Tea made with sassafras root; popular in the US in the late 1700's as women (in particular) tried to avoid paying steep "tea taxes" to the British
15
How should you stir your tea?
In a back and forth motion (12-6 o'clock) - NO CIRCLES!
25
What is the common name of Camellia sinensis?
tea - a bush (sometimes a tree) with green leaves
15
What process creates different types of tea?
oxidation - enzymes in the tea leaves mix to make new compounds and turn the leaves black
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What keeps green tea green?
heat the fresh leaves to deactivate the enzyme that causes oxidation and then roll the leaves to give a more vegetal, green taste
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What process creates black tea?
Tea leaves are allowed to oxidize (blacken) and then wither (soften) and then roll
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What process is used to create matcha tea?
The tea plants are shaded with black fabric while growing to stress the plants which alters the flavor profile
10
How do you brew green tea?
cooler than boiling (175 degrees) and steep for 2 minutes (hotter water and longer steep time can produce bitter tea)
15
How do you brew black tea?
Use boiling water and brew 4-5 minutes (takes hotter water and more time to release the flavor from the leaves)
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What is the difference with the tea sold as loose leaf vs tea bags?
Loose leaf usually has larger tea leaves which contain more oils; Tea bags usually have machine cut leaves and include tea dust
15
Where did tea originate?
China
15
What did Robert Bruce, a British army major discover around 1823?
Tea bushes growing in Assam, India (meaning that tea growing expanded from China)
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What is Cha Ching?
The first book written about tea, by Lu Yu, in the 8th century
10
What is Chanoyu?
The name of the Japanese tea ritual created by Sen no Rikyu
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Who was Robert Fortune?
A Scottish botanist who snuck into China in 1848 to learn about tea production and took seeds and cuttings back to India
15
What is special about Earl Grey tea?
A black tea flavored with bergomot oil (comes from a type of Seville orange) for Charles Grey, PM - UK (1830-1834) Passed Reform Act to abolish slavery