Golden tea is a traditional Chinese beverage that has been consumed for thousands of years. This tea type is a hot and fragrant beverage, excellent for any time of the year.
Made from high quality green tea leaves and dried chrysanthemum flowers, it is steeped in water which brings out the aromatic flavors in both ingredients. Golden tea can be served directly to your guests as an appetizer or used as an ingredient in buns, cakes and pastries.
Researchers claim that this alkaloid stimulates nerve cells in the brain, improves memory and performance, enhances cognition and learning ability, increases blood circulation to neurons, increases production of neurotransmitter substances (dopamine), inhibits aging proteins involved in cognitive decline and dementia, and may have preventive effects on Parkinson’s disease by reducing symptoms associated with aging.
History of Golden Tea
The history of Golden Tea dates back to about 1300 years ago, when Buddhist missionaries from China brought this type of green tea to Korea, where it was regarded as an exotic product that only the wealthy could afford. It was also called “Buddhist Tea” because it was drunk mainly by Buddhist monks during their meditation periods and prayer sessions.
During the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), Buddhist monks were still considered the guardian of Korea’s traditional culture and values. They were called “Sagely Monks” or “Sagely Men”. The small amount of tea that was made during the kingdom’s early periods was grown, processed, and sold to members of government.
They were considered superior to people like farmers and craftsmen who made objects for ordinary people to use in their daily lives, because tea was considered more sacred than other products.
At first, most of the tea produced simply came from Buddhists’ personal gardens. However, in 1407, the Joseon dynasty ordered its officials to plant tea trees on a large scale.
During the Korean War (1950-1953), cultivation of tea stopped and it was only after this conflict ended that small family farms began producing a limited amount of Golden Tea. This led to an increasing demand for this tea. Later, in 1984, the South Korean government officially designated it as national heritage.
To this day, government officials continue to be the main consumers of Golden Tea, especially when they are entertaining foreign dignitaries. Many people believe that this tea not only makes them healthier but also gives them a “slight spiritual high” when they drink it.
Benefits of golden tea
The benefits of golden tea are plentiful, and it’s no wonder that the ancient Chinese emperors were so keen to experience this special brew. The leaves in this tea contain a high concentration of L-Theanine, which has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality and focus. Golden tea also contains an amino acid called Citrus Aurantium, which is known for its ability to relax the body as well as relieve depression symptoms. With zero calories but a lot of health benefits, golden tea makes for an excellent substitute for sugary beverages like soda and even coffee.
Chemicals used in golden tea
Golden tea is a type of herbal tea that tastes like black or green tea, but has the added benefits of being caffeine-free and calorie-free. It also has tannic acid which can help balance pH levels in your body; it contains antioxidants and polyphenols which are good for your digestive system; it has theanine, an amino acid that helps maintain mental clarity. All these ingredients combine to make golden tea a healthy alternative to coffee.
How to prepare Golden Tea?
Golden tea is an exotic and delicious type of traditional Chinese tea. It’s also one of the more time-intensive types of teas to prepare, as it must be steeped for a longer period than most other types of teas. Follow these steps to make a perfect pot.
- Bring the water to a boil, then pour it over about 3 tablespoons worth of loose leaf Golden Tea for each 8-ounce cup in your pot or teapot.
- Steep the tea for 4 minutes, and let it cool off before drinking.
- Add some honey while still warm if desired; cream can also be added before serving if desired.
- For hot Golden tea, bring water to boil again and pour it over the same leaves. The leaves will last for another two infusions (a total of 10 minutes), after which you can toss them.
Golden Tea is traditionally made using scalded and crushed pu-erh tea leaves, although in the US it is usually sold as a loose leaf tea product, since traditional pu-erh teas are not widely available here.
Steeping golden tea
Next we will be focusing on how to steep golden tea which is a tradition from China that involves boiling water in order to extract flavor from the leaves on top of being mixed with other ingredients such as milk or sugar. There are two methods that we can use to steep golden tea: using a cup or using a pot.
Cup Method
This method is very common in western countries since it only requires the use of a kettle, warm water and some tea leaves. The first thing you want to do is fill your cup with hot water. Wait for it to cool down slightly then add your desired amount of tea leaves into the cup. You can either swirl them around (fann cha) or just let them sit there (wuyi cha). The choice is up to you. After a few minutes, take out the tea leaves with a spoon or tea strainer (gaiwan) and then pour in hot water. Let it steep for as long as you desire and then enjoy!
Pot Method
This method can be used for more than one cup of tea and is more popular in Japan compared to the western world.You will need a pot, either ceramic or metal, that has been filled with water. Bring the water to a rolling boil while adding your desired ingredients such as herbs, flavors and then let it simmer until the liquid cools down to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Centigrade). Once the tea has reached optimal temperatures, it is ready to serve.
Regardless of which method you decide to use, remember that it is up to you to determine how much water is used, the amount of time the tea will steep and the ingredients that are added during each step.
