"Tea" was originated from the drink made of leaves of tea
tree which is botanically classified and tea can be defined
as 'favorite drink made using plants as materials'. The
word 'Tea' was originated from Fuzien Sheng and Guangdong
Sheng of China, and teas
Green tea is made of young leaves of tea tree taken in
early spring and oxidation enzyme in the leaves was destroyed
to prevent fermentation. Black tea is made of young leaves
of tea tree but leaves are completely fermented. Half fermented
tea is called semi-fermented tea. There is a post-fermented
tea like Puer tea.
Kind of Tea
In accordance with the method
of producing tea, the colors, flavors and tastes are different
and also the names are called differently. There may be a
variety of classification method depending on the place of
production, method of production and time to take leaves,
but in general classification is made depending on whether
tea was fermented or not.
Non-fermented tea
Tea leaves are not fermented at all and it is called
green tea. Green tea is produced in the areas such
as Japan, northern part of China and Viet Nam including
Korea. There are duckweed tea (“Bucho tea”)
which is parched in an iron pot and steamed tea (“Jeungje
tea”) which is steamed in an earthenware steamer.
Bucho tea has good taste and flavor while Jeungje
tea is good in color.
Semi-fermented
tea
Tea leaves are withered and stirred under sunlight
or indoor for 10~70% fermentation and it is mainly
produced in Guangdong Sheng of China and Taiwan.
As semi-fermented tea, there are teas such as jasmine
tea, pojong tea, oryong tea and yellow tea and many
people like these teas to enjoy unique flavor of flower
and the teas are good for reducing weight.
Fully fermented
tea
This is a series of black tea which is made through
complete fermentation of tea leaves. Black teas produced
in various countries fermented more than 95%.
Post fermented
tea
Puer tea is a representative tea as post fermented
tea. This tea does not go through withering process.
Like green tea, tealeaves are stored in an iron pot
covered with lid to maintain moisture in the leaves.
Then leaves are taken out from iron pot, put into
a wooden box or bamboo box and store the boxes for
some time for ripening and natural fermentation by
microbes in the air.
Origin of Tea
Tea was introduced in Korea
at the time of Queen Seondeok of Silla dynasty together with
Buddhism, and there is a record that tea was cultured around
the area of Hwagye-dong in Mount Jiri at the time of King
Heungdeok of Unified Silla dynasty. As tea is known to have
outstanding effect to clear up head, Buddhist priests liked
to drink tea and around the era of Goryeo dynasty tea culture
reached the summit and therefore there was an official government
agency in charge of tea supply, which supplied tea in the
palace.
Traditional Tea
As the efficacy of tea is widely
spread out, people drink our traditional teas a lot in addition
to green tea.
The color
of flower of balloon flower is purple or white. Not only its
root but also young leaves and its stalks are edible.
Green perilla was generally used for seasoning as its taste
and flavor is unique. It has been used for drink by many
people because of its superior nutrition.
As it contains organic acid, it is good for the recovery
from tiredness.
Grape is alkali food and it is good for the recovery from
tiredness.
Sugar or
honey is put into sliced Chinese quinces and stored for soaking.
Chinese quince tea is to drink the water soaked out. This
tea is very good for cold and therefore people drink this
tea usually in winter time.
Wash young pine leaves and put into boiling water.
This tea is good for cold and therefore people drink this
tea in winter time.