Tea Types

All tea comes from one plant, Camellia sinensis. The differences in the many teas we have -- whites, greens, oolongs, blacks, and pu-erhs -- is in the specific varietal that was used, the local environment the tea was grown in, and the way it was processed.

Iced Tea Brew Pouches
Great-tasting iced tea can be made from all types of tea: white, green, oolong, or black.

Our convenient brew pouch is designed for the preparation of iced tea. Each pouch is hand-measured to brew a 1/2 gallon of concentrate. By adding an equal amount of ice when served, this pouch creates 1 gallon of served iced tea.

WHITE TEA

White tea is minimally processed; it is generally only picked and air dried. The highest-quality white teas are picked early in the spring before the leaf buds have opened and while still covered with silkywhite hair. The traditional varietals used for white tea have abundant downy hair on the young leaf shoots. These delicate teas have clear flavors that tend toward savory, nutty, and vegetal. Traditionally harvested in China, they are the focus of many studies on health benefits for their high levels of antioxidants.

White tea is minimally processed. It is generally only air-dried and slightly oxidized. The highest-quality white teas are picked before the leaf buds have opened, while they are still covered with silky white hairs. These teas should be steeped in water well below boiling and for at least 4-5 minutes.

GREEN TEA
Green tea is picked and quickly heated by steaming or pan firing. The goodness of the leaf is sealed inside. Green tea has a short life span - it doesn't stay fresh long. The most well-known greens come from China and Japan. The flavors are grassy, vegetal, nutty, and sweet. Because the leaf is so delicate, the tea should be brewed in water that is well below boiling to prevent cooking the leaves and destroying the subtle notes of the tea

Green tea is heated immediately after being picked. Whether pan-fired, steamed or fired in an oven, the goodness of the leaf is sealed inside. The resulting tea is very delicate. To prevent cooking the leaves and destroying their subtle notes, green tea should be brewed in water that is well below boiling. Green tea has a short life span - it doesn't stay fresh long. Given the high levels of polyphenols, it is believed to provide significant health benefits.

OOLONG TEA
Oolong tea is oxidized and often rolled after picking, allowing the essential oils to react with the air. This process turns the leaf darker and produces distinctive fragrances before heat is added to set the taste. The resulting tea can be anywhere between a green and a black tea, depending on the processing method. Oolongs can be recognized by their large leaves and a complexity of flavor that ranges from highly floral and intensely fruity to mildly roasted with honey nuances. The tea maker must carefully balance many elements in the critical few hours after the leaf is picked including weather conditions, quality of the leaf, and the time the leaf oxidizes. The finest oolongs are often prepared and enjoyed Gong Fu style to savor their complex tastes and fragrances.

BLACK TEA
Black tea, or red tea as it is known in China, is a result of the complete oxidation of the leaf. First produced in China, the tea increased in popularity when the British cultivated the plant in India, Sri Lanka, and Africa. First the leaf is spread out and left to wither (wilt), losing some moisture, stiffness and much of its weight. Then it's rolled, exposing essential oils to the air and starting the oxidization process. When this is complete the leaf is heated to stop the process, graded for quality and packed. Black teas are known for their robust, full-bodied flavors of cocoa, earth, molasses, and honey.

PU-ERH TEA
Pu-erh tea is aged, post-fermented, and often compressed into bricks. Its name comes from the town of Pu-erh in Southwestern China. Pu-erhs have a strong earthy taste that gains complexity over time. Some prized pu-erh teas are more than 50 years old and are very rare. Drunk for centuries by the Chinese, pu-erh is said to lower cholesterol, aid digestion, and cure hangovers.

Tea and Health

Not only is tea soothing and delicious, but, throughout its history, it has been associated with important health benefits. New studies point to evidence that these healing properties have a scientific basis. While all tea is healthy to drink, Green tea contains the highest level of polyphenols (flavonoids), which are known for their antioxidant activity.

