Tea Time
Around 160 million people have a cup of tea every day in the US, 84% is black tea. Black, Green, and oolong tea are made from the same plant, the difference in taste comes from the way the plant is processed. Chamomile is made from the plants flowers while peppermint is made from the leaves of the herb.
- Caffeine: the longer the tea steeps the greater caffeine content.
- An average 8-oz coffee contains about 95 mg of caffeine
- Compared to black tea, which has 48 mg
- Green tea has 29 mg
- Oolong has 38mg
- Decaffeinated: small
- Most herbal teas are caffeine-free
Tea provides a small amount of minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, copper and zinc. The amount of each nutrient varies depending on age and growing conditions of the plant when harvested.
Certain substances, called polyphenols, are found in tea. These are considered antioxidants and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. However, during processing some polyphenols are destroyed. Therefore, products that are more processed, such as bottled teas, tea powder and decaffeinated teas, may not offer the same health benefits as less processed tea. Green tea may offer a higher antioxidant amount when compared to other teas. Some research suggests a reduced risk of heart disease in those who drink green or black tea regularly. Research is mixed on if tea can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
