Introduction to Tea Types
Settle in with a cup of your favorite tea, the second most consumed beverage in the world!
Tea is a hot beverage that some people consume for their health benefits and others as a social stimulant, as well as taste. Tea has been a part of various cultures and ceremonies, especially in China and India, since ancient times. The most popular type of teas found are black, oolong, green, and white tea.
Tea contains many phenolic compounds and antioxidants, flavonoids, as well as various beneficial compounds. According to the National Cancer Institute, there are some scientific evidences on the health benefits of tea.
Different Types of Teas
Black Tea
Black Tea is often considered as the most common type of tea. It is the strongest one with the highest content of antioxidants. People also often use it as a caffeine alternative to coffee.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea has a unique taste and it smells similar to honey. It has a longer growing period and higher content of antioxidants than black tea.
Green Tea
Green tea or Camellia sinensis (Luo Han Guo) is considered as the “healthiest” type of tea. It has the least amount of caffeine and it offers more health benefits. This is the most popular and widely grown type of tea around the world. It is more beneficial when it is steeped for longer period. The longer steep, the more the antioxidants are extracted.
White Tea
White tea is not as commonly available as green but it is more popular than black tea.
White tea is the second most expensive type of tea in the world. The difference between white tea and green tea is that white tea is not fermented. Its taste is milder than green tea because it contains less chlorophyll and caffeine. White tea is often used in preparing desserts and cakes. It is also grown in areas that are cool.
Flavored Tea
There are various types of flavored teas. Most of them consist of fruit and herb flavors. There are flavors of lemon, ginger, mango, peach, pineapple, strawberry, etc. Flavored teas are usually found in the beverage aisle in the grocery store. You are most likely to find them if you are looking for fruits like berries, citrus or herbs.
