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With the wave of technological advancements, many tea-related institutions, research organizations, and companies have actively embraced change. They leverage technology to empower the entire tea industry’s value chain, continuously exploring innovations that infuse sustainable development into the tea industry. In a series of articles, we document the intelligentization explorations at various stages of tea cultivation in China.

The emergence of smart tea gardens has enabled precision and automation in tea garden management. By comprehensively sensing, managing, analyzing, and sharing data, these systems allow for the monitoring and management of tea plants throughout their entire growth cycle.

Green tea has been consumed for thousands of years and is renowned for its remarkable health benefits. Originating in China but widely used throughout Asia, this beverage has a multitude of bioactive compounds that make it one of the healthiest drinks on the planet.

Rich in Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds

Green tea is loaded with polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins, which function as powerful antioxidants. These substances can reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage. These free radicals are known to play a role in aging and various diseases.

This article describes how to make bubble tea(boba tea) from scratch, including homemade tapioca pearls and milk tea. If you prefer a simpler process, you can purchase pre-made tapioca pearls and skip steps 1 and 2 of the tapioca pearl preparation:

Ingredients Needed:

• Water (approximately 100ML + 200ML)
• Potato starch
• Flour (a small amount, to prevent sticking)
• Brown sugar
• Black tea bag (1 bag)
• Milk (1 carton)

Instructions:

1. Making Tapioca Pearls Prepare the materials. Add 100ML of water and a block of brown sugar into a pot. Heat until the brown sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is boiling. Immediately pour the boiling brown sugar water into the potato starch, stirring quickly to form a dough. Remove the dough and knead it on a clean surface until smooth. Roll the dough into small balls, making them moderately sized since they will expand when cooked. Sprinkle some flour on the pearls to prevent sticking. Any extra pearls can be frozen for future use; simply cook them directly from the freezer when needed.

Many foods besides coffee contain caffeine, which can easily cause insomnia in sensitive individuals. Understanding the caffeine content in food is important for those who are sensitive to caffeine and want to avoid sleepless nights. The caffeine content of everyday foods is described next.

Why Does Caffeine Keep Us Awake?

Caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid naturally found in many plants. Its allure lies in its ability to stimulate the central nervous system and reduce feelings of fatigue. In the brain’s central nervous system, there is a substance called adenosine that signals the brain when the body is tired and needs rest. When we consume caffeine, it competes with adenosine by binding to its receptors, preventing adenosine from signaling the brain to rest, thus keeping us awake and alert.

In modern society, coffee and tea are two popular beverages. However, there is ongoing debate about the habits of drinking coffee and tea on an empty stomach and after meals. This article explores the effects of consuming coffee and tea on an empty stomach and after meals, providing readers with reasonable drinking advice based on scientific principles.

1. The Effects of Drinking Coffee on an Empty Stomach Many people have the habit of drinking a cup of coffee on an empty stomach in the morning to wake up. However, this practice may have adverse health effects. First, drinking coffee on an empty stomach may reduce appetite, affecting breakfast intake, which can negatively impact nutritional intake throughout the day. Additionally, the stimulants in coffee, such as caffeine, may irritate the stomach lining and increase stomach acid secretion, potentially leading to stomach pain, ulcers, and other digestive system issues over time.

Therefore, it is recommended to adjust the time of coffee consumption to after breakfast or lunch. At this time, the stimulating effect of coffee can help people better handle work and study, while also promoting digestion and absorption of food.

Fragrant coffee is a favorite for many people, but how many cups are best to drink each day? A study presented at the 2021 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Annual Meeting suggests that drinking up to 3 cups a day can help reduce the risk of stroke and fatal heart disease.

Researchers introduced that this study indicates that long-term, regular coffee consumption is safe. Even with a follow-up of 10 to 15 years, drinking a lot of coffee daily was not associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes or all-cause mortality.

While green tea leaves contain more caffeine per gram than coffee beans, people often find they can drink more green tea without experiencing the same intense effects as they would from coffee. Here’s why:

1. Brewing Quantity and Method Differences Green Tea: A typical cup of green tea is brewed using about 2 to 3 grams of tea leaves. The steeping time for green tea is relatively short, usually 2 to 3 minutes, which limits the amount of caffeine released into the water. Coffee: On the other hand, brewing a cup of coffee typically involves around 10 grams of coffee grounds. Coffee is steeped or brewed for a longer period, usually 4 to 5 minutes, allowing more caffeine to be extracted.

In the lush, verdant hills of Yunnan, China, grows a unique variety of coffee known as Catimor. This hybrid, known for its robust resistance to disease and its flavorful beans, is not just a favorite among coffee enthusiasts for its taste but also potentially for its weight loss benefits. Here’s a look into why Catimor coffee might be your new partner in your weight loss journey.

