No Time to Make Hot Tea? Take a Pill
印度科学家日前宣布，他们研制出一种便于携带的茶丸，当人们想饮茶却不方便泡茶的时候，口嚼这种茶丸能起到和喝茶一样的提神醒脑的功效。
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.
据法新社3月22日报道，一个由4位科学家组成的研究小组表示，这种茶丸目前已研制成功，但还需要6个月才能上市。研究小组负责人姆果拉尔·哈扎果卡说，口嚼这种茶丸和饮用热茶具有同样的提神功效。这种茶丸的`主要成分是从茶叶中提取的茶精，又添加了符合国际食品标准的香料。
报道说，这个研究小组研制出了六七种味道的茶丸，以适应不同口味人群的需要。哈扎果卡说：“这种茶丸对人体是绝对安全的，它可以嚼，也可以含在口内，还可以用传统的方式泡在热水里面饮用。”他还说：“研制茶丸的想法是为了满足那些赶时间的人的需要。有了茶丸，他们就不需要找热水和杯子了。”
该研究小组已经将这种茶丸申报了专利，并决定将投入批量生产。哈扎果卡说，这种茶丸不会影响人们传统的饮茶习惯。
报道说，哈扎果卡领导的这个研究小组的所在地是在印度东北部阿萨姆邦乔哈特镇的托克赖实验站，该实验站创建于1901年，是现在世界上最大的茶研究机构;乔哈特镇就是印度著名的茶乡。
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.
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