Black tea seems to be the simplest drink you can imagine. Many people drink it instead of water at any time of the day. Others brew it for special occasions and experiment with different recipes and additives.
Let’s check if all of you know about the black tea known for us from the childhood. In the comments, you can honestly share what facts became a discovery for you.
What are the benefits of black tea?
Due to fermentation, black tea is considered to be less healthy than green tea. However, it is full of valuable substances that make it a welcome guest on our tables.
This is what black tea gives us:
- antioxidant protection against chronic diseases and cell damage;
- a mild tonic effect for the brain and body, increasing concentration and surge of strength;
- strengthening of immunity due to improvement of bowel function;
- lowering of blood pressure and stroke risk;
- lowering the level of triglycerides (that is important for blood vessels and the heart);
- decrease in blood sugar;
- fixative effect, important during intestinal disorders.
How much caffeine is in a cup of black tea?
On average, 1 g of loose black tea contains 22-28 mg of caffeine. A cup with a volume of 250 ml contains on average from 10 to 50 mg of caffeine, depending on the type of tea, the time of insisting the drink and its “purity” (whether it was diluted with boiling water or not). The longer the tea leaves are in hot water, the more caffeine is allocated.
Should you add milk to black tea?
It’s a matter of taste. You should understand that due to it the drink significantly changes its properties. On the one hand, milk adds extra nutrients. Such tea can even be regarded as food if you put sugar in it. This is a great option for winter hikes, for instance. On the other hand, scientists tend to consider milk as a product that reduces the protective value of drinks that contain polyphenols. According to several studies, milk protein makes tea less beneficial. If you cannot live without “whitened tea”, it may be worth to replace cow milk with plant milk – oat or (even better) almond milk.
Can you lose weight with the help of black tea?
It is possible if you take black tea in combination with other measures aimed at reducing weight. By itself, tea will not make you slimmer, but thanks to polyphenols, it will help to improve the functioning of the intestines and liver, which will contribute to the improvement of metabolism.
Should you give black tea to children?
Yes, if the child wants to share this pleasure with adults. The substances contained in the tea will benefit the younger members of the family. However, you should not treat them from your cup: the infusion should be weak, it should have a light color and a delicate taste without signs of bitterness or astringency.
Dosage should be followed according to medical standards:
- children aged two years old – no more than 50 ml. max 4 times a week,
- children aged three years old – no more than 100 ml. of tea once every two days,
- children aged six years old – no more than 200 ml. of tea daily.
It is best to give tea to easily excitable and very mobile children in the first half of the day, as it has a tonic effect.
Can I drink yesterday’s tea?
Actually, it’s a bad idea. Of course, you will not get poisoned, but you will get an additional set of bacteria that have accumulated in the drink during the day (especially in the warm season). In addition, all the useful properties will disappear overnight, as well as the aromatic and taste ones. You can drink it, but there is no joy.
Is it useful to drink tea with lemon?
As with milk, there are pros and cons to adding this ingredient. The benefits of adding lemon are that you can get more energy and vitamin C, extra protection against viruses and bacteria, and ease nausea caused by motion sickness or pregnancy. The disadvantages include the deterioration of tooth enamel and an additional irritating factor in the case of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, peptic ulcer, etc.). In order not to harm your body, do not drink tea with lemon on an empty stomach and rinse your mouth with water afterwards.
How to properly brew black tea
To make black tea tasty and healthy, try to follow simple rules as much as possible:
- Pour boiling water over the brew, ideally at the second stage of boiling (when the first large bubbles appear). The hotter the water, the better the flavor, and more aroma and nutrients are released from the dry leaf.
- The recommended proportion is 2 teaspoons per 1 cup of boiling water.
- Before brewing, preheat the brewing kettle by rinsing it with hot water.
- You can infuse tea from 1 to 5 minutes, depending on your taste preferences (the longer you brew the drink, the more tart and rich its taste will be).
- Black tea can last no more than 3-4 infusions when it is brewed by pouring.
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