Now we have entered the hottest stage of summer, and many people choose to drink cold beverages to relieve the heat. However, research data shows that those who drink凉茶 (cooling tea/ herbal tea) in summer experience a body temperature drop of 0.5°C to 0.8°C, while those who drink温茶 (warm tea) experience a drop of 0.4°C to 1.5°C. It is evident that drinking tea can effectively lower body temperature. Recently, a Dahe News reporter visited Mr. Dong Gaosheng, President of the Luoyang Tea Culture Research Association. Mr. Dong recommended several teas suitable for summer consumption and taught everyone how to drink tea healthily.
Green Tea Good for Reducing Heat
Mr. Dong told the reporter that one should drink more green tea in summer. Green tea is rich in chlorophyll and vitamin C. It is cool to slightly cold in nature and has the effect of reducing heat (internal fire). Green tea generally should not be brewed with boiling water; water temperature of 80°C~90°C is appropriate. This way, the tea soup will be bright and lively, taste refreshing, and vitamin C will be less destroyed. On the contrary, with high temperature, the tea soup color becomes darker, vitamin C is largely destroyed, and the taste becomes more bitter (as caffeine in the tea easily leaches out), essentially scalding the tea leaves. Additionally, iced green tea is too cold and is not suitable for women or people with cold stomachs.
Common green teas on the market include: West Lake Longjing, Biluochun, Xinyang Maojian, etc.
Oolong Tea Quite Good for Weight Loss and Whitening
Oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea. Its polyphenol content is less than that of green tea, but it contains a special "oolong tea polyphenol" that can preserve vitamin C. Its vitamin C content is the highest among tea types. Long-term consumption of this tea has whitening and anti-aging effects. Mr. Dong said that pairing oily foods with oolong tea can also achieve weight loss effects. A survey shows that drinking 300 ml of oolong tea is equivalent to skipping rope continuously for 7 minutes. Persisting in drinking it for a year can reduce weight by over 2 kg. Ladies who don't want to gain weight must drink more oolong tea.
Common oolong teas on the market include: Wuyishan Rock Tea, Anxi Tieguanyin, etc.
To Choose the Right Tea, One Must Recognize Their Body Constitution
Although drinking green tea and oolong tea in summer is very good, everyone's body constitution is different, so there are requirements for tea drinking. Generally speaking, drinking about 12 grams of tea daily, divided into 3~4 infusions, is most appropriate. The water temperature should be around 60°C. Avoid drinking overnight tea.
People who are obese and have a热 (heat) constitution should drink cool-natured teas. People who are obese but have a虚 (deficiency) constitution should drink warm-natured teas. For those with a燥热 (dry-heat) constitution, they should drink cool-natured teas, such as green tea, yellow tea, raw Pu-erh tea, white tea, and some oolong teas. Those with a虚寒 (deficiency-cold) constitution should drink warm-natured teas, such as dark tea, ripe Pu-erh tea, rock tea, black tea, etc.
Mr. Dong said that people who sit in front of computers for long periods benefit from drinking green tea because green tea has anti-radiation effects. Staring at a computer screen for a long time also hurts the eyes. Drinking 3~4 cups of chrysanthemum tea daily can help restore eyesight to some extent.
Tea Drinkers, Pay Attention
Mr. Dong reminds that one should try not to drink tea on an empty stomach in the morning, as it can easily cause gastritis. It is also not beneficial to drink tea 2 hours before bedtime because tea contains a lot of caffeine, and drinking tea before bed affects sleep. People suffering from neurasthenia, insomnia, hyperthyroidism, heart disease, stomach problems, etc., as well as nursing mothers, pregnant women, and infants, should also not drink tea.
Regarding tea storage, Mr. Dong said tea is most afraid of moisture and odors. The best containers for preserving tea are tin cans, porcelain jars, and colored glass bottles. The containers must be dry, clean, and free of odors. Tea stored in containers should be placed in a dry, ventilated place, not in damp, high-temperature, unclean, or sun-exposed locations.
The above are some suggestions given by Mr. Dong for selecting tea for health care in summer. Mr. Dong finally said that tasting tea is a culture, the quality of tea reflects the quality of a person, and the way of tea reflects the way of humanity. He hopes everyone can drink tea scientifically, drink for health, drink to a state of mind, and have a wonderful summer.