Why tea?
Simply because it’s simple.
The facts:
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Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water.
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Tea has huge potential health benefits including disease prevention and stress reduction.
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Tea is a healthy alternative to sugary, highly-caffeinated drinks.
Health
Tea contains high levels of specific organic compounds known as polyphenols, which are very potent antioxidants. Antioxidants play an important role in maintaining health by preventing free radicals (unstable molecules) from causing damage to cells which can lead to disease, aging, and cancer. Over 500 studies have been performed on green tea alone, and the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that drinking tea–whether green, black, oolong, white or rooibos is good for health and that the more tea you drink, the more your benefits multiply.
"Fruits, vegetables, and tea all contain important antioxidants. Research suggests these phytonutrients may contribute substantially to the promotion of health and the prevention of chronic disease. For example, recent research studies reveal the antioxidants in tea may inhibit the growth of cancer cells and support cardiovascular health," stated Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., F.A.C.N, Chief of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.
Tea Facts & History
All tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, a warm-weather evergreen. How the fresh leaves of the tea plant are processed and their level of contact with oxygen determine resulting types of tea. During oxidation, the tea leaves undergo natural chemical reactions that result in distinctive color and taste characteristics.
Tea is grown in thousands of tea gardens or estates around the world, resulting in thousands of flavorful variations. Like wines, each tea takes its name from the district in which it's grown, and each district is known for producing tea with unique flavor and character. Tea is also divided by grades, determined by leaf size. Smaller sized leaves are used in tea bags while the larger sized leaves can be found in packaged loose tea.
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.
White Tea is the least processed of all the types of tea. Compared to other teas, white teas are very low in caffeine and contain high concentrations of antioxidant polyphenols (tea catechins) and L-Theanine Amino Acid that promote longevity and concentration.
Green Tea comes from leaves that are immediately steamed or fired to halt the active leaf enzymes that would otherwise react with oxygen. Green tea contains the flavonoid epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC) that stimulates the body to burn calories.
Oolong Tea (pronounced Wu-Long) are semi-oxidized and express characteristics in-between green and black teas. The leaves are usually brownish in color, large in appearance and produce a very aromatic brew. Due to their smooth, complex flavors, Oolong teas are often a favorite among connoisseurs.
Black Tea comes from tea leaves that have been withered, rolled, oxidized and dried. Essentially, it is this oxidation process that makes black tea different from green tea. May help prevent plaque build-up in arteries, increases bone density and fights bad breath.
Rooibos (pronounced roy-boss) also known as “African Red Bush” consists of tiny, flat leaves and has a sweet, full-bodied flavor without a trace of bitterness. Rooibos has many of the same health-promoting properties as Green Tea, but is 100% caffeine-free. Rooibos grows in a small area north of Cape Town, South Africa with no alternative source available anywhere in the world.
Pu’erh teas, unlike other teas, are aged for a number of years under humid conditions. Pu-erhs come in many forms from loose leaf to compressed. All teas have a wide spectrum of health benefits, but Pu-erh has an extra one. Drinking Pu-erh tea can help reduce cholesterol, according to scientific studies. By helping digestion (particularly of fatty foods), Pu-erh is the perfect tea after a heavy meal.
Tisanes or Herbals teas do not contain any tea leaves but are formulated to be prepared like a tea. They are made from anything other than the leaves of the tea bush (Camellia sinensis).
Yerba Maté is a stimulating herbal beverage that has the ability to energize without the nervousness and jittery edge associated with coffee. Yerba Maté is a healthy drink, which not only wakes you up, but also delivers natural anti-oxidant polyphenols, immune system supporting saponins and a wide spectrum of healthy vitamins and minerals.
* These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.