What is Tea?
Camellia sinensis is the tea plant, whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce tea. Tea, common name of the shrub Camellia sinensis, is widely cultivated in China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Taiwan and other countries. Furthermore, the word tea, is used to refer to the aromatic beverage prepared from the cured leaves of the tea shrub by infusion with boiling water. (Thanks Wikipedia for the definition.)
There are several varieties of tea – all of which you will see reviewed here on Tea Escapade at one time or another. They include:
- White teas:
White tea is the purest and least processed of all teas. White tea usually contains buds and young tea leaves. It has very little caffeine and brews a light color and flavor. White teas also contain the highest antioxidant properties (helps to detoxify and fight cancer), help lower your cholesterol level, and are the best for skin and complexion.
- Green teas:
Green tea is the most popular type of teas, mainly because it is the beverage of choice in Asia. Often Green tea is mixed with fruits or scented with flowers to created flavored or scented Green teas. This tea has only 5-10% the caffeine in coffee. Green tea is also high in antioxidants (helps to detoxify and fight cancer), helps lower blood pressure, fight gingivitis and cavities, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Green teas should be steeped at a much lower temperature than boiling.
- Oolong teas:
Oolong tea is full-bodied with a flavorful fragrance and sweet aroma. Is is a semi-fermented, which gives it approximately 15% of the caffeine in one cup of coffee. Most people commonly recognize Oolong tea as the tea served in Chinese restaurants. Oolong teas promote weight loss by boosting your metabolism rate and aid in digestion by breaking down oils and fats.
- Black teas:
Black tea is the tea most people know since you likely grew up dipping tea bags of black tea in your cup (or from an iced pitcher in the South). Black tea is fully fermented, so it has approximately 20% of the caffeine in a cup of coffee. Black tea helps prevent the absorption of cholesterol into the blood stream, which helps to prevent heart disease. It is also good to prevent gingivitis, tooth decay, and it helps regular blood sugar level and blood pressure.
- Pu-Erh teas:
Pu-erh tea is traditionally made with leaves from old wild tea trees of a variety known as “broad leaf tea” from the tea plant. Pu-Erh tea is known as diet tea, since it helps the body digest fat and break down oils. This tea has a rich, earthy flavor that improves over time like wine. Pu-Erh teas are often aged for up to 15 years to improve the taste. They also assist in lowering cholesterol, which is good for the heart.
- Herbal teas:
Herbal tea does not contain any leaves from the Camellia family, so it is sometimes referred to as a tisane. Herbal teas can be broken into three categories: Rooibos teas, Mate teas, and Herbal infusions. We will cover Rooibos and Mate below. Herbal teas consist of pure herbs, flowers, and fruits. The health benefits of herbal tea varies from tea to tea, but they are all caffeine-free and typically rich in vitamin C. Herbal teas are delicious hot or iced.
- Rooibos teas:
Rooibos (or Red) tea is made from a South African red bush. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein and has higher antioxidants than Green tea. Naturally caffeine free, Rooibos teas are excellent in aiding with digestion, help relieve allergies, and promotes healthy skin, teeth and bones. Rooibos teas are delicious hot or iced.
- Mate teas:
Yerba maté (Spanish yerba mate, Portuguese ervamate), ilex paraguariensis, is a species of holly (family Aquifoliaceae) native to subtropical South America in Argentina, eastern Paraguay, western Uruguay and southern Brazil. Mate tea is considered the coffee lover’s favorite tea. Mate teas give the same energy as coffee without the jitters. They also curb the appetite and contain 21 vitamins and minerals.
Thanks Teavana for the great descriptions with additional details and pictures from Wikipedia. This information will be used by those new to tea for years to come and us current lover’s of tea looking for a refresher.
THE QUESTION IS TAZO ZEN GREEN TEA THE VERT-DOES THIS TEA HELP LOSS WEIGHT OR HELPS YOU BE FULL AND NOT HUNGRY ?
Sheryl Veddern,
I really do not know if TAZO Zen Green Tea aids in weight loss. If I come across some information I will gladly share. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Great descriptions, thanks! I was wondering if you have tried Rooibos tea and could describe how it tastes? I saw some at Whole Foods yesterday, but did not know much about it so maybe next time, but I am curious about the flavor.
Hey Mary,
My experiences with rooibos have typically been as part of a blend. I must say that I really enjoy rooibos – in my opinion it has a nutty flavor. Because it does not come from the traditional tea plant, rooibos does not contain caffeine and therefore is great to drink anytime of the day.
Thanks for the quick response! I actually like caffeine, and it does not tend to keep me awake, but I know how sometimes it is soothing to just have a nice hot cup of tea (or tea relative) and not be concerned about any stimulant effect.
I have totally fallen in love with rooibos! It is a bit oilier than regular tea, so there is much mug washing, but this tastes great with a bit of orange blossom honey (widely available here in Florida) and milk or cream.
It really is hard to describe the flavor, but it is wonderful! It is available in teabags from Twinings’ so it must be gaining a market.
Hey, cool tips. Perhaps I’ll buy a bottle of beer to that man from that forum who told me to visit your blog 🙂
Ex Boyfriend,
Thanks for visiting! Glad you found some useful information. out of curiosity – what forum were you on?
FANTASTIC!
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Sarah
Sarah,
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. I really appreciate comments – helps me know what readers like to see and whether I’m boring them to death! 🙂 Please comment often.
I read your blog for quite a long time and should tell that your articles are always valuable to readers.
Vince,
Thank you for visiting and commenting. Your kind words are appreciated.
Interesting health information, definitely something I can use. Thanks.
I would call myself a tea novice (at best!) but I have truly enjoyed reading your blog. It is full of wonderful tea information that I will be sure to pass on to others. I will be sure to visit again.
Alex,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. There is so much to learn about tea that I always feel like a novice. Tea is amazing-don’t allow it to intimidate you! 🙂 Visit and comment again soon!
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Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope you visit again soon.
Pretty cool post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say
that I have really liked reading your blog posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
LnddMiles,
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! I look forward to reading your thoughts.
Of course, what a great site and informative posts, I will add backlink – bookmark this site? Regards, Reader.
The site was definitely fantastic! Lots of good information and inspiration, both of which we all need!
Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my blog?
Interesting article. Were did you got all the information from…Great articles
Coffeemakers…
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I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.
Just stumbled across your blog while searching info on Lishan Oolong, which I am sipping and enjoying as I write. Native San Franciscan. Thanks for sharing and will be returning often.