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Tea - Healthy & Pleasurable
Long
regarded in the Orient as a health beverage, tea is now medically
accepted as having natural properties (polyphenols which process
antioxidants) beneficial to health. A cup of tea generally has only 1/3
the caffeine content of a typical cup of coffee.
Health Benefits of Tea
The
health benefits of tea, long recognized for many centuries by the
ancient civilizations of the Orient will continue to be accepted in the
years ahead. While the beneficial health attributes of green tea have
received extensive media attention, all tea whether green, black or
semi-fermented is good for your health. Recent medical evidence has
shown that tea drinking can play an important role in reducing the
incidence of strokes, cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease.
Polyphenols & Antioxidants in Tea
The
natural chemicals in tea which produce the beneficial properties are
called polyphenols which process antioxidants. The ployphenols in tea
contain up to 30 times the antioxidant potency of vitamins C and E.
Antioxidants reduce the adverse effects of oxygen in the body and
protect the body from the damaging effects of pollution and ageing.
Nutritional Content of Tea
Tea
on its own has no calories. The average daily consumption of tea as
measured in tea consuming countries (where tea is consumed with milk)
provides very few calories and a minuscule quantity of fat. Valuable
minerals and vitamins are contributed by tea drinking and the daily
requirement of the following minerals and vitamins are obtained by the
average consumption of tea:
- Vitamin B1 9%
- Vitamin B2 25%
- Vitamin B6 6%
- Calcium 16%
- Folic Acid 10%
Tea has traces of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids.
Tea & Caffeine
A
cup of tea has only between 1/3 and 1/2 the caffeine content of a cup
of coffee so if reduced caffeine intake is the aim then tea rather than
coffee is a good start. The amount of caffeine in tea although small
varies from cup to cup as it depends on a number of factors including
the type of tea, where it is grown, the manufacturing process used and
the method and length of brewing.
Extensive medical research on
caffeine has identified on significant health hazard from normal
caffeine intake as associated with average tea consumption.
Decaffeinated tea is not entirely caffeine free as it generally
contains a residual (about 3-10%) of the original caffeine content. The
decaffeinating process is usually a chemical one and the question as to
whether such a process is more harmful than a moderate amount od
caffeine remains unanswered.
The longer tea leaves are
fermented the greater the caffeine content, so green tea will naturally
contain less caffeine than black teas. Also the shorter the brewing
time the less caffeine is extracted.
Caffeine content
can also be significantly reduced by infusing the tea for one minute
and pouring the first infusion away. The tea is then infused again and
although the flavour and aroma is reduced so will the caffeine content.
Elmstock
has a decaffeinated black and green tea in our range. It is a quality
leaf tea decaffeinated through the CO2 high pressure process. No
solvent is used and the flavor is very similar to the original tea.
Organically Grown Tea
Production
of organic tea is rigidly controlled and the plantation must be
certified under strict rules. Production and agricultural methods are
constantly monitored and natural organic matter and nutrients are
exclusively used on such plantations. The National Association for
Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) cerifiescertifies and monitors
organically grown teas from Sri Lanka. We also import organically grown
teas which conform to EU standards.
Tea, Healthy & Pleasurable
Tea
is one of life's great pleasures. It is low in caffeine, improves your
mood, disposition and blood circulation. It is not as harsh as coffee
and contains less caffeine. Above all it is a quick and relaxing escape
from the hectic pace of modern life. Take your time to enjoy a cup of
tea. Better still give yourself the pleasurable and healthy experience
of brewing a good cup of premium quality tea.
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