More refined than coffee, more grown-up than soda or milk, tea is the not-so-new kid on the beverage block. And for good reason. Unlike coffee, tea is an event. With its sit-and-sip attitude, it offers a much-needed opportunity to slow down. Herbal teas are jitter-free, and even black tea has only a third the caffeine of coffee. And while coffee is, essentially, coffee — black and pungent — tea offers a broad palate of flavors, colors and scents, from rich Irish Breakfast to spicy ginger to fruity hibiscus.
Another reason to take tea: its healing properties are so potent, it’s like a supplement in a cup. A cup of green tea is filled with antioxidants, and green and black tea can reduce the risk of cancer. Herb teas offer their own benefits — chamomile has a calming effect, ginger helps circulation, mint acts as an internal antiseptic and raspberry leaf helps regulate the menstrual cycle.
“Tea is one of the earliest forms of medicine,” says Lynda Sadler, president of Traditional Medicinals. “When you make a cup of tea, you’re making your own herbal extract — technically, it’s called an aqueous infusion, and it’s the oldest and simplest kind of extract.”
Ready to become a tea enthusiast? Read on for everything you need to know about this healing brew.
