Tea is an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to Asia. After water, it is the most widely consumed drink in the world. There are many different types of tea; some teas, like Darjeeling and Chinese greens, have a cooling, slightly bitter, and astringent flavour, while others have vastly different profiles that include sweet, nutty, floral or grassy notes.
Tea originated in Southwest China, where it was used as a medicinal drink. It was popularized as a recreational drink during the Chinese Tang dynasty, and tea drinking spread to other East Asian countries. Portuguese priests and merchants introduced it to Europe during the 16th century. During the 17th century, drinking tea became fashionable among Britons, who started large-scale production and commercialisation of the plant in India to bypass the Chinese monopoly.
The term herbal tea usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without the tea plant, such as steeps of rosehip, chamomile, or rooibos. These are sometimes called tisanes or herbal infusions to prevent confusion with tea made from the tea plant.
The tea industry often confusingly uses the term 'fruit tea' to refer to what are in fact fruit-flavoured black teas, not fruit teas.
Health benefits of drinking different types of tea:
Coffee leaf tea
In 2013 scientists found that tea brewed from the leaves of coffee plants is high in compounds that are good for human health.
The leaves of arabica coffee plants in particular were found to have high levels of a chemical called 'mangiferin' which is known for its healthy properties. Mangiferin has been found to reduce the risk of diabetes and blood cholestrol, whilst also protecting neurons in the the brain
Green tea
Green tea has a high concentration of a polyphenol called EGCG which seems to affect human health and disease. The antioxidants in green tea have been suggested to help with breast, lung and stomach cancers, amongst others.
It has also been claimed that a cup of the green stuff can protect against dementia and Alzheimer's as well as improve cholesterol levels.
Black tea
Scientists have found those who drink two or three cups of black tea a day are 50 per cent less likely to exhibit early early signs of dementia compared to those who did not drink it.
Studies have also suggested that it may reduce the risk of stroke and protect lungs against damage from cigarette smoke.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea is believed to aid digestion and combat stress.The menthol present in the tea acts as a muscle relaxant which helps to reduce the amount of stress and anxiety people suffer from.
Oolong tea
Due to its high levels of antioxidants, drinking oolong tea has been found to lower cholesterol levels in a number of studies.
Camomile tea
As well as being linked to longer life for women, scientists have also claimed drinking camomile tea could help keep diabetes under control.
Camomile tea is also considered to be a skincare treatment due to its cleansing and moisturising properties.
‘In a lot of ways, we might get more benefit from a good organic tea than from a vitamin pill,’ says herbalist Marianne Beacon. “You’re getting the benefits of hydration. There’s the social element: Tea is something that you can share with people. And when you’re drinking herbal tea, you get aromatherapy at the same time and that’s something you don’t get from a tablet!’
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