For centuries and counting, Tea one of the most sought after healthiest tea on the planet, it is loaded with powerful antioxidant that helps combat health related issues.
Firstly, we must know that all ‘true’ Tea we consume is gotten from a green leaf, Camellia sinensis plant, various teas are made from either dried leaves or buds of Camellia sinensis, but the level of fermentation of the leaves determines the type of tea formed.
According to a report from the International Institute of Sustainable Development, tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, after water.
The popular kind of ‘true’ tea Includes;
- Green Tea
- Black Tea
- White Tea
- Oolong Tea
However, there are other teas out there with their amazing health benefits, This article will highlight 13 kinds of tea and its health benefits
13 Intriguing Kinds of Tea
1. Green Tea
Green was originated from China some other persons disagree though, they believe it originated from Japan. Well, study has revealed that the true origin of Green Tea is China, additionally, Tea drinking originated from China during the reign of mythological Emperor Shennong.
Green tea is prepared by steaming and pan-frying the Camellia sinensis leaves and then drying them. Green tea is not fermented, so it is able to maintain an important molecules called polyphenols, which seen to be responsible for many of its health benefits. It also contains caffeine.
Green Tea is loaded is with powerful antioxidant that helps;
- improve the brain function
- reduce fats in the body
- protects against cancer
- lowers the risk of heart disease
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
2. Black Tea
Made with the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, black tea is a true tea.
The most common type of tea is black tea, referred to as red tea in China. It is fully oxidized and it possesses a strong, bold and full-bodied flavour. This can be made bitter, sweet, vegetal, fruity or spicy depending on each one’s choice.
It’s also one of the most popular drinks in the world, particularly so in Great Britain and Ireland. In fact, Brits are thought to drink approximately 100 million cups of black tea every single day.
Due to the slightly bitter and contracting taste, many people enjoy adding a small amount of milk to black tea.
3. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint is an aromatic herb in the mint family that is a cross between watermint and spearmint.
Native to Europe and Asia, it has been used for thousands of years for its pleasant, minty taste and health benefits.
The dried leaves of the peppermint plant make a bold, refreshing and very minty tea. It has a very strong and distinct flavour, and not everyone can develop the taste for this. It is one of the most popular herbal teas.
4. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea comes from the edible flowers of the Matricaria chamomilla plant, otherwise known as chamomile.
This particular drink has a reputation for being a good bedtime beverage, and manufacturers claim it helps to relax our bodies. It is one of the most popular types of tea and it pairs a mild bitterness with a light, floral, and slightly sweet taste
However, a recent systematic review That drinking chamomile tea may be helpful for users with anxiety or insomnia.
5. White Tea
White Tea is one the white is the mildest tea of the True Teas produced from Camellia sinensis plant.
Firstly, when making white tea, the tea leaves are picked at a younger stage, they don’t undergo processing such as rolling or oxidation, which leaves them with a mild and light taste.
It may also be a good option for those with caffeine sensitivities since it only contains around 25% as much caffeine in coffee.
White tea is the least processed of all varieties of tea. The leaves are left to wither and dry on their own, which gives them a very delicate and naturally sweet flavour. It has a very little amount of caffeine. The flavour has a balance of floral and fruity undertones.
Despite these differences, the nutritional profile and polyphenolic content of both green and white tea are similar.
6. Rosemary Tea
Do you know that the rosemary plant isn’t only a herb for culinary purposes, but it is also a popular variety of herbal tea.
Making rosemary tea simply involves soaking approximately a teaspoon of rosemary leaves (fresh or dried) in hot water.
Once the tea has been brewing for several minutes, the color of the water will be light yellow and offer a mild-tasting tea. For a stronger brew, steeping the leaves for 5-10 minutes will provide a more flavorful rosemary tea.
Rosemary tea offers an earthy and mildly minty flavor, and it’s a tasty and relaxing herbal tea.
