It is in the northern capital of Russia is the largest Tea-growing Factory Unilever, where tea is produced. Tea lovers will understand me: is it not luck - to trace the process of producing a favorite drink and listen to advice on its brewing? In addition, I was able to see the high quality of the product, which, you must agree, is important. The excursion around the coveted place turned out to be grandiose: I learned not only all the subtleties of tea production, but also visited the tasting of a great drink and listened to the secrets of one of the best tea tasters. The healing properties of black tea are indeed an advantage for most consumers.
Where come from
Tea will have a long way from the plantations to your favorite porcelain cup. First of all, you can not do without raw materials. At the best tea plantations, the foundation of the future drink is grown and collected. Requirements for it are high, if not to say - high. Only two upper leaves and a kidney are collected from the bushes, the rest is unsuitable. It is necessary to take into account the inconsistency of nature - the same tea, depending on the crop, can have a completely different taste. So that you and I are not constantly surprised by the new taste, having sipped your favorite drink from a cup, there is a reference sample for each type of tea. To ensure that each bundle corresponds to it, experts work as tester. First in England they create a recipe sheet based on preliminary tastings of a separate variety and type of tea, which is brought to the factory directly from the plantations. Then, according to this recipe sheet, they develop tea mixtures in the laboratories, mixing kulas of various varieties from plantations, and strictly control the whole process, so that the raw materials are collected in an optimal proportion and meet the high quality standards of Lipton. For this condition to be fulfilled everywhere and always, the brand receives tea from 35 countries. Surprisingly, in one small bag there can be up to 30 kinds of tea! And every new blend is compared with a blend of the previous batches and, if all goes well, goes to the plant in St. Petersburg for packaging.
Pyramids in St. Petersburg
The factory looks like a space laboratory. However, to some extent it is - it is equipped with the latest equipment. Here unique packing lines are established, some of them have no analogues in the world in terms of production speed. Forms of packaging - this is the usual packets, as well as pyramids - the know-how of Lipton. They are presented in two versions - transparent ("Exclusive collection") and more dense ("Fruit collection" and Lipton Linea). Pyramids are a special form of a sachet that allows you to put a large leaf in them and ensure a high quality of brewing your favorite drink. Important and aesthetics: the observation of how inside the pyramid opens tea leaves and pieces of fruit - akin to meditation. In addition, each bag and box of tea undergoes careful monitoring. The quality of the blend, the correctness of packaging and packaging - everything is checked in the most intimate way. The slightest deviation from the norm - and defective production is withdrawn.
Tea-making master
Tea tasting is a separate mystery. At the Unilever tea-packing factory in St. Petersburg original tea is delivered directly from the plantations, which is blended (blended) in the factory, so tastings are conducted to compare each batch of tea with reference samples. One batch is tasted at all stages of production several times during one shift. The received batch or already produced product is compared with the standard. The laboratory assistant brews both samples and conducts a comparative tasting. In St. Petersburg, the company employs one of the best tea tasters of Unilever Valery Begansky. He also demonstrated the mysteries of tea drinking. The master shared with us facts about different beverage varieties, peculiarities of their cultivation and production, national traditions and preferences of tea drinking in different countries. For example, Ukrainians appreciate large-leaf tea, and the granular ones are rather skeptical. But in England tea in the form of granules is a quality standard. This form allows you to get a strong, fragrant and rich drink. It is also ideal for brewing with milk. By the way, this tea is appreciated not only in Britain - in the East and in Africa it is also traditionally brewed tea with milk. However, the tastes of our compatriots are taken into account when creating the original Lipton kulaks for the Ukrainian market. Add to this modern equipment, professionalism, quality control at every stage and a constant desire for excellence - and you will not be surprised that the Lipton brand is so popular both in our country and around the world.
Tasting procedure
The tea is brewed with freshly boiled water, the temperature of which is 100 ° C. For tastings professional dishes (cups and bowls) are used. First, a cup with a tea bag is filled with water to half, after 15 seconds - to the top. This pause is necessary for tea to react with oxygen - this will "prolong the life" of its aroma. After a few minutes, the tea is poured into the bowl, and when it cools down a little, you can start tasting. Drink a scoop with a spoon. Then each drop is evenly distributed over the tongue and savored. Between tastings the mouth is rinsed with clean water and washed with a spoon. Try different varieties in order of increasing flavor and flavor: first tested green, then - black, then - flavored teas. Professionals sometimes drink up to 400 (!) Cups of tea a day, which does not prevent them from enjoying the splendor of the taste of a noble drink.
By the way
At the Lipton Tea Institute in the UK, studies are constantly being conducted to create new blends and improve the taste and quality of tea. Sachets are made of material on special machines - thanks to a unique technology it is possible to achieve a transparent material.
Energetic
For cheerfulness of the spirit, activity of the brain and effective memory work, the main alkaloid of the drink, caffeine, is responsible. Its quite a lot in both black and green tea - about 71 mg per cup. Drinks, flavored with dried fruits and flower petals, enrich the body and other useful substances.
Not afraid of colds
Tea has a powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect. Polyphenols and tannins in its composition drive out germs, strengthen immunity, soften the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and improve their microcirculation. By the way, these substances block not only viruses and bacteria, but also free radicals that damage healthy cells, which means they are able to withstand cancer. And even to partially level the harmful effect of nicotine on the body. In Japan, many smokers, and cancer - a little, because 6-8 cups of green tea a day - the norm.
Young is not only a soul
Bioactive tea leaf compounds (enzymes, amino acids, P, K, B, vegetable proteins) fight against aging: they prevent DNA damage, increase the elasticity of the skin and act as natural moisturizers and antioxidants. Of course, tea results do not appear instantaneously, but also side effects - none.
Has a radiant smile
The gullet of a fragrant drink is capable to stop ubiquitous caries and to protect the Gums from damages. Dentists note the effectiveness of all types of tea - they strengthen the enamel, improve blood circulation in the soft tissues of the mouth, freshen breath. High concentration of flavonoids in their composition helps to easily cope with inflammatory processes. There is only one thing: for this effect, it is necessary to drink tea without adding milk, lemon or sugar (this combination lowers the usefulness of flavonoids), and necessarily warm - it hurts the enamel hot.
Slender, like cypress
American scientists are sure: enough three cups of green tea a day to lose those extra pounds. Elixir of youth from the teapot improves metabolism and reduces appetite due to catechins and zinc.
Always in good spirits
The mood raises tea essential oils: film on the surface of the liquid - it's them. And now you want to sing and laugh - real aromatherapy! Stress remains only shamefully capitulate - not without the help of polyphenols and amino acids, which contribute to lowering the hormone level of cortisol stress. Especially rich in these compounds is black tea.