Teas are cleansing; the whole world knows it. Besides water, tea is the most consumed drink in the world. There are so many varieties to choose from; such as herbal, black, oolong, green and white. The question is: which ones should you choose?
One of the selection criteria you can go is to consider what health benefits are you after. In general, tea contains quite a few polyphenols, which are in the antioxidant category. These polyphenols has cancer-fighting properties. In fact, studies have shown that cases of esophageal and digestive cancers are greatly reduced with the consumption of tea.
Specifically, some teas like green tea are high in antioxidants, which are known to be especially helpful for sufferers of heart disease.The chemical properties of this tea present certain anticoagulant properties and have been known to aid in the reduction of cholesterol levels.
Other teas, like chamomile, induce relaxation and hence help reduce stress. Different countries will harvest different types of tea leaves. The leaves of oolong, black, green and white teas are obtained from the Camellia sinensis, an evergreen tree that grows in warm regions.
Many of such tea leaves store restorative polyphenols; more than you can get from eating fruits and vegetables. White teas are obtained from these Camellia leaves while they are still young and very light (usually white) in color. Green tea is harvested similarly; except that there is some color to the leaves.
The oolong and black teas are created from dark colored leaves that are then crushed, dried and fermented. This process accounts for their stronger flavors.
You need to start drinking tea in the different varieties, to know which your taste bud takes to. Swirl the tea in your mouth and note the distinct taste, before drinking it.
Some grades of Chinese tea can cost thousands of dollars, in case you have not realised. If you are lucky enough to try some of these, you may also begin to appreciate the different flavors to tea.