BLACK TEA: CHARACTERISTICS, PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS

Black tea is one of those drinks that is not in great demand by people, perhaps due to the intense flavor that distinguishes it. 

Precisely for this reason, very often black tea-based drinks (such as Dolcevita black tea capsules ) are integrated with lemon to dampen the flavor and make it less strong. 

However, trying it is a must since it is not only pleasant to taste but it is considered an energetic substance , capable of stimulating the heart and making blood flow better to the brain. 

These listed above are just some of the benefits that can be obtained from the consumption of black tea, so it is worthwhile to delve into its characteristics and properties .

What is Black Tea?

Black tea comes from the same plant that produces green tea, namely Camellia sinensis, but the production process is different and is divided into four distinct phases, namely withering, rolling, fermentation and drying. 

Having stated this, it should be added that its main characteristics, in addition to the intense flavour, are the dark color and the strong smell . 

Among other things, this drink is not only a natural energizing infusion , but it is also very healthy; in fact, it helps reduce stress while minimizing cortisol levels and has an oxidation coefficient of 100%. 

This is due to the fact that during the manufacturing process the cells of the leaves break down, causing a chemical reaction with the oxygen present in the air, thus determining its characteristic blackish colour. 

Finally, it is important to know that when you drink black tea, in some varieties you can even perceive the smoky notes of the wood and those of tobacco and cocoa. 

In others, however, floral notes and red and dried fruit abound. As can be seen if you opt for black tea, you can enjoy it in a wide variety with very different profiles, although they belong to the same group.

Properties and benefits of black tea

Research has shown that black tea has a wide variety of health-promoting properties. 

First of all, it allows you to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood , which is why it is very easy to find it as an ingredient in many food supplements and pharmaceutical products. 

Secondly, black tea is ideal to consume before meals, as it prepares the digestive system to function properly not to mention that it helps keep the arteries healthy and therefore can prevent major heart disease. 

It also helps to reduce blood sugar levels and protect the immune system and no less important is the fact that thanks to its fluorine content it prevents tooth decay and many oral diseases . 

In this sense, recent research has shown that black tea not only prevents the formation of cavities, but the polyphenols present in it suppress the bacteria that cause it and which hinder the growth of beneficial enzymes. 

Finally, to conclude this overview of the beneficial properties of black tea, it should be added that it reduces stress , activates the mind and is therefore ideal for improving concentration and memory. 

It is therefore an excellent drink to be consumed at any time of the day: at breakfast, mid-morning, before meals or as a snack.

Contraindications: is black tea bad for you?

Although there are no studies revealing negative effects in particular, all organisms function differently, so it is important to evaluate how ours responds to taking this variety of tea at different times of the day. 

Having said this, however, it should be added that all types of tea contain caffeine , but if we compare a cup with one of coffee, the content of theine is much lower in the former. 

From this we can therefore deduce that it is possible to consume several cups of tea a day without any problem and therefore black does not hurt at all. 

As a side note it should be said that as regards the amount of theine that each type of tea has, it is much more complicated to define since it depends on many variables such as the variety of the plant, the chemistry of the soil, the height of the crops and how young the leaves are just to name a few.

Origin of black tea

Many countries in the world produce black tea including China, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Nepal and Argentina. 

That said, it’s important to add that when buying high-quality tea, you often find that the name is the same as the region where it is produced. 

Among the most recognized we can therefore highlight: Ceylon black tea, that is the one coming from Sri Lanka , an island colonized by the British until 1948 when it was called Ceylon. 

Yunnan is also one of the most important regions in the production of black tea; in fact, packs labeled Yunnan Black Gold or Yunnan Gold Tips are very popular . 

Another very popular black tea on land and online markets is Keemun which is one of the most appreciated for its spicy notes with some even fruity, smoky or sweet and with a slightly spicy aftertaste. This type of black tea is traditionally produced in China and specifically in the Anhui region. 

Regardless of the type you choose to enjoy it, it is important to know that black tea, like other varieties, is now available not only sieved but also in capsules , such as the black tea capsules compatible with Espresso Point® made by DolceVita, so it is It can be prepared quickly with a common coffee machine that adopts this infusion system.