It's highly likely that after realizing that the insomnia you experienced every night was caused by the blend of teas and herbs you consumed religiously before bed, you'll pay closer attention to what you consume. It's no coincidence that in the section on The Chemistry of Flavor, there's a premise that emphasizes both the preparer's and the consumer's right and responsibility to know what ingredients are included and their effects.
Sadly, in today's world, numerous "wolves in sheep's clothing" are deceiving many people. Some of these "wolves" arise from rampant misinformation. A clear example is the concept of "taste regions" on our palate, a topic taught in many schools that continues to create confusion. Others act solely for their own benefit, disregarding the truthfulness of the information they provide. However, both the "wolves born from misinformation" and the deceived share a standard error: at some point, they settled for what they learned and accepted it as absolute truth. This assumption that one possesses an absolute truth is already a monumental mistake.
Tea is a commodity linked to many positive aspects, such as meditation and transcendence. However, we must not forget that while humans have attributed positive qualities to tea, they have also marked it with a controversial past (and present). The only constant in tea, as in many things, is change. Therefore, negative aspects can also evolve when something good changes for the better. Currently, the controversy surrounding tea lies in its so-called "tea marketing," a term that offends both marketing and tea, as it represents merely an attempt at deception by the "wolves" who disguise misinformation.
So, after managing to sleep better, you start questioning all those phrases you heard that led you to buy that "sleep blend" that promised to solve your insomnia problems.
"The best tea can be found here!"
According to whom? Did the owner tell you? Having confidence and self-assurance is fine, but one shouldn't overdo it. Remember, there are many self-proclaimed "scientists" out there. From a personal perspective, you might have heard family or friends say things like, "This is the best wine you'll ever taste," or "This is the best champagne in the world," and the same goes for tea, coffee, and almost all foods and drinks in general. However, when you try them, you might be surprised that they're not to your liking and may even be distasteful. This can lead you to question whether they were wrong or if you were. The answer is that neither is incorrect; both are right. Flavor preferences vary based on factors such as sensory memory, culture, and genetics. As the saying goes, "There's no accounting for taste." What matters is finding what satisfies you the most.
"This calming jasmine green tea will ease your anxiety!"
At first glance, this statement may seem absurd, but it has become so common that it's no longer surprising. This is a clear example of half-truths or, better put, "white lies," though they are hardly innocent, as someone who still blindly believes in these claims and trusts the commerce might have thought they found a solution to their situation, only to face the opposite. But where do these fabrications come from? Or rather, why is it a half-truth?
Tea contains various chemical compounds, including L-theanine, which is also found in basidiomycete mushrooms. This substance, which falls into the category of amino acids, adds sweet and umami flavors to tea and has a calming effect. This is where many derive claims like, "This calming jasmine green tea will ease your anxiety!" or "This tea will improve your mood!" or "This tea will help you sleep!" And what a great deception that is. They might as well be part of a sequel to Ocean's Eleven, but they aren't, as they only meet the criteria for a scam, not mastery.
To clarify, the term "scam" isn't being used lightly. According to the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), a scam is "the crime of causing someone financial harm through deceit for profit." The point is that someone selling you a product with certain claimed benefits can't use the excuse of "I didn't know," especially regarding people's health.
Returning to our case, tea is not only composed of L-theanine but also contains caffeine.
You may want to reduce caffeine intake if you're drinking more than four cups of coffee a day (or the equivalent) and experiencing side effects such as:
Even a tiny amount can make you feel tense.
Some individuals are more sensitive to caffeine than others. If you're susceptible to its effects, even small amounts can lead to unwanted effects, such as restlessness and sleep problems. Your reaction to caffeine may partly depend on how accustomed you are to it. People who do not regularly consume caffeine tend to be more sensitive to its effects (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
This is why you shouldn't assume that what works for you will work for everyone. Each body is different, as are their responses to what they consume. This applies to everything, from tea and blends to infusions. For example, search online for "nutmeg risks," one of the ingredients used in some Masala Chai recipes. But we return to the same premise: "When consuming something, both the preparer and the consumer have the duty and right to know what elements it contains and what effects they have."
This Q&A article might seem more like a series of assertions and refutations, but it is essential to fill the gap of what we don't know and to question what we think we know. Like many others, this section begins with tea but will gradually incorporate related topics, such as coffee, tea's cousin, or wine, its alcoholic sibling.
I hope this section not only enlightens you but also motivates you to question and test everything, including these articles, as there's no absolute truth at the end of the day.
Until next time!
Satoricha ~
References
MAYO CLINIC. (2022, Marzo 19). Cafeína: ¿qué cantidad es excesiva? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved September 8, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20045678
Real Academia Española. (n.d.). estafa | Diccionario de la lengua española (2001) | RAE - ASALE. Real Academia Española. Retrieved June 16, 2024, from https://www.rae.es/drae2001/estafa