Chapter IINTRODUCTIONThe Problem: Rationale and BackgroundThis study made use of experimental method of research.Tea is an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot or boiling water overcured leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. After water, tea is the most widely consumedbeverageintheworld. It has acooling, slightlybitter, and astringent flavour that manypeople enjoy. Tea originated in China as a medicinal drink. It was first introducedto ortuguese priestsand merchants in China during the !"th century. #rinking tea becamepopularin$ritainduringthe!%thcentury. The$ritishintroducedittoIndia, inordertocompete with the Chinese monopoly on the product. Tea has long been promoted for having a variety of positive health benefits. &ecentstudies suggest that green tea may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and someforms of cancer, promoteoral health, reducebloodpressure, helpwithweight control,improve antibacterial and antivirasic activity, provide protection fromsolar ultravioletlight, and increase bone mineral density. 'reen tea is also said to have (anti)fibrotic1properties, and neuroprotective power.( Additional research is needed to (fully understand itscontributions to human health, and advise its regular consumption in *estern diets.( Teacatechinshaveknownanti)inflammatoryandneuroprotectiveproperties, helpregulatefoodintake, andhaveanaffinityforcannabinoidreceptors, whichmaysuppresspain and nausea and provide calming effects. Consumptionof greenteais associatedwithalower riskof diseases that causefunctional disability, such as +stroke, cognitive impairment, and osteoporosis, in the elderly. Tea contains -)theanine, an amino acid whose consumption is mildly associated witha calm but alertand focused,relatively productive .alpha wave)dominant/ mentalstate inhumans. This mental state is also common to meditative practice. The phrase (herbal tea( usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without thetea plant, suchas rosehip tea, chamomile tea, or rooibos tea. Alternative phrases for thisaretisane or herbal infusion, bothbearing an implied contrast with (tea( as it is construedhere.2Statement of the ProblemThis research aims to formulate tea made from pili flour .Caranium Ovatum/. Asidefrom creating another type of Tea, this research also aims to know the extent of acceptabilityof pili tea among consumers.This study answers the following specific 0uestions1!/ *hat are the 0ualitative characteristics of the product produced from pili in makingtea in terms of1A. Color$. 2dorC. Taste#. Appearance3/ *hat is the degree of acceptability of pili in tea making45/ Is there any significance in the 0ualitative characteristics of the tea produced from piliusing different proportions46/H!othe"i"There is no significance between the 0ualitative characteristics of the product usingdifferent proportions of pili.3Theoretical#Conce!tual frame$orkThe conceptual paradigm coveys the 0ualitative characteristics of the tea in terms ofappearance, color, odor, taste, and acceptability given the different ratio and proportion of thesaid research.Conce!tual ParadigmIndependent 7ariable#ependent 7ariable%igure &' Conce!tual %rame$orkThefirst boxrepresents theindependent variablenamelytheili andanarrowshowing the dependency of the 0uality characteristics of the developed product in terms ofcolor, appearance, odor, taste, and acceptability.Significance of the "tud4roportionof the ili8uality characteristics oftea in terms of1 Appearance Color 2dor Taste AcceptabilityIn this experimental research, it is hoped that it will contribute information on howthis crops maybeutili9ed andbe made intoherbal medicine with having more nutritionalvalue compared to the ordinary flavors and without spending much money for the primaryingredients.It will alsobenefit thecommunitieswhohaveabundant sourcesofpili plant likefarmersandteamanufacturersinawaythat theycanget informationonhowtheycanprocess such raw materials into herbal medicine.Through this study, the commercial value of these crops will be given a higher value,not just an ordinary viand but also a medicine.These products canbe agood sourceof money, while surplus andwastageof thisvegetable can be avoided.Sco!e and DelimitationThis study covers specifically the utili9ation of the flour made from pili in making thetea that was conducted on #ecember 3:!5 to ;arch 3:!6 at *est 'arden