Community & Charities
What are the benefits of drinking tea?
The Chinese have a long cultural history of drinking tea, and for many Hong Kong people it’s a daily habit. Tea contains a lot of polyphenols, caffeine, and various vitamins, that are good for health. There are six main kinds of tea, classified according to the degree of fermentation. In general, the probable benefits are:
| Type of tea | Benefits | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| White tea (slightly fermented) |
Detoxifies; quenches thirst; refreshes | Sau Mei, Bahao Yinzhen |
| Green tea (non-fermented) |
Detoxifies; has anti-oxidants; is skin whitening | Long jing, Matcha, BiLuoChun |
| Black tea (post-fermented or aged) |
Aids digestion, especially of greasy food | Pu-erh, Qingzhuan Dark, Luk On |
| Red tea (fully fermented) |
Warms your stomach; is anti-diarrheal | Yunnan, Ning Black |
| Green tea (semi-fermented) |
Aids digestion; refreshes | Oolong, Tieguanyin, Big Red Robe |
| Flowery tea (non-fermented) |
Dissipates “heat” and “dampness” | Chrysanthemum, Chamomile, Rose |
Tea is good for you, but what else do you need know about it? Let’s listen to what Tea Art Instructor Anne has to say!
Other Arts, Culture & Heritage-related Tips