tea. Nevertheless, all types of long leaf tea are valuable and have their own characteristics, unique taste and aroma, and are also very popular. We can safely say that this tea is of high quality.

Long leaf black tea among other types of tea is the most common type. You can judge the quality of this tea by the color of the brewed tea and by the curl of the tea leaves. Long leaf black tea consists of tightly rolled tea leaves and has a very dark color of brewed tea. Long leaf black tea can be whole-leaf and small-leaf. Whole-leaf tea is considered to be of higher quality. The stronger the tea leaves are twisted, the higher the quality of the tea is considered.

Green tea

Green tea is one of the types of tea, no less popular than black tea. Among other types of tea, green tea retains the highest amount of nutrients. After brewing, green tea has a light green color. It is believed that the lighter green tea is after brewing, the higher its quality. Green tea is considered to be a very healthy tea, one of the best among other types of tea.

Red tea

Long leaf red tea is very close to black tea. However, unlike black tea, this tea undergoes less fermentation. The edges of the tea leaf are close to black tea, the rest of the leaf is close to green tea. The fermentation of red tea is completed when the edges of the tea leaves turn reddish. The tea leaves are then dried and rolled.
Yellow long leaf tea in terms of the degree of fermentation is something between red and black long leaf tea. The process of making yellow tea is very time-consuming and quite costly. In yellow tea, one part of the leaves is dried and withered, and the other part of the leaves is steamed, then the tea leaves are mixed and dried.

White tea

White tea is the most healing and valuable among other types of tea.. White long leaf tea is made from green tea, which is subjected to weak fermentation. At the end of fermentation, a slightly noticeable white coating appears on the tea leaves, consisting of a small white pile. After brewing, white tea turns out to be almost colorless, however, it turns out to be strong and has a delicate aroma. High quality long leaf white tea is very delicate and quickly loses all its flavors during storage.

In addition to the above, long leaf tea is classified according to the size of the tea leaves and the arrangement of the leaves on the tea bush. The topmost tea leaves on a branch are considered the most valuable.. These young tea leaves are very delicate and it is from them that white tea is made. That is why white long leaf tea is considered the most valuable tea among other types of tea.

Long leaf tea brewing. Long leaf tea is best brewed in glass or earthenware. Do not pour boiling water over the tea leaves to preserve the taste and quality of long leaf tea.

Useful properties of long leaf tea. The beneficial properties of long leaf tea have a beneficial effect on the body as a whole. After drinking tea, the body feels a short-term surge of strength and vigor. Drinking tea in reasonable amounts strengthens blood vessels and has a tonic effect on the body as a whole.

Harm of long leaf tea. Do not drink very strong tea. As with any tea, long leaf tea contains caffeine, so an excessive amount of tea drunk may exceed the allowable doses of caffeine.