As the weather gets colder, we are increasingly boiling water for tea as it is the quickest and most pleasant way to warm up a cold body. Many of us think that tea is really just for warming up, but did you know that the Chinese used it as a healing drink? The therapeutic effects of tea vary depending on its type, and each serves a different purpose.
Basic types of tea
Tea is mainly divided according to its processing and degree of oxidation, where the degree of oxidation affects some of the molecules of the leaf, and these then affect the taste of the tea itself. They can therefore be further divided into 4 basic groups:
- green tea – so called “true teaʹʹ, it has many medicinal effects
- black tea – probably the most famous tea, stimulates the body
- white tea – rare and very expensive, characterized by a sweet to honey aroma
- semi-green (oolong) tea – a transition between black and green tea, taste varies
These four types of tea are made from the processed leaves of a shrub called the tea tree. From a technical point of view, fruit teas cannot be called teas because their origin lies in the steaming of the dried, ground fruit, not in the steeping of the leaves of the tea tree. But despite their misnomer, they are a drink full of positive benefits.
Tea from our meadows and fields
As already mentioned, herbal and fruit teas are more properly called decoctions, but herbal teas in particular have become very popular for their health benefits. And no wonder. They can help us both in treating physical problems such as inflammation, as well as relieving stress and inducing mental well-being. Having trouble sleeping? Make yourself a cup of hot lemon balm tea. If constant stress and anxiety prevent you from getting to sleep, then lime blossom tea is the best choice. The varieties are plentiful and definitely worth exploring. It will save you a lot of time and who knows, you might be able to get rid of your health problems.