Types of Tea
Black, green, white, and purple tea all come from the camellia sinensis plant. When the leaves are harvested during the growth cycle and how they are treated affect their color, caffeination, and taste.
Black tea is made by harvesting, wilting, and crushing the leaves allowing full oxidization.
Green tea is steamed or pan fired right after harvest to stop the oxidization process.
White tea is usually harvested early in the plants seasonal cycle, from the newly opened leaves or even the buds. It is dried but minimally processed.
Oolong Tea is a varietal tea leaf that is processed and oxidized to a level between black and green tea.
Pu-erh tea is steamed or pan fired after harvest, then left to age and partially ferment.
Western Health Benefits
White and green teas are high in anti-oxidants and research shows they may be anti-carcinogenic and immune-boosting.
Additional studies on green tea have also shown that it is high in flavonoids that can help balance cholesterol and blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. Other research has shown it to be anti-inflammatory, beneficial to the skin, and anti-carcinogenic to certain types of cancers specifically.
Black tea also has anti-oxident and anti-inflammatory beneftis, and can also be brewed, cooled, and applied to skin for minor scrapes, cuts, bruises, and even poision-ivy to reduce redness, swelling, and pain.
Oolong tea is high in polyphenols associated with preventing the growth of cancers and decreasing type-2 diabetes risk. Studies have also found it contains an amino acid called l-theanine which has been linked to reduced risk of cognitive diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
Chinese Medicine Health Benefits
Chinese Medicinal Theory categorizes tea as cool, bitter, and sweet. It can be used to treat disorders that are hot in nature, and it can clear up phlegm. It can be drunk to promote urination and detoxify, while it can also aid digestion. It is also said to promote clarity of the mind.
Props
This site offers a more in-depth look and they sell tea.
University of Pennsylvania's article on tea with research linked.
Photo credits: cover, top, middle, bottom.
Chinese Medicine Health Benefits