Red tea

Red tea in the understanding of the Chinese and Europeans - not the same thing. In Europe, the so-called semi-fermented drink, which has a reddish-brown color and a dark reddish infusion (the name is chosen by the color of the leaves). In China, this is considered a fermented version, which we call black (name by the color of the brewed beverage). Quality red tea is determined in appearance: the leaves are dense dark color, twisted longitudinally.

If we talk about that red tea, which we call it in our latitudes, it is oolong. The name is characterized not by the beverage itself, but by the way it is processed (fermented). It is made from leaves with a lot of moisture and a fine structure. Specialists in labeling tea varieties still use Chinese terminology.

Red Chinese tea requires a special way of care and treatment. High-quality varieties can be produced only in China and Taiwan, where all the traditions of its processing are strictly observed. It is believed that the occurrence of this tea by accident. It is associated with a jump in air temperature and a strong fog, due to which the leaves acquired new properties.

Red tea has fermentation up to 60%, it is slightly oxidized and has a special taste. Refers to elite varieties of high-quality beverages. Some of its types are made from the youngest leaflets collected from bushes, which grow only in the highlands.

The collected leaves are laid out in a special way for drying (about fifteen hours), then, when they become soft, they are twisted. Technologies for processing different types of tea are different. It can be dense twisting of leaves (manually or by machine) or squeezing up to isolation and impregnation with juice. Also, the technology differs in carrying out the fermentation process (only the edges of the leaves are oxidized or completely).

Chains of tea leaves differ in shape. In quality varieties the leaves are twisted longitudinally and the tea leaves look like thin sticks. Dark brown color and sparkle called sparkle is characteristic of all varieties of this type without exception.

Red tea has a number of beneficial properties. Their presence is due to the very technology of fermentation. Exposure to sheets of moisture, heat and air leads to the disintegration of the cellular structure, as a result of which new elements (flavins and others) are created in the sheet. Due to this, a large number of useful substances (vitamins, polyphenols, amino acids, various types of sugar) are concentrated in the tea leaves. Therefore, this tea is good and fairly quickly strengthens the immune system and generally has a beneficial effect on the entire body. It stimulates the activity of the brain, has a certain analgesic effect, increases the elasticity and strength of the vessels, improves kidney function and cell metabolism (removes toxins).

Brew tea with boiling water at 95-100 degrees. Insist different varieties from two to seven minutes.

"Red Robe" is tea, which is the most expensive in the world. The name comes from the Chinese "Da Hung Pao" and is associated with a legend about the gift of his immortal saint to an old woman who shared the last guest of rice. The tea bush appeared from the saint's staff, which he sank into the ground.

The tea leaf was sent to the emperor, and the brewed drink saved his beloved concubine from the illness. As a token of gratitude, the emperor gave the magic tree a red dress with royal shoulders. Tea was called "emperor of oolong oolong tea". It is grown in the north of the Chinese province of Fujian. Leaves gather from six bushes, whose age is more than 350 years, near the monastery of Tianxin. For a year you can collect no more than a half-kilogram, so its cost reaches almost 700 thousand dollars per kilogram.