If you are new to tea drinking, the most important step for you to do is find out what type of tea taste good to you. Don’t
worry about finding the healthiest tea. There are so many to choice from. You may like one type of tea in the morning,
and a different type in the evening.
Unlike coffee, which many of us drink on the run, tea should not be rushed. Part of the
tea drinking experience is allowing yourself to slow down and relax. Savor the aroma and flavor in each cup. Try to clear
your mind and let the tea warm and calm you. A short tea break can promote mental and physical relaxation and have beneficial
effects on your health and mood.
All true tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, a warm-weather evergreen. Herbal teas do
not come from Camellia sinensis, but are an infusion of leaves, roots, bark, seeds or flowers of other plants. They lack many of the
unique characteristics of tea and are not linked with the research on the potential health benefits of traditional teas.
Tea
is grown in thousands of tea gardens or estates around the world, resulting in thousands of flavorful variations. If you were
to brew a pot of tea with freshly picked tea leaves, you would face a somewhat bitter and watery drink. Just as a tea’s quality
depends on which teas are picked, it’s special character results from how the fresh tea leaves are treated after they’ve been harvested.
How
the fresh leaves of the tea plant are processed and their level of contact with oxygen determines resulting types of tea. The main
categories of tea are: black, oolong, green, white, and pu’erh. Any of these types can also be flavored or scented
Black
tea is the most popular tea in the Western world today. Black tea comprises
Green tea is unfermented and most closely
resembles the taste of the tea leaf in it’s natural state. Green teas have a subtle, more astringent flavor than black
teas. Green tea’s flavor ranges from floral to grassy. The addition of jasmine or other scents may appeal to beginners.
White
Tea is the least processed and rarest tea of all. It is made from the unopened bud of the tea plant and can be harvested only a few
days each year. Although similar to green, white teas are more delicately flavored. White tea has a sweet, delicate taste and
makes a pale-colored brew.
Oolong Tea -Unlike black teas which are fully fermented, Oolongs are only 75% fermented. This results
in a deliciously fruity tea that evokes the qualities of both black and green teas. Oolongs generally have a crisp, fresh
flavor. They are lighter than black tea and often have a floral scent. Oolong tea is often used as an aid with weight loss.