31-447: (Redirected from Teatree ) Tea tree may refer to: Plants [ edit ] Camellia sinensis (aka Thea sinensis ), from which black, green, oolong and white tea are all obtained Melaleuca species in the family Myrtaceae, sources for tea tree oil Leptospermum , also in the family Myrtaceae, source for Mānuka honey Kunzea ericoides , known as White tea-tree or kānuka,
62-588: A Camellia but a Thea ). Robert Sweet shifted all formerly Thea species to the genus Camellia in 1818. The name sinensis means "from China" in Latin . Four varieties of C. sinensis are recognized. Of these, C. sinensis var. sinensis and C. s. var. assamica (JW Masters) Kitamura are most commonly used for tea, and C. s. var. pubilimba Hung T. Chang and C. s. var. dehungensis (Hung T. Chang & BH Chen) TL Ming are sometimes used locally. The Cambodia type tea ( C. assamica subsp. lasiocaly )
93-552: A council in Adelaide, Australia Westfield Tea Tree Plaza , a shopping centre in Adelaide, Australia Tea Tree, Tasmania , a locality in Southern Tasmania See also [ edit ] Ti-Tree (disambiguation) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Tea tree . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
124-423: A height of some 3 m (9.8 ft). It is native to southeast China. The first tea plant variety to be discovered, recorded, and used to produce tea dates back 3,000 years ago; it yields some of the most popular teas. C. s. var. waldenae was considered a different species, C. waldenae by SY Hu, but it was later identified as a variety of C. sinensis . This variety is commonly called Waldenae Camellia. It
155-718: A strong taproot . The flowers are yellow-white, 2.5–4 cm (0.98–1.57 in) in diameter, with seven or eight petals. The seeds of C. sinensis and C. oleifera can be pressed to yield tea oil , a sweetish seasoning and cooking oil that should not be confused with tea tree oil , an essential oil that is used for medical and cosmetic purposes, and originates from the leaves of a different plant. The leaves are 4–15 cm (1.6–5.9 in) long and 2–5 cm (0.79–1.97 in) broad. Fresh leaves contain about 4% caffeine , as well as related compounds including theobromine . The young, light-green leaves are preferably harvested for tea production when they have short, white hairs on
186-563: A tree or shrub of New Zealand Taxandria parviceps , also in the family Myrtaceae species of Lycium , including Lycium europaeum or European teatree Lycium barbarum or Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree Cordyline australis , known as tī tree in Māori Geography [ edit ] Tea Tree, the former name of Ti-Tree, Northern Territory , a town and locality in Australia Tea Tree Gully ,
217-581: A year, black tea retains its flavour for several years. For this reason, it has long been an article of trade, and compressed bricks of black tea even served as a form of de facto currency in Mongolia , Tibet , and Siberia well into the 19th century. Unblended black teas are often named after the region in which they are produced. Different regions are known for producing teas with characteristic flavours. Many finished black teas consist of blends of various varieties of black tea. In addition, black tea
248-674: Is a species of evergreen shrub or small tree in the flowering plant family Theaceae . Its leaves, leaf buds, and stems can be used to produce tea . Common names include tea plant , tea shrub , and tea tree (unrelated to Melaleuca alternifolia , the source of tea tree oil , or the genus Leptospermum commonly called tea tree). White tea , yellow tea , green tea , oolong , dark tea (which includes pu-erh tea ) and black tea are all harvested from one of two major varieties grown today, C. sinensis var. sinensis and C. s. var. assamica , but are processed differently to attain varying levels of oxidation with black tea being
279-464: Is a type of tea that is more oxidized than oolong , yellow , white , and green teas. Black tea is generally stronger in flavour than other teas. All five types are made from leaves of the shrub (or small tree) Camellia sinensis , though Camellia taliensis is also rarely used. Two principal varieties of the species are used – the small-leaved Chinese variety plant ( C. sinensis var. sinensis ), used for most other types of teas, and
310-658: Is estimated to have diverged from Assam tea around 22,000 years ago; this divergence would correspond to the last glacial maximum , while Chinese Assam tea and Indian Assam tea diverged 2,800 years ago. Chinese small leaf type tea was introduced into India in 1836 by the British and some Indian Assam type tea (e.g. Darjeeling tea ) appear to be genetic hybrids of Chinese small leaf type tea, native Indian Assam, and possibly also closely related wild tea species. Hundreds, if not thousands of cultivars of C. sinensis are known. Some Japanese cultivars include: Camellia sinensis