The Link Between Catimor Coffee and Weight Loss

Tea is one of the most popular beverages worldwide, and its health benefits have been studied extensively. Among the many varieties, green tea and black tea stand out for their unique properties and health benefits. In this article, we will compare green tea and black tea, focusing on their caffeine content, effects on cholesterol levels, oral health benefits, cardiovascular and cancer prevention properties, and essential minerals.

Caffeine Content: Green Tea vs. Black Tea One of the primary differences between green tea and black tea is their caffeine content. Green tea generally contains less caffeine than black tea. On average, an 8-ounce cup of green tea has about 20-45 milligrams of caffeine, while black tea contains about 40-70 milligrams per cup. This makes green tea a better choice for those who are sensitive to caffeine or looking to reduce their caffeine intake.

Tea, one of the most universally consumed beverages, is deeply woven into the fabric of daily life across the globe. While its cultural significance is profound, it’s essential to remember that at its core, tea is a refreshingly simple drink.

1. Tea in Everyday Life Tea’s appeal lies in its versatility and accessibility. Whether it’s a comforting cup of black tea in the morning, a refreshing glass of iced green tea on a warm afternoon, or a soothing mug of herbal blend before bed, tea fits seamlessly into various parts of our day. It is both a stimulant and a relaxant, admired for its ability to adapt to different needs and times.

Oolong tea, as a semi-fermented tea, combines the processing methods of both green and black tea, placing its quality between the two. Known as Qingcha, Oolong tea is diverse and distinctly unique among Chinese teas. Originating from the same tea plant as green tea, Oolong tea differentiates itself through its fermentation process. It is crafted through steps including plucking, withering, shaking, partial fermentation, and roasting, resulting in superior quality tea that, when consumed in moderation, benefits the human body.

Spanning a 1.5 kilometer waterfront and encompassing 17,000 square meters of riverside space, the 2024 Shanghai International Coffee Culture Festival has kicked off with vigor as part of the “Double Five Shopping Festival” in the airy Xuhui riverside area. This year’s event, themed “Taste the World in Shanghai,” focuses on “internationalization” and “boosting consumption,” further polishing Shanghai’s new calling card of “coffee culture.”

Building on the success of the previous three editions, this year’s “Coffee Culture Week” has been elevated to a “Coffee Culture Festival,” becoming a highly influential urban festival IP. How does a simple cup of coffee meet the developmental stride of Shanghai city? Shanghai answers: Coffee is not just a drink; it is a medium that continuously enriches the coffee culture, innovates coffee consumption scenarios, and blends international perspectives with local innovations. Traditional culture and contemporary trends merge with commercial forms and cultural sentiment, making the aromatic fragrance of coffee a vibrant footnote to the city’s “open, innovative, and inclusive” character, adding a lively touch to the city’s soft power.

Caffeine, a natural stimulant found in both coffee and tea, is one of the most consumed substances worldwide. While both beverages are cherished for their stimulating effects and rich flavors, the caffeine content and its impact can vary significantly between them. Understanding these differences is crucial for those sensitive to caffeine or looking to manage their intake.

1. Caffeine Levels Coffee generally contains significantly more caffeine than tea. A typical 8-ounce (240-milliliter) serving of coffee can contain between 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine. In contrast, the same amount of black tea usually has about 40 to 70 milligrams, while green tea ranges between 15 to 50 milligrams.

As we are currently in the critical period of spring tea production, the Crop Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has organized the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center, the National Tea Industry Technology System, and the Tea Expert Guidance Group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to research and propose technical guidelines for spring tea garden management.

Responding to Spring Cold Spells

Frost Prevention

Keep an eye on local weather information. When the temperature drops to around 0°C, cover the canopy of mature tea trees with non-woven fabric, woven bags, multiple layers of plastic film, or multiple layers of shade nets, with a height of 20-50 cm above the canopy. Shelters that are elevated above the canopy are more effective. In tea gardens with irrigation systems, turn on the irrigation system before the frost melts to spray water on the tea trees, which can effectively prevent frost damage by washing away the frost on the leaves. Large-scale tea gardens are advised to install anti-frost machines. When frost occurs, turn on the machine to blow air, disturbing the near-ground air to raise the surface temperature of the trees and avoid or reduce frost damage.

“Green color, mellow taste, rich aroma, and beautiful shape” is a textual summary of Longjing tea quality. However, this textual standard no longer meets the current needs. Developing a “visible” and “tangible” “National Standard Sample of Longjing Tea” has become a consensus among all parties.

On April 15, the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs released the “Sensory Grading Standard Samples of Longjing Tea,” which is the first national standard sample of Longjing tea and currently the only effective national standard sample of tea in Zhejiang Province. Its creation ends the history of Longjing tea lacking a national standard sample and marks the establishment of a unified Longjing tea product control mechanism based on textual and physical standards.