Tea

True tea comes from the camellia sinensis plant.

Tea has zero carbs and virtually no calories so you can have several cups a day as long as you don’t add sugar. If you are sensitive to caffeine, just have one cup in the morning.

Rumours has it that only green tea packs a big enough antioxidants punch to make a difference to your health. Not so. Tea is one of the most researched drink around, and the studies have found that while the exact types and amount of antioxidants compound vary from one tea type to the next, all types pack a healthy dose of these natural compounds.

Some of the varieties of tea…

White tea: It’s picked and harvested before the leaf buds,which are covered with white fuzz,has opened. It’s the least processed of the tea and has the half the amount of caffeine as compared to black tea.

Green tea: The leaves are picked,then dried,steamed or pan fried to keep enzymes in the teafrom changing some of the antioxidants compunds and turning the tea dark.

Oolong tea: The leaves are dried for longer time then green tea allowing enzymes to work longer.

Black tea: The leaves are processed longer to oxidize more of the compounds and produce a darker tea.

Chai: This isn’t a result of processing but rather is tea that is combined with spices such as cardamom, cloves and pepper.