Until the recent understanding that green tea is extremely good for your health, black tea has been the tea of choice in the west. Although black tea has some health benefits, it contains nowhere near the amount of antioxidants found in green tea. Black tea is also higher in caffeine content.
It is said that the Chinese emperor Sheng-nong discovered in 2737 B.C. that the leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant could be used for making tea. The emperor was boiling water one day next to this plant, when a few of the leaves fell into the water. Much to his surprise he found it tasted good!
Even though Britain, by far, is the most famous tea drinking country in the west, the Dutch are actually attributed with being the first nation to export tea to the west. The Dutch East India Company sent the first shipment of tea to Europe in 1606. It was a big hit, so by 1610 the Dutch were shipping tea back home on a regular basis.
The name Orange Pekoe, a type of black tea most commonly used in North America, is considered to have originated from these first Dutch exports of tea. Orange-Nassau is the name of a Dutch Royal house and the word \’Orange\’ was given to the exported tea to give it a \’regal standing\’. \’Pekoe\’ is a Chinese word that basically translates as \’white fine hair\’ and refers to the appearance of the youngest freshest tea buds.
These days we are also bombarded with even more of these free radicals. They are produced in large numbers by nuclear, oil and coal power plants, and are also present in gas and diesel emissions from vehicles. As a result, our need for antioxidants is even greater.
As a result of the Dutch exports, the first teas served up in Britain were done so at coffee houses – at very expensive prices! The popularity of tea in Britain didn\’t begin until they started receiving exports from the East India Company in the 18th century. This popularity grew even more during the British Colonization of India in 1858, when exports of tea increased further.
It was also the Dutch that introduced tea to the US. Dutch settlers brought tea with them to a colony once called New Amsterdam around 1650, where it became a very popular drink. Dutch trade of tea also expanded to the US by this time, ensuring the supply of tea for the New Amsterdam residents.
These catechins are not just powerful antioxidants, but can also aid weight loss. Many studies show that catechins can somehow speed up our metabolism. One Japanese study suggests that in high doses, green tea can burn as much as an extra 70-80 calories per day!
Hope you enjoyed this article. My name is Joseph Edwards, my interests are health, natural healing and green living. To learn more about green tea visit Green Tea Weight Loss Info .
