ple to cultivate the plant for the benefit of the entire nation. Over time, he has become the legendary Father of Tea. Popular teas in China include the following: Green tea, perhaps the most widely studied tea on the planet, has numerous health benefits, such as improving blood flow and lowering cholesterol. Green tea has also been shown to help block the formation of plaques that are linked to Alzheimer's disease. In one Swiss study, MRIs revealed that people who drank green tea had greater activity in the working-memory area of their brains. It has also been shown to keep blood sugar stable in people with diabetes. White tea is the least processed tea and its health benefits include preventing tooth decay, promoting healthy skin and hair, and increased energy and alertness. Oolong tea may offer benefits for heart health, diabetes prevention, bone health, and weight loss, possibly due to the high antioxidants content. It also contains theanine, an amino acid found to promote relaxation. “In my own hands I hold a bowl of tea; I see all of nature represented in its green color. Closing my eyes, I find green mountains and pure water within my own heart. Silently sitting alone and drinking tea, I feel these become a part of me.” – Sen Soshitsu Perhaps no culture on earth loves rituals as much as the Japanese do. Drinking a cup of tea in Japan is treated with a formality and an elegance. They were one of the first countries in the world to hold tea ceremonies, as tea became a staple drink for the religious classes of Japanese priests. One such ceremony is known as “the Way of Tea”, which is the process focusing on how tea is made, and involves aesthetically preparing a bowl of tea from one’s
heart. Everything is always carefully considered when indulging in tea, from the type of drinking vessel to the variety of tea chosen for the particular season. There is a harmony achieved through the ritual of tea drinking and ceremonies are held for a variety of reasons, such as meditative observances of winter sunrises, summer sunsets, the arrival of the full moon, the budding of spring’s first blossoms, and the changing of the leaves from green to gold.
India and it is served literally on every street corner and train station, where you can see people selling it at all times of the day and night. This sweet and spicy tea is said to lower blood pressure, control blood sugar, and reduce bad cholesterol in the body.
Popular Japanese teas include the following: Japanese Sencha, an unfermented form of green tea that is steamed to retain all of its aromatic and healing properties. Matcha tea, a powdered Japanese green tea that is mixed with hot water and therefore the leaf itself is included in the beverage. Matcha Tea Recipe • 1 teaspoon of Matcha powder • 6 ounces of hot water, divided Boil 6 ounces of water. In a bowl, combine matcha powder and 1 ounce of hot water. Using a bamboo whisk, whisk rapidly until the mixture forms a thin paste. Slowly add the rest of the hot water to the paste, as you continuously whisk the mixture for about 1.5 minutes, creating a light foam on top. Pour into your teacup and enjoy. By the end of the 3rd century CE, tea had become China’s number one beverage. By the 8th century CE, the Chinese were already trading tea to Tibetans, Arabs, Turks, nomadic tribes of the Indian Himalayas, and along the Silk Road into India. It was not until the 17th century CE that tea reached European soils. The British introduced tea to India to break China’s monopoly on tea. Today, India is the largest consumer of tea worldwide. Chai is the national drink in
Chai Tea Recipe • 8 ounces of water • 4 ounces of whole milk • Granulated sugar to taste • 1 tablespoon of black tea • 4 cardamom pods smashed with side of a knife • Small cinnamon stick • Small piece of fresh ginger • 10 fennel seed Bring water and milk to a simmer with spices in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to lowest setting and add tea. Steep until tea takes on a deep, pinky-tan color, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain into a cup and stir in sugar to taste.
Natasha Kubis is a licensed acupuncturist and certified yoga teacher. For more information, visit acuwellhealth.com
January 2021 | thesofiamagazine.com
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