Guest Post
Three Little Known Facts About Tea…
Did you know that a large part of the “tea” on the market isn’t really tea at all?
How about that drinking tea may help keep the dentist away?
Or that an average of 3 billion cups of tea are consumed daily worldwide?
Pretty amazing, right?
But lets start at the beginning. One of most interesting fact about tea is that all varieties of tea actually come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. It is from this one plant that we get black, green, white, and oolong tea (and all variations in-between).
And herbal teas aren’t actually tea. Instead they are a combination of herbs, flowers, or other fruit also commonly known as “tisanes.”
The difference in the tea varieties is all related to how the tea leaves are processed. Variations in picking time and fermentation produce the different strengths, colors, and flavors that we are all familiar with.
Tea, the real ancient Chinese secret…
Tea plants are native to China and other parts of South and East Asia. It is believed to have been processed as a beverage for over 5,000 years, with the first recorded history of use dating back to the 10th century BC.
So, what makes tea so special (other than being delicious)?
Well, tea leaves contain a number of compounds that are known to be beneficial to human health. These include flavanoids, amino acids, catechins, polyphenols, vitamins (C, E, and K), and polysaccharides.
There is some evidence that tea (oolong tea and green in particular) may have some anticancer properties. There is also research linking tea to improved immune function, lowered cholesterol, and normalizing blood pressure. Oolong tea has also been shown to support the body’s metabolism and increase fat loss.
And those benefits are really just the tip of the iceberg. Which reminds me…it’s the perfect time of year to start enjoying some hot tea.
Oh, and that thing about the dentist? Well, tea also contains fluorine, which helps to prevent tooth decay.
Want to find out the best Oolong tea on the market? Find out here…
-Marisa
Okuma Nutritionals
Thanks for sharing these wonderful and unknown facts about tea. As most us don’t know that the different tea extracts from single plant. The other benefit of Tea is its antioxidants protect your body from the ravages of aging and the effects of pollution. The other best thing about tea is it doesn’t have any calories, unless you add sweetener or milk.