Studies of cocoa tea, a wild tea tree containing theobromine

Abstract

Camellia ptilophylla Chang is a wild tea tree containing theobromine and is caffeine-free. Lots of researches have been conducted for its domestication since it was discovered to contain theobromine in its shoots. First, its pharmacological and physiological effects have been studied, demonstrating that it can be used as a new resource of tea as daily and healthy beverage. Cocoa tea differs from traditional tea in that it does not excite the nervous system. Second, various ways of propagation have been investigated, and sexless cutting has been the method adopted currently. Third, through selection and breeding, plantation of cocoa tea can be set up to cultivate new varieties, and cocoa tea of different flavors such as green cocoa tea, oolong cocoa tea, and black cocoa tea can be processed. Thus, cocoa tea will become a choice in the tea market.

Key words： cocoa tea; theobromine; caffeine-free; introduced domestication; healthy beverage