Polymerization

Since the legendary “Shennong tasted a hundred herbs and encountered seventy-two poisons, which were cured by tea” 4,700 years ago, the magical effects of tea have been admired and puzzled over by generations. The Herbal Supplement marvels: “All medicines are specific for certain diseases, but tea is a medicine for all ailments.” Why does tea have such miraculous value? What mysterious substances does it contain? Modern high technology has finally deciphered this age-old mystery: scientists have discovered that the main components of tea are catechins and tea pigments. Among these, tea pigments are the jewel in the crown, the crystallization of tea culture, the dream of tea medicine, and the pinnacle of tea science. 1. What Are Tea Pigments? Tea pigments (Teapigments) refer to water-soluble pigment mixtures generated through the oxidation and polymerization of polyphenols, primarily catechins, during tea processing. They mainly include theaflavins (TFs), thearubigins (TRs), and theabrownins (TBs). The molecular structure of tea pigments still retains the basic characteristics of catechins, but they are more valuable, safer, and more stable than catechins. Theabrownins in tea pigments are the most stable and have the largest molecular weight. Tea pigments are weakly alkaline, and their weak alkalinity is one of…