Which Tea is Right for You?

There are many varieties of tea and we know it can be difficult to choose just one. Sometimes, you have to try many different teas before finally finding the "one" you really like and can't live without.

All tea comes from the same plant Camellia Sinensis, the type of tea, black, green, oolong or white is the result of how the tea was manufactured. Black tea is 100% oxidized, green tea is pan fired or dried, oolong tea is semi-oxidized, and white tea is the least manufactured. Whatever variety you prefer, we all need to start somewhere. 

The best way to start is by asking yourself the following question. What are you looking for in your cup of tea?

• A strong and full-bodied tea.
• A green tea with a sweet note or one with a vegetal note.
• A lightly oxidized oolong tea that is light and mellow or a more oxidized oolong that is earthy and smoky.
• A white tea that has the most antioxidants because it is the least manufactured and can be airy and light on the palate. 
• A jasmine tea that is calming and soothing. 
• A non-caffeinated tea with the ability to pick you up without the need for caffeine. 
• An herbal tea for its many healthy benefits. 

Here are a few tips to help you choose:

Black tea is the strongest and it has a nice pick-me-up. It's full of polyphenols and antioxidants that can help protect your cells from DNA damage. 

Earl Grey black tea with oil of bergamot. A good tea that can perk you up and keep you active through the day. It's good for digestion and can help fight anxiety and depression. 

Smoky tea is a good choice for coffee drinkers. They range from subtle flavor to very earthy, they can lower (LDL) cholesterol and bring your blood sugar levels down.

Green tea, the most popular tea for losing weight. They vary in flavor from sweet notes to vegetal notes. A tea grown in the shade has increased levels of chlorophyll and higher levels of nutrients in the leaves.  

Oolong teas can sharpen thinking skills, improve mental alertness, prevent tooth decay, osteoporosis, and heart disease. 

White tea is the least oxidized and the mildest in flavor. It has anti-aging properties which help in maintaining good health, wrinkle-free skin and can protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. 

Jasmine tea has wonderful calming and relaxing effects on the body. It reduces the risk of heart attack, strengthens your immune system, and can lower your cholesterol level. 

Rooibos is naturally non-caffeinated and is a great source of antioxidants. This tea is rich in polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimutagenic qualities and a great choice if you suffer from seasonal allergies. 

There is a lot of conflicting information on whether or not tea has caffeine. Well, it does. All tea has some level of caffeine but the level of caffeine depends on where the tea was grown and how is was manufactured. Shade-grown teas have more nutrients and caffeine in the leaves. Pan-fired tea has less caffeine than other green tea. If you want to decrease the caffeine you consume, try a cup of tea instead of coffee. Tea has much less caffeine in every cup.  

Peace, Love & Tea

*Tip - You can also reduce the level of caffeine even more by steeping the tea leaves for 30 seconds. Next, throw away that first liquor and re-infuse according to the steeping instructions.*