What is the tea used in Chinese restaurants? Here we are going to discuss the secrets of this topic today, so stay together. Whenever you visit a Chinese restaurant, the first thing you get on your dining table is a pot of warm tea. It’s a piece of Chinese tradition, hospitality, and culture served right at your table. In China, a daily life tea is the most favorite drink, even if they are at home, office, at work, or in a restaurant. Let’s explore what tea is. The types of it, and many more.
History of Tea
The history of tea spans many cultures throughout thousands of years. The tea plant “Camellia sinensis” is both native and most probably originated in the borderlands of China and northern Myanmar. The old history of tea drinking dates back to China’s Shang dynasty, also known as the Yin dynasty was a Chinese royal dynasty, in which tea was consumed as a part of some sort of medical treatment.
A historic record about the history of tea shows that the start of tea drinking was the 3rd century AD Early credible record of tea drinking dates to the 3rd century AD, first became known to the Western world through Portuguese priests and merchants in China during the early 16th century. Drinking tea became popular in Britain during the 17th century. To compete with the Chinese monopoly on tea, the British East India Company introduced commercial tea production to British India.
The Most Common Types of Tea Served in Chinese Restaurants
Jasmine Tea:
Jasmine tea is always prepared by infusing jasmine flowers, mostly served at Chinese restaurants. A sign of excellent health, Chinese tea lovers prefer natural teas, meaning those without added flavors or colorings. The result? A beautifully aromatic brew that’s light, slightly sweet, and incredibly soothing.
Jasmine tea has served to complement the flavors of Chinese cuisine. It pairs wonderfully with dim sum, seafood dishes, and lightly seasoned stir-fries. Plus, many believe it helps aid digestion — a perfect companion for a big, delicious meal.
Benefits of Consuming Jasmine Tea:
Research indicates that jasmine tea is a good source of antioxidants and may offer benefits for oral health and be good for your heart health. It is good for dry and sensitive skin as well, particularly green tea varieties, which contain antioxidants that protect the skin from UV radiation and pollution, which can cause damage and premature aging. It has also been suggested that Jasmine tea can improve blood circulation. Jasmine tea also brings more nutrients to the skin and contributes to a radiant glow.
Facts About Nutrition of Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea has no nutritive value unless you add milk, sugar, or other food substances to it.
One cup of jasmine tea contains:
- Fat : 0 g
- Calories : 0 g
- Fiber : 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Sugar : 0 g
- Protein : 0 g
- Jasmine green tea leaves also contain some vitamins and minerals, i.e, Iron, Zinc, Potassium, and Copper.
What are the Side effects of Jasmine tea?
Yes, there are minimal side effects of Jasmine tea, as it contains caffeine, which is a major reason for shortness of sleep, anxiety, and stomach problems in some cases. Pregnant women and those with certain conditions should be careful about the limitations of caffeine intake.
Green Tea:
Green tea has prepared with infused leaves and buds of “Camellia sinensis”.
The number of varieties of green tea exists, which differ substantially based on the variety of C. sinensis used, growing conditions, horticultural methods, production processing, and time of harvest. In Chinese restaurants, the green tea is served in plain condition, without any milk it allowing the tea to be in pure, grassy natural flavour, a palate cleanser between bites. The fragrance of green tea at the dining table is no match. Green tea pairs well with just about any dish, from delicate steamed dumplings to spicy Szechuan noodles. Green tea is packed with antioxidants, making it not just a comfort sip but also a health-boosting one.
Benefits of Consuming Green Tea:
Green tea is full of antioxidants, especially catechins, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Green tea also contains a good nutritional level.
A study of middle-aged and older adults shows that frequent use of green tea, associated with a 64% lower risk of memory loss or concentration issues. If you are experiencing memory loss, adding green tea to your diet may offer some protection. Green tea also helps to reduce the chances of cancer, but still, research about this is ongoing. In some research, green tea also helps boost metabolism and promote fat burning.
Nutrition Table of Green Tea:
According to the USDA Nutrient Report, as below
- Nutrition value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
- Energy *** 4 KJ (0.96 Kcal)
- Carbohydrates***0 g
- Fat*** 0 g
- Protein*** 0.2 g
- Vitamins and Minerals
- Water*** 99.9 g
- Caffeine***12 mg
Are There Any Side Effects Of Green Tea?
There are some side effects, and some research has not provided good evidence about the side effects of green tea; they are still under research. Still, it has not been confirmed by research that green tea effect on weight loss or maintenance. Green tea also contains caffeine, which is not good for your sleeping habits, as well as for pregnant women.
In 2018, a panel of scientific personnel of the European Food Authority disclosed that excessive consumption of green tea extract has been associated with “hepatotoxicity” and Liver failure.
In 2015, a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials found that green tea consumption was not significantly associated with lower plasma levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation).
2013 Cochrane meta-analysis of longer-term randomized controlled trials (>3 months duration) concluded that green tea consumption lowers total and LDL cholesterol concentrations in the blood.
