How to cook tea

Information for tea in our free cooking ingredients collection.

Tea

Tea is said to be the universal beverage. Made from the leaves of an evergreen plant (related to the camellia flower) steeped in hot water, this beverage is a part of daily life from Great Britain to Morocco to China, where tea is thought to have originated. Most of the leaves grown for the world’s tea are still grown in Asia, although some is produced in the United States.

All types of teas are made from the leaves of the same plant, Camellia sinensis. Typically, finer teas use only the top leaf and bud; stronger, coarser brews use the leaves farther down on a branch. Tea leaves are typically dried after they are picked and then are broken into fragments, which bring forth the oils that give tea its flavor. Climate, soil, and processing give tea different tastes and characteristics.

The main types of tea include:

Green tea - A favorite in Asia, green tea is so named because the leaves are dried and fragmented soon after picking. Tea made from these leaves is mild and fresher in taste than other types of tea. Because of this, green tea usually is not served with milk or sugar. Types of green tea include gunpowder, Tencha, and Gyokuro, a Japanese tea also known as pearl dew tea.

Black tea - Actually a dark reddish brown tea when it is brewed, the strongly flavored black tea is popular in Western nations. It is the most processed and strongest flavored tea. After the leaves are picked, they are allowed to ferment in the open sun before being dried. The size of the tea leaves determines the grading of black tea. Common black tea varieties include Ceylon, Assam, and Darjeeling, considered by many to be the finest black tea.

Oolong teas - Oolong tea has characteristics of both black and green teas. Its leaves are fermented for about half the time of black tea. Oolong tea originated in the Fukien province of China, where much of the world’s production of oolong tea takes place. Formosan tea, named for the former name of Taiwan, is considered by many to be the finest oolong tea.

Blended teas - Often referred to as English teas, these are black teas that have been blended with spices and flavorings to enhance tea flavor and aroma. Thousands of blended teas are available worldwide. Popular blended teas include English breakfast and Earl Grey.

Herbal teas - Not made from tea leaves, herbal tea is a tea-like drink made by steeping herbs, flowers, and spices in heated water. Herbal tea has been made throughout history, often for medicinal purposes or simply to make water taste better. Popular herbal teas are made from chamomile, rose hips, and mint, to name just a few. In France, herbal teas are referred to as “tisanes”. Herbal teas typically contain no caffeine.

Instant tea - Popular in the United States since the 1950s, instant tea is tea that has been dehydrated and granulated so that it dissolves rapidly in water. Often, it also contains sugar and other flavorings.

Store tea away from heat in a sealed container. Tea keeps for about 6 months. After that, it loses its flavor and should be discarded.

Preparation tips

The best tea is made using whole or large fragments of tea leaves, available in many specialty tea shops. Many of these shops also sell implements, such as mesh containers, which allow tea leaves to infuse their flavor into water without leaving the leaves behind.

To make a good cup or pot of tea, start by using cold, fresh, and filtered water (if you don’t like the taste of your tap water). Heat the water to a simmer, do not boil, remove from heat, and add the tea. Steeping guidelines are generally 1 teaspoon of tea per cup of water, but the amount may vary according to the type of tea used. Green teas usually need to be steeped in water for 1 to 2 minutes, and black teas may require 3 to 4 minutes. Avoid oversteeping. More than 5 minutes can make all types of tea bitter.

Serving suggestions

Tea is an excellent beverage at any time of the day. Black teas are typically served at breakfast, often with milk and sweeteners. Herbal teas typically do not contain the stimulant caffeine and thus are excellent choices in the evening. One note of caution: tea itself contains no calories. However, lighteners or sweeteners added to it can add a significant amount of calories and fat. Minimize fat and calories by using skim milk. In addition, afternoon tea, an old but widespread tradition, often includes baked sweets such as scones or cookies. Keep your tea break healthful by limiting these sweets. Serve fruit or slices of wholegrain bread instead.

Teas and possible health benefits

Tea has been consumed throughout history for its supposed curative powers, and medical research now suggests that there are health benefits from drinking green and black teas.

Several studies show an association between consumption of green tea and reduction in the risk for cancer and heart disease. Green tea naturally contains chemical compounds called polyphenols. Within this family of compounds are chemicals that appear to play a role in cell growth and programmed cell death, which could be important in preventing and controlling cancer. Polyphenols also are antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage and may help prevent formation of plaque in the arteries.

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