Consumption of tea is being studied for its reported benefits on:

• Enhancing immune function
• Lowering LDL cholesterol levels
• Increasing HDL cholesterol levels
• Reducing blood pressure
• Thinning the blood, reducing the risk of a heart attack
• Lowering the risk of stroke
• Reducing the risk of cancer
• Boosting longevity
• Aiding digestion
• Preventing dental cavities and gingivitis

Much of the focus of modern research is on the effects of three ingredients found in tea:

• Antioxidants (Polyphenols)
• Nutrients
• Caffeine

Antioxidants

Many of the health benefits of drinking tea come from the fact that tea contains high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols or flavonoids. These compounds are most prevalent in green and white teas, but are also present in varying degrees in Oolongs and black teas. In the processing of black teas another antioxidant is formed – theaflavin. This is weaker than the polyphenols in Green teas, but still performs antioxidant activities in laboratory experiments. Polyphenols scavenge cell-damaging free radicals, which are linked with cancer-causing genes and cause LDL cholesterol to form artery-clogging plaque. The polyphenols in tea possess 20 to 30 times the antioxidant potency of vitamins C and E. Antioxidants impair the ability of free radical cells to harm the molecules that make up our bodies.

Nutrients

Tea is a dietary source of important vitamins and minerals. Tea contains Carotene, a precursor to vitamin A; Thiamin (vitamin B1); Riboflavin (vitamin B2); Nicotinic acid, Pantothenic acid, Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin B6; Folic acid; Manganese, Potassium, and Fluoride.

Caffeine

In moderation caffeine can be a benefit - stimulating the metabolism, increasing brain function and alertness. However, the stress of modern life, and the prevalence of coffee and caffeinated colas, has lead people to caffeine overload. The typical cup of coffee has approximately 125-185 milligrams of caffeine. With In Pursuit of Tea full leaf products you can expect a range of about 45-60 milligrams of caffeine for black teas, 35-45 milligrams for Oolong teas, and 15-20 milligrams for green and white teas. Please remember that these are typical levels. Depending upon the type of tea and how it is prepared, caffeine levels can be significantly greater or lower than outlined here. Caffeine is water soluble, so if you lower the water temperature used, less caffeine will be released. For those of you needing a powerful lift in the morning, some of our black teas, brewed appropriately, can have as much caffeine as a cup of the strongest coffee! Because caffeine from tea does not take effect for 10-15 minutes, it provides more of a subtle lift - not the rapid jolt in a cup of coffee. As we like to say "Tea makes you happy; coffee makes you nervous".

The effect of caffeine is also complemented by another compound found only in tea, theophylline. While caffeine primarily is active in the brain and muscles, theophylline is active in stimulating the respiratory system, heart and kidneys. This corresponds to research that tea is helpful in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.

The Process of Decaf

Two processes are used for decaffeinating tea. One, which makes use of the solvent ethyl acetate, retains only 30 percent of the polyphenols. The other is a preferable, natural process that uses only water and carbon dioxide and is called “effervescence.” It retains 95 percent of the polyphenols. Be sure to check labels to see which process was used. If it isn’t
specified, you’ll have to contact the manufacturer to find out.

Tea

Tea refers to the agricultural products of the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of the Camellia sinensis plant, prepared and cured by various methods. "Tea" also refers to the aromatic beverage prepared from the cured leaves by combination with hot or boiling water, and is the colloquial name for the Camellia sinensis plant itself.

After water, tea is the most widely-consumed beverage in the world. It has a cooling, slightly bitter, astringent flavour.

The four types of tea most commonly found on the market are black tea, oolong tea, green tea and white tea, all of which can be made from the same bushes, processed differently, and in the case of fine white tea grown differently. Pu-erh tea, a double-fermented black tea, is also often classified as amongst the most popular types of tea.

The term "herbal tea" usually refers to an infusion or tisane of leaves, flowers, fruit, herbs or other plant material that contains no Camellia sinensis.The term "red tea" either refers to an infusion made from the South African rooibos plant, also containing no Camellia sinensis, or, in Chinese, Korean, Japanese and other East Asian languages, refers to black tea.

Sri Lanka is renowned for its high quality tea and as the fourth biggest tea producing country globally, after China, India and Kenya (See the chart below) and has a production share of 9% in the international sphere, and one of the world's leading exporters with a share of around 19% of the global demand. The total extent of land under tea cultivation has been assessed at approximately 187,309 hectares. All with the cuttings from the tens of thousands of stolen Chinese Tea Plants

The plantations started by the British were initially taken over by the government in the 1960s, but have been privatized and are now run by 'plantation companies' which own a few 'estates' or tea plantations each.

