The arrival of the “Great Heat” solar term signifies the onset of the hottest season of the year. The scorching weather always disrupts one's peace of mind.
In ancient times, there were no electric fans or air conditioners; only green trees and fresh breezes. The best way to cool off was to sit quietly in the courtyard with a cup of clear tea, achieving tranquility both in mind and body. As the aroma of the tea wafts through the air, the mind calms down.
After entering the dog days, the sun blazes and temperatures soar. With heavy sweating and significant loss of bodily fluids, what kind of tea should one drink during the Great Heat season to relieve heat and cool down?
People have different constitutions, some being hot and dry, others cold and weak, while teas also vary in their nature after undergoing different processing methods, being either cool or warm. Therefore, Drinking Tea should be tailored to individual constitution. Drinking the wrong type of tea can be detrimental to health.
Those who sweat heavily and experience significant fluid loss are most suitable for drinking hot Longjing, Mao Feng, Biluochun, and other green teas. Though slightly bitter, these teas are cool in nature and have the functions of relieving heat, quenching thirst, reducing dryness, and enhancing mental alertness.
Hot and dry constitutions, characterized by a tendency to get easily overheated and a heavier physique, should drink cool teas like green tea and Tieguanyin during the summer heat. Those with weak and cold constitutions, whose stomachs and intestines react to even a bit of raw food with diarrhea, should drink warm teas like Pu'er and black tea. Oolong tea and Dahongpao, which are considered neutral teas, can be consumed by most people.
Green Tea: Not Suitable for Those with Cold Constitutions
Drinking a cup of green tea during the summer can effectively help to cool down and relieve heat. Green tea has a slightly bitter taste and is cool in nature. It also has the functions of detoxifying, reducing fire, quenching thirst, and enhancing mental alertness.
Drinking green tea is also beneficial against radiation exposure, making it suitable not just for summer but all year round for those exposed to radiation.
The production process of green tea does not include fermentation, resulting in higher nutritional value but also a higher content of chlorophyll, which can be more stimulating to the stomach. Patients with gastric ulcers should not drink green tea. Additionally, those with allergies and cold constitutions should not consume too much green tea.
Oolong Tea: Neither Cool nor Warm, but Refreshingly Sweet and Moistening
Oolong tea belongs to the category of Qing tea and is a semi-fermented tea. It is rich in iron, calcium, and digestive enzymes that aid in fat breakdown. Drinking a cup of oolong tea before or after meals can promote fat decomposition and aid in weight loss.
Oolong tea is neither cool nor warm but refreshingly sweet and moistening, classified as a neutral tea. Most people can drink oolong tea during the summer heat. Due to its coarse and mature leaves, oolong tea should be brewed with 100°C boiling water.
Black Tea: Should Not Be Drunk Chilled
Black tea is a fermented tea. It contains low levels of tea polyphenols but high levels of theaflavins and thearubigins. Black tea has a rich fragrance and drinking it during the summer can enhance mental alertness, quench thirst, clear heat, promote diuresis, detoxify, and nourish the stomach.
Due to the low content of tea polyphenols, black tea is less stimulating to the stomach. There are many ways to enjoy black tea. Drinking black tea with Sugar and milk during the summer can protect the stomach lining and help treat gastric ulcers. It is important to note that black tea should not be drunk chilled during the summer. Refill the cup when about one-third of the tea remains, and three refills per cup are recommended.
Pu'er Tea: One Cup Before and After Meals
Pu'er tea becomes dark in color due to fermentation by black aspergillus. It is very helpful for weight loss. Pu'er tea is warm and mellow, suitable for those with cold constitutions. Drinking Pu'er tea during the summer can warm the stomach, lower Blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol levels. Long-term consumption of Pu'er tea can help alleviate arteriosclerosis and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
During the sweltering summer season, when sweating increases and the body loses fluids quickly, sitting at the tea table and sipping a cup of hot tea can invigorate the body. Hot tea is more effective in relieving heat and cooling down, and its effects last longer. Regular consumption of tea during the summer can effectively prevent heatstroke.
“During Minor Heat and Great Heat, everything above boils and below simmers,” the “boiling and simmering mode” is about to begin. Everyone should be cautious of both physical and emotional heatstroke. During the hottest time of the year, let a good cup of tea accompany you!
Savor a small sip of tea, allowing its sweetness to flow gently from the cheeks into the heart, soothing all anxiety and restlessness, dissolving daily worries in this leisurely passage of time.