Feature Story

There is nothing like a soothing cup of tea to warm you from head to toe on a cold winters' night! A vast assortment of teas and flavors are available for enjoyment or medicinal reasons. Whether you need an energy boost or something to sooth your nerves, there is a tea for every occasion.

Many commercially sold teas are made from a blend of flavors derived from plants. Frequently, less expensive teas are mixed with those of better quality. The four most popular varieties of tea - black, green, white, and oolong – are derived from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The differences between them are determined by the type of processing they undergo. Black tea is the most processed, or oxidized; green tea is minimally processed; and white tea is the least oxidized. Teas made from Camellia sinensis are natural sources of antioxidants (polyphenols), caffeine, and the amino acid theanine, a natural remedy for stress. Look for organic, or 100% natural, teas to ensure your favorite brew contains only all-natural herbs and plants with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Although tea has not surpassed coffee’s popularity in the United States, traditional varieties of exotic teas from around the world have become one of the hottest new trends in the beverage industry. Today your local coffee house sells a wide assortment of teas with a range of flavors and colors. Teas with hard-to-pronounce names like rooibos and oolong, sweet dessert-like teas such as bubble and chai, or nutrient-rich and medicinal teas, are all available with caffeine, naturally caffeine-free, or decaffeinated. The variety is endless and is sure to expand! Here is a look at some of America’s favorite teas for the new tea aficionado:

Black tea - Black tea has the highest concentration of caffeine and is the most popular tea worldwide. In the United States, 80% of the black tea served is iced. If iced tea is your choice of beverage, brew unsweetened tea from a tea bag or loose herbs and sweeten lightly if necessary. A typical bottle or can of commercially prepared iced tea often has between six to ten teaspoons of sugar, as much as a soft drink.

Green tea - Green tea has undergone minimal oxidation during processing. A long list of health benefits is associated with green tea including: weight loss; reduced risk of heart disease and cancer; and a beneficial effect on brain activity. Many varieties of green tea exist including jade, matcha, bancha, and sencha. The variety depends on how the leaves were cultivated.

White tea - White tea is the least processed of the Camellia sinensis teas and has a delicate sweet flavor with more cancer-fighting antioxidants and less caffeine than black or green tea. White tea is relatively new to North America and is similar to green tea in that it's undergone very little processing with no fermentation. However, there is a noticeable difference in taste. Most green teas have a distinctive 'grassy' taste to them, but white tea does not.

Oolong tea – Oolong means “black dragon” in Chinese. Oolong tea, a cross between green and black tea, is the most difficult and complicated to process, and is only partially oxidized. The many variations in processing produce a wide spectrum of flavors. The polyphenol-rich brew has a long list of reputed health benefits such as weight loss, detoxification and headache relief.

Rooibos - Rooibos (pronounced “roy-boss”) is the hottest new trend in tea. Also known as red tea, this popular caffeine-free beverage is rich in polyphenol antioxidants. For the maximum benefits of rooibos’ antioxidants, choose a non-oxidized green variety rather than the red variety.

Herbal tea - Herbal tea, or tisane, is an infusion of any plant other than the tea bush (Camellia sinensis). Herbal teas can be made with fresh or dried leaves, fruit, roots, flowers, or seeds. Popular herb teas include chamomile and peppermint.

Medicinal tea - The use of medicinal plants in the treatment and prevention of disease was practiced long before the arrival of modern medicine, and is once again being embraced today. Teas are available as remedies for many ailments including sore throats, insomnia, anxiety, constipation, weight loss, PMS, and detoxification.

Chai tea - Chai (rhymes with pie) tea is an aromatic, spicy, milky tea that is a popular drink in India. Also known as Masala Chai, it is a blend of freshly ground spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and peppercorns. Chai is often blended with boiling water, sugar, and milk for a delicious, creamy hot beverage.

Bubble tea - Bubble tea is an iced sweet tea made from tapioca pearls, tea, milk, sugar or honey, and other flavorings. The distinctive characteristics of bubble tea are the black gummy balls made of tapioca called "pearls" that sit at the bottom of the cup. The milky tea is usually sold in a 16 oz. serving cup and often contains 350 calories, 28 grams of sugar and up to 13 grams of fat!