In daily life, many people enjoy drinking tea. But do you know the science behind drinking tea? How many times should tea leaves be steeped for optimal benefits? What is the ideal daily amount for health? Are tea stains in cups harmful?
How Many Times Should Tea Be Steeped for Maximum Nutrition?
⊙ Nutritionally, bagged tea is best steeped once, while loose tea should not exceed three steepings.
⊙ Tea contains beneficial compounds like polyphenols, which fight cancer, and theanine, which lowers blood sugar, as well as caffeine that stimulates the central nervous system, along with various amino acids and vitamins. The number of steepings affects how much of these nutrients are released. Generally, larger tea leaves release nutrients more slowly, while smaller particles release them faster.
⊙ Compared to loose tea, bagged tea undergoes processing that breaks down leaf cells, resulting in smaller particles. About 80%-90% of nutrients are released in the first 3-5 minutes of steeping. The remaining 10% is mostly released in the second steeping. Thus, bagged tea is best steeped only once, ensuring no loss in nutrition or flavor.
What Is the Ideal Daily Tea Intake?
⊙ For most people, consuming about 12 grams of tea daily, divided into 3-4 servings, is ideal. Those who eat more oily foods or consume alcohol and tobacco may increase their intake slightly. Pregnant women, children, individuals with nervous disorders, or rapid heart rates should drink less.
⊙ With the popularity of gongfu tea, people are drinking tea at increasingly higher temperatures, which is harmful. While tea is consumed for health, overly hot tea increases the risk of esophageal cancer. The optimal drinking temperature is around 60°C, not exceeding 70°C.
⊙ Different teas suit different times of the day: a light green tea in the morning refreshes the mind; floral tea in the morning boosts productivity; black tea in the afternoon combats drowsiness; and oolong or pu-erh tea in the evening is enjoyable without affecting sleep.
Clean Tea Stains Before Drinking
⊙ Tea stains contain toxic substances like cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, and carcinogens such as nitrites. These adhere to the cup's surface and enter the digestive system, binding with proteins, fatty acids, and vitamins in food, forming insoluble deposits. This not only blocks nutrient absorption but also harms organs like the stomach and intestines.
⊙ These oxides can also cause disorders in the nervous, digestive, and urinary systems, and even premature aging. Arsenic and cadmium are carcinogenic and may cause fetal abnormalities.
⊙ So, if you love tea, remember to clean your cup thoroughly before drinking.