After water, the world’s most popular drink is tea. And whether you’re a new tea drinker or a veteran, there are plenty of reasons to love tea. Are you a recovering caffeine-addict who is looking to turn their coffee habit into a tea habit? Are you a lifelong tea drinker who wants to branch out into different types, styles, and flavors? Or are you simply curious about the wide varieties of tea and their potential (and delicious) health benefits?
Then look no further. As any true tea fan will tell you, when it comes to tea, the options are limitless: both in type and flavor. Each type of tea offers something a little different, and what type of potential health benefits you can access from tea depends on the type of tea itself.
So before you brew your next cup, let’s first take a look at the different types of tea (and help you find your new favorite).
Black Tea
The most common tea in the world, 75% of tea consumed globally is black tea. Black tea tends to be slightly bitter, and has the highest caffeine content of any tea (with 40 mg per cup, compared to 50-100 mg in a cup of coffee).
Black tea contains high concentrations of theaflavins and thearubigins, antioxidant compounds that have been linked to low levels of cholesterol. People who drink three or more cups of black tea a day may decrease their risk of stroke by 21%.
Green Tea
Green tea has a gentler flavor than black tea, and less caffeine: about 25 mg per cup. The antioxidants that green tea is packed with are known as catechins: a subgroup of these called EGCG may help protect against diseases ranging from cancer to heart disease, according to a researcher at the American Institute for Cancer Research. A study has also found that one cup of green tea a day may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by 10%.
Oolong Tea
While oolong tea is similar in flavor to black tea, it has a richer taste and slightly less caffeine (30 mg per cup instead of black tea’s 40). Rebecca Baer, a registered dietitian in New York City, claims that oolong may help in supporting weight loss, stating, Oolong activates an enzyme responsible for dissolving triglycerides, the form of dietary fat that’s stored in fat cells.
White Tea
White tea has one of the mildest flavor profiles, thanks to how early its leaves are picked. White tea is also low in caffeine (only about 15 mg per cup) and has a variety of potential health benefits. Its potential ability to support heart health and fight against cancer is similar to other types of tea, and some research has suggested it may be beneficial for those with diabetes. This is based on an animal study completed by the journal Phytomedicine, which found that white tea intake improved glucose tolerance and reduced LDL cholesterol.
Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is a tea that is not technically tea. Teas technically use tea leaves, whereas herbal teas use dried fruits, flowers, and herbs, on their own or in combination. Herbal teas are completely caffeine-free, and may offer the various health benefits of fruits, flowers, or herbs used to brew the tea. For example, chamomile tea may help promote normal sleep, and because of its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, holy basil tea has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to help support the immune system after injuries or illnesses.
No matter what your tea preference, there are two places to look for high quality teas: Yogi Tea and Mountain Rose Herbs.
Yogi Tea
Yogi Tea is committed to supporting its customers’ overall health and well-being by providing high quality, healthy, organic, natural teas. Yogi Teas come in a variety of delicious flavors and combinations to support their tea drinkers in a variety of health concerns.
From herbal teas (like their digestive-supporting Get Regular Soothing Mint tea) to green teas ( like their Green Tea Super Antioxidant blend) to black teas (like their Cinnamon Berry Probiotic Balance tea) and beyond, Yogi Tea has the right type, flavor, or blend for you.
Mountain Rose Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs is committed to providing consumers with sustainable, quality herbal products to support your health naturally. So whether you’re looking for a small, delicious, caffeine boost, or if you’re looking to make the best herbal tea that isn’t tea, Mountain Rose Herbs is the place to go.
Try their Classic Chai Tea, a deliciously warm and spicy black tea that avoids the high amounts of caffeine, sugar and dairy that come in many chai tea blends or drinks today.
Or if you’re switching from coffee to tea but miss the flavor, then you can’t miss Mountain Rose’s Herbal Coffee Tea, an herbal tea that contains the bold, rich flavor of coffee without the negative side effects.
What’s your favorite type and flavor of tea?
