Tea: Origins, Flavors and Health Benefits

Tea is a drink that has been part of the complete human diet for thousands of years and continues to be enjoyed by billions around the world. Whether iced, hot or mixed with milk, tea offers many benefits in both quality and quantity without compromising on flavor. And like other beverages such as coffee, tea can be enjoyed at any time during the day because it's rich in antioxidants and minerals such as polyphenols. In fact, there are over 400 varieties internationally recognized by name alone mostly due to their distinct flavors. But even general teas have health benefits which make them an excellent choice for your daily routine! So read more on this informative blog post about how this venerable beverage made its way from ancient China to modern America today.

Tea: Origins, Flavors and Health Benefits

Posted on October 30, 2015 in category: Tea | Comments Off on Tea: Origins, Flavors and Health Benefits

Over time tea has been one of the most popular beverages of choice around the world. The US is no different as data from the NPD Group shows that nearly two thirds of Americans are tea drinkers. A wider range of flavors and types have also become available over time to suit any taste. While some drinks are associated with a specific culture or region, this is not the case for tea which has been enjoyed all over the world for thousands of years. You can even find some varieties dating back to 2nd century B.C. which are still enjoyed by many today.

Origin of Tea in China

Tea has its roots in the country of China, and is often referred to as Chinese tea. The oldest known records are from a philosopher named Lu Yu who details the process for making this ancient beverage in his book titled "The Classic of Tea". But since this was written over a thousand years ago, it's uncertain whether or not the exact recipe is still followed to this day. Many historians now believe that tea originated in the Yellow Mountains where it was first harvested for medicinal purposes rather than as a beverage to be drank alone. This is because certain plants found in these mountains were used in traditional medicine as an antidote against illness and disease. This is why tea was used to rid the body of toxins and fight infections as well.

Health Benefits of Tea & Caffeine Content

Coffee has always had a reputation for keeping you awake, so it's no surprise that tea is also a good source of caffeine. However, it's important to note that green teas are more potent than black (see our blog post about the health benefits of green tea) and that herbal teas have less caffeine than other types. Despite this, both coffee and tea contain roughly the same amount of caffeine at around 60 milligrams per 8 ounces. While for most people this is not enough to cause any jitters, others may get the occasional headache if they drink too much. For most people tea is a good substitute for coffee if you're looking to kick your caffeine addiction but also want to keep some of the health benefits associated with it.

Health Benefits of Tea & Antioxidants

Despite its caffeine content, tea has been shown to have many health benefits since ancient times. Many believe that tea originated in China due to its many antioxidants which help the body fight certain diseases such as cancer and heart ailments. It's even been shown that certain types of polyphenols found in black teas can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and even obesity over time.

Conclusion

Tea is made from leaves of a plant which has been part of traditional medicine for thousands of years. In fact, there are over 300 varieties internationally recognized by name alone due to their distinct flavors. Although it originated in the country of China, tea can be enjoyed all over the world today and offers many health benefits as well. Whether you're looking for a soothing drink or to kick your caffeine addiction, hot or cold tea can help you find the perfect cup anytime of day!

Feel free to share this page on social media and spread the word about some of the health benefits associated with drinking tea. We hope you enjoyed reading this article! Stay tuned for more interesting tips on healthy living here on our blog.