By Gill Wong
As we step into the New Year, leaving behind the whirlwind of joyous holiday soirées, it’s the perfect moment to embrace a return to natural wellness. We’re choosing to nurture our bodies, giving them a much-needed respite. This time, our focus shifts to the healing embrace of tea, a beverage that’s more than just a drink - it’s a journey into wellness and history. We’re particularly enchanted by the origins of tea in China, where ancient lore weaves with tradition, offering a sip of tranquility and a legacy of health. Let’s explore how this simple leaf has captured hearts and healed bodies through centuries, embodying the essence of natural healing and holistic well-being.
The Discovery of Tea by Emperor Shen Nong
In the annals of tea’s rich history, a story from ancient China over 4,000 years ago stands prominent, featuring the legendary Emperor Shen Nong, a figure celebrated for his advancements in agriculture and medicine. The lore tells of Shen Nong, sitting under a wild tea tree, engaging in his habitual practice of purifying water by boiling. On a fateful day, as he rested, a breeze whisked leaves from the overhead Camellia sinensis tree into his pot. The resulting infusion, with its inviting aroma, piqued Shen Nong’s curiosity. Upon tasting it, he found the brew refreshing and revitalizing, marking the serendipitous discovery of tea.
Shen Nong’s contributions extend beyond this fortuitous event. He is also recognized for his pioneering work in identifying the healing properties of plants and herbs, integral to traditional Chinese medicine. The discovery of tea and its energizing qualities is often viewed as a crucial part of his broader contributions to herbal healing and wellness.
This narrative, while widely regarded as a legend, underscores the historical and cultural significance of tea in Chinese history, blending the discovery of tea with the themes of natural wellness and ancient wisdom.
The Spread of Tea Culture
Tea was revered as a medicinal elixir in its humble beginnings, gradually blossoming into a favored recreational beverage. Its journey is intertwined with the mindful practices of Buddhist monks, who cherished tea for its unique ability to kindle a state of serene alertness. These ancient practitioners harnessed the gentle power of tea to enhance their meditation, finding in its leaves a natural ally for mindfulness and spiritual clarity.
In the heart of Japan, the tea ceremony - Chanoyu or Sado - evolved into a soulful ritual, transcending the mere act of brewing tea. This ceremonial practice became a celebration of life’s fleeting beauty, an art form that honors balance, harmony, and the preciousness of the present moment. It’s a ritual that invites us to pause, breathe, and connect with the deeper aspects of our being.
Across the sea in China, tea’s significance blossomed in royal courts. Here, the finest teas were cultivated as offerings to the emperor, symbols of respect and reverence. This tradition not only elevated tea to an art form but also led to innovative cultivation and processing techniques, forever changing the landscape of tea culture.
Quality & Flavor
Leaf size and quality play a crucial role in the flavor profile of tea. Loose leaf tea, generally made from whole or large pieces of leaves, preserves the tea’s natural flavor and essential oils. This typically results in a more nuanced, complex, and richer flavor profile, as the larger leaves retain more of their original characteristics. In contrast, tea bags often contain smaller pieces of leaves, known as “fannings” and “dust.” These smaller particles tend to release tannins more quickly, which can lead to a more astringent or bitter taste. Consequently, the flavor of tea from tea bags is usually more straightforward and less nuanced compared to loose-leaf tea.
Regarding freshness, loose-leaf tea maintains its freshness longer because it is less processed and has a larger surface area, beneficial for retaining its natural oils and aroma. On the other hand, the smaller size of tea particles in tea bags can result in a faster loss of flavor and aroma over time. This difference in freshness is another factor contributing to the distinct taste experiences between loose-leaf tea and tea from tea bags.
From an environmental standpoint, loose-leaf tea produces less waste as it doesn’t require individual packaging, and used leaves can be composted. Conversely, some tea bags are made with or contain plastics, which aren’t biodegradable and not great for the palette.
Loose-leaf tea demands more effort and time, including steeping and cleaning up, but relaxing and preparing your tea can add to the experience, making it calming and enjoyable.
Finally, regarding cost, loose-leaf tea might be more expensive initially but can be more economical over time, as the leaves can often be steeped multiple times. Tea bags are generally cheaper per serving but are typically used only once.
Tea enthusiasts often prefer loose-leaf tea for its superior quality, flavor complexity, and brewing ritual. The best way to find your preferred tea is to try different types and brands. Specialty tea shops or online retailers focusing on high-quality teas can offer a range of options to explore. We have a couple of tea shops in Flagstaff you can visit.
Old Barrel Tea Company Flagstaff
21 N San Francisco St, Flagstaff
Steep Leaf Lounge
1 E Aspen Ave, Flagstaff
When looking for the best tea, consider these factors:
Origin: Different regions produce teas with distinct flavors.
Harvest Time: The first flush (early harvest) usually yields the highest quality.
Processing: Handpicked and minimally processed teas are often of higher quality.
Organic Certification: Some prefer organic teas for their natural cultivation methods.
Discover the Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea, originating in China and widely consumed throughout Asia, has been appreciated for its taste and health benefits for centuries. It’s known for its antioxidants, particularly catechins, which have been studied for their potential to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Green tea is also associated with lower cholesterol levels, improved brain function, and a boost in metabolism.
Determining the “best” green tea can be subjective, as it depends on individual taste preferences and what qualities you value most in tea. However, there are several high-quality green teas that are renowned for their exceptional flavor, aroma, and health benefits. Here are a few types of premium green teas that are often highly regarded:
Matcha: A famous Japanese green tea, matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves. It’s known for its vibrant green color, rich umami flavor, and high antioxidant content. Ceremonial-grade matcha is considered the highest quality.
Dragon Well (Longjing): A celebrated Chinese green tea, Dragon Well is known for its gentle, sweet flavor, and its flat, spear-like tea leaves. It is often considered the epitome of Chinese green tea and is highly prized.
Gyokuro: Another premium Japanese green tea, Gyokuro is shaded for about three weeks before harvesting to boost its chlorophyll content. This results in a sweeter flavor and a bright green infusion.
Sencha: The most popular tea in Japan, Sencha varies widely in quality, but the best grades offer a delicate balance of sweetness, bitterness, and umami, with a bright, grassy aroma.
Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yin Zhen): While technically a white tea, it’s often appreciated by green tea lovers for its delicate and slightly sweet flavor. It consists of only the top unopened buds of the tea plant.
As we conclude our exploration of tea, from its deep-rooted beginnings to its present-day charm, we hope you feel encouraged to enjoy the diverse world of teas. This journey has taken us through tea’s rich history and its multitude of health benefits, reminding us that each cup is not just a drink, but a connection to a legacy of well-being and a reflection of nature’s simplicity.
Here’s to a happy and healthy New Year, where each sip of tea brings you closer to a state of wellness and every moment is as cherished as the delicate flavors of the finest tea leaves—cheers to new beginnings and the ongoing journey of discovery, one cup at a time.