341-517: Is mainly cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates, in areas with at least 127 cm (50 in) of rainfall a year. Tea plants prefer a rich and moist growing location in full to part sun, and can be grown in hardiness zones 7–9. However, the clonal one is commercially cultivated from the equator to as far north as Cornwall and Scotland on the UK mainland. Many high quality teas are grown at high elevations, up to 2,200 m (7,200 ft), as
SECTION 10
#1732783833134372-693: Is not meant to define the proper method for brewing tea intended for general consumption, but rather to document a tea brewing procedure where meaningful sensory comparisons can be made. This mix is thus more than twice as concentrated for normal consumption. Black tea contains 2 to 4 percent caffeine . The caffeine content of tea is affected by factors such as processing and brewing time. Typically, an 8-US-fluid-ounce (240 mL) cup of black tea without sweeteners or additives contains 47 mg of caffeine, and negligible quantities of calories and micronutrients . The visible film often formed on black tea consists of oxidized polyphenols and calcium carbonate , and
403-572: Is often blended with various other plants or flavourings in order to obtain a beverage. Masala chai has been widely recognised and adapted in the West by locals to their liking since its introduction by the British East India company, with changes in ingredients and the method of preparation to better suit western consumers. The tea is then ready for packaging. Black tea is usually graded on one of four scales of quality. Whole-leaf teas are
434-576: Is regulated by several enzymes. The biosynthetic pathway in C. sinensis is similar to other caffeine-producing plants such as coffee or guayusa . Analysis of the pathway was carried out by harvesting young leaves and using reverse transcription PCR to analyze the genes encoding the major enzymes involved in synthesizing caffeine. The gene TCS1 encodes caffeine synthase . Younger leaves feature high concentrations of TCS1 transcripts, allowing more caffeine to be synthesized during this time. Dephosphorylation of xanthosine-5'-monophosphate into xanthosine
465-674: Is seen on Sunset Peak and Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong . It is also distributed in the Guangxi province. Three main kinds of tea are produced in India: Tea leaves are eaten by some herbivores , such as the caterpillars of the willow beauty ( Peribatodes rhomboidaria ), a geometer moth . Although health benefits have been assumed throughout the history of using tea as a common beverage, no high-quality evidence shows that tea confers significant benefits. In clinical research over
496-424: Is the committed step for the xanthosines entering the beginning of the most common pathway. A sequence of reactions turns xanthosine (9β- D -ribofuranosylxanthine) into 7-methylxanthosine , then 7-methylxanthine , then theobromine (3,7-dimethylxanthine), and finally into caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine). Black tea Black tea (also literally translated as red tea from various East Asian languages)
527-447: Is therefore more pronounced for tea brewed with hard water . Black teas from Camellia sinensis contain flavonoids , which are under preliminary research for their potential to affect blood pressure and blood lipids as risk factors for cardiovascular disease . Long-term consumption of black tea only slightly lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressures (about 1–2 mmHg). Black tea consumption may be associated with
558-441: The early 21st century, tea has been studied extensively for its potential to lower the risk of human diseases , but none of this research is conclusive as of 2017. Caffeine , a molecule produced in C. sinensis , functions as a secondary metabolite and acts as a natural pesticide : it can paralyze and kill herbivorous insects feeding on the plant. Caffeine is a purine alkaloid and its biosynthesis occurs in young tea leaves and
589-595: The highest quality, with the best whole-leaf teas graded as " orange pekoe ". After the whole-leaf teas, the scale degrades to broken leaves, fannings , then dusts. Whole-leaf teas are produced with little or no alteration to the tea leaf. This results in a finished product with a coarser texture than that of bagged teas. Whole-leaf teas are widely considered the most valuable, especially if they contain leaf tips. Broken leaves are commonly sold as medium-grade loose teas. Smaller broken varieties may be included in tea bags. Fannings are usually small particles of tea left over from
620-751: The large-leaved Assamese plant ( C. sinensis var. assamica ), which was traditionally mainly used for black tea, although in recent years some green and white teas have been produced. First originating in China, the beverage's name there is hong cha ( Chinese : 紅茶 , "red tea") due to the colour of the oxidized leaves when processed appropriately. Today, the drink is widespread throughout East and Southeast Asia , both in consumption and harvesting, including in China, Japan, Korea, and Singapore. Similar variants are also available in South Asian countries. While green tea usually loses its flavour within
