10 Types of Tea – History & Health Benefits: 2022 Guide

In many countries, people prefer tea over coffee and other beverages as their favorite refreshment drink because of the health benefits and availability of variety. Tea is also the most consumed drink after water, and it should be prepared with boiling water, sugar, and other ingredients that vary as per the user’s taste. Some common elements added with tea are herbs, spices, fruits, flowers, etc. Tea gives a stimulant effect because of caffeine content, and other vast numbers of benefits of tea led tea to become popular all over the world in daily use. You can make many fusion types of tea by adding suitable ingredients.

Where Does Tea Come From?

Tea is a plant that comes from East Asia, mainly from South-Western China and Northern Burma. Since the 3rd century AD, tea provided health benefits for medical purposes, and it became known to western civilization through Portuguese priests and Chinese merchants. Drinking tea became popular in the 17th century on the islands of Britain; after they started production and supply.

Because of the production rate, China has a vital role in promoting tea. Early second and third-century dynasties in China started to use tea at various festivals and occasions. From the Han dynasty, a written work of Wong Bao includes the first known reference to boiling tea from their work, “ the contract of youth.”

All kinds of tea come from one plant known as Camellia sinensis. Tea categorizes depending on levels of oxidation and leaf type into Five types White, Black, Green, Oolong, and Pu-erh. If we say, based on flavors and ingredients, there are more than a hundred types of tea.

Best Tea For Immune System

Teas like winter melon tea, matcha tea, white tea, goji berry tea, hibiscus tea, turmeric tea, and licorice root tea, all these tea’s have various benefits for our immune system. Moreover, these teas contain antioxidants and protect your body cells.

Based on the evidence, tea shows a good response in preventing heart disease and eliminating cancer cells. Tea helps in the prevention of a cold, cough, as well as flu. If you are on specific medication, you can ask your physician before drinking about the amount.

What Tea is Good for Iron Deficiency?

Tea also provides benefits for iron deficiency. Researchers from the British journal of nutrition tested various Teas and found that they inhibited iron absorption. Some of the Teas are Black tea, Peppermint tea, pennyroyal tea, cocoa tea, vervain tea, lime flower tea, yellow tea, chamomile tea.

10 Types of Tea That All We Know!

1. Black Tea

Red tea is also known as Black tea. Black tea is famous for its strong flavor and performs more oxidation processing than other tea forms.

It contains a sufficient quantity of caffeine and a very small amount of potassium and sodium. Doctors say you should give yourself a one-hour gap between eating and drinking black tea.

Plus, if you have an iron deficiency and take iron supplements, you should avoid drinking tea.

Black Tea Benefits

• Black tea contains antioxidants. Antioxidants decrease cell damage in the body.
• Studies have found that consuming black tea reduces low-density lipoprotein, which is good for health.
• Polyphenols found in black tea helps in growing good bacteria and slow down forming harmful bacteria.
• Also, black tea contains tannins which fight inflammation and balance good sugar levels.

How Much Caffeine in Black Tea?

Well, it entirely depends on the quantity of black tea you are having. For example – a hundred grams of black tea contains 20 mg of caffeine.

2. White Tea

Typically, white tea is prepared from camellia Sinensis’ less processed and less developed leaves. White is lighter in flavor than black and green tea; it gives a pale yellow color to tea and a bit of fruity flavor. The taste of white tea is softer than other teas. In ancient China, white tea serves the emperor as a tribute.

White Tea Benefits

• White tea contains antioxidants more than any other tea that provides health benefits like protection from radicals that cause damage to the oxidation process.
• Oregon state university researchers said; white tea is a good source of cancer-fighting compounds.
• When you are going through a stomach problem, white tea improves digestion.

Does White Tea Have Caffeine?

Yes, white tea contains caffeine. For example – 250ml of white tea contains 6-55 mg of caffeine. So, make sure you are not taking it in large amounts; otherwise, you might face sleeping problems in the night as too much caffeine makes the mind alert.

3. Herbal Tea

Herbal tea is also called herbal infusion and the name tisanes. This tea is also famous for its low caffeine content. Types of herbal tea are Chamomile, peppermint, ginger, hibiscus, echinacea, rooibos, rosehip, and passionflower. Organic herbal tea is a suitable choice for any weather and temperature; you can drink it hot or cold.

Benefits Of Herbal Tea

• You can use herbal tea as a sleep aid; it improves sleep quality and gives more relaxation and rejuvenation.
• For high blood pressure patients, organic herbal tea has positive effects, also boosts your immune system.
• It is used for muscle relaxation on a stressful day, encourages total body leisure, and reduces pain and soreness.
• The existence of polyphenols lowers the risk of cancer and high blood pressure, as per the study.

4. Masala Chai or Tea

The origin of Masala Tea is in India; it is widely popular for its incredible medicinal blessings. Masala chai is a type of tea that possesses various spices, like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, fennel seed, etc. This tea has numerous benefits depending on its primary spice ingredient.

