Tea Knowledge: Did you know that tea contains three treasures?

The "three treasures" of tea refer to the three most representative and health-promoting ingredients in tea: green tea polyphenolsphenols, caffeine, and L-Theanine.

These three ingredients not only give tea its unique color, aroma, and functional properties, but also, through their synergistic effect, constitute tea's irreplaceable core value.

01. Green Tea Polyphenolsphenols: The Body's "Preservative"

• Definition and Content: Green tea polyphenolsphenols are the general term for polyphenols in tea leaves, accounting for 18%-36% by weight of dry tea leaves and are the primary source of tea's antioxidant properties.
• Core Benefits: Antioxidant and Anti-Aging: They scavenge free radicals, delay cellular oxidative damage, and slow the aging process.
• Experiments show that the antioxidant capacity of two cups of green tea is equivalent to that of four apples or seven cups of orange juice.
• Health Benefits: Regulate blood lipids, lower blood sugar, inhibit bacteria and viruses, and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
• Properties: A highly active ingredient unique to tea, rarely found in other plants.

02. Caffeine: A Natural "Wake-Up Agent"

• Definition and Content: Caffeine is an alkaloid found in tea, at a concentration of 2%-5%, higher than coffee (caffeine content is approximately 1%-2%).
• Core Benefits: Refreshing and Anti-Fatigue: Stimulates the central nervous system, improving concentration and mental clarity in the short term, and relieving fatigue.
• Metabolism Regulation: Promotes calorie consumption, aids digestion, and may aid weight loss.
• Synergistic Mechanism: Complements with L-Theanine to prevent overexcitement, creating a unique experience of "awakeness without anxiety."

03. L-Theanine: A Natural "Sedative"

• Definition and Content: L-Theanine is a free amino acid unique to tea, comprising over 50% of the total amino acid content and rarely found in other plants.
• Core Benefits: Calming and Inducing Sleep: By increasing the secretion of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine, it relieves anxiety and improves sleep quality. Memory Enhancement: Long-term accumulation can increase brain alpha wave activity, promoting learning and memory.
• Synergistic Mechanism: It forms a "refreshing-soothing" balance with caffeine, allowing tea to be both refreshing and non-indulgent.

◆ Synergistic and Irreplaceable Nature of the Three

• Water Solubility and Absorption: All three ingredients are readily soluble in water and can be directly absorbed and utilized by the body through tea drinking.
• Functional Complementarity: Caffeine provides short-term refreshment, L-Theanine provides long-term calming, and Green Tea Polyphenols provide long-term antioxidant benefits, resulting in multi-layered health benefits.
• Experiments have shown that Green Tea Polyphenols and Vitamin C have a stronger synergistic antioxidant effect, and the combination of caffeine and L-Theanine can optimize central nervous system regulation.
• Global Popularity: Tea is the only natural beverage that contains all three, with an annual consumption of 900 billion cups, far exceeding coffee and carbonated beverages.

◆ Scientific Tea Drinking Recommendations

• Brew Method: Optimally, water temperature should be 80-90°C to avoid damaging green tea polyphenols and L-Theanine.
• Drinking Time: Avoid drinking on an empty stomach or before bed to minimize the stimulating effects of caffeine.
• Tea Selection Tips: Unfermented teas such as green tea and white tea have higher green tea polyphenols content and are suitable for antioxidant needs. Black tea loses green tea polyphenols due to fermentation, but has a more balanced caffeine and L-Theanine ratio.

The combined effects of tea's three treasures make it "the most irreplaceable natural beverage," satisfying daily energy needs while also providing long-term health protection, embodying nature's exquisite balance.