The Wonderful World of Tea
Times have changed. Next to water, tea was once undoubtedly the most popular beverage in the world, but with the growing popularity of coffee houses and caf?�s and their dessert-like coffee beverages, coffee has grown tremendously in popularity especially in the West.
Tea is still, however, the most popular beverage in the Eastern world. While India was long the world’s top producer, China has recently overtaken that title. India and China are also considered the world’s largest consumers of tea (mainly because of their dense populations). The title of largest tea consumption per capita, on the other hand, goes to Turkey, followed by the U.K., Iran, Ireland, and Morocco.
There are five main types of tea which all come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis). These are black tea, green tea, oolong tea, white tea, and pu-erh tea. The various types of tea are based on how the leaves are processed after picking them and how they are oxidized.
These five main types are often sold with a variety of added flavors, usually created by the addition of another plant to one of the main tea types. For example, the popular Earl Grey tea is a combination of black tea leaves and bergamot. Another popular “tea” is herbal tea, but it is not considered a true tea because it does not come from the tea plant. Herbal teas are made solely with dried or fresh leaves, seeds, and flowers of other types of plants.
Tea is a soothing drink and regular consumption has many worthwhile health benefits. One great thing about tea is the fact that it contains less than half the caffeine of an average cup of coffee, so you can enjoy more cups without getting caffeine overdose jitters. Herbal tea, since it is not made from the actual plant, generally contains no caffeine making it perfect for drinking in the evening before bed time.
Tea is also full of flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are believed to inhibit cancer cell growth. Studies also show that these antioxidants may help support better dental and overall cardiovascular health. Research also suggests that tea may have even more antioxidant properties than some fruits and vegetables.
The next time you’re considering a second cup of coffee, consider a delicious cup of tea instead!