Which Tea Type Are YOU?

Tea has been enjoyed by many cultures for centuries thanks to its refreshing and revitalizing properties, but it is only in recent years that scientists have confirmed the many beneficial properties of this beverage, which is high in antioxidants which can help fight off the free radical damage associated with aging.

All true teas come from the same plant, a bush known as Camellia Sinensis, but the differences in processing the leaves result in different types of tea. Here’s a breakdown of the different tea types:

Green Tea: Green tea is produced when the leaves of the tea plant are simply steamed, rolled and dried. This tea has a light, almost grassy flavor and high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols.

Black Tea: Black tea is made using the same leaves as green tea, only the leaves go through a longer oxidation and fermentation process, which leads to its darker color and stronger flavor. The process means that black tea also has higher levels of caffeine and tannins than green tea.

Red Tea: In the West, we refer to the color of the tea leaves, and thus call it “black tea” — but the Chinese refer to the color of the brewed drink, which is why black tea is often called red tea in China. Another kind of red “tea” called ‘Rooibos’ isn’t technically a tea as it comes from an entirely different plant, the Aspalathus linearis or red bush plant from South Africa.