Ultimate Tea Guide

Lifestyle

Dec 3

Let’s Get this Par-tea Started

Ah yes…tea. We love to drink it iced or hot. Sweetened or not. With boba or… not? Regardless of how you drink your tea, there are many health benefits that most people don’t know about! Before we dive in, let’s start with a brief background on how tea came to be.

Tastea Beginnings

The history of tea dates back to ancient China when leaves from a Camellia sinensis tree fell into Emperor Shen Nung’s pot of boiling water. He was intrigued with its pleasant aroma and flavor that his empire began preparing and cultivating the crop. The brew was named chá (茶) after its discovery which meant “to check”, and symbolized how tea brought balance and union to Chinese cultures.

It was later discovered that tea leaves contained polyphenols, a natural compound known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Soon, tea was used as traditional medicine blended with additional herbal products to improve the overall health and mental well-being of many individuals. A brew that was once consumed for its medicinal properties has now spread across multiple cultures over the span of thousands of years. Here is a guide to different types of teas and herbal products that are great for you!

Tea	Type	Taste	Health Benefits	Caffeine	How to Brew
Black Tea	Leaf	Dark, Malty	Protects against atherosclerosis (buildup of plaque in the walls of arteries); Lowers cancer risk; Reduces blood pressure; Protects against diabetes; May lower LDL cholesterol; May improve gut health; Improves focus	VARIES (45-70mg)	Hot/Cold Steep about 3-5 minutes
Chamomile Tea	Flower	Mellow, Honey-like	Helps with sleep and relaxation; Reduces menstrual pain; Treats diabetes and lowering blood sugar; Slows and prevents osteoporosis; Reduces inflammation; Cancer treatment and prevention; Treats cold symptoms	NONE	Hot/Cold Steep about 5+ minutes
Chrysanthemum Tea	Flower	Smooth, Mildly Sweet	Manages blood pressure; Hangover remedy; Treatment for lice; Antibacterial effects; Promotes healthy heart function; Can clear up skin irritation, redness, and chronic conditions such as eczema and psoriasis; Promotes healthy metabolism; Improves vision	NONE	Hot/Cold Steep about 3 minutes
Dried Lognan	Herb	Sweet, Slightly Tart, Musky Undertone	Promotes heart health; Nourishes the blood; Regulates sleep; Improves memory; Supports the spleen and blood; Improves skin; Helps with heart palpitations	NONE	Hot/Cold Pairs well with jujubes and snow fungus in boiling water Add honey for better taste
Ginger	Herb	Slightly Peppery, Sweet	Treats nausea; Weight loss; Helps with osteoarthritis; Lowers blood sugars; Reduces heart disease; Helps with indigestion; Reduces menstrual pain; Lowers cholesterol; Improves brain function; Fights infections	NONE	Hot/Cold Steep about 5+ minutes
Ginseng	Herb	Slightly Sweet, Bitter	Antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation; Boosts brain function; Boosts immune system; Protects against cancer; Increases energy levels; Lowers blood sugar	NONE	Hot Boil water and let cool for 30-60 seconds before adding in tea. Steep for 5+ minutes
Goji Berry	Herb	Sweet, Slightly Sour	Protects the eyes; Boosts immune system; Protects against cancer; Promotes healthy skin; Stabilizes blood sugar; Improves mental health; Improves sleep; Prevents liver damage	NONE	Hot Steep for 10+ minutes
Green Tea	Leaf	Grassy, Nutty, Smooth	Increases fat burning; Improves brain function; Lowers risk of some cancers; Protects brain from aging; Reduces bad breath; May help prevent type 2 diabetes; May prevent cardiovascular disease; May help lose weight	VARIES (30-50mg)	Hot/Cold Steep about 1-3 minutes
Hibiscus Tea	Flower	Sour, Tart	Lowers blood pressure; Lowers blood fat levels; Boosts liver health; Promotes weight loss; Prevents cancer; Fights bacteria	NONE	Hot/Cold Steep about 1-3 minutes. Steep 15+ minutes if using fresh flowers
Jujube	Herb	Sweet-tart	Aids in weight loss; Improves mental health and brain function; Controls blood pressure; Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent; Powerful antioxidant; Improves digestive health; Relieves cough; Prevents cancer	NONE	Hot/Cold Boil jujube and let simmer for 15 minutes after boil
Lavender Tea	Flower	Floral, Mint/Rosemary	Improves sleep; Reduces inflammation; Boosts immune health; Detoxifies the body; Supports digestive health; Aids respiratory health	NONE	Hot/Cold Steep for 10 minutes
Lily Tea	Flower	Sweet, Mild Chestnut	Reduces scars; Promotes heart health; Improves mood; Boosts brain; Digestive health; Respiratory health; Better sleep	NONE	Hot Steep 4-5 minutes
Oolong Tea	Leaf	Floral, Fruity, Roasty	Protects against diabetes; Improves heart health; Helps with weight loss; Improves brain function; Protects against certain cancers; Promotes tooth and bone strength; May help relieve eczema	VARIES (10-102 mg)	Hot/Cold Steep 1-5 minutes
Pu-erh Tea	Leaf	Eathy, Woody, Floral	Can promote weight loss; Improves cholesterol; Inhibits cancer growth; May boost liver health	VARIES (58-87mg)	Hot Steep 5 minutes
Purple Tea	Leaf	Floral, Grassy	Supports weight loss; Promotes heart health; Contains anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties; Boosts cognitive function	VARIES (20-40 mg)	Hot/Cold Steep 3 minutes
Rose Tea	Flower	Smooth, Floral, Slightly Sweet	Weight loss; Reduces menstrual pain; Immune system support; Lowers risk of chronic disease; Anti-inflammatory properties; Helps digestion	NONE	Hot/Cold Steep 3-5 minutes
Snow Fungus	Herb	Bland, Gelatinous	Promotes brain health; Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; Boosts immune system; Improves skin complexion; Controls blood sugar levels; Lowers heart disease risk	NONE	Hot Soak snow fungus for 30 mins in warm or cold water and break apart after. Steep 5 minutes
White Tea	Leaf	Sweet Honey, Mild, Smooth	May reduce risk of heart disease; Weight loss; Protects teeth from bacteria; Lowers the risk of insulin resistance; Protects against osteoporosis; Combats skin aging; Protects against parkinson’s and alzheimer’s disease	VARIES (15-30 mg)	Hot/Cold Steep 1-5 minutes