Camellia sinensis: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Yabukita-close.webp|thumb|Camellia sinensis, Yabukita cultivar]] | |||
'''''Camellia sinensis''''' is the species of plant whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce the popular beverage [[tea]]. | '''''Camellia sinensis''''' is the species of plant whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce the popular beverage [[tea]]. | ||
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The seeds of ''Camellia sinensis'' and ''Camellia oleifera'' can be pressed to yield [[tea oil]], a sweetish seasoning and cooking oil that should not be confused with tea tree oil, an essential oil that is used for medical and cosmetic purposes, and originates from the leaves of a different plant. | The seeds of ''Camellia sinensis'' and ''Camellia oleifera'' can be pressed to yield [[tea oil]], a sweetish seasoning and cooking oil that should not be confused with tea tree oil, an essential oil that is used for medical and cosmetic purposes, and originates from the leaves of a different plant. | ||
The leaves are 4–15cm long and 2–5cm broad. Fresh leaves contain about 4% [[caffeine]]. The young, light green leaves are preferably harvested for tea production; they have short white hairs on the underside. Older leaves are deeper green. Different leaf ages produce differing tea qualities, since their chemical compositions are different. Usually, the tip (bud) and the first two to three leaves are harvested for processing. This hand picking is repeated every one to two weeks. | The leaves are 4–15cm long and 2–5cm broad. Fresh leaves contain about 4% [[caffeine]]. The young, light green leaves are preferably harvested for tea production; they have short white hairs on the underside. Older leaves are deeper green. Different leaf ages produce differing tea qualities, since their chemical compositions are different. Usually, the tip (bud) and the first two to three leaves are harvested for processing. This hand picking is repeated every one to two weeks. | ||
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[[Nilgiri]] tea comes from an even higher part of India than Darjeeling. This southern Indian region has elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 metres. The flavors of Nilgiri teas are subtle and rather gentle. They are frequently blended with other, more robust teas. | [[Nilgiri]] tea comes from an even higher part of India than Darjeeling. This southern Indian region has elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 metres. The flavors of Nilgiri teas are subtle and rather gentle. They are frequently blended with other, more robust teas. | ||
===Chinese teas=== | ===Chinese teas=== | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* Plant Cultures: [http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/plants/tea_landing.html botany and history of the tea plant] | |||
*Plant Cultures: [http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/plants/tea_landing.html botany and history of the tea plant | |||
* [http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/42/2/211 Jac.OxfordJournals.org], The effect of a component of tea (Camellia sinensis) on methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus. | * [http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/42/2/211 Jac.OxfordJournals.org], The effect of a component of tea (Camellia sinensis) on methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus. | ||
[[Category:Tea]] | [[Category:Tea]] | ||
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[[de:Camellia sinensis]] | [[de:Camellia sinensis]] | ||
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[[fr:Camellia sinensis]] | |||