Oolong Tea:
There is also a favourite tea of the Chinese that is served in Chinese restaurants called “Oolong Tea”.You can say that this tea lies somewhere in between green tea and black tea. Oolong tea is known to cut through the richness of heavier dishes.
Oolong Tea is produced through a process that includes withering the leaves under strong sun and allowing some oxidation to occur before curling and twisting. Most oolong teas, especially those of fine quality, involve unique tea plant cultivars that are exclusively used for particular varieties. The degree of oxidation, which is controlled by the length of time between picking and final drying, can range from 8% to 85%, depending on the variety and production style. Oolong is especially popular in southeastern China and among ethnic Chinese in Southeast Asia, as is the Fujian preparation process known as the gongfu tea ceremony.
Benefits of Consuming Oolong Tea:
There are plenty of benefits of Oolong tea, We discuss some of the key benefits here:
In today’s life, everyone worries about weight gain. So, Oolong tea is a piece of good news for them, as consuming it helps with weight management. By consuming Oolong tea, you may smooth your stomach and promote a more comfortable digestive system. According to research it shows that regularly consuming Oolong tea may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Also, it has been disclosed in other research that Oolong tea consumption helps to control the blood sugar level. A compound called L-theanine in Oolong tea helps to reduce stress and promote relaxed feelings in the human body. There is also a piece of good news for teeth-caring people, as Oolong tea also protects your teeth from plaque and tooth decay.
Nutrition Table of Oolong Tea:
Calculate by a Cup (8 Oz)
- Calories: 2.4 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.36 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 0 g
- Calcium: Small amounts
- Magnesium: Small amounts
- Potassium: Small amounts
- Caffeine: Approximately 38 mg per cup
Are There Any Side Effects Of Oolong Tea?
Yes, of course, there are side effects such as,
Caffin is top of the list due to excessive use of Oolong tea, you may face Irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, headaches, and anxiety. Also, it seems that in many cases, excessive use of Oolong tea can be the result of stomach discomfort. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers must also be careful that excessive use of Oolong tea can have side effects on the infant.
Pu-erh Tea
This tea is also served in Chinese restaurants. It has been consumed in China since the 7th Century. On the other hand, in the West remains a special drink for a small group of tea lovers.
The name ‘Pu erh’ stems from its place of origin – the Pu’er City of Yunnan, China – and has several different variations. Pu erh is also referred to as ‘Pu-erh’, ‘Pu er’, ‘Puer’, ‘Pu-er’ or ‘Pu’er’. Pu’er City is located in the south of the Yunnan region. The city where this tea originated was surrounded by mountains and a warm and humid subtropical climate that is most favourable for growing tea. The production and export of this tea is a major source of income for the residents of the city. Only aged teas from the Yunnan province of China can be classified as Pu-erh tea.
Producing and exporting Pu-erh tea is an important source of income for the city and the larger area in Yunnan. Pu-erh production is highly controlled to ensure high quality and originality. Only aged teas from the Yunnan province of China can be classified as Pu-erh tea. There is a secret about the quality of Pu-erh tea, is as fine wines, Pu-erh teas become better and full of taste as they get older. Unlike many food that spoils and decomposes over time, In the case of this exquisite tea, letting nature take its course is the best option. Some people even think of enjoying Pu-erh as drinking a part of history. The oldest Pu-erh teas are sought-after collectables that sell for as much as costly.
Benefits of Consuming Pu-erh Tea:
Pu-erh tea is also served in Chinese restaurants. There are many benefits of consuming this tea, i.e.it controls your cholesterol level, improves your blood circulation, and also helps to support your digestive system. In some studies, the results showed that it helps to reduce body fat and increase metabolism. Research suggested that this tea helps to regulate your blood sugar level. Another study suggested that this tea may help in a fatty liver situation. Also helps in stress reduction.
Nutrition Table of Pu-erh Tea:
This tea has a higher level(depending on the strength of the brew) of caffeine than other teas, but still lower than coffee. Pu-erh tea is lower in calories; however, by adding milk or sugar then the calorie level of your tea changes.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Pu-erh Tea?
A research study found that most of the side effects of this tea are due to the caffeine element. Excessive use of this tea may cause irregular heartbeat, dehydration, and dizziness. Excessive use of this tea in pregnancy may cause miscarriage or low birth weight. Sleep disorders may result from excessive use of this tea. Caffeine can trigger headaches in some individuals.
Bottom Line:
Whenever you visit a Chinese restaurant and get that warm cup of tea, it’s not only a tea- it’s a little piece of olden Chinese culture. It can be Jasmine tea, Green tea, Oolong tea, or Pu-erh tea, each one brings its flavor, fragrance, tradition, and benefits of health benefits. Jasmine is light and floral, green tea is fresh and grassy, oolong is rich and smooth, and pu-erh is deep and earthy, getting better with age. These teas not only complement the food but also offer real health benefits — just watch out for the caffeine if you’re sensitive. In short, that tea on your table is a simple but meaningful part of the whole dining experience.
