Tea has always been my beverage of choice. This is great because by many accounts tea is very healthy, with several compounds in it that are thought to contribute to a healthier if not longer life. If nothing else, it is a tastier way to help you consume that near gallon of water we are supposed to drink daily.Drinking tea is easy, but buying it can be quite confusing. For example, just when I get used to green tea, now I’m told I need to switch to white. What exactly is that orange pekoe anyway? It never tastes like orange to me. Is bagged better than loose? What about those flavored teas and what exactly is an oolong?

First, let’s clear the pot on the basics. According to the book “Tea Basics,” by Wendy Rasmussen, traditional tea is any beverage made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant and hot water. This means that all of those rows of boxes of tea on the shelves are basically the same at the beginning. The difference between varieties mainly has to do with the level of processing. Read More….

Share / Email