Masala Chai Benefits

• Adding clove and ginger to masala tea can be helpful in cold, nasal congestion, and cough treatment.
• Cinnamon and clove boost energy levels; as a result, they work best for the immune system.
• If you use masala tea daily, it increases the body’s metabolism and keeps your digestion good.

5. Cinnamon Tea

If you like the sweet flavor in your tea, adding a small amount of cinnamon is the best option. It also possesses many health benefits. In Ayurveda, cinnamon is suggested for various ailments. If you are on diabetes medication, please consult your physician before taking doses of cinnamon.

Cinnamon Tea Benefits

• Cinnamon can improve your heart health; it also lowers inflammation.
• Some studies show that cinnamon tea reduces blood pressure if taken adequately.
• It also increases levels of HDL cholesterol and controls it.
• Because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties, cinnamon shows positive effects. It diminishes terrible breath and also helps teeth from decaying.
• Cinnamon tea is good for fighting skin aging, killing cancer cells of a particular type, protecting brain cells, fighting HIV, and reducing acne.

How To Make Cinnamon Tea?

• Take boil water in a mug
• Take the cinnamon stick, place it in a cup
• Steep it for 8-10 minutes
• Add tea bag, steep for 2-3 minutes additionally
• Remove both cinnamon and teabag. Your tea is ready
• Serve warm and hot as per your desired taste

6. Mint Tea

Mint tea is a herbal tea also called peppermint tea or spearmint tea. This tea comes under the herbal tea form. Fresh tea improves the quality of tea; Mint tea contains a slight amount of caffeine. You can add lemon drops in mint tea if you like the lemony flavor in your tea. You can refrigerate it for a few minutes if you want to make iced tea.

Also, other options to add are honey, pineapple, apple, lavender, grapes, chocolate. Moroccan mint tea is famous for adding a variety of flavors. Many people enjoy the taste and potential health benefits. Mint includes essential oil 1-2.5%, beneficial for relieving pain. Drinking too much mint tea triggers heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease, so be careful with the amount of consumption.

Mint Tea Benefits

• People admiringly prefer mint tea for a clean, pleasant aroma and taste. Mint tea shows a positive response in removing bad breath.
• Mint tea helps kill several types of bacteria; these bacteria can cause gum disease.
• In relaxing the muscle, mint tea shows beneficial effects; mint tea has a surprising impact on reducing headaches.
• Peppermint helps you in better digestion and gives beneficial effects for abdominal pain.
• Mint is a good home remedy for menstrual cramps; it shows unpredictable results.
• Essential oils in mint lessen harmful bacteria and antifungal properties show a good response against the fighting standard and clinical strain.

7. Guayusa Tea

Guayusa comes out from one of the caffeinated holly trees. It became famous for being a clean source of caffeine energy in the past. Guayusa produces a more gentle feeling than regular caffeine and a refreshing clean sweet flavor. Guayusa tea leaves can re-steep several times.

Because of its less bitter taste, Guayusa is widely popular in South America. Grown in the Amazon rainforest, tribes have been using it for a very long time. In most regions of South America, Guayusa is used as an alternative for coffee.

For further effect, one should store dried leaves in air-tight containers. Rather than tea bags, Guayusa tea is found in loose-leaf form.

How To Make Guayusa Tea?

• Take boiled water in a cup (you can also take cold water)
• Take 2 grams of leaves, steep it for seven minutes
• Add an amount of sugar as per your taste
• It can be served with ice

Guayusa Benefits

• It contains caffeine, which increases your energy and helps in metabolism
• Guayusa involves several vitamins, minerals, phosphorus, iron, calcium
• Guayusa contains high antioxidants than green tea; it boosts mood, alertness, and concentration
• In 28-day research on Guayusa, it benefits in decreasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease
• Guayusa also promotes weight loss by burning calories

8. Purple Tea

Purple tea is mostly found in Kenya. Recently after 2015, it has also been found in the eastern region of India. The price of purple tea is relatively high because of less production. Rich in anthocyanin, purple tea contains higher antioxidants, and the research found that purple tea is healthier and beneficial than green and black tea.

Benefits Of Purple Tea

• The study showed that purple tea is good for the heart, increases blood circulation, and fights cancer cells.
• A higher amount of caffeine causes anxiety and insomnia. Purple tea is a good option for those who like to prefer less caffeine content. Purple tea contains lower caffeine than other popular beverages.
• Contain polyphenol and GHG; as a result, it offers weight management benefits and reduces abdominal fat and anti-obesity.
• Purple tea shows advantages in anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, fights cold, flu, and other respiratory problems.
• It increases cognitive function because of antioxidant-rich beverages, escalates concentration, and keeps a positive mood.

9. Fruit Tea

Add your favorite food in a tea, and your fruit tea is ready. You can add pomegranate, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, orange, dry fruit; these are the most used fruits.

There are many readymade options available in the online market. Fruit tea could be a good option for parties, the addition of cinnamon gives some extra sweet flavor.

The proper proportion of fruit is vital in fruit tea making; more than enough could ruin the tea. Fruit tea must be cold rather than hot.

How To Make Fruit Tea?

