You may be surprised, but the so familiar black tea in China is called red. In Europe, red tea is called "Oolong", which creates some confusion. Red tea is tea that has undergone a fairly long fermentation. Red tea, unlike green and oolong tea, undergoes full fermentation, from which it is called fully fermented. It is the complete fermentation that gives it its characteristic black leaf color and its special deep aroma.
It is best to drink red tea in winter. It invigorates, warms, increases blood pressure, strengthens the stomach and has a good diuretic effect. Therefore, in old age, red tea is preferable, and strong green tea should be consumed by the elderly in small quantities, since it has anchoring properties and promotes the excretion of calcium from the body. Red tea goes well with milk and sugar. Poorly brewed red tea with sugar is useful for women after childbirth. It is also useful for people engaged in physical labor, since it is red tea that improves activity.
Warm red tea, loosely brewed and in moderation, can be given to children, as it dissolves fats, increases the secretion of digestive secretions and improves peristalsis. These properties of red tea will also be useful for adults to reduce the unpleasant sensations after fatty meats or overeating.
You can brew red tea in a gaiwan with a lid, but it is better in a teapot made of Yixing clay, well heated with boiling water - a leaf of red tea needs warmth to reveal its aroma. The water temperature is not lower than 95 ° С. You can brew three to five times. The first infusion is drained, drinking begins with the second infusion. The taste of the tea is varied, rich and bright with tart, spicy, delicate fruit and berry notes.
