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Ureshino Tea: An Overview

Tea seeds were first planted in the Ureshino area in the mid-fifteenth century by Chinese residents who found the climate and terrain suitable for tea cultivation.

Botanical Characteristics

The tea plant is a woody shrub that typically grows to a height of 2 meters. The leaves, which are commonly between 5 and 7 centimeters long, are dark green, glossy, oval, and pointed at the tip, with serrated edges. Fragrant white flowers bloom between October and November but are sometimes nipped in the bud to encourage the growth of new shoots, allowing for several harvests per year. The flowers, which have five petals, grow to between 2 and 2.5 centimeters in diameter. The symbol that represents tea plantations on maps in Japan is taken from the fruit, a triangular capsule containing three seeds.

Conditions for Tea Growth

A subtropical and moderately humid climate is ideal for the cultivation of the tea plant. The soil should be slightly acidic, with a pH value between 5.4 and 5.8, and the ideal annual rainfall is 45 to 50 inches (1,140 to 1,270 mm). If the temperature falls below 11°C, frost may severely damage the crop by destroying minerals and vitamins naturally found in high concentrations in the soil. Dry weather also makes the tea plant vulnerable, particularly during a drought.

Components of Tea

Tea contains antioxidants and caffeine, which produce its astringency. Vitamins A, B, C, and E, plus free amino acids such as theanine, contribute to the flavor. Antioxidants, which dissolve during the brewing process, are most prevalent in teas that have a strong, bitter taste.

Antioxidants are credited with a range of health benefits, such as preventing cancer, suppressing blood cholesterol levels, and reducing blood pressure, as well as antibacterial and antiviral properties. Caffeine, which makes up between 2 and 4 percent of the content of brewed tea, increases alertness and may stimulate the metabolism and the central nervous system. The amino acids in tea may also reduce blood pressure and regulate brain and nerve functions.

嬉野茶概覽

嬉野地區的茶葉種植始於15世紀中期，相傳是來自中國的唐朝人發現「不動山皿屋谷」的氣候和土壤條件很適合茶葉種植，播下了第一批茶種。

植物特徵

茶樹是木本植物，通常高度不會超過2公尺，葉長多介於5到7公分之間，葉面呈深綠色，表面光滑，葉型橢圓、尖頭、有鋸齒邊。10月至11月間芬芳的白色花朵綻放，但有時人們會刻意掐去花苞促使發新芽，以實現一年多收。茶樹的花朵為五瓣，直徑約為2到2.5公分。茶樹的果實成三角形莢囊，內含三粒茶籽，日本地圖上用來表示茶園的圖示便是取材於此。

茶樹的生長條件

亞熱帶氣候和適宜的濕度是茶樹生長的理想條件，土質以微酸性為佳，PH值應介於5.4到5.8之間。理想的年降雨量為1140到1270毫米。如果氣溫降到11°C以下，霜凍就可能對土壤中富含天然的礦物質和維生素造成破壞，進而嚴重損害茶葉品質。乾燥的天氣同樣很容易對茶樹生長造成影響，乾旱情況下尤甚。

茶的成分

茶中含有抗氧化物和咖啡因，分別是茶澀味的來源。維生素A、B、C、E及茶氨酸等遊離氨基酸，則決定了茶的風味。抗氧化物經沖泡可溶入水中，在味道濃烈、偏苦的茶中含量更高。

抗氧化物被認為對健康有諸多裨益，例如預防癌症、抑制血液中膽固醇的含量、降低血壓，以及抗菌、抗病毒等。茶湯中的咖啡因含量通常介於2%到4%之間，可以提振精神，同時也可能提高新陳代謝水準，刺激中樞神經系統。此外，茶葉中蘊含的氨基酸成分也可能具有降低血壓、調整大腦與神經功能的功效。

嬉野茶概览

嬉野地区的茶叶种植始于15世纪中期，相传是来自中国的唐朝人发现“不动山皿屋谷”的气候和土壤条件很适合茶叶种植，于是播下了第一批茶种。

植物特征

茶树是木本植物，通常高度不会超过2米。叶长一般介于5到7厘米之间，叶面呈深绿色，表面光滑，叶型椭圆、尖头、有锯齿边。10月至11月间开芬芳的白色花朵，但有时人们会刻意掐去花苞，促发新芽，以实现一年多收。茶树的花朵为五瓣，直径约为2到2.5厘米。茶树的果实为三角形荚囊，内含三粒茶籽，日本地图上用来表示茶园的图标便取材于此。

茶树的生长条件

亚热带气候和适宜的湿度是茶树生长的理想条件。土质以微酸性为佳，PH值应介于5.4到5.8之间。理想的年降雨量为1140到1270毫米。如果气温降到11°C以下，霜冻就可能对土壤中天然高浓度的矿物质和维生素造成破坏，进而严重损害茶叶品质。干燥的天气同样很容易影响到茶树生长，干旱情况下尤甚。

茶的成分

茶中含有抗氧化物和咖啡因，它们是茶涩味的来源。维生素A、B、C、E及茶氨酸等游离氨基酸，则决定了茶的风味。抗氧化物经冲泡可溶入水中，它们在味道浓烈、偏苦的茶中含量更高。

抗氧化物被认为对健康有诸多裨益，例如预防癌症，抑制血液中血胆固醇的含量，降低血压，乃至抗菌、抗病毒等。茶汤中的咖啡因含量通常介于2%到4%之间，可以提振精神，同时可能提高新陈代谢水平，刺激中枢神经系统。此外，茶叶中蕴含的氨基酸成分也可能具有降低血压、调节大脑与神经功能的功效。