Changes

Tea has been promoted for having a variety of positive health benefits, though generally these benefits have not been adequately demonstrated in humans.

Tea has been promoted for having a variety of positive health benefits, though generally these benefits have not been adequately demonstrated in humans.

The phrase "herbal tea" usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without the tea plant, such as [[rosehip]] tea, [[chamomile]] tea or [[rooibos]] tea. Alternative phrases for this are [[tisane]] or herbal infusion, both bearing an implied contrast with "tea" as it is construed here.

The phrase "herbal tea" usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without the tea plant, such as rosehip tea, chamomile tea or [[rooibos]] tea. Alternative phrases for this are [[tisane]] or herbal infusion, both bearing an implied contrast with "tea" as it is construed here.

==Cultivation and harvesting==

==Cultivation and harvesting==

[[File:TeaLeaves.JPG|thumb|Fresh tea leaves of different sizes: The smaller the leaf, the more expensive the tea.]]

[[File:TeaLeaves.JPG|thumb|Fresh tea leaves of different sizes: The smaller the leaf, the more expensive the tea.]]

Teas can generally be divided into categories based on how they are processed. There are at least six different types of tea: [[white tea|white]], [[yellow tea|yellow]], [[green tea|green]], [[oolong]] (or ''wulong''), [[black tea|black]] (called ''red tea'' in China), and [[post-fermented tea]] (or ''black tea'' for the Chinese) of which the most commonly found on the market are white, green, oolong, and black. Some varieties, such as traditional oolong tea and [[Pu-erh tea]], a post-fermented tea, can be used medicinally.

Teas can generally be divided into categories based on how they are processed. There are at least six different types of tea: [[white tea|white]], [[yellow tea|yellow]], [[green tea|green]], [[oolong]], [[black tea|black]] (called ''red tea'' in China), and [[post-fermented tea]] (or ''black tea'' for the Chinese) of which the most commonly found on the market are white, green, oolong, and black. Some varieties, such as traditional oolong tea and [[Pu-erh tea]], a post-fermented tea, can be used medicinally.

After picking, the tea leaves soon begin to wilt and [[Oxidation|oxidize]], unless they are immediately dried. The leaves turn progressively darker as their chlorophyll breaks down and tannins are released. This enzymatic oxidation process is caused by the plant's intracellular enzymes and causes the tea to darken. In tea processing, the darkening is stopped at a predetermined stage by heating, which deactivates the enzymes responsible. In the production of black teas, the halting of oxidization by heating is carried out simultaneously with drying.

After picking, the tea leaves soon begin to wilt and [[Oxidation|oxidize]], unless they are immediately dried. The leaves turn progressively darker as their chlorophyll breaks down and tannins are released. This enzymatic oxidation process is caused by the plant's intracellular enzymes and causes the tea to darken. In tea processing, the darkening is stopped at a predetermined stage by heating, which deactivates the enzymes responsible. In the production of black teas, the halting of oxidization by heating is carried out simultaneously with drying.

Although single estate teas are available, almost all teas in bags and most other teas sold in the West are blends. Blending may occur in the tea-planting area (as in the case of Assam), or teas from many areas may be blended. The aim of blending is to obtain better taste, higher price, or both, as a more expensive, better-tasting tea may cover the inferior taste of cheaper varieties.

Although single estate teas are available, almost all teas in bags and most other teas sold in the West are blends. Blending may occur in the tea-planting area (as in the case of Assam), or teas from many areas may be blended. The aim of blending is to obtain better taste, higher price, or both, as a more expensive, better-tasting tea may cover the inferior taste of cheaper varieties.

Some teas are not pure varieties, but have been enhanced through additives or special processing. Tea is highly receptive to inclusion of various aromas; this may cause problems in processing, transportation, and storage, but also allows for the design of an almost endless range of scented and flavored variants, such as [[bergamot orange|bergamot]] ([[Earl Grey tea|Earl Grey]]), [[vanilla]], and caramel.

Some teas are not pure varieties, but have been enhanced through additives or special processing. Tea is highly receptive to inclusion of various aromas; this may cause problems in processing, transportation, and storage, but also allows for the design of an almost endless range of scented and flavored variants, such as bergamot ([[Earl Grey tea|Earl Grey]]), vanilla, and caramel.

==Content==

==Content==