Teas come in a lot of different colors these days. Black is the “traditional” tea, the one we’re all used to. Green tea came onto the scene in a big way, followed more recently by white and red teas. So what’s the big deal about each color?
Black, white, and green teas all come from the same plant. The difference in color comes from the age of the leaves used and the amount of processing done. White tea leaves are the youngest and are harvested before the leaves are even fully open! Green teas are lightly processed; black teas are oxidized and fermented during processing for the richest taste.
Why is black tea good for you? Studies show that drinking black tea (at least three cups) every day can help reduce your risk of heart attack by eleven percent! Black tea also helps protect women against ovarian cancer — the polyphenols in the tea inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer cells.
Why is green tea good for you? Green tea has the same polyphenols that black tea has — so it also helps protect women against ovarian cancer. These antioxidants may also help prevent breast cancer, boost brainpower, and reduce mental decline. Two cups a day can slash your risk of memory loss by as much as fifty percent! If you don’t like the taste of green tea alone, try a flavored variety or use the tea in cooking. Just strain out the leaves first!
Why is white tea good for you? White tea is worth the high cost because it’s a health powerhouse. It can fight bacteria and viruses in the body — including strep and pneumonia.
Need more teas to choose from? Oolong tea has a flavor between grassy green tea and rich black tea — it comes from the same plant. Rooibos tea comes from South Africa and has a distinctive red color and taste — it comes from a completely different plant!