A tannin is a secondary metabolite of a plant.
A tannin is an organic substance that is present in the bark of some trees and inside various fruits. These are secondary metabolites of some vegetables that are soluble in water , are astringent, can have a color between yellow and brown and have a bitter taste .
When analyzing the etymological origin of the term, it is determined that it comes from the French tanin , which began to become popular in the 18th century and derives from tan (which refers to the bark of the oak).
According to chemical properties and anabolism, tannins can be classified as hydrolyzable tannins (composed of phenolic acids) and condensed tannins (formed by anthocyanin).
Tannins in plants
The presence of tannins in plants is due to various issues. Plants have tannins as a defense mechanism, since these substances can generate rejection in herbivorous animals. In this way, animals such as monkeys and cows avoid plants with a high amount of tannins.
It is important to mention that tannins have a certain degree of toxicity . Thus they allow bacteria, fungi and various microorganisms not to proliferate in plants.
To extract tannins, certain parts of the plants are ground and chips are obtained. Then, through an industrial or artisanal mechanism , the tannins are separated.
Coffee has tannins.
Leather tanning
Because they develop a reaction when coming into contact with the collagen found in the skin , tannin is used for tanning leather .
This is possible since the substance promotes the union of collagen proteins, a characteristic that increases the durability of the leather and makes it more resistant.
Tannins in food
In addition to what we have explained so far, we must highlight the fact that tannins can be found in certain food products such as coffee , red wine , pomegranate , apple , quince and spinach , among others.
It is recommended to ingest these products to ensure that the tannins pass into the body since they bring with them a long list of benefits, among which the following stand out:
- They reduce the risks of suffering from degenerative diseases.
- They protect cells.
- They become useful elements to deal with diarrhea and various stomach problems, such as gastroenteritis.
- Some specific tannins help reduce the risks of heart disease.
red wine
Among the best-known tannins are those of the aforementioned red wine, which can be of several types, although there are mainly two:
- The robust or abundant tannin , which is what gives it an easily recognizable sensation of roughness.
- The minor tannin , which is what is characterized because it is not distinguished when drinking the wine .
In order to detect the tannin, it is essential to take a small sip from the glass and then hold the broth in your mouth for a few seconds.