Ceylon tea is divided into 3 groups as Upcountry, Mid country and Low country tea based on the geography of the land on which it is grown.

Nuwara Eliya Tea Land

Nuwara Eliya

Situated at around 2000m above sea level and surrounded by lush tea plantations Nuwara Eliya is the main hill resort of Sri Lanka and the heart of the tea industry. Once a pleasure retreat of the European planters the town is still very much an English town with many English style bungalows and buildings. Nuwara Eliya is a good escape for those who miss cool breeze in tropical Sri Lanka at any time of the year. Local tourists flock to this town in their 'season' from March to May when it is the hottest duration for the town, April being the busiest.

Nuwara Eliya offers many activities for tourists including visits to tea plantations golfing, horse riding, boating, hiking and of course exploring the beauty of the landscaped gardens, waterfalls and plateaus.

History of Nuwaraeliya Situated at around 2000m above sea level and surrounded by lush tea plantations Nuwara Eliya is the main hill resort of Sri Lanka and the heart of the tea industry. Once a pleasure retreat of the European planters the town is still very much an English town with many English style bungalows and buildings. Nuwara Eliya is a good escape for those who miss cool breeze in tropical Sri Lanka at any time of the year. Local tourists flock to this town in their 'season' from March to May when it is the hottest duration for the town, April being the busiest. Nuwara Eliya offers many activities for tourists including visits to tea plantations golfing, horse riding, boating, hiking and of course exploring the beauty of the landscaped gardens, waterfalls and plateaus. The Tea Country Sri Lanka is one of the world's largest exporters of tea. Since the introduction of tea to Sri Lanka in mid 19the century Nuwara Eliya has been the capital of the tea industry. For many miles prior to reaching Nuwara Eliya from either direction you will find acres and acres of tea plantations, infact nothing but tea estates. There are many factories open for visitor's which also have tea sales outlets. Labookelle Tea Centre The Labookelle tea center on Kandy road offers guided tours of the factory free of charge and also runs a sales outlet and a restaurant on site. The Tea Cup Resturent Enroute to Colombo via Hatton, about 10km from Hatton town towards Colombo The Tea Cup is easily recognizable by the large teacup in the front. Maintained by the Watawala Plantations Limited The Tea Cup offers brewed tea and snacks in addition to being a tea sales center. Toilets here were superbly clean. The Tea Factory Hotel Talawakale An old tea factory turned into a fine hotel is about 30-45 minutes away at Kandapola. Managed by one of the largest hotel chains it offers good food and excellent accommodation. St. Clair's Tea Centre Another sales outlet and a restaurant which also offers open seating, on the Hatton Road at Talawakale. Just above the St Clairs falls. There is a good viewing platform from the location Sports and Adventure in Nuwaraeliya Victoria Park in the town itself is good for strolls. Boating at Gregory Lake is available at the boat house on the Badulla Road. Pony and Horse riding is available at the turf club of Nuwara Eliya also situated within the city. Regular monthly races are scheduled from August 2002. Nuwara Eliya Golf Club Walking distance from the town center, built in 1891 the club offers 18 hole course for a green fee of about Rs 1500. Could rent clubs, shoes and buy old balls. Water Falls around Nuwaraeliya There are many popular water falls around the town. Many could be visited as a part of trekking and/or hiking expeditions. Ramboda Falls - 329 ft. is also an attraction in this area Devon Falls drops 97 metres and is named after Devon, a pioneer coffee planter. It is 6 Km west of Thalawakelle and there is a special parking and view Laksapana Falls - off the Nuwara Eliya - Kandapola Road. The Nuwara Eliya beer is brewed from the water of the stream. Hortain Plains , Nuwaraeliya A national park, Sri Lanka's highest plateau is an excellent excursion and a paradise for nature lovers, hikers and bird watching. The grassy plains still host many other wild lives. Also within the park are the World's End, a shear drop of 1000m offers a breathtaking view of the land below on clear days, Bakers Falls and and trails for hikers.