Contents What is tea?...................................... page 3 Who made the first tea?................. page 5 How tea is produced ………………. page 6 Facts about tea .…………………..... page 9 Types of tea…………………………... page10 How to make a chamomile tea….. page11 Tea Trivia ........................................... page13 References………………………........ page14 Glossary ……………………………..... page15

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What is Tea? Tea is the second most-consumed drink in the whole world, exceeded only by water. Every kind of tea comes from the same plant which is called Camellia sinensis.

The world’s tea producing countries

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Tea is more accurately referred to as an herbal tea or tisane. Tisanes include chamomile, Rooibos and fruit teas.

The Camellia sinensis is a sub-tropical evergreen plant which is a native to Asia but these days, they grow around the world. The Camellia sinensis grows best in loose, deep soil, at high altitudes, and in sub-tropical climates. So tea is anything produced from the Camellia sinensis plant.

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Who Made Tea?Shen Nung, the second emperor of China, was said

to be a creative scientist. In 2737 BC, it said that the dried leaves landed in a boiling cup of water served to Emperor Shen Nung. And so the legend of tea began.

About 300 years ago, tea was introduced in Europe and became very popular in North America and Europe in the 18th centuries. When the British came to India, they found the tea plants in Assam and it tasted better. Tea farming had grown bigger in India and Ceylon.

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How Tea is ProducedTea can be produced almost anywhere. The best teas are grown in cooler climates. Once the tea plant has arrived maturity, the leaves can be harvested for many years. The leaves are harvested in cooler climates or at higher heights in four to five times a year.

When the plants begin a growth or spurt or flush, the picking starts right at that time to assure that the leaves are big enough but not too old. Only the top two leaves are picked and the buds especially. The buds are picked for some very special teas. Mostly black and green tea.

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After picking up the leaves, it is always necessary to remove the water excess. The tea leaves are spread on racks to dry.

Next, the leaves are twisted and rolled, which allows for a faster oxidation and it also releases the leaves' juice, offering this beverage its unique flavour.

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The next step in processing tea allows the air to be absorbed. The leaves are placed in a closed room, with a humid air in order to oxidize the leaves, where the tea leaves’ colour will turn darker. Also known as fermentation, this is what you will choose the type of tea you end up drinking. The following step, the leaves are heated without damaging the flavour.

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Facts about Tea1. The British people drink 140 thousands tonnes of tea

everyday!2. 165 million people in UK drink tea which is a new world

record!3. When you brew black tea, the water temperature should

be 99 C which is very hot!4. There are 26 tea-growing nations! The main ones are

India, China, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Indonesia!5. 95% of people drink tea with teabags. DID YOU

DID YOU KNOW?:KNOW?:There are 1,500 different

kinds of tea in the world!

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Types of TeaThere are lots and lots of teas in the world!

These are the types of tea below:

White tea Green tea Black tea Oolong tea Rooibos tea Decaf tea Pu-erh tea Herbal tea

There are much more!

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How to make a delicious cup of chamomile tea

List of things you need:

Kettle Water A cup One teabag Tea spoon

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Instructions:

1. Boil water using a kettle and wait till a few minutes.2. Pour the boiling water over a tea bag in a cup.3. Let the tea brew for about four minutes or

desired strength.4. Enjoy your tea!

DID YOU KNOW?:

DID YOU KNOW?:Chamomile tea makes you relaxed

and calm so that it will help you to sleep well.

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Tea TriviaLet’s see how clever you are!

1. When did Emperor Shen Nung created tea?

2. What kind of plant does tea come from?

3. How many steps are there in the process of producing tea?

4. What are the five main tea growing countries?

5. How many kinds of tea are there in the world?

In 2737 BC

Camellia Sinensis

5 steps

India, China, SriLanka, Kenya and

Indonesia

About 1,500 varieties

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Referenceswww.adagio.comwww.beveragestandsassociation.co.ukwww.wikipedia.comwww.therighttea.comwww.ashworthtea.comwww.travelblog.orgwww.localyte.comwww.dictionary.comwww.healthyalternatives.co.nz

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GlossaryCamellia Sinensis A tropical evergreen shrub or small tree extensively cultivated in e.g. China and Japan and India; source of tea leaves.

Altitudes The height of anything above a given planetary reference plane, especially above sea level on earth.

Harvest The season when ripened crops are gathered.

Bud An undeveloped or rudimentary stem or branch of a plant.

Climate The composite or generally prevailing weather conditions of a region, as temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness, and winds, throughout the year, averaged over a series of years.

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Absorb To suck up or drink in (a liquid); soak up.

Oxidize To convert (an element) into an oxide; combine with oxygen.

Fermentation A change brought about by a ferment, as yeast enzymes, which convert grape sugar into ethyl alcohol.

Maturity The state of being mature; ripeness: The fruit will reach maturity in a few days.

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