Six Tea Facts You Might Not Know!
Do you know your tea facts? With the diversity and the health benefits that come from tea, let’s get to know one of the world’s most popular drinks (second only to water):
Tea Facts You Might Not Know:
1. ALL “TRUE TEA” COMES FROM THE SAME PLANT.
Many people don’t realize that true tea, including black, oolong, green and white tea, all come from one plant: the camellia sinensis plant. Different types of tea are a result of how the leaves are processed and oxidized. On the other hand, “herbal teas” are made from a wide variety of herbs, fruits, leaves, blossoms and spices. The possibilities are endless.
2. TEA HAS MUCH LESS CAFFEINE THAN COFFEE.
Green tea contains about a quarter of the caffeine in a cup of coffee, while black tea has less than half the caffeine in your average cuppa joe. The exact caffeine content varies by how each tea is brewed – check out our Caffeine-o-Meter to learn all about caffeine level comparisons. Caffeine in tea is also combined with a compound called L-Theanine so the burst of energy doesn’t hit all at once, as it does with coffee.
3. TEA IS HYDRATING.
Even though tea contains caffeine, it is still a hydrating beverage. Caffeine is indeed a diuretic, but the low amount of caffeine in tea does not offset the hydration benefits. For more tea facts about hydration, check out this blog post.
4. IT MATTERS HOW YOU STORE YOUR TEA.
Tea absorbs moisture, so it’s important to store loose tea in a sealed container. Keep tea in an airtight container away from direct sunlight. Also, despite the prevalence of tea and spice shops, don’t store your tea and spices in the same place. Your teas will absorb the strong aromas of spices.
5. HOW YOU BREW IT MATTERS, TOO.
Infuser baskets give loose leaf tea leaves room to expand, producing a better quality brew. When your tea has the space to unfurl, the nuances of quality tea become even more apparent. BTW, did you know the beautiful, sometimes dramatic unfurling of loose leaf tea is called “the agony of the leaves?”
6. GOOD WATER MAKES GOOD TEA.
Always use fresh water when making tea. Water that has been previously boiled has lost oxygen which can make your tea taste flat. And, water temperature matters.
Curious to learn more tea facts? Check out our Tea Types Page to dive deeper into tea production, countries of origin and the health benefits of tea.