• Make regular tea as usual
• Leave cinnamon stick for 2-3 minutes
• Make fruit juice; you can choose fruit as your choice
• Add fruit juice in cold or hot tea in 10 to 25% of the amount of tea you make
• You can garnish it with fruit slices with a mint leaf

Benefits Of Fruit Tea

• Fruit tea has a broad number of benefits, also helps in cleansing body toxins because of packed antioxidants and vitamins
• Regular use keeps your immune system strong; because of the richness in vitamins and minerals
• Fruit tea gives you a deliciously sweet taste, with a combination of tea and fruit juice that can make your day refreshing
• Fight digestive issues like diarrhea and other digestive problems
• Fruit tea also assists in curing insomnia and improving your quality of sleep

10. Thyme Tea

Thyme is a type of herb tea. This herb has been found in the western Mediterranean and sunnier climate regions such as western Asia and southern Europe. Thyme tea has been used widely in the medicinal, dietary, and ornamental fields.

Thyme is known for its intense aroma and flavor, and Thyme herb is even famous for its health benefits. This tea includes a variety of minerals and vitamins such as manganese, magnesium, zinc, potassium, calcium, and iron.

One teaspoon of dried thyme contains 2.76mg of calories, 91 mg of protein, 41 mg of fat,639 mg of carbohydrate, 370mg fiber, 550mg of sodium.

How To Make Thyme Tea?

• For thyme tea, you can choose from fresh thyme or ground thyme
• Take a cup of boiling water, fresh leaves, add several sprigs, steep it for 5-8 minutes, and for the ground powder, you can take one teaspoon, then stir it well
• Remove the remaining sprig after steeping, add sugar as per your taste

Thyme Tea Benefits

• Thyme tea fights bacteria and fungus, also used for preserving food
• Oils in thyme fight against toxic enzymes; that are responsible for inflammation
• Thyme tea shows some good advantages over respiratory-related problems, chest congestion, and soothing cough
• Thyme tea increase appetite also has benefits for healthy liver function because of minerals and vitamins

Black Tea Vs Green Tea

All over the world, people prefer various types of tea. In these large teas, people’s most preferred are black tea and green tea; both have a wide range of benefits and uses.

In the upcoming paragraphs, we will discuss both teas contrarily; let’s see which tea has more benefits than the other.

• Black tea is widely used for its caffeine content; It contains more caffeine than green tea. Black tea contains 20mg of caffeine in 100 grams. On the other hand, green tea contains 10 – 12mg caffeine.
• Black and green tea are rich in antioxidants capacity; both teas are good at protecting your heart. A study has shown that both types protect blood vessels depending on the number of doses we take.
• Green tea is rich in antioxidant epigallocatechin -3-gallate (EGCG); EGCG has a vital role in cancer, Alzheimer’s, anti-fatigue, liver protection, anti-microbial, and calming.
• In comparison with the previous point of green tea, black tea is not far behind in benefits; theaflavins polyphenols that are unique in black tea possess many antioxidants and may protect our heart and blood vessels. Theaflavins can cure plaque formation in blood vessels and increase the availability of nitric acid, which helps in the dilation of blood vessels.
• Green and black show similar benefits and give desired advantages of calming effect, muscle relaxation, and help in better sleep.
• Green and black teas are the carriers of a significant amino acid called an l-theanine amino acid. Further, l-theanine carries a special ability to cross the blood-brain obstacle and release neurotransmitters in the brain cells, which provide a relaxed and alert state. This amino acid is not contained in coffee.

In conclusion, both teas acquire nearly similar advantages; you can choose as you wish based on the above benefits and your choice of taste and enjoy your tea.

Bonus: Twisted Tea

When we talk about a ready drink Tea, Twisted Tea is the name that comes first to our mind. Twisted Tea is prevalent in most parts of the world; it is one of the early readymade tea drinks. Twisted Tea is a tea brand that comes under the Boston beer company inc it is a type of hard-iced type of Tea.

Twisted tea brands provide several flavors to their customers; some popular flavors are original, half and half, slightly sweet, blueberry, light, peach, mango, raspberry, orange, and blackberry.

You can buy Twisted Tea at your local store and outlets; some E-commerce websites also provide delivery services. Twisted Tea is made with natural flavors and a malt-based tea produced from beer and composed with natural brewed Tea. Further, twisted Tea is made of a similar process to beer; it is not gluten-free.

Twisted Tea has become very popular in the western world; sales statistics show growth. Twisted Tea is one of the leading tea brands because the Boston beer company is one of the largest and very well known in the brewing industry.

A Twelve-ounce can of twisted Tea includes around 30 milligrams of caffeine. Twisted Tea spread its flavor from 2001 to its customers.

Conclusion

As you can see, every tea has its benefits and fewer cons; so when you are trying any one of them, make sure you are taking your doctor’s advice. This is because, if you are a diabetic patient, some teas are not allowed, so it is always better to take precautions.

On the contrary, there are many teas, but which one you will like; entirely relies on your taste. Also, when consuming any tea, do not forget to check caffeine proportion as it can disturb your sleep.

So, choose your favorite from the list and get unlimited benefits. Thumbs up to all tea drinkers!