Ah, hot tea. It’s been around for thousands of years and most of us love it. In truth, tea is one of those comfort drinks, a stabilizing brew that many people profess help them both spiritually and physically.

The Power of Tea
Tea’s medicinal properties have been the subject of myriad studies for at least a decade. Studies on green tea indicate that it protects against a variety of cancers and even some precancerous conditions. Green tea may also protect the skin, and some preliminary research suggests that it may aid in weight loss by increasing metabolism.

According to Linda Sawall, Owner of Sawall Health Foods in Kalamazoo, green tea is the most popular selling tea, “because of the antioxidants it contains, and because apparently it does so many good things.”

And some teas are imbibed to help regulate moods and energy. “Many people buy teas to help them sleep,” Sawall says. “They enjoy drinking tea in the in the evening and want something that’s relaxing.”

Seasonal teas for colds, sore throats and flu, and detoxifying teas that aid regularity are also in demand. The antioxidant properties of tea may help improve or protect a person’s general health, but most tea aficionados drink tea for pure enjoyment, relaxation and comfort.

“Many people start drinking tea because of health issues, but may only drink it for awhile,” says Mary Jones, Owner of Intu Specialty Teas and Accessories in Detroit (www.intutea.com). “I tell people to drink tea for enjoyment. And if they try different types of teas and flavors, they’re more apt to continue drinking tea.”

An Array of Teas
White, green, black, red—how do you choose? And if you are new to drinking tea, where do you start?
Out of the more than 3,000 varieties of tea worldwide, most of which come from China, consider the basic categories: white, green, oolong, black, flavored, blends and herbal teas.

• White Tea is somewhat rare, but according to Sawall, is suggested by doctors for arthritis pain or pain in general.
• Green Tea comprises about 10 percent of the world’s teas.
• Oolong Tea is considered to be among the finest and most expensive; has a fruity taste, similar to peaches.
• Black Tea is the most common type of tea, with a variety of flavors, but is known for a bolder taste than green or oolong teas.
• Flavored Teas combine flavors from flowers and herbs, and is a favorite bedtime brew.
• Blends combine different types of teas and most often include English Breakfast and Earl Grey blends.

Another tea variety, although somewhat rare, is made from an herb called rooibos. “It’s also called red tea, bush tea or African tea,” Jones says. “This herbal tea is farm-raised and grown wild in Africa. It’s naturally decaffeinated and many African women drink it when they’re pregnant. Rooibos is also used as a meat and chicken marinade and is a variant for people who can’t handle caffeine.”

Jones is not a proponent of decaffeinated teas, believing that when you “take the caffeine out of the tea you take the heart out.” Instead, she suggests drinking blends, herbal or fruit-based teas. Another option is one of Jones’s private tea blends, made especially for individuals, spas and gift shops.

“Blending teas for individuals is an art for me,” she says. Jones says she was born with a strong sense of taste and smell (she started collecting teapots at age three), and can actually visualize the taste of tea for someone. “I try to get the right information, determine personality, and then blend the tea just for them.”

Sawall says that many people are buying loose leaf teas and blending their own, as well. “By mixing a teaspoon of this and that, people are devising their own tea concoctions,” she says.

Enjoy A “Cuppa”
Brewing a perfect cup (pot) of tea may take a little practice and individual preference, but the process is pretty straightforward. Loose tea leaves are preferred, as once the hot water hits the leaves they expand. While more costly than tea bags, loose leaves can be brewed up to three to four times without losing their flavor.

Jones advises to start with cold water, which has “energy” and gives tea its foundation.

Tea Directions
• Run hot water in your teapot, swish it around and empty. (Gets the pot to temperature.)
• Place loose tea leaves in the bottom of the pot. (Using a diffuser or infuser is discretionary.)
• Pour boiling water over the tea leaves. If using green, black or oolong, steep 3 to 5 minutes. Fruit-based and herbal teas—steep 5 to 10 minutes.
• Place a strainer over your cup to catch the tea leaves and pour.
• Another cup? Place tea leaves back into the pot; add boiling water and re-steep, adding three minutes per re-use.

Sip, enjoy and relax (milk and sugar/honey are optional).

Sources:
www.starchefs.com
www.tea4health.com