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]]. | ||
It is of the genus ''Camellia'' a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. [[White tea]], [[green tea]], [[oolong]], [[pu-erh tea]] and [[black tea]] are all harvested from this species, but are processed differently to attain different levels of [[oxidation]]. [[Kukicha]] is also harvested from ''Camellia sinensis'', but uses twigs and stems rather than leaves. Common names include tea plant, tea shrub, and tea tree (not to be confused with ''Melaleuca alternifolia'', the source of tea tree oil). | It is of the genus ''Camellia'' a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. [[White tea]], [[green tea]], [[oolong]], [[pu-erh tea]] and [[black tea]] are all harvested from this species, but are processed differently to attain different levels of [[oxidation]]. [[Kukicha]] is also harvested from ''Camellia sinensis'', but uses twigs and stems rather than leaves. Common names include tea plant, tea shrub, and tea tree (not to be confused with ''Melaleuca alternifolia'', the source of tea tree oil). | ||
There are two major varieties used for tea, Chinese tea, ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''sinensis'', and Assam tea, ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''assamica'' | There are two major varieties used for tea, Chinese tea, ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''sinensis'', and Assam tea, ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''assamica''. | ||
Beside this two there is also ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''pubilimba'' and ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''dehungensis''. They are also known as Mao Cha (毛茶) and used for Pu-Erh tea. It's unclear whether those two varietal are own species or just a spontaneous hybrid of assamica and sinensis. The same applies for the varietal called "java bush", ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''parvifolia'' or ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''cambodiensis''. | |||
==Nomenclature and taxonomy== | ==Nomenclature and taxonomy== | ||
The name ''Camellia'' is taken from the Latinized name of Rev. Georg Joseph Kamelref, Society of Jesus (1661–1706), a Czech-born Jesuit lay brother, pharmacist, and missionary to the Philippines. Carl Linnaeus chose his name in 1753 for the genus to honor Kamel's contributions to botany (although Kamel did not discover or name this plant, or any ''Camellia'' and Linnaeus did not consider this plant a ''Camellia'' but a ''Thea''. The name ''sinensis'' means ''from China'' in Latin. | The name ''Camellia'' is taken from the Latinized name of Rev. Georg Joseph Kamelref, Society of Jesus (1661–1706), a Czech-born Jesuit lay brother, pharmacist, and missionary to the Philippines. Carl Linnaeus chose his name in 1753 for the genus to honor Kamel's contributions to botany (although Kamel did not discover or name this plant, or any ''Camellia'' and Linnaeus did not consider this plant a ''Camellia'' but a ''Thea''. The name ''sinensis'' means ''from China'' in Latin. | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
''Camellia sinensis'' is native to East, South and Southeast Asia, but it is today cultivated across the world in tropical and subtropical regions. It is an evergreen | ''Camellia sinensis'' is native to East, South and Southeast Asia, but it is today cultivated across the world in tropical and subtropical regions. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is usually trimmed to below 2m when cultivated for its leaves. It has a strong taproot. The flowers are yellow-white, 2.5–4cm in diameter, with 7 to 8 petals. | ||
The seeds of ''Camellia sinensis'' and '' | 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 | |||
==Cultivation== | ==Cultivation== | ||
''Camellia sinensis'' is mainly cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates, in areas with at least 127 cm. (50 inches) of rainfall a year. However, the clonal one is commercially cultivated from the equator to as far north as | ''Camellia sinensis'' is mainly cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates, in areas with at least 127 cm. (50 inches) of rainfall a year. However, the clonal one is commercially cultivated from the equator to as far north as Cornwall on the UK mainland. Many high quality teas are grown at high elevations, up to 1500 meters (5,000 ft), as the plants grow more slowly and acquire more flavour. | ||
Tea plants will grow into a tree if left undisturbed, but cultivated plants are pruned to waist height for ease of plucking. Two principal varieties are used, the small-leaved Chinese variety plant (''C. sinensis sinensis'') and the large-leaved Assamese plant (''C. sinensis assamica''), used mainly for black tea. | Tea plants will grow into a tree if left undisturbed, but cultivated plants are pruned to waist height for ease of plucking. Two principal varieties are used, the small-leaved Chinese variety plant (''C. sinensis sinensis'') and the large-leaved Assamese plant (''C. sinensis assamica''), used mainly for black tea. | ||
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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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However, tea may have some negative impacts on health, such as over-consumption of [[caffeine]], and the presence of flouride and oxalates in tea. | However, tea may have some negative impacts on health, such as over-consumption of [[caffeine]], and the presence of flouride and oxalates in tea. | ||
==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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[[fr:Camellia sinensis]] | |||