Information About the Variety of Teas You Can Drink

Tea has been a popular beverage for thousands of years and there are many cultures where time-honored traditions revolve around tea drinking, such as in Japan with their tea ceremony, and in England with their daily tea time. For many people, taking a break in their day for a relaxing cup of tea is a way to cope with stress and restore equilibrium. We have gathered some common questions related to different teas and tea drinking and hope you find the information helpful

What is green tea?

Green tea is a popular tea beverage that has recently received a lot of attention because it has been found to have many health benefits for those who drink it regularly. It comes from the Camellia sinensis plant that is primarily grown in China and other Asian countries and it differs from black tea, that also comes from the same plant, in that it is less processed and is not fermented. It is believed that this lack of processing helps to retain many of the nutrients and anti-oxidents found in green tea and makes these components more readily available to the body, helping to boost the immune system and prevent many diseases and even prevent tooth decay.

What is white tea?

White tea is related to both black and green teas, because it is harvested from the same plant as the other two teas. However, it is made only from the immature leaves, and the unopened new buds, of the Camellia sinensis, which is a shrub-like plant native to the Asian continent. These tea buds are not fermented and are only very lightly processed so that the nutritional components of the plant are more fully infused into the brew that is made from steeping white tea. Because of this, white tea is considered to be even more potent in it's healing and preventative properties than green tea, which has long been known for it's healthful benefits.

What is black tea?

Black tea is the most common tea beverage that is enjoyed around the world by almost every culture. It is the tea that most people think of when referencing a regular or standard tea drink. It is made by steeping the roasted and fermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant that is native to China. Black tea has been a major export of China for over 1,000 years and it is the best loved tea because of it's full and rich flavor. Aside from its name, black tea is actually reddish in color when brewed. The term black tea can also refer to any tea beverage that is served "black" or without the addition of milk or cream.

What is the difference between a tea cup and a coffee cup?

Compared to coffee cups, tea cups are more delicate vessels. They tend to be more contoured, curving in at the base and also flaring outward at the rim and have a footed base, and a small handle that can be grasped by only one or two fingers and the thumb, whereas the coffee cup generally has straight sides and a large handle that can accommodate all fingers. Tea cups also have thinner rims, are made of more refined materials and are more shallow to allow the tea to cool more quickly.

Is it better to prepare tea from a tea bag or from loose tea leaves?

While it is very popular nowadays to use tea bags to brew tea, there are some drawbacks that you might want to consider. First, most of the tea found in tea bags sold commercially in grocery stores is not the premium dry tea, but is commonly the smaller broken leaves and even just the dust of from broken and crushed tea leaves, resulting in a more harsh flavor. The second problem is that, even if the bag is filled with a good quality of tea leaf, most bags do not allow enough room for the water to flow and completely draw the flavor from the leaves. For these reasons, many tea connoisseurs prefer to use a tea infuser and loose leaf tea for a better flavor and more control over the final brew.

Can green tea help me lose weight?

Green tea is becoming very popular for people trying to lose weight. It has been shown to properties that suppress the appetite and that also increase metabolic rate, both of which can contribute to weight loss. While it does contain some caffeine, it has much less than many other weight loss pills or drinks, so it does not give people the jittery feeling that many people to not like about other weight loss products. Green tea also is known to suppress the release of insulin which can help control blood sugar and can also mean it is less likely for sugars to be turned into fat.

How do I prepare green tea?

Green tea is also referred to as "virgin tea" because it does not go through an intense processing or fermentation process the way that black tea is processed. Because of this it is more delicate and should not be made with boiling water, but with water that is a few degrees below the boiling point to as not to burn or scorch the tender tea leaves. Traditionally, green tea is taken without adding sugar or milk or cream. However, as more people in the Western world are introduced to it, it is more frequently served with the addition of milk and sugar to better please the Western