谢谢你苍月烟！
Tea Research 茶的研究
1. The basics 基本问题
· 1.1. What is tea? 什么是茶
· 1.2. What are the different kinds of tea? 茶有哪些不同种类？】
· 1.2.1. What are some of the most popular varieties? 其中最流行的几种茶都是什么
· 1.2.2. What about herbal teas? 中草药茶怎么样
· 1.3. Where does tea come from? 茶出自哪儿
· 1.3.1. Is any tea grown commercially in other regions? 在其他地区，不管种什么茶都是为了商业目的吗？
· 1.3.2. Where did the name 'tea' come from? 茶的名称是怎么来的
· 1.4. How is tea produced? 茶是怎么制作的
1.1. What is tea? 什么是茶
Tea is a drink made by infusing leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis, or Thea sinensis) in hot water.
茶是一种用开水冲茶叶喝的饮料（山茶，或普洱茶），
The name 'tea' is also used to refer to the leaves themselves; and it is also the name of a mid- to late-afternoon meal in the British Isles and associated countries, at which tea (the drink) is served along with various foods.
茶这个名词用用来指茶叶本身，在英国和一些与其相关的国家，它也指午饭后晚饭前之间的一顿加餐，这顿加餐中，人们一边吃各种食物的同时，一边喝茶。
1.2. What are the different kinds of tea? 茶有哪些不同种类？
The three main categories are green, black, and oolong. All three kinds are made from the same plant species.
最主要的三大种茶分别是绿茶，红茶，和乌龙茶。这三种茶都是出自同种植物种。
The major differences between them are a result of the different processing methods they undergo. Black teas undergo several hours of oxidation in their preparation for market; oolongs receive less oxidation, and green teas are not oxidized at all.
它们之间之所以不同是因为它们的制作工艺不同。红茶在上市之前需要经过几小时的氧化作用。乌龙茶需要氧化的时间短一些，而绿茶根本就不需要被氧化。
There are, of course, many different varieties within these three main categories.
当然了，这三大种茶中还要细分出很多种类的茶。
1.2.2. What about herbal teas?中草药茶是怎么回事
Hundreds of different herbs have been used in beverages. These are sometimes called herbal teas. Tea professionals and connoisseurs usually prefer to restrict the name 'tea' to real tea, so you may see the following names used as well:
成百种不同的中草药被用来当茶喝。这些中草药有时被称为中草药茶。而一些种茶人和茶道专家则会严格茶的定义，因此你或许会看到这些名称：
A) 'Herbal infusion', which simply means a drink made by steeping an herb in hot water. (Tea itself is an infusion of tea leaves.)
泡草药，这意味着你泡的只是草药（茶本身就是泡茶叶的）
B) 'Tisane' [pronounced tee-ZAHN], which in French means any herbal drink.
煎药（其发音是tee-ZAHN），在法国这意味着任何的草药饮料
Some common herbs that are used as tisanes are peppermint, chamomile, rose hips, verbena, and fennel. A number of companies specialize in producing herbal blends. Many tea companies also sell tisanes.
一些用来煎药的普通草药有薄荷，甘菊，野玫瑰果，柠檬，茴香。一些公司专长于制造混和的草药。一些制茶公司也卖一些煎药。
Some exaggerated claims have been made for the medicinal properties of herbal infusions. Even so, some herbs do have generally recognized benefits.
有些言辞夸大了这些草药茶的药用性能。即使如此，一些草药对人体确实是有一些公认的益处的。
For instance, rose hips contain vitamin C; chamomile helps many people relax; and peppermint has a noticeable soothing effect on the stomach. Herbs can also cause problems. Chamomile, for example, can cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to ragweed.
例如，野玫瑰果含维生素C，甘菊有助于人们进行放松，薄荷对胃的好外是显而易见的。但草药也会引发问题。例如，如果有人对豚草类植物过敏，饮用甘菊可能就会引起过敏。