Many Kinds of Tea

Ask for a cup of tea in a restaurant and you'll likely end up with something black - probably an Orange Pekoe or an English Breakfast. Most people are familiar with black teas (they're also used to make iced tea, the kind you'd also get if you ordered one in a restaurant) and have probably tasted one or two, but did you know that there are at least 6 other kinds of tea out there?

Obviously Green Tea is another popular kind, widely known for its antioxidant health benefits, but if you'd like to branch out into the tea world, here are some other kinds and what to expect when you uncover them.

1. Oolong Tea. All tea comes from the same Camellia sinensis, but this tea in particular is very fragrant. If you've had tea in a Chinese restaurant before, this is likely what you were served. It's generally brewed on the stronger side and has a relatively sweet aftertaste. Oolong tea is closer in flavor to a green tea than a black tea, but it offers less of a grassy-type flavor than green. Oolong tea provides about 15% of the caffeine content you'd find in a cup of coffee.
2. White Tea. White Tea is the least processed tea of the all. Referred to as the purest tea, this tea also has the highest level of antioxidants. If you like a tea with less of a caffeine kick, this one is for you because it's very low in caffeine content. Delicate and naturally sweet, this tea is subtly complex.
3. Mate Tea. Mate tea is uniquely flavorful infusion, and contains a stimulant other than caffeine that reacts differently in the body from other stimulants. Often referred to as the "diet" tea, this tea can act as an appetite suppressant and is made from a wild shrub in Argentina called yerba mate.
4. Rooibos Tea. Also referred to as "red tea," this tea is made from an infusion of the South African red bush. Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine free and very beneficial to your health. It can occasionally contain pieces of fruit, causing it to be high in Vitamin C. It is also said to alleviate allergies.
5. Green Tea. Everyone has heard about the antioxidant benefits of green tea, but did you know that green tea can also be beneficial against gingivitis and cavities? Not only that, but it also works to regulate your blood sugar! Green teas range in flavor from fruity (when infused with these flavors) to a traditional grassy taste.
6. Herbal Tea. Herbal teas are different in that they are not made from the same Camellia sinensis plant, but rather they are an infusion of flavors from different fruits and herbs. Also known as herbal infusions, they are naturally caffeine free and each provides a unique health benefit based on the herb(s) being infused. Flavors range from fruity and light to heavy and fragrant. Cammomile tea has been used for centuries as a sedative and to aid in weight loss.
7. Black Tea. Of course, we still need to mention our most popular tea here in the west. Black tea provides 20% of the caffeine of coffee and often has a stronger flavor than other teas. Many people drink their black tea with sugar or cream. Medical research suggests that black tea may aid in lowering cholesterol!