Some people don't start their day without drinking tea. It is a refreshing drink that is loved by people all over the globe. Tea comes in all flavors according to your taste and preference, and every type of tea has a specific harvesting and processing method. For instance, some are steamed, and some of them are pan-fried. Moreover, some are oxidized, and some are not! If you are new to tea and want to try out the best available taste, keep reading this buying guide to brush up your tea knowledge.
The following guide will tell you about the different types of tea available, essential considerations to keep in mind when buying it, and much more. At the end of this guide, you will also get answers to some of the frequently asked questions relevant to tea:
The Different Types of Tea
Below are some of the famous tea types that you might have heard of:
Green tea
The first type we are going to discuss is green tea. It is made from the camellia Sinensis plant. This type has a light green or yellow color, which has a fragile body and provides you with a mild taste. It is harvested and steamed instantly or even pan-fried to stop the oxidation process. Moreover, this is produced in China and Japan.
Black tea
The majority of the people are familiar with this type, or they will have heard about it. You can find black tea bags provided by some of the famous brands like Tetley and Lipton. This type has high caffeine, and it has a dark, coppery color which provides a strong flavor. For manufacturing, tea leaves are wilted, harvested, and lastly crushed lightly. This tea is made in China and India.
White tea
White tea is delicate and made with minimal process. It has a light body and provides you with a mild flavor with a clean and crisp finish. It has an amount of caffeine. This tea is harvested from the first tips and buds of the plants before they turn into whole leaves. This primary production is done in China.
Pu-erh tea
This tea is made in a way similar to green tea. It has an inky-brown color and has an entire body with a rich, satisfying, and earthy taste. This type is partially fermented, and in terms of characters, it resembles black tea. It is made in Pu-erh city, which is located in the Yunnan province of China.
Oolong tea
This tea is partially oxidized, which falls between black and green tea in terms of oxidation. It can range from 10 to 80% oxidation, giving a pale yellow to an amber cup of tea. Note that the oolong teas are wilted, harvested, and then partial oxidation is done. The primary production takes place in China and Taiwan.
Some other types of teas include Matcha, Purple, Herbal, Rooibos, and Mate Tea.
What To Consider When Purchasing Tea
When you are about to purchase the tea for your use, then you should consider the following things:
Be careful about tea bags
The majority of the tea bags are made from bleached paper, rayon, PVC, and thermoplastic. Once you immerse this inside the boiling water, this will release harmful chemicals into your tea. A lot of people are not aware of this as they are drinking different chemicals. Note that the traditional tea bags, due to less space, have low grades of tea leaves in contrast to the whole herbs and leaves.
Go for organic tea
It is always best to pick organic tea as it is much better for your health. This option is not only good for your health but also for the environment. When you visit the shop to buy tea, ensure that the product has a certified organic bud logo. If more people are buying organic tea, this will encourage farmers to grow more!
Proper storing
How are you planning to store your tea? Remember that tea or even herbal tea has a shelf life of 2 years only if stored properly. It is best to keep your tea in a cool or dry place. Moreover, you can also consider using airtight containers made of glass to protect them against direct sunlight.
The Health Benefits of Tea
Tea provides some good health benefits that most people might don't know. Different types of teas have different benefits, so we'll break down the best benefits from each tea.
Herbal tea
Also called tisanes, this type of tea has no caffeine, so it is known for its calming properties. Some different kinds of herbal tea are very beneficial for your health:
Rooibos: Improves blood circulation, boosts good cholesterol, keeps hair strong, and much more.
Chamomile Tea: Reduces muscle spasms and menstrual pain and improves your sleeping along with stress reduction.
Ginger: Fights against morning sickness and is best for treating chronic indigestion. It also reduces joining points due to osteoarthritis.
Hibiscus: Lowers your blood pressure and fat level. It is also known to improve your liver health and prevent the formation of stones in your kidney.
White tea
- It is very effective in fighting against different cancers with a good amount of oxidants.
- This tea is also good for your teeth' health, and high amounts of fluoride, tannins, and catechins will fight against the plague.
- Make your teeth resistant to sugar or acid.
Green tea
- It has a good amount of flavonoids that boost your heart's health.
- Lower the bad cholesterol and also minimize the blood clotting.
- It will also reduce blood pressure, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Black tea
- It also has a flavonoid that overcomes inflammation and provides support to the immune system.
- Good in relieving pain and minimizes swelling.
- Reduce the inflammation due to skin rashes.
Oolong tea
- This tea has I-theanine, which is an amino acid that is going to reduce anxiety.
- It improves attention and increases alertness
- I-theanine amino acids also help in preventing cognitive diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
- The high amount of polyphenols within the tea will reduce inflammation and avoid cancer growth.
- It also reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Teas You Should Avoid
If you want to take good care of your health, then you should avoid drinking the following teas:
- Say no detox teas, which are used for dieting purposes. It will affect your health due to the laxatives.
- Don't drink fancy drinks or tea lattes. Some green tea lattes that you drink from stores might have a good amount of sugar.
- Avoid using trendy bubble teas as they have sugars, carbs, and calories with no nutritional value.
- Herbal tea contains different fruits, spices, flowers, and herbs that are not suitable for every person. Read about the ingredients on the pack. When drinking herbs, do check for allergies.
