And The Winner Is...

Which tea is better, White, Green, Black or Oolong? Tea has been around since 2737 B.C. Legend says that the Emperor of China was sipping from a hot water cup when tea leaves blew into his cup, making the color change. When "camellia sinensis" leaves are dried and processed, it makes what we know as tea. There are four different types of teas:

1. White, young leaves contain the highest antioxidant properties, making it the least flavorless, tasting more like fresh grass. White tea is not processed, so the leaves don't loose its properties, these leaves are air dried for a period of time. The caffeine in white teas are higher than any other teas because the leaves haven't been oxidized.
2. Green, leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. It contains high concentration of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is believed to be helpful: cancer, immune function, cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis and weight loss.
3. Black, the most oxidized of the four, containing the most caffeine. Stronger in flavor, black tea retains its flavor for years.
4. Oolong, most popular in China, the taste resembles that of green tea. It is much richer and tastier. The leaves are either rolled or pressed into a ball when going thru the process of oxidation. It contains only moderate levels of caffeine. The color of this tea tends to be like a golden-brown. The health benefits of this tea are healthy teeth and younger looking skin.

Also when drinking tea, try to buy loose leaves instead than tea bags, experts say they are better because the leaves have more surface for the water to extract the flavor.

So after much reading and deliberation, studies shows that Green tea is the best, because is the least processed, with also the most antioxidant polyphenols. Green tea delivers the highest concentration of beneficial phytonutrients and the least caffeine of all the teas.

Caleb and I just started drinking tea about 2-3 months ago (every night.) I have never liked the idea of it, because of its boring taste but now, just the thought of what the health benefits are and how calming drinking this fluid makes me, I'm hooked. Remember that for the benefits of Green tea to work, we need to drink at least 2-3 cups a day. Here is the most researched on-line store to buy tea, Adagio.