Tea

“Tea is instant wisdom – just add water!” - Astrid Alauda

By Michael Kimber Y5C

ContentsTea processing …………………………… 2-3

Top ten tea facts …………………………. 4-5

The search for a mystery tea …………... 6-8

How to read tea leaves…………………... 9-10

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References…………………………………12Glossary…………………………………...10-11

1. The tea leaves are brought in from the plantation center and are then weighed.2. They are then transported to the factory to be processed.3. The tea will then go through the withering process.4. It then goes through the rolling process(sometimes the tea goes through a different process depending on the kind of tea).5. The tea then goes into the the fermentation (sometimes it depends on what kind of tea it is so it might go through a different process).6. Then the tea will go to the firing process and will also be dried.

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The tea is then packaged in boxes and taken to markets, supermakets and specialist shops to be sold.

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10 Tea facts 1. Tea was discovered in China about 5,000 years ago. It was discovered by Chinese Emperor Shen-Nung .He was known as the “divine healer”

2. Teas that contain caffeine help you to stay awake.

3. Water is most popular drink in the world followed by tea.

4. The four most common types of tea are black tea, oolong tea, green tea and white tea. They are all made from the same bushes – but processed differently.

5. Approximately 85% of the tea consumed in America is iced tea.

6.Much of the world’s tea is grown in mountainous areas – 3,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level.

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7. Recent research has shown that drinking 3 to 5 cups of black tea a day can reduce the risk of a heart attack.

8. Dried tea loses its flavour quickly when exposed to air.

9. Africa produces 25% of all the tea currently sold in the world.

10.Only the top 1 to 2 inches of the mature plant are picked.

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Mystery TeaResults of blind tasting this tea:This tea is sometimes enjoyed with milk and sugar. But to really enjoy its’ delicate, sweet taste and flavour no milk and sugar should be added. Adding a small amount of honey will enhance the flavour of the herb in this tea. Descriptions of the flavour include hot apriot jam, floral honey and dried fruit mix. Most people say it has a mildly sweet flavour. It is also yummy served as an iced tea.

Health effects:This tea has no caffeine which makes it suitable for night time drinking. It is also known as a calming beverage. It has been a used as a traditional medicine in Africa for healing coughs and sore throats.

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Origin:International interest in this tea can be traced back to the sea trade of the Dutch and the British at a settlement which eventually became known as Cape Town in 1652. The traders became interested in the tea after watching the local Khoisan tribes drinking the tea.

Today:In 2001, South African farmers started farming this tea and exporting it to England, America, Singapore and Korea. Before, the tea had grown naturally in high, mountainous areas and was very difficult to harvest. The tea has become more and more popular because of its medicinal value.

Are you smart enough to guess which tea I have written about?

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Honeybush Tea…Healthy tea from South Africa!

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Put a pinch of tea leaves in a cup and pour boiling water over them. Allow the cup to stand for three minutes. The person whose future is being told should then drink the tea, leaving the tea leaves and a small amount of water at the bottom. Then you have to use your imagination for the next part! Pour the excess water out of the cup and try to look for the following pictures. It is the same as making pictures out of clouds!

How to read tea leaves… just for fun!

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If you see the following:

Acorn – continued and improved health .

Anchor – Success in business and love.

Heart - A lover. If close to a ring, marriage to the present lover.

Sun, Moon and Star - great happiness and success.

Owl – Indicates sickness or poverty.

Palm tree – Prosperity and fame.

Elephant – good health and happiness.

Triangles – Unexpected good fortune.

Birds – A fortunate journey.

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GlossaryPlantation centre – a group of planted trees or plants

Processed – a mass produced product

Withering –a process of fading, decaying or shriveling

Fermentation – a chemical change

Emperor Shen-Nung – Leader in Ancient China in the year 2737 BC

Mountainous – abounding or characterized by many mountains 1

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Caffeine – a white crystalline used a stimulant.

Beverage – a drinkable liquid.

Traditional medicine – medical knowledge handed down over centuries.

Khoisan tribe – a group of people found in South Africa in the 17th century.

Medicinal value – has the properties of a medicine.

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References.1. www.quotegarden.com

2. www.teaherbaltea.com

3. www.wikipedia.org

4. www.africatea.com

5. www.teausa.org

6. www.itmonline.org

7. www.the-color-of-tea.com

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