Many people who enjoy light green tea are reluctant to try full-bodied black tea, finding its taste too bitter and astringent, seemingly lacking the light and airy quality of tea. During an interview at the Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Deputy Director Jiang Yongwen mentioned that black tea is a fully fermented tea, and its rich, heavy flavor is not only its characteristic but also its benefit, making it especially suitable for drinking in autumn and winter.
Compared to green tea, what are the characteristics of black tea's tea polyphenols? Drinking green tea on an empty stomach can cause discomfort in the stomach. This is because an important substance in tea, tea polyphenols, has an astringent effect and can irritate the stomach, with the irritation being stronger when the stomach is empty. Black tea, however, is different. It is made through fermentation and baking, during which tea polyphenols undergo an enzymatic oxidation reaction under the action of oxidase, reducing their content and thus lessening their irritation to the stomach. Furthermore, these oxidized products of tea polyphenols can also promote human digestion. Therefore, black tea not only does not harm the stomach but can actually help nourish it. Regularly drinking black tea with sugar or milk can reduce inflammation, protect the gastric mucosa, and has a certain effect on treating ulcers.
Many people are not accustomed to the bitter and dark color of black tea. Jiang Yongwen explained that to make black tea lighter, the key is to adjust the amount of tea leaves and water. For most people, 3-5 grams of tea leaves are sufficient. Those who prefer a milder flavor can use even less, ensuring a tea-to-water ratio of 50:1. This means that if you use 3 grams of black tea, you should brew it with 150 ml of water. Black tea paired with a porcelain cup provides the best visual and taste experience. It is recommended to steep each cup for 3-5 minutes.
Black tea is not suitable for drinking when cooled, as this diminishes its stomach-warming effect and may reduce its nutritional content due to prolonged storage. It is best to brew black tea in an open-top cup. Instead of waiting for the cup to be empty before refilling with hot water, it is best to add more water when about one-third of the water remains. This helps to dilute the tea leaves and maintain an appropriate temperature and concentration. The best taste is achieved by refilling the cup three times.