Tea plant

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/tea-plant

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Camellia sinensis
2. What is the global consumption rank?Second most consumed beverage worldwide after water
3. What is the tea plant and where does it grow?The tea plant is called Camellia sinensis. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that comes from East Asia, especially near the borders of China and India. It likes mountains, lots of rain, and acidic soil.
4. Why are there different kinds of tea like green, black, oolong, and white?The different teas come from how the leaves are processed. Green tea is heated quickly to stop oxidation, black tea is fully oxidized, oolong is partially oxidized, and white tea is the least processed.

Polyphenols: A group of plant compounds, including catechins and flavonoids, found in tea with antioxidant properties.
Terroir: The complete natural environment in which a particular tea is produced, including factors such as soil, topography, and climate.
Oxidation (Tea Processing): A biochemical process where enzymes in tea leaves react with air, altering their chemical composition and flavor profile.
EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate): A major catechin found in green tea, known for its potent antioxidant activity.