And how to grow your own tea
Dear reader,
It is the fashion of white tea and I recommend you drink it.
It is made from leaves and flower buds picked just before they are fully opened. They are then covered with fine white hair. This is why we speak of "white tea".
Less fermented than black or green tea, it is richer in antioxidants.
But before I tell you all the health benefits of white tea, let me give a general reminder about tea.
You may have a tea tree in your garden, without knowing it
We often imagine that the tea plant is a mysterious plant that only grows in China. But this is not true at all.
The tea plant is a camellia very close to that which perhaps grows in your garden, even in a pot in your living room.
The tea plant is quite simply a kind of camellia, very close to those that you find at your florist or in Jardiland!
The difference is that your decorative camellia is Camellia japonica (from Japan) as opposed to Camellia sinensis (from China). It has more flowers and fewer leaves. It is, therefore, less attractive in terms of agricultural productivity.
You can still make your own tea with it.
Pick the leaves by pinching at the base of groups of three leaves, preferably the young spring leaves full of sap.
The camellia leaves are then crisp, green, fresh and as if waxed.
Fill a jar like this:
Then rub the leaves between your hands. They will break into small pieces. And continue until you get small pieces like tea.
Leave the stems aside. Put the broken leaves in a container to let them oxidize and ferment.
Place them in a dry, dark place. After leaving them for two days, and stirring them regularly, they will have turned brown and shriveled. It's normal. You will get this:
Put them in the oven for 20 minutes, the door open, to dehydrate them, and thus be able to keep them without rotting or mold.
There you go, you made tea!
Please note: your homemade tea can be very strong in caffeine and prevent you from sleeping. Watch your reactions and stay in moderate consumption at the start: two cups will be enough to discover its effects.
Different fermentations
Black tea is distinguished from green tea and white tea by the duration of fermentation and oxidation.
By making your tea, you will notice that it is too strong, or too light, for your taste. You will have to adjust your production method to what you are looking for. Less fermented, the tea is weaker but harsher.
But back to the virtues of white tea for health.
Lots of antioxidants
White tea is rich in polyphenols called "catechins [1]". This is where, for the most part, its virtues for health.
Catechins are very powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants protect cells from free radicals [2].
Excess free radicals in the body can have a detrimental effect. Their presence is linked to aging, chronic inflammation, a weakened immune system, and many diseases [3].
White tea keeps your skin young
An in vitro study has shown that white tea extract protects human skin cells against free radicals, and can, therefore, have an antiaging effect [4].
In one study, scientists discovered that applying white tea extract to the skin protected it from the damaging effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays [5].
Numerous studies have shown that the catechins in white tea suppress the cellular components that damage the collagen fiber networks that keep the skin firm and elastic [6].
Heart-healthy white tea
The polyphenols in white tea can have a relaxing effect on blood vessels [7] and prevent the oxidation of cholesterol [8].
They are therefore good for the heart.
A review of five scientific studies on white tea indicates that people who drink three or more cups of tea a day are 21% less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease [9].
White tea good for weight loss
The caffeine and catechins in white tea help to lose weight, increasing the metabolism by 4 to 5%.
This amounts to burning 70 to 100 more calories per day, which can make a big difference in the long run [10].
White tea good for your teeth
White tea is also rich in tannins and fluoride. Combined with catechins, they inhibit the growth of dental plaque, the bacteria that proliferate on teeth [11]. Fluoride makes the surface of the teeth more resistant against the acids produced by bacteria with sugar [12].
Anti-cancer, anti-osteoporosis, anti-Alzheimer and anti-Parkinson effect
Numerous in vitro studies have shown that white tea has anticancer effects [13], against osteoporosis [14], and could protect against degenerative diseases of the nervous system ( Alzheimer [15], Parkinson [16]
Prepare your white tea well to maximize its beneficial effects
Please note: To benefit from all these beneficial effects, white tea must be infused in hot but not boiling water (85-90 ° C). Let steep for five to eight minutes, serve, and let cool for another minute or two.
It should be eaten as is, without milk, sugar, or ... cupcakes.
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