Black Tea
Black tea is made from the dried leaves of Camellia sinensis , a perennial evergreen shrub. Black tea has a long history of use dating back to China approximately 5,000 years ago. Green tea, black tea, and oolong tea are all derived from the same plant.
Black tea is a source of caffeine, a methylxanthine that stimulates the central nervous system, relaxes smooth muscle in the airways to the lungs (bronchioles), stimulates the heart, and acts on the kidney as a diuretic (increasing urine). One cup of tea contains about 50 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the strength and size of cup (as compared to coffee, which contains 65 to 175 milligrams of caffeine per cup). Tea also contains polyphenols (catechins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids), tannin, trace elements, and vitamins.
The tea plant is native to Southeast Asia and can grow up to a height of 40 feet, but is usually maintained at a height of two to three feet by regular pruning. The first spring leaf buds, called the first flush , are considered the highest-quality leaves. When the first flush leaf bud is picked, another one grows, which is called the second flush , and this continues until an autumn flush . The older leaves picked farther down the stems are considered to be of poorer quality.
Tea varieties reflect the growing region (for example, Ceylon or Assam), the district (for example, Darjeeling), the form (for example, pekoe is cut, gunpowder is rolled), and the processing method (for example, black, green, or oolong). India and Sri Lanka are the major producers of black tea.
Historically, tea has been served as a part of various ceremonies and has been used to stay alert during long meditations. A legend in India describes the story of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, who tore off his eyelids in frustration at his inability to stay awake during meditation while journeying through China. A tea plant is said to have sprouted from the spot where his eyelids fell, providing him with the ability to stay awake, meditate, and reach enlightenment. Turkish traders reportedly introduced tea to Western cultures in the 6th century. By the 18th Century, tea was commonly consumed in England, where it became customary to drink tea at 5 p.m.
Black tea reached the Americas with the first European settlers in 1492. Black tea gained notoriety in the United States in 1773 when colonists tossed black tea into Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party. This symbolic gesture was an early event in the U.S. War of Independence against England.
Until recently, tea research has focused on green tea. Green tea is loaded with the compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), a powerful anti-oxidant. Since the fermentation process used to make black tea converts EGCg into other compounds, researchers assumed black tea had less health benefits than green tea. However, recent studies indicate the compounds contained in black tea – theaflavins and thearubigens – do more than contribute to its dark color and distinctive flavor. They also provide health benefits originally attributed solely to green tea.
Black Tea Research
•A long-term study by the Netherlands National Institute of Public Health and the Environment found a correlation between regular consumption of black tea and reduced risk of stroke. Researchers looked at data from a study examining the health benefits of foods that are high in flavonoids – phytonutrients with antioxidant benefits. While some of the flavonoids were obtained from fruits and vegetables, seventy percent came from black tea. The study looked at 552 men over a 15 year period. Researchers concluded that the flavonoids in black tea helped reduce the production of LDL – the “bad” cholesterol that can lead to stroke and heart attacks. Furthermore, men who drank over four cups of black tea per day had a significantly lower risk of stroke than men who drank only two to three cups per day.
•A separate study by Dr. Joseph Vita at Boston’s School of Medicine supported these results. For four months, sixty-six men drank four cups of either black tea or a placebo daily. Dr. Vita concluded that drinking black tea can help reverse an abnormal functioning of the blood vessels that can contribute to stroke or heart attack. Furthermore, improvement in the functioning of the blood vessels was visible within two hours of drinking just one cup of black tea.
•Finally, a study of over 3,000 adults in Saudi Arabia – where black tea is favored over green – found that regular consumption of the dark brew can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by fifty percent.
The types of black tea found in our Nashville tea bar are –
AMBROSIA BLACK TEA
Apricot Tea, Black Currant, Mango Tea, Rose Hips, Orange Peel & Cinnamon Chips
BLACK LAVENDER
China Black tea, Ceylon Chester, Earl Grey, Culinary Lavender buds and Rose Hips
CHAI BLACK TEA
Black teas, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves & pepper
CHINA BLACK TEA
China Black Tea is a premium quality basic black tea
CINNAMON SPICE TEA
Black tea, orange peel, cinnamon bark, cloves and natural flavor
EARL GREY
Black tea and natural bergamot oil
ENGLISH BREAKFAST
An equal mix of Chester (Ceylon) and Kalgar (Indian) Black Teas
HOUSE BLEND BLACK TEA
Blended Ceylon Chester and China Black Tea
LAPSANG SOUCHONG
Black tea from the Fujian province of China. Lapsang Souchong tea (also called Russian Caravan tea) has a famously smoky aroma and flavor. To create this, tea leaves are dried in bamboo baskets over pine fires, achieving a perfect balance of smoke and tea flavor.
ORANGE SPICE BLACK TEA
Ceylon tea, orange peel, orange oil, clovebud oil.
The tea bar is located at:
223 Donelson Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
615-889-0044
Monday – Thursday 10 -5:30
Fridays 10 – 4
Saturdays 10 – 2 ( hours may extend at the demand of customers)
As we always have in this location, you’ll also find essential oils, handmade soaps, candles, gift sets, massage therapy and daily Yoga classes.