651-470: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tea_tree&oldid=1240152681 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Plant common name disambiguation pages Place name disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Camellia sinensis Camellia sinensis
SECTION 20
#1732783833134682-541: The most oxidized and white being the least. Kukicha ( twig tea) is also harvested from C. sinensis , but uses twigs and stems rather than leaves. Camellia sinensis is native to East Asia , the Indian Subcontinent , and Southeast Asia , but it is today cultivated all around the world in tropical and subtropical regions. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is usually trimmed to below 2 m (6.6 ft) when cultivated for its leaves. It has
713-430: The plants grow more slowly and acquire more flavor. 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 Chinese variety plant ( C. s. sinensis ) and the large-leaved Assamese plant ( C. s. assamica ), used mainly for black tea. The Chinese plant is a small-leafed bush with multiple stems that reaches
744-674: The precise location of its origin is speculative. Given their genetic differences forming distinct clades , Chinese Assam type tea ( C. s. var. assamica ) may have two different parentages – one being found in southern Yunnan ( Xishuangbanna , Pu'er City ) and the other in western Yunnan ( Lincang , Baoshan ). Many types of Southern Yunnan Assam tea have been hybridized with the closely related species Camellia taliensis . Unlike Southern Yunnan Assam tea, Western Yunnan Assam tea shares many genetic similarities with Indian Assam type tea (also C. s. var. assamica ). Thus, Western Yunnan Assam tea and Indian Assam tea both may have originated from
775-403: The production of larger tea varieties, but are occasionally manufactured specifically for use in bagged teas. Dusts are the finest particles of tea left over from production of the above varieties, and are often used for tea bags with very fast and harsh brews. Fannings and dusts are useful in bagged teas because the greater surface area of the many particles allows for a fast, complete diffusion of
806-468: The same parent plant in the area where southwestern China, Indo-Burma, and Tibet meet. However, as the Indian Assam tea shares no haplotypes with Western Yunnan Assam tea, Indian Assam tea is likely to have originated from an independent domestication. Some Indian Assam tea appears to have hybridized with the species Camellia pubicosta . Assuming a generation of 12 years, Chinese small leaf tea
837-491: The tea bitter (at this point, it is referred to as being "stewed" in the UK). When the tea has brewed long enough to suit the drinker's taste, it should be strained before it is served. A cold vessel lowers the steep temperature; to avoid this, the brewing vessel is rinsed with water at a temperature of at least 90 °C (194 °F) before brewing. The ISO Standard 3103 defines how to brew tea for sensory testing. This standard
868-757: The tea into the water. Fannings and dusts usually have a darker colour, lack of sweetness, and stronger flavour when brewed. Generally, one uses 0.08 ounces (2.26 g) of tea per 8 US fl oz (237 ml) of water. Unlike green teas, which turn bitter when brewed at higher temperatures, black tea should be steeped in water brought up to 212 °F (100 °C) for 3–5 min. Whole-leaf black teas, and black teas to be served with milk or lemon, should be steeped four to five minutes. The more delicate black teas, such as Darjeeling, should be steeped for three to four minutes. The same holds for broken leaf teas, which have more surface area and need less brewing time than whole leaves. Longer steeping times makes
899-416: The underside. Older leaves are deeper green. Different leaf ages produce differing tea qualities, since their chemical compositions are different. Usually, the tip (bud) and the first two to three leaves are harvested for processing. This hand picking is repeated every one to two weeks. In 2017, Chinese scientists sequenced the genome of C. s. var. assamica. It contains about three billion base pairs, which
930-574: Was larger than most plants previously sequenced. The generic name Camellia is taken from the Latinized name of Rev. Georg Kamel , SJ (1661–1706), a Moravian -born Jesuit lay brother, pharmacist, and missionary to the Philippines . Carl Linnaeus chose his name in 1753 for the genus to honor Kamel's contributions to botany (although Kamel did not discover or name this plant, or any Camellia , and Linnaeus did not consider this plant
961-456: Was originally considered a type of assam tea. However, later genetic work showed that it is a hybrid between Chinese small leaf tea and assam type tea. Tea plants are native to East Asia, and probably originated in the borderlands of north Burma and southwestern China. Chinese (small leaf) tea may have originated in southern China possibly with hybridization of unknown wild tea relatives. However, since no wild populations of this tea are known,