Why is black tea so popular in Europe?
He black tea It is a variety of tea that is oxidized to a greater degree than the varieties of green tea, oolong tea and white tea. This oxidation process gives it a unique color and flavor, as well as a higher caffeine content.
The properties of black tea include:
- Stimulating: Black tea has a balance in its caffeine levels, higher than other types of tea and lower than coffee. This would allow us to achieve a better state of alertness, attention, physical performance and cognitive capacity during the day.
- Strengthens bones: Some researchers point out that consuming black tea would help develop greater bone density, especially in women 65 years of age or older.
- Antioxidant: The main antioxidants in black tea are polyphenols, natural components responsible for protecting cells from oxidation, reducing the probability of proliferation of free radicals.
- Digestive: Black tea is a good option when you have a full stomach, since it acts directly on the digestive system, facilitating digestion and purifying the body.
- Helps control diabetes: Black tea has phenolic compounds that help regulate blood glucose, being a good support in case of diabetes or prediabetes.
- Decreases appetite and promotes weight loss: Regular consumption of a cup of black tea for at least 3 months could help reduce appetite and accelerate metabolism, thus promoting weight loss.
Regarding its popularity in Europe, black tea arrived through Holland and the coffee growers of London who made it fashionable around 1657.
However, tea drinking only gained notoriety in Europe in the years 1720-1730. Although at first it was an exceptional and expensive luxury enjoyed only by the elite, over time it became more accessible and began to form part of everyday life in many European homes.
Its strong flavor and higher caffeine content compared to other teas, along with the tradition of drinking it with milk in countries such as the United Kingdom, have contributed to its popularity.