Types of Tea

Part 3 in my January series on tea. Wanna see more? Check out my Pinterest board on tea.

So, what is tea really? Tea is a drink made by pouring hot water over cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.

When they start out, the different varieties of tea leaves are actually very similar. What really differentiates the types is what is done to them during processing. The way each type is processed creates the variations in color and flavor that you see. The amount of oxidation that occurs during this process is what brings out the color in the tea.










The 4 Major Tea Types:

Black

Like other varieties of tea, black tea is rich in polyphenols, a type of antioxidant.  It's also very low in calories, protein, sodium, and fat. Some studies have also pointed towards black tea reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Oolong

Like other varieties of tea, Oolong is often associated with benefits to cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of cancer, and boosting metabolism. It contains a healthy dose of antioxidants and is semi-oxidized, ranging somewhere between black and green tea is color.

Green

Green tea has been touted as having a number of health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease, boosting metabolism, and lowering your risk for cancer. In addition, green tea extracts are now appearing widely in beauty and health products.

Studies on green teas true health benefits are still pretty inconclusive, but this tea does still have plenty of antioxidants and shares the same benefits as other varieties.

White

White tea is made of the buds and leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. Its name is actually derived from  the silvery-white hairs on the tea plants buds.

White tea shares the same antioxidant powers of other varieties of teas.Various studies have also pointed to its potential benefits in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as having antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti bacterial qualities.

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Tea + Hats

Part 2 in my January series on tea. Wanna see more? Check out my Pinterest board on tea.

Tea and hats are just better together. From the Mad Hatter himself to Victorian ladies, hats and tea have been a classic pairing.

Somewhere along the way we stopped mixing these two, but I love looking back at this fashion statement.

Here's a collection of some of my favorite tea hats from across the web.

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Happiness is a pot of tea to yourself

I've declared January "tea month" -- it seemed like the thing to do. Here's the first post in my month-long exploration into the best beverage on earth.


As I sat over a steaming pot of tea this morning, cupping its sides to warm my hands in the chilly January air, I was just plain happy.

Traditionally, tea was a sign of civilization, a luxury, and a ritual. For my Grandma, it was the thing you must drink in the afternoon and evenings (she was British after all). For my Mom, it can be hot, cold, or any temperature in between as long as it's strong and black.

For me, it solves problems. Nothing looks as bad after a cup of tea or with one in hand.

So, this month I'm celebrating this brewed beverage in all forms.


Kicking off my month-long series, I'd like to discuss the teapot. Not to be confused with a teakettle (in which you boil water) a teapot is that noble vessel in which the tea is steeped, served, and kept warm. It never goes on the stove (this causes a very large explosion of hot water and teapot fragments as one of my friends recently proved). It just acts as the intermediary between boiling water and cup.

Teapots can be found in every shape, size, and level of adornment. Golf leafed, china, patterned with flowers, with sweeping spouts and intricately curved handles. Here is a collection of some of my favorites from around the web.

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