On a cold day, a cup of hot tea is my beverage of choice. There's something soothing about holding the warm cup in my hands and slowly taking in the fragrant aroma and flavor of the hot drink. I have a cup here with me now! I like so many different kinds--Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea with milk, fruity flavored white or green teas, a simple solo Darjeeling or cinnamon-spicy herbal blends that include Rooibos.
All tea--whether it's green, black or white comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis.
Variations in tea leaf and bud selection, growing season, location and processing affect the flavor and drinking experience of
the tea. Decaffeinated teas are put through a special process to
remove the caffeine. And herbal teas are not even tea at all. They do not contain
leaves from the tea plant. Instead herbal teas may include herbs,
flowers, plant leaves and flavorings that when steeped in hot water create a
tea-like beverage.
For years we were told that drinks such as
tea, coffee or cola, that contain caffeine had a dehydrating effect on the body. Scientists thought these drinks acted as diuretics causing
more frequent urination. Newer science, however, tells us that any diuretic-like effect from caffeine is just temporary. If you're a big tea drinker, your body will actually adjust to retaining fluid from the tea--as it retains fluid from other beverages you drink. So, indeed tea counts towards the 8 to 10 cups of fluid you need daily.
The science of tea is in and out of the news on a regular basis. Researchers are looking at tea and any potential benefits it may have as an emerging science. Recent studies on tea and cancer were so inconclusive that the FDA was not able to approve a health claim that linked green tea consumption to reducing cancer. Any benefits from tea drinking on heart disease risk are also questionable as are any possible links to weight loss and more. The science is just too new to tell us much information on any tea healthy benefits at this point--besides it's seemingly soothing nature.
And soothing it is! Here's a new take or two on tea from EatBetterAmerica. Make this yummy Chai Tea or Orange Ginger Green Tea Latte. Both are great ways to make and enjoy a coffee/tea house drink in your own home. Enjoy!
Chai Tea Orange Ginger Green Tea Latte
