A World of Tea

A World of Tea

At some point today, I’m sure you will have a cup of coffee, be it from your own kitchen or the big coffee chain down the street. Spring is coming and that means change, a time to try something new. Why not try drinking tea? Drinking tea can actually be a bit better for you than coffee because after all, tea is just water infused with steeped tea leaves.  Tea also has several antioxidants, which can help with maintaining good body systems. There are many potential benefits to drinking tea including fighting cancer, lowering cholesterol, and preventing heart disease. As spring approaches, treat yourself to something new for a change, drink some tea.

How It’s Made        

All tea comes from the same plant called Camellia Sinensis. The process that makes up the different varieties of tea is known as oxidation. Each type of tea is determined by the length of time that tealeaf oxidates. Green and White teas, which tend to be weaker will oxidate for less time, while the stronger Oolong and Black teas, will oxidate for more time.

Types of Tea

 Black Tea

         Fully oxidized, this tea is very dark and the highest in caffeine. This tea is the easiest to make the switch from coffee to tea, because of its flavor. Here are some of my favorite black teas: Golden Monkey and Black Dragon Pearls.

Yerba Mate

         This tea is very different than others seeing how it has three different stimulants in it. These are caffeine, theophylline and theobromine. These stimulants are found in coffee, tea and chocolate. This is a very good substitute for coffee as well. Yerba Mate comes in many different varieties like toasted mate, spiced mate and sometimes infused with fruits as well.

Green Tea

         Minimally oxidized. This tea can be light with flavor or very earthy with flavor. This tea has the cleanest of taste out of all teas. Here are some of my favorite green teas: Sencha Overture and Kukicha.

White Tea

         The least processed of the teas listed here. This type of tea is very light on flavor. White tea has a calming effect on the body and light on caffeine.

Here are some of my favorite white teas: White Peach and Silver Needle.

Oolong Tea

         This tea can range on flavor anywhere between black and green tea. Most of these teas tend to be darker in color. Here are some of my favorite oolong teas: Jade Oolong

 Here are some good sites for purchasing tea:

http://shop.samovarlife.com/

http://www.adagio.com/