Tannins are a type of molecule found in many plants, including the tea plant. They are responsible for the bitter taste of tea, as well as their antioxidant properties. Tannins can also be helpful in treating medical conditions such as diarrhea and dysentery. Here we will discuss tannins in detail and explain why they are important for your health.
Tannins are compounds that contain tannic acid. Tannic acid is made up of two main parts: tannin and gallotanin. Gallotanin is the tannic acid derivative found in tea leaves, while tannin comes from other plants including oak trees or red wine grapes.
The amount of tannins present depends on how long you steep your tea; longer steeping times produce more tannins than shorter ones do (this explains why some teas taste better after being brewed several times).
The higher the concentration of tannins in given plant material, the darker its color becomes as it oxidizes during processing into various products such as dyes for clothing fabrics and tanning leather goods.
For more information on tannins in herbal tea, check onlein.
