No Time to Make Hot Tea? Take a Pill
印度科學家日前宣佈，他們研製出一種便於攜帶的茶丸，當人們想飲茶卻不方便泡茶的時候，口嚼這種茶丸能起到和喝茶一樣的提神醒腦的功效。
Indian scientists said they have developed a "tea pill" which can be carried in the pocket to be chewed when desired for the same refreshing effect as a freshly-brewed cuppa.
據法新社3月22日報道，一個由4位科學家組成的研究小組表示，這種茶丸目前已研製成功，但還需要6個月才能上市。研究小組負責人姆果拉爾·哈扎果卡說，口嚼這種茶丸和飲用熱茶具有同樣的提神功效。這種茶丸的`主要成分是從茶葉中提取的茶精，又添加了符合國際食品標準的香料。
報道說，這個研究小組研製出了六七種味道的茶丸，以適應不同口味人群的需要。哈扎果卡說：“這種茶丸對人體是絕對安全的，它可以嚼，也可以含在口內，還可以用傳統的方式泡在熱水裡面飲用。”他還說：“研製茶丸的想法是為了滿足那些趕時間的人的需要。有了茶丸，他們就不需要找熱水和杯子了。”
該研究小組已經將這種茶丸申報了專利，並決定將投入批量生產。哈扎果卡說，這種茶丸不會影響人們傳統的飲茶習慣。
報道說，哈扎果卡領導的這個研究小組的所在地是在印度東北部阿薩姆邦喬哈特鎮的托克賴實驗站，該實驗站創建於1901年，是現在世界上最大的茶研究機構;喬哈特鎮就是印度著名的茶鄉。
Indian scientists said they have developed a "tea pill" which can be carried in the pocket to be chewed when desired for the same refreshing effect as a freshly-brewed cuppa.
The four-member team based in the northeastern state of Assam -- the heart of the country"s tea industry -- said the pill was ready but it would take six months to be available commercially.
"The pill is absolutely safe, (it) can be chewed or placed under the tongue," Mridul Hazarika, director of the Tocklai Experimental Station, told AFP.
It can also be enjoyed in the "conventional manner by dipping the tablet in a cup of hot water," Hazarika said.
"We are sure the tea tablets will be able to freshen and cheer up a person with nearly the same effect as having a hot cup of brewed tea."
The Tocklai Station in Assam"s tea-growing town of Jorhat was set up in 1901 and is now the world"s biggest facility for tea research.
"I conceived the idea of making a tea pill for people ... who are hard-pressed for time. There is no need for hot water or looking for a cup as the tablet can be carried in the pocket and sucked, chewed, or sipped wherever they wish and in whichever way they prefer," Hazarika said.
He said scientists have applied for a patent and would decide later on a commercial manufacturer.
"The basic ingredients of the pill are tea extracts blended with permissible flavour additives that conform to international food standards," Hazarika added.
"We shall have at least six to seven different varieties of tea pills to cater to the varied tastes of people."
Hazarika said the pills would not affect traditional tea drinking habits.
"This will be primarily for people who do not have time or are too busy to wait for a morning cup of tea," the scientist said.
