Tea is one of those beverages that has been around for as long as you can remember. You’d see it with grandmother with her precious vintage pots that only come out for the guests, or with the kids playing with their adorable doll tea-parties. And now, as people are becoming more experimental with teas, different variations of the commodity are popping up each day.

Each of these teas comes with its own rejuvenating taste and aromas that work to not only revitalize the senses, but also spice up your taste buds. They also have various nutritional benefits like soothing inflammations, sore throats, and pain, ultimately assisting your body to reach optimal performance levels.

So, as you go off on your journey of tea discovery with your mate, we have gathered some of the best teas for you to try. They range from earthy and rich to floral and airy. With this, you are bound to find something you’ll both enjoy. Whether you’re sipping a bold, smoky Lapsang Souchong or a delicate jasmine green tea, there’s a world of flavors waiting to be explored. As you experiment, consider how teas, much like the best wine pairings for pork, can enhance the flavors of your favorite meals or snacks. The interplay of notes between your tea and food can elevate the experience to an entirely new level.

TRUE TEAS

There are two major types of teas; True teas and Herbal teas. True teas consist of various popular teas, including green, white, black, Oolong, and Pu-reh. They are called True teas because they are extracted from the leaves of a plant called Camellia Sinensis (the tea plant). Their origins can be traced back to China and are associated with a wide range of health benefits. The most prominent of True teas include:

Green-Tea

Green tea is perhaps one of the most popular and healthy tea you’ll find out there. Typically, is processed from delicate leaves, which are roasted or steamed. What you get in the end is this earthy, grassy flavor that just oozes health.

Green tea has a vast amount of benefits . It comes packed with catechins and antioxidants, which, according to research, help improve blood circulation and decrease inflammation. By this, it helps lower the risk of heart attacks, blood pressure, and cholesterol. It also boosts metabolism, which accelerates weight loss. Green-tea has also been associated with having properties that inhibit the replication of some type of cancerous cells.

Oolong-Tea

Oolong tea has also been gathering quite a significant amount of clout among tea lovers lately. It can best be described as a semi-fermented-tea. Here, when the leaves are harvested, they are withered, then oxidized to a certain per cent. By oxidizing them to different levels, you get one of the broadest arrays of flavors out there, ranging from airy, sweet, robust, and earthy. You can place this Oolong somewhere between green-tea and black-tea.

Oolong-tea also has traces of Thea Sinensis, which are chemical compounds that offer a range of health benefits. According to research, these compounds have antioxidant properties which not only decrease inflammation but also restrict the growth of cancerous cells. It also boosts metabolism, increases mental alertness, and has antimicrobial properties.

HERBAL TEAS

Now herbal teas are a little different from true teas. Instead of being made from leaves, herbal teas are extracted from roots, flowers, and roots of other plants. Some of the most common ones include:

Hibiscus-Tea

Hibiscus is now one of the more delicious and floral teas. Extracted from the calyces part of the plant, the Hibiscus is brewed to this magenta hue, exuding a flavor not much unlike cranberries. With this, you get a perfect blend of sweet and tart to spruce up your pallets.

Hibiscus also has its own medicinal benefits, like antitumoral properties. With a couple of hibiscus tea bags at hand, you also get to maintain a youthful appeal. You see, it has phenolic compounds that help prevent ageing by keeping your cells protected. Other than that, it also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is loved by tea enthusiasts everywhere because of its special calming effects. The tea prides itself in this unique flavor that reminds you of crisp green apples. It gives out a soothing yet refreshing taste, which you’ll especially enjoy before bedtime.

One of the outstanding health benefits of chamomile-tea is how it induces relaxation while improving sleep. According to studies , this ability to enhance deep sleep cycles allows chamomile tea to reduce depression scores. By getting good deep sleep, you also get to be more alert during the day.

Ginger Tea

As suggested by the name, ginger-tea is processed from the root of the ginger plant. What you get from this is this spicy flavor that just invigorates the taste buds. Ginger tea pairs perfectly with honey and lemon.

Ginger itself, is a favorite among health practitioners for its wide range of benefits, especially concerning digestive health. It has been known to remedy everything from nausea and morning sickness to nausea from motion sickness. It also reduces inflammation in the intestines and stomach and soothes muscles, which cause stomach cramps. At the end of the day, what you get at the end is smoother food movement in the body and reduced stress.

Conclusion

Tea is not just a drink you serve for breakfast anymore, but rather, it is a culture, a movement that is only continuing to grow. Therefore, much like you’d go biking or do yoga with your better half, you can also bond over some of these teas for couple.

Other than these, there are quite a number of other great teas that will excite your palates out there, but a good way to start would be with some of the ones above. Looking to purchase some incredible teas? Check out an online tea and coffee shop that offers varieties of loose leaf tea out there.