There’s nothing quite like a hot cup of tea.
But have you ever stopped to consider how tea is made?
Or how tea types differ from one another?
Anthia Cumming/Getty Images
Believe it or not, some major tea varieties come from the same plant.
Other teas have a composition of different plants and herbs.
Youll often find that black tea leaves are crushed into small pieces, which encourages oxidation.
For the most part, smaller leaves indicate a more concentrated cup of tea.
A cup of black tea can support heart health thanks to the presence offlavonoids.
Also keep in mind that some protein-richfoods don’t go well with a cup of tea.
Energizing and soothing, green tea is a perfect beverage for mornings and early afternoons.
Sip on a cup of oolong tea if youre feeling stressed or anxious.
The popular tea also supportsgood gut healthandhelps fight inflammation.
After theyre picked, the leaves are left out to oxidize for a few hours before theyre dried.
The final product is a light, delicate tea with floral notes.
A cup of white tea has a minimal caffeine content, making it lower than many other varieties.
Like other teas made fromCamellia sinensis, white tea is packed with antioxidants and can reduceharmful inflammation.
Enjoy any time of day.
The plants stems and leaves get oxidized and dried, turning a distinctive reddish color in the process.
Rooibos tea tastes mellow, subtly sweet, and nutty and does not contain any caffeine.
Like many other teas, rooibos provides antioxidants and is a heart-healthy drink.
Generally speaking, herbal teas are caffeine-free, and each variety has its ownhealth benefits.
Chai has health benefits similar to black tea and contains antioxidants that can reduce inflammation.
However, enjoy chai in moderation due to theadded sugar.
For those who prefer a little sweetness, addhoney or maple syrupinstead of sugar.
Many tea aficionados liken pu-erh tea to wine: the longer it is aged, the better it tastes.
Darker-aged pu-erh teas tend to have more earthier notes, whereas lighter versions taste bitter.
It also has a woodsy, sweet flavor that’s hard not to like.
2020;75(1):12-23.