I love tea time. Tea with friends, by myself, as part of my morning routine, as a break from my daily activities, or as a nighttime wind-down. Tea is healing. It is soothing. It provides comfort. Depending on the tea, it can be a pick-me-up or a slow-me-down treat.
My fascination with tea started decades ago after discovering that coffee was a factor in my blood sugar dysregulation and contributed to stomach irritation. Not wanting to give up the ritual of sipping something warm, especially in the morning, I started experimenting with tea. It is now my go-to nourishing beverage.
There are many varieties and types of tea.
- Black – Ceylon, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Orange Pekoe
- Green – Dragonwell, Gunpowder, Matcha, Sencha
- Oolong – Phoenix, Iron Goddess of Mercy, Wuyi, High Mountain
- White – Silver Needle, White Darjeeling, White Peony, Yin Zhen
Then there are the herbal concoctions. Commonly referred to as tea, herbal brews are actually infusions known for their enticing flavors and health benefits. As a rule, herbal tea does not contain caffeine; the exception is Yerba mate.
Caffeine content in an 8-ounce cup.
- Black coffee – 125-150 mg
- Black tea – 60-75 mg
- Green tea – 15-30 mg
- Oolong tea – 30-45 mg
- Yerba mate – 70-85 mg
- White tea – 10-15 mg
All teas contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are health-supportive. Some contain these supportive components in high concentrations while others emphasize only one or two elements at the exclusion of others.
Each time I pour myself a cup of tea, I pause to acknowledge that I am nourishing myself. The polyphenols in green tea. The immune support of a white tea. The calming effect of lavender tea. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory benefits. The anti-microbial support of licorice tea.
Even if you are an avid coffee drinker, I encourage you to explore the power of tea…whether as a break in your day or for the medicinal support it can provide.
Here’s to your health and vitality!
References:
Dow, C. (2014). The Healing Power of Tea. Llewellyn Publications. Woodbury, MN.
Caffeine and Tea. (n.d.). Adagio Teas. Retrieved May 20, 2021, from https://www.adagio.com/info/caffeine_and_tea.html
