Tea What is Tea? Tea is prepared from the leaf bud and top leaves of a tropical evergreen bush called Camelia sinesis Contain approximately only half the caffeine of coffee Aids muscle relaxation and stimulates the nervous system. It is grown in more than 25 countries with more than 3000 varieties available today. Requires an acidic soil, and warm climate with plenty rain. India is the largest producer of tea, followed by Sri Lanka and China. The top two leaves of the plant are picked by hand. The smaller and younger the leaves, the better the tea. Tea production follows two simple methods a) The Hand Method b) The CTC method or also know as the crush,tear and curl method Types of Tea Green Tea – Leaves which are not fermented Black Tea – Leaves are fermented Oolong tea- Leaves are partially fermented Tisanes – Herbal tea or Herbal infusions tea Storage of Tea In a dry , clean and covered container In a well ventilated area Away from excess moisture Must not be kept near any strong smelling foods as tea quickly absorbs strong odours In a dry , clean and covered container In a well ventilated area Away from excess moisture Must not be kept near any strong smelling foods as tea quickly absorbs strong odours Speciality Teas Ceylon Tea Pale golden tea with a good rich,full,astringent flavour. Served with Lemon or Milk Goes well with sweet breakfast or afternoon pastry Keemum (China) Has a mild hint of sweetness, which makes it a good evening tea Lapsang Souchong ( China) It is a dark tea with a smoky fragrance and flavour. It is a great accompaniment to salty and spicy dishes, and with cheese. Yunnaan ( China) It is one of China’s noble variety. It is full bodied with an illusive floral scent. It is nicknamed “ The mocha of Tea”. It is a great breakfast tea. Imperial Souchong ( China) Young tender leaves blended with Jasmine flowers. Great Mandarin(China) Flavoured with jasmine Perfect accompaniment for Chinese food Darjeeling(India) Is a delicate tea with light grape flavour Also referred to as the ‘Champagne of Teas’ Served as an afternoon or evening tea Two types of Darjeeling tea :- First Flush Darjeeling and Second Flush Darjeeling Assam Tea Is a rich full and malty flavoured tea Suitable for Breakfast Served usually with milk Dimbula High Grown ( Srilanka) It is one of the famous Sri Lankan tea. It produces tea infusions ranging from full –bodied to light, delicate and fragrant Ruhana Low Grown(SriLanka) This variety yields a thick, sweet brew. It is consumed with or without milk Oolong This tea from Taiwan is made from Semi-fermented leaves. It is best drunk without milk. Green Tea A specialty of China and Japan prepared by subjecting the leaves to fierce heat. Earl Grey It is a type of scented tea. Named after Earl Grey – the Prime Minister of England under William IV Blend of Darjeeling and China tea Flavoured with oil of Bergamot Usually served with lemon or milk Tisanes Fruit Flavoured teas and herbal infusions Often do not contain caffeine Examples :- Herbal Tea :- Camomile, Peppermint, Rosehip, Mint Fruit Teas:- Cherry, Lemon, Black currant, Mandarin Orange A specially of China and Japan prepared by subjecting the leaves to fierce heat. Rules for Making Tea Ensure that the equipment used is scrupulously clean Avoid using chlorinated water. Avoid using water that has been boiled before. The general principal for putting tea leaves is to use one tea spoon(5 gms) for every person and 10 gms for a pot Heat the pot before putting in the dry tea so that the maximum heat can be obtained from the boiling water Make sure the water is boiling on entering the pot Allow it to brew 2-5 mins to obtain the maximum strength from the brew Just before serving, stir the tea in the teapot using a spoon. If tea leaves are left in the pot, use a strainer when pouring Other tea preparations Masala Tea Readymade Indian tea infused in milk with spices e.g.. Cardamom,ginger and cinnamon etc Iced Tea Made with fresh infusion of tea ( many guest prefer a green tea infusion for iced tea) and a sprig of fresh mint. Strain the tea in a tall glass over crushed ice. Garnish with fresh mint. Brands of Tea Twinings ( Kolkota) Assam, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Camomile, Darjeeling Ceylon Tea ( Watawala Plantations, SriLanka) Low, medium and high grown Tea, Exotic Fruit Tea Tetley Standard teabags.
Posted on: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 07:53:55 +0000
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