An Overview of the Best Teas

Even in the Middle Ages, tea was not only a popular drink, but was also frequently used in medicine due to its healing properties. Traditional tea varieties such as black, green or even white tea have always represented, along with coffee, the preferred stimulants of mankind. But new tea trends, such as matcha or mate tea, are also making their way into teacups at home and are becoming increasingly popular. We introduce you to the best tea varieties and their health benefits.

Classic and traditional teas

There are numerous types and varieties of tea and, accordingly, many different methods of preparation. The extraction from the original tea plant (first in China, later also in India) is thereby the oldest form. Depending on the method, the four classic types of tea are created. These four classic types of tea include:

  • Black tea
  • Green tea
  • White tea
  • Oolong

In addition, yellow tea and Pu Erh are also often counted among the classic tea species. Of these traditional types, there are again very many different varieties, which differ mostly by the cultivation area of the respective tea plants. Due to the extraction from the tea plant, the classic teas contain up to 4.5 percent caffeine, which is also called tein. The difference to the caffeine in coffee lies in the delayed, but often more intense effect of the tea.

Flavored teas

In China, classic teas have always been flavored by the addition of fresh flowers (for example, jasmine). But also in Europe, the most diverse varieties of flavored teas enjoy great popularity. As a rule, emphasis is placed here on the addition of natural flavors (for example, vanilla or cherry) or spices (for example, anise or cinnamon). Due to advanced manufacturing processes, no wish is now left unfulfilled here.

Hot infusion drinks such as fruit and herbal teas.

Another way of obtaining tea is the production of so-called fruit and herbal teas. These are not obtained from the tea plant, but from mostly domestic plants, flowers, fruits, herbs and roots. For this reason, these teas do not contain tein and, strictly speaking, should not be called tea at all. Examples of such herbal and fruit teas are:

  • Chamomile tea
  • Fennel tea
  • Peppermint tea
  • Rosehip tea
  • Hibiscus tea

Health aspects of tea

Even before our era in China, tea, obtained from the tea plant, was said to have a stimulating and at the same time healing effect due to various ingredients. Due to the tannins and secondary plant compounds contained, tea has a digestive and cancer risk-reducing effect. Black and green tea also contain caffeine, which has a stimulating or less stimulating effect depending on how long the tea is steeped. The longer the tea is steeped, the more the stimulating effect decreases due to the binding to tannins. It should be noted that excessive amounts of caffeine can have negative effects on the body. The possible consequences of caffeine overdose include heartburn, diarrhea, headaches and dizziness. Tea as a home remedy: which tea helps when?

Black tea: the brewing time is crucial

Black tea is and remains the most popular tea. Whether Darjeeling, Assam, Ceylon or Earl Grey: due to its stimulating effect, black tea is a favorite stimulant to wake up. However, when steeped for at least four to five minutes, it loses its stimulating effect. When consumed regularly (about four cups per day), black tea is even considered to lower blood pressure. However, excessive consumption of the tea has a harmful effect on the gastric mucosa and can cause headaches and mild sleep disorders. If the tea is left to steep for longer than five minutes, more tannins are released, which cause a bitter taste, but also have an antibacterial and analgesic effect, for example in diarrhea. At the same time, the so-called feeling of nausea is suppressed.

Green tea: support for weight loss

Green tea is said to have a healing effect on gum disease due to the ingredient catechin. In addition, this tea supports the prevention of tooth decay at the same time. In addition, green tea is said to lower cholesterol levels.Green tea has less caffeine than black tea, but it has a stimulating effect on the metabolism. Thus, green tea is ideal for supporting weight loss. In addition, its high bitter content reduces the appetite for sweet foods. Well-known varieties include Sencha and Gun-Powder.

Matcha tea: concentrated green tea

Matcha tea originated in Japan and consists of ground green tea leaves – so it is a concentrated form of green tea. Matcha is said to have a particularly health-promoting effect and is considered a real pick-me-up. Due to the concentrated ingredients, the tea has a positive effect on the entire metabolism – in addition, it is used, among other things, for the treatment of hormonal disorders. The bright green drink is becoming increasingly popular: many fans also use the powder for cooking and baking. However, it should also be remembered that an excess of caffeine can have side effects on health. In addition, matcha has a lot of oxalic acid, which, among other things, promotes the formation of kidney stones.

Fruit and herbal teas: use as medicine.

Many fruit and herbal teas were originally made exclusively for medicinal and health-promoting purposes. While fruit teas score with a high vitamin and mineral content, herbal teas convince with a wide variety of healing effects. For example, herbal teas have the following effects:

  • Appetizing
  • Digestive
  • Antibacterial
  • Analgesic
  • Expectorant (for cough)
  • Detoxifying (use in detox cure) or
  • Draining

Here, nature gives us countless opportunities from which we can derive our benefit.

Mate tea: medicine with a wake-up effect.

Obtained from the mate bush, which originated in South America, mate tea is not considered a real tea by definition. However, this drink also has a considerable amount of caffeine. The addition of essential oils gives it a full-bodied and pleasant taste. The high vitamin content of mate tea also promises a health-promoting effect. Tannins promote metabolism and digestion. It is worth knowing that mate tea is approved as a medicine in Germany.

Tea: tips for preparation

Always use fresh, preferably soft water to prepare tea. The optimal brewing time of teas can vary greatly, but is usually indicated by the manufacturers. The addition of other foods can enhance the health benefits of tea. These include:

  • Milk: The addition of milk in green and black tea reduces the formation of kidney stones, because the so-called calcium oxalate (involved in the formation of kidney stones) is dissolved.
  • Honey: Honey has an antibacterial effect and a high vitamin and mineral content. However, honey should be added to the tea only after the brewing time, because its ingredients can be lost by too hot water.
  • Ginger: Ginger has a circulation-promoting, appetite-stimulating and pain-relieving effect and also helps against nausea. Especially in the cold season ginger promotes the defenses and provides a strengthened immune system.

Tea during pregnancy

During pregnancy, according to WHO recommendations, women can drink normal amounts (two to three cups per day) of black or green tea without hesitation. Selected herbal and fruit teas can additionally achieve a health-promoting effect here and reduce pregnancy complaints. It should be noted, however, that excessive drinking of tea with a high polyphenol content (especially in fruit teas) can lead to an iron deficiency in the body.