Tea is the most consumed drink in the world after water and it doesn’t matter what time it is, it’s always a good time to enjoy it, the best thing is that it not only provides us with hydration and a variety of flavors, but it has been proven that it delivers endless properties and benefits for our body.
This delicious drink is very versatile, it can calm the summer heat and it can help you with the cold in winter and the best thing is that there are different types of tea for all tastes, with different colors, aromas and flavors.
Although they come from the same Camellia Sinensis plant, the way in which the leaves are processed after harvest is the key to giving life to a wide variety of teas, each with its own degrees of oxidation, properties and unique flavor.
There are more than 100 types of tea, but there are only 5 traditional ones, the best known for their benefits and the ones that have been on the market for the longest years: green , white, black, oolong and pu-erh tea.
Types of tea
White tea
White tea is one of the most refreshing teas within the variety that exists, since it is the least processed. In China it is consumed mostly in summer as it is said to balance the body’s heat.
This type of tea with exquisite aroma and light color, is the one that contains more antioxidants, even more than green tea, it also has up to three times more polyphenols than the rest, so it is clearly associated with the prevention of aging and strengthening of the immune system, contains less caffeine than any other type of tea, so it does not have major contraindications.
Green Tea
Wonderful antioxidant, which has become very popular in the West in recent years. Mainly green tea is well known because it helps prevent cancer and helps lower the risk of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, it also regulates cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart problems.
black tea
Black tea is a healthier natural energizer than coffee, since it releases caffeine into the bloodstream more quickly and does not stimulate the heart, on the contrary, it makes blood flow better to our brain. It is an activator that contains beneficial antioxidants for our health and that even helps us lower stress and cholesterol levels.
oolong tea
The high concentration of aromatic oils that its leaves secrete during processing makes it a type of relaxing tea, perfect for lowering stress or anxiety levels. It also improves metabolism, which is why it is associated with weight loss.
Pu-erh tea or red tea
This dark tea without bitterness, has an earthy and unique flavor, it is a tea that, like wine, the older the better. Its leaves are aged for up to 60 years and it is very beneficial for the liver, it detoxifies and cleanses by activating the metabolism, which is why it is associated, like green and oolong tea, with weight loss.
It is a type of tea that lowers cholesterol levels and helps protect the immune system and, as if that were not enough, it lifts your spirits and lowers stress levels.
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These are the base of all the types of tea that exist, from these a great variety is derived depending on the oxidation, and that is that the less the leaf is oxidized, it is softer and lighter like white tea, those that are strongly oxidized they will be the darkest and deepest teas, such as black tea and red tea, thus playing with the range of colors, aromas and flavors.
What about chai tea and other types of tea?
Chai tea, peppermint tea, or chamomile tea are strictly herbal teas. In particular, chai tea is an infusion that includes black tea, cardamom, cinnamon and other elements. (Learn about the benefits of chai tea , it’s the new favorite for a reason!)
You know, carbonated or fancy drinks do not provide any benefit to your health, on the other hand, tea, apart from giving you elegant flavors, enriches your health not only physical, but also mental.