The drink also provides a rich source of polyphenols, which may potentially offer some benefits. However, there is no strong research from human trials on the potential effects of polyphenols in rosemary
7. The Pu-erh Tea:
The Pu-erh is a Chinese drink and it has the local name of ‘heicha’. Generally speaking, the taste is more bitter than standard tea, although it does become milder over time.
Traditionally, green pu-erh tea is the preferred choice and it has been around for centuries. However, making pu-erh from black tea has also ecome popular over the last few decades. Pu-erh has an equivalent caffeine content to whatever type of tea it is made from.
Randomized controlled trials demonstrate that pu-erh tea might potentially improve health markers in patients with metabolic syndrome
8. The Matcha Tea
Matcha is popular in Japan, where people tend to drink it in its pure state. The drink has a strong, bitter, and grassy taste.
However, (much of) the rest of the world mixes it with large amounts of sugar and steamed milk to make a green tea latte, in which case it has a sweet and milky taste. Unfortunately, drinking matcha in this way is worlds apart from the pure ground leaves in terms of health effects.
Promotional marketing for matcha tea often makes strong claims of health benefits and promotes the idea that matcha is more beneficial than regular green tea since drinkers consume the leaves.
9. The Oolong Tea
The Oolong is another of the “true” teas and it comes from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant.
But just what is it and how does it compare to green and black teas?
Firstly, oolong is a partially oxidized tea – it undergoes part of the same process as black teas.
Depending on the degree of leaf oxidation, it may taste closer to a green or black tea.
Oolong has a mixture of the potential benefits that green and black teas provide, and it contains a range of polyphenols found in both.
In terms of human research, a small study found that oolong tea might be effective for helping control blood glucose levels.
Additionally, the tea contains a wide range of polyphenols that may potentially help to reduce levels of oxidative stress.
10. The Moringa Tea
The Moringa (moringa oleifera) plant sometimes goes by the name of ‘horseradish tree’ and it is native to the Himalayas in northwest India.
The flowers, seeds, roots, and leaves are all edible, and some Asian cultures use the leaves for culinary purposes.
Moringa tea is a mild, earthy tea that provides a little bit of vitamin C.
It is also possible to make tea from the leaves, and this comes in both dried and powdered forms. The tea itself has a light, grassy taste. It is quite mild and tastes somewhat similar to nettle tea.
Nutrient-wise, it is a rich source of several essential vitamins – particularly vitamin C and the B vitamins. Regarding the former, moringa leaves contain more than 200 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams, which is more than double the FDA’s daily value and more than a typical orange (26).
11. The Rose Tea
The rose tea is gotten from rose flower. Rose tea comes from the dried petals of the flower.
These dried leaves can either make a pure tea or can combine with other herbs to make a rose-flavored drink.
In terms of taste, rose tastes light, sweet, and slightly tart. The mildly sour notes come from the rose petal’s citric and malic acid content.
Also, the dried petals contain various anthocyanins, the same class of polyphenol present in different types of berries.
12. Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is made by boiling the peeled root in water or milk. It is used as a spice and medicinal plant. In ancient times, people often use it to treat coughs and the flu, among other ailments
Two of these compounds gingerols and shogaols are considered ginger’s main bioactive components. This means they are the ones behind most of the health benefits of ginger and ginger tea.
13. Chai Tea
Chai tea is made from a combination of black tea, ginger and other spices. The most popular spices include cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, black pepper and cloves, although star anise, coriander seeds and peppercorns are other well-liked options.
Chai tea is a sweet and spicy tea renowned for its fragrant aroma.
Depending on where you come from, you may recognize it as masala chai. However, for the purpose of clarity, this article will use the term “chai tea” throughout.
Unlike regular tea, which is brewed with water, chai tea is traditionally brewed using both warm water and warm milk. It also tends to be sweetened to varying degrees.
Disclaimer: The information published in this article is purely for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any disease and should not be treated as medical advice.
