Green tea, white tea, black tea, tea blends and tea time

Tea has been used medicinally for many years, and can help you lose weight, improving cholesterol and fighting cancer. If you're a big lover of coffee, you might want to try sipping some tea for a welcome change of pace. 

Going green

You would have to be living on a desert island to avoid having heard about the health benefits of green tea. Green tea is not fermented, one of the reasons it is so full of powerful antioxidants and such a healthful drink. Green tea leaves are instead steamed, preventing the EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate, a powerful antioxidant) compound from being oxidized. It's no wonder that green tea is most popular drink in China and Japan!

In addition to boosting your immune system, the Chinese have long used green tea to treat medical issues -- from headaches to depression. Furthermore, recent research has found that green tea may help with a rise in the metabolic rate, and can curb your appetite and aid in digestion.

One of my favorites is Tazo Zen Green Tea. Lemongrass, spearmint and a bit of lemon essence make this green tea better tasting than most. Great hot or on ice, it is a genuinely refreshing brew that I look forward to savoring. An aromatic yet inexpensive tea you can probably also find locally is Twinings Of London's Jasmine Green Tea. (Green tea tends to have a lighter flavor than black tea, so you will want to allow it to steep a bit longer -- a minute or two.)

Simple & sweet white tea

Considered one of the rarest teas, white tea comes from the camellias sinensis plant. Its buds are harvested before they are fully open and undergo minimal processing. (White tea is deemed such because of the small white hairs on the buds of the plant turn white when the tea is dried.) This tea has a light sweet flavor naturally, thus no sweeteners need be added to make it palatable.

I find that Imperial White Peach White Tea is particularly delicious and refreshing. I'm from Georgia, so maybe that influences my love for this fruity hometown tea.

A revelation noted in recent scientific studies indicates that white tea contains more polyphenols -- which are the antioxidants that fight and kill cancer cells -- than even green tea. Another health benefit of white tea is that it helps prevent growth of plaque on teeth.

Black tea: Never out of style

With half the caffeine of coffee and boasting vitamins C, A, B and K, some of the main health benefits of black tea come from the ingredient theophylline, which has been found to improve cholesterol.

A study from University College London shows black tea has an effect on stress hormone levels in the body. Study participants who drank black tea were found to have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their blood after a stressful event. Black tea accounts for over ninety percent of all tea sold in the West. It is fully fermented and keeps its flavor for several years.

Tasty tea blends

Did you know that tea is for lovers? The Lover Salontea by Tracy Stern is one of my favorites. I call it "the tea of seduction" because of the potent combination of real chocolate and mixture of spices. It's truly addictive, as Stern says. This chai tea, with pieces of cinnamon, cardamom and cloves, is said to increase stamina and boost energy levels with the aphrodisiac qualities of pure chocolate. Well, um, that's enough to get anyone all hot and bothered. This tea tastes truly great, and offers multiple ways to boost your metabolism. Talk about multitasking!

And for something a little different

  Pu-erh tea is a Chinese tea that can be traced to the Eastern Han Dynasty. While most other teas should ideally be consumed shortly after production, pu-erh can be drunk immediately -- or tastes just as good after being aged for many years.

Timeless Secret Pu-erh Tea has an earthy, rich flavor and numerous benefits for your health and for your skin. Vitamins B5, C and E revitalize the flow of energy to your skin and help to reduce inflammation. These teabags can be steeped multiple times -- making this tea not only healthful and great tasting, but economical, too.

Interestingly enough, Rooibos (pronounced ROY-boss) is part of the legume family of plants, and is used in making this sweet and slightly nutty tasting tea. Free of caffeine and packed with antioxidants, the health benefits of this tea are numerous. It is said to soothe stomach pains, stabilize blood sugar in diabetics and can aid in weight loss. Pregnant women report this tea is great for easing morning sickness.

Rooibos tea has a deep amber color and is sometimes called red bush tea. With this tea in particular, the longer it is brewed, the better it tastes.

Time for tea?

Clearly, the health benefits of tea are bountiful. With a wealth of caffeinated and caffeine-free tea choices, you are sure to find the right recipe for your needs and taste buds. Recent data shows that after drinking the caffeine contained in tea, your energy rises slowly, plateaus and then gradually decreases, so you don't get the crash sometimes associated with coffee products.

For both fabulous flavor and optimum health, tea is tasty any time or the day or evening -- and the added health benefits make it all the more appealing.