Why The Benefits Of Black Tea Are Even Better Than The Taste

One of the most popular of all dark teas in Black Tea which is very widely drank in the U.K. where it is a customary staple in their breakfasts. Even though it is derived from the exact same plant as green tea, white, and oolong tea Black Tea has a much stronger flavor and is a lot darker as well.

You may be wondering how it is possible to get so many different types of teas from the same plant. With Black Tea it goes through many more steps in processing than green tea for example. The tea leaves are first withered then rolled to take advantage of the anti-oxidant polyphenols that are abundant in the leaves. After this process the leaves are fermented by leaving them out in the humidity and heat after which they are then dried and packed for delivery.

Although it is the difference in the processing that accounts for the majority of the difference in the taste of Black Tea over others it is also true that the taste can vary according to where it is grown, much like coffee and even wine. Some may be fruity or flowery tasting depending on where they are grown as the soil and climate of certain regions affect taste.

Even though in modern times it is the English that we may think of when we first think of tea, it has been the Chinese who have been drinking tea for thousands of years and they began drinking it for the health benefits, not the taste. Tea is said to benefit those with ailments such as stomach pain, headaches, and even more serious conditions like coronary disease and cancer.

According to research it is the compounds called theaflavins and theaburigins are polyphenols that in addition to giving Black Tea its dark color, are also antioxidants that assist the body in getting rid of the harmful free radicals that are known to cause certain diseases and some forms of cancer. These are similar to the antioxidants that are also found in dark fruits and vegetables as well.

One study that was done in Louisiana by the American Heart Association concluded that the consumption of Black Tea could possibly help reduce the incidence of strokes and heart attacks by minimizing the clogging of arteries. This is accomplished due to the tea's influence on the body to produce more nitric acid which causes the arteries to expand allowing for greater blood flow.