Tea: Origins, Flavors and Health Benefits

Here you can read about the difference between black tea, green tea,
oolong tea and white tea. Individual health benefits are mentioned too.

How many times do we just want to drink tea after a heavy meal, but are
then bombarded with all the various tea flavours that we get lost. This
article answers that need.

What you should always remember is that there are only four types of tea.
1) Black tea
2) Green tea
3) White tea
4) Oolong tea

All these are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis, also known
as the tea plant. Other herbal infusions such as chamomile tea, ginger
tea or red tea made of rooibos leaves are disqualified as types of tea
since the tea plant is not involved in their making. The difference
between the four tea variations lies in the process of making them. In
addition, each type of tea has another flavor and various health benefits.

1) Black Tea
The strong flavored burnt Sienna colored hot beverage is the most
popular type of tea in the West. Either served with a squeeze of lemon
or added milk and a cube of sugar, the cup of black tea is part of daily
tea ceremonies that take place worldwide. Black tea is made of heavily
oxidized Camellia sinensis leaves. When served plain, it contains no
calories, carbohydrates, or fats. A cup of black tea contains more
caffeine than any other types of tea but less than in any cup of coffee.

2) Green Tea
The lightly oxidized tea has been popular in China, Japan and Korea for
centuries. Recently, rumors on its health benefits increased its
popularity in the West as well. It has been proven that drinking green
tea can lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, increase metabolic rates and
be helpful in variety of other conditions and illnesses. The green tea
is lightly oxidized, dried, but not fermented. It is usually served
plain, without sugar or milk. Since some of the green tea variants taste
a bit bitter, it should be brewed in lower temperature than the boiling
point.

3) White Tea
White tea is rarer and more expensive than the other types of teas
mentioned above. Originated in the Fujian province of china, the white
tea is made of young Camellia sinensis leaves, which go through a long
process of steaming or frying, inactivate fermenting and drying. Since
the leaves are harvested while the buds are still covered by white hair,
it is called white tea. White tea has the most delicate, sweet taste
than the other types of tea. Moreover, it contains the smallest amount
of caffeine and the largest amount of antioxidant that help prevent cancer.

4) Oolong Tea
The traditional Chinese tea is the common companion of Chinese foods
such as dim sum and chop suey in American Chinese restaurants. The
oolong tea, black dragon in Chinese, got its name after its long, dark
distinguished leaves that look like wild black dragons when brewed. The
unique taste of the oolong tea is achieved by a long process that
includes sun drying of the Camellia sinensis leaves, light oxidization,
cooling and drying processes. The result is a lighter flavor than the
popular black tea and stronger than the delicate green tea.