Tea confessions: I’m officially hooked. I’ve always been a coffee drinker, but I’ve recently been converted and it’s GLORIOUS. Not saying I’m giving up coffee all together (I pity everyone I come in contact with prior to my AM coffee fix), I’m just spicing things up a bit.
With this newfound obsession, I did a bit of research to see if this stuff I’m drinking has any additional perks. It’s common sense that tea is good for you…but why? and why are there SO many kinds?
First fun fact. All true forms of tea come from the SAME PLANT – Who would’ve thought?! The plant is called Camellia Sinensis and is native to east, south and southeast Asia but is now grown in select regions across the globe.
The four true types of tea are white, green, oolong and black. The length of time the leaves are oxidized (exposed to oxygen) determines the type of tea. More oxidation = darker tea. Black tea is the most oxidized, followed by oolong, green and then white (unoxidized).
White: the least processed & as a result is considered the healthiest of all teas. It contains antioxidants & theanine which means it’ll delay those first wrinkles, fight disease, help your pseudo-ADD, & will make you all around happier and less stressed. Are we sure this isn’t a prescription drug?
My favorite: Silver Needle White Tea
Green: minimally processed, rich in EGCG (one of the strongest antioxidants) & has a natural ability to help shed off the extra 5 lbs we gained this winter…IN.
My favorite: Organic North African Mint
Oolong: in between green & black, oolong teas are the hot item among tea drinkers. It lowers cholesterol, gives your metabolism a boost and can also help with weight loss. The good stuff can put a dent in your wallet, though, so watch out.
My favorite: Maharaja Chai Oolong
Black: leaves are fully oxidized (think Earl Grey or English breakfast tea). It has a ton of potent antioxidants which can improve your cholesterol, heart health & lower your risk of diabetes…bonus perk for coffee fiends is that black tea has the highest amount of caffeine – great place to start introducing tea into your diet!
My favorite: Golden Monkey Black Tea
As if that’s not enough to choose from, there are also categories of herbal teas. Any tea that does not come from the tea plant is generally considered herbal. Some popular herbal teas:
Rooibos (red tea): comes from a red bush that grows in South Africa, has a delicious sweet flavor that is super addicting – no bitterness whatsoever. It’s great for your immune system, and has the highest levels of anti-aging properties of any plant on earth! It’s also caffeine free, so a great option for bedtime tea.
My favorite: Birthday Cake
Mate: comes from a tree that grows in the South American rain forest. It is VERY flavorful – earthy and rich, and contains something similar to caffeine, so it will give you that energy boost you need. Health benefits include weight loss & happiness – aka win win.
My favorite: Jumpy Monkey
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to start steeping!
Photo credit: A Girl With Tea / Foter / CC BY
