Tea – variety is the spice of life
RED, WHITE, Green or Black – when it comes to tea there are so many varieties available.
We drink a lot of black tea in Ireland. One minute we are told it is good for us the next thing it’s bad.
One excuse we use for not drinking green tea is the fact that you don’t usually add milk or sugar. But what if they were good for you, really good for you, would you sacrifice one cup of regular black tea for a green, red or white one?
Teas generally contain varying amounts of vitamins, minerals, polyphenols–catechins so what is the difference between them? Most come from the same plant; it is how they are processed that makes the difference.
Black tea
Black Teas are said to go through a ‘fermentation’ or ‘oxidat i o n ’ p r o c e s s .
T h e enzymes in the leaf are released on to the leaf by crushing, which turns the leaf black. The longer a tea is oxidized, the darker it gets. The skill of plucking the leaves, processing, and in sorting the finished leaves determines the quality of the tea.
Recent studies indicate that the compounds contained in black tea do more than contribute to its dark colour and flavour. They also provide health benefits originally only associated with green tea.
Green tea
Green tea is generally associated with good health, vitality, protection from heart disease and its fat metabolising effect. Studies have shown that green tea can speed up the rate at which stored fat is burned for energy. It can also help to reduce the amount of fat you digest and help block the absorption of fat. Green tea has six times more antioxidant activity than regular tea.
White Tea
White tea is made using immature upper leaves and undergoes much less processing.White tea usually contain higher concentrations of catechins than other teas. It is claimed that white tea is more beneficial than other teas for its role in inhibiting the development of cancer cells. It lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and is reported to increase bone density. It can help your body’s immune system fight off viruses and dangerous infection-causing bacteria. White tea also has an association with anti aging.
Red Tea – Caffeine Free
Scientific studies indicate that drinking Rooibos, the South African Red T ea, daily can reward you with powerful antioxidants that help build the immune system and create a healthier, longer life. It has all the benefits of green tea but it is caffeine free and has half the tannin of regular tea. Red Tea can also relieve digestive problems like nausea, heartburn and stomach ulcers. Red Tea contains zinc which promotes healthy skin.
