Natural Gran's Tea Aisle

Remember that old exclamation: “Not for all the Tea in China”? It was a common early expression of my mother’s, meaning that nothing could induce her to change her mind. There was a LOT of tea in China—and actually, still is. China continues to produce and export about a quarter’s of the world teas. Camellia sinensis is an evergreen plant that grows mainly in tropical and sub-tropical climates of the world. It requires at least 50 inches of rainfall a year, and prefers acidic soils. Many high quality tea plants grow at elevations up to 1500 meters (5,000 ft), as the plants grow more slowly and acquire a better flavor. Only the top 1-2 inches of the mature plant are picked. These buds and leaves are called flushes, and a plant will grow a new flush every seven to ten days during the growing season. 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 China plant (C. sinensis sinensis) and the large-leaved Assam plant (C. sinensis assamica). Leaf size is the chief criterion for the classification of tea plants.. Based upon this criterion, tea is classified into (1) Assam type characterized by the largest leaves, (2) China type characterized by the smallest leaves and (3) Cambod characterized by leaves of intermediate size. An Herbal Tea, Tisane, or ptisan, is an herbal infusion made from anything other than the leaves of the tea bush (Camellia sinensis). Those of us who drink a lot of tisane, begin to refer to it as “tea”…. And when we are asked if we would like a cup of tea at a friend’s in the evening, sometimes react violently to a steaming pot of the “real” thing, complete with its caffeine and tannic acid. Herbal teas are often consumed for their physical or medicinal effects, especially for their stimulant, relaxant or sedative properties. The medicinal benefits of specific herbs are often anecdotal or controversial, and in the United States and elsewhere, makers of herbal teas are not allowed to make unsubstantiated claims about the medicinal effects of their products. But, just as you will find the conventional black, white, green, etc. teas alongside herbal teas (or even in blends of both) in most stores, you will find both listed interchangeably as citizens of Natural Gran’s Tea Aisle. A good book, a cup of tea, a comfy chair—is there greater pleasure to be had? Enjoy!