Why does chrysanthemum tea turn green after brewing and is it still drinkable?
This article provides an explanation of why chrysanthemum tea turns green after brewing and whether it is still safe to drink. Details are as follows:
Today, let's talk about why chrysanthemum tea turns green.
Firstly, it is normal for most chrysanthemum tea to turn green, and it is not due to spoilage or bacterial growth, so there is no need to worry.
As for whether the green chrysanthemum tea is drinkable, the criterion is simple: if the tea is in a hygienic environment, it can still be consumed even if it turns green; if the hygiene is poor, it is better not to drink it.
Next, we will unveil the mystery: why does chrysanthemum tea turn green after brewing!
The chrysanthemum tea we usually brew is mostly light yellow, mainly because of the flavonoids in it.
Flavonoids have good antioxidant properties, which can help the body eliminate free radicals, anti-oxidation, anti-cancer, lower cholesterol, and inhibit high blood pressure, among other health benefits. They are also the main ingredients believed to be beneficial for health when drinking chrysanthemum tea.
Since the flavonoids in chrysanthemum tea are yellow, when they dissolve in water during brewing, the tea naturally appears yellow.
However, flavonoids are unstable and can be easily oxidized by the oxygen in the air. After oxidation, they turn green, and the chrysanthemum naturally turns green as well. Moreover, the higher the content of flavonoids, the more likely it is to change color.
In addition, if chrysanthemum is soaked in water for a long time, the chlorophyll in the chrysanthemum may be leached out, which can also cause discoloration.
Another factor that affects the color change of chrysanthemum tea is related to the water used for brewing.
Take Huangshan贡菊 as an example; the color of the tea soup brewed with different types of water such as Yibao, purified water, tap water, Gua water, and Nongfu Spring is also different.
Why does chrysanthemum tea turn green after brewing and is it still drinkable?
From the picture, it can be clearly seen that the tea soup brewed with Yibao is clear and green; the soup color of tea brewed with purified water is clear; the tea soup brewed with tap water is turbid; the soup brewed with Gua water is clear and golden; and the soup color of tea brewed with Nongfu Spring is yellow-green.
In addition, researchers at Wuhan University have found that tea brewed with alkaline water tends to be yellow; tea brewed with acidic water tends to be reddish-orange.
Water containing more calcium ions and aluminum ions will react chelatingly with the flavonoids in chrysanthemum, resulting in different colors when brewed.
Although most chrysanthemum tea turning green does not affect health, there is a special case to consider. A few merchants may fumigate chrysanthemum with sulfur to make poor-quality chrysanthemum look bigger and whiter (this method is not commonly seen with the advancement of production techniques).
When such chrysanthemum is brewed, both the flower and the tea soup will immediately turn green, and the soup may have a slightly pungent taste.
This is because the surface of the chrysanthemum is covered with a lot of sulfur dioxide, which can irritate the throat mucosa and may be harmful to health if consumed for a long time.
So, if tea lovers encounter this situation, they should not continue to drink it!
How to identify poor quality (sulfur-fumigated) chrysanthemum?
Look: Generally, natural chrysanthemum is yellow (except white chrysanthemum). If the chrysanthemum looks very white, as if it has been bleached, it is likely to have been fumigated with sulfur.
In addition, natural chrysanthemum will change color over time. If it does not change color after being stored for several months at home, it may also have been fumigated with sulfur.
Smell: When buying loose chrysanthemum, smell it first. Chrysanthemum fumigated with sulfur has a slightly sour smell, while natural chrysanthemum only has a light fragrance.
Taste: If the first two methods cannot be distinguished, you can try brewing chrysanthemum tea without sugar. Natural chrysanthemum tea has a light fragrance, and if it tastes sour, be careful!
The above introduction about why chrysanthemum tea turns green after brewing and whether it is still drinkable is hoped to be liked by everyone!