emilyhampton43
Traditional Tea Ceremony
The tea ceremony, although originating from a Chinese background, is still an important part of Japanese culture. Guests are served a pastry, or cake, to prepare their palette for the unsweetened green tea.
Tea is derived from the amillia sinensis bush. References to tea can be traced to Chinese folklore as early as 2737 B.C.; however, actual recorded history is found in a Chinese dictionary around 350 B.C. Green tea was introduced to Japan by a Zen Buddhist.
Tea has long been valued for its medicinal qualities; however, tea consumption was elevated to an art form by a Chinese monk in his 8th century publication, “The Classic Art of Tea.” While dozens of varieties exist, teas can be grouped into the following broad categories. White teas are made from immature leaves. Green teas are processed without fermenting which causes the tea to retain the color of its leaves. Black teas are made from fermented leaves and oolong teas are made from partially fermented leafs. Green tea contains about one-fourth the caffeine of coffee and is often used to treat insomnia.
Tea is an integral part of the Japanese culture and is reflected in the traditional tea ceremony. The Japanese Tea Ceremony displays the philosophic views of their culture which includes harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. These customs were derived from Zen Buddhist monk customs of drinking tea from a ceremonial cup. Green tea is used in the traditional ceremony.
Green tea is becoming a part of the American diet as part of a healthy lifestyle. While tea’s health benefits have been known for centuries, recent medical studies have documented green tea’s medical powers. The main antioxidant contained in green tea is ECGC. The healing chemical properties are complex and address a variety of benefits. Drinking green tea is reputed to prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, treat rheumatoid arthritis and prevent cardiovascular disease. Green tea even helps remove nicotine from the body which explains that while the Japanese are heavy tobacco users, they do not experience all the ill effects generally associated with tobacco use, such as, cardiovascular disease. Green tea came onto the US market as early as 1996 with the FDA citing limited health benefits. The drinks popularity has surged as more and more evidence has been developed to support its positive effects. Green tea is available in traditional tea bags for home brewing and is also sold in ready to consume packages. As Americans become more health conscious, the ancient Asian “medicine” becomes a mainstream drink.
John Wilkins. 2006. "Food in the Ancient World". Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Pub.
Heather S. Boon. 2004. "The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs". Toronto: R. Rose.
Traditional Tea Ceremony
The tea ceremony, although originating from a Chinese background, is still an important part of Japanese culture. Guests are served a pastry, or cake, to prepare their palette for the unsweetened green tea.
Tea is derived from the amillia sinensis bush. References to tea can be traced to Chinese folklore as early as 2737 B.C.; however, actual recorded history is found in a Chinese dictionary around 350 B.C. Green tea was introduced to Japan by a Zen Buddhist.
Tea has long been valued for its medicinal qualities; however, tea consumption was elevated to an art form by a Chinese monk in his 8th century publication, “The Classic Art of Tea.” While dozens of varieties exist, teas can be grouped into the following broad categories. White teas are made from immature leaves. Green teas are processed without fermenting which causes the tea to retain the color of its leaves. Black teas are made from fermented leaves and oolong teas are made from partially fermented leafs. Green tea contains about one-fourth the caffeine of coffee and is often used to treat insomnia.
Tea is an integral part of the Japanese culture and is reflected in the traditional tea ceremony. The Japanese Tea Ceremony displays the philosophic views of their culture which includes harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. These customs were derived from Zen Buddhist monk customs of drinking tea from a ceremonial cup. Green tea is used in the traditional ceremony.
Green tea is becoming a part of the American diet as part of a healthy lifestyle. While tea’s health benefits have been known for centuries, recent medical studies have documented green tea’s medical powers. The main antioxidant contained in green tea is ECGC. The healing chemical properties are complex and address a variety of benefits. Drinking green tea is reputed to prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, treat rheumatoid arthritis and prevent cardiovascular disease. Green tea even helps remove nicotine from the body which explains that while the Japanese are heavy tobacco users, they do not experience all the ill effects generally associated with tobacco use, such as, cardiovascular disease. Green tea came onto the US market as early as 1996 with the FDA citing limited health benefits. The drinks popularity has surged as more and more evidence has been developed to support its positive effects. Green tea is available in traditional tea bags for home brewing and is also sold in ready to consume packages. As Americans become more health conscious, the ancient Asian “medicine” becomes a mainstream drink.
John Wilkins. 2006. "Food in the Ancient World". Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Pub.
Heather S. Boon. 2004. "The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs". Toronto: R. Rose.