| Tea is a refreshing, aromatic beverage created by steeping sachets of dried leaves, from the plant species Camellia sinensis, into a container of boiling hot water and comes in many varieties. White and green teas, often produced in China, have a light and sweet flavor. Black teas, often produced in India, account for over 90% of consumption on the Western sphere. Black teas have a wide range of fruity, nutty and spicy flavors. Oolong tea, a semi-fermented tea produced in the Taiwanese mountains, provides more than a pleasing after-taste. In fact, tea may enhance the overall health effects, vitality and well-being of those who drink it regularly. Tea culture plays a significant role, depending on the country's social expectations. More specifically, the English drink tea in the afternoon while people in the United States drink it on a whim. Asians, however, drink tea with meals in formal settings and some have lengthy ceremonies specifically dedicated to the preparation and sharing of tea.
Uncommon Types of Tea Uncommon types of teas outside of white, green, black and oolong include a "red," herbal, and flowering blends. "Red" tea, often produced in India, has a sweet and fruity flavor and a strong reputation for treating tension and depression. Herbal tea blends consist of a combination of dried fruits and flowers to create a fruity, pleasant-tasting tea drinking experience. There are a variety of other special tea blends, such as Earl Grey, Irish Breakfast and Lady Grey, a fragrant variation of the Earl Grey blend. The Twinings, a popular tea marketer, Earl/Lady Grey blend consists of black tea, bergamot, lemon peel and orange peel essential oils. Irish Breakfast tea consists of black teas, usually strengthening the overall potency. Regular Irish Breakfast tea consumers dilute the overpowering taste with milk, lemon or sugar. A flowering or blooming tea blend, often produced in the Yunnan Province of China, has a small bundle of dried tea leaves and flowers bound together with a cotton thread and ball. These blends expand when steeped, which gives it a unique illusion akin to a blossoming flower.
How to Prepare Tea
 There are many different types of methods to prepare tea beverages. Iced tea can be prepared often by using a dry mix, a sizable measuring cup, the appropriate amount of water, and additional condiments to further accentuate the taste. Hot tea preparation usually requires a tea kettle, sachet and an 8 ounce cup. Be sure to check the preparation time given on the contents of the box to ensure that over-brewing does not occur because it can make the tea taste very bitter. Tea pots, vessels used to steep tea in boiling water, usually have a ceramic composition. Tea kettles, vessels used only to boil water and not to brew tea, usually have a stainless-steel composition. Tea bag brewing only requires steeping a tea bag into an already prepared container of hot water using one of the above methods. Pyramid, loose leaf, compressed, instant and canned tea all have their own unique but similar preparation methods. Blooming tea preparation uses the same principles with a lighter touch to enhance the "blossoming" effect associated with it. They are often steeped and served in a clear glass container so the blooming effect can be witnessed.
Once prepared and ready to be served, many individuals add an extra touch to their tea to enhance flavor. The English often add milk to their tea, while individuals in the United States are much less likely to do so. In Germany, cream and honey are regularly added to tea before drinking. Other extras sometimes added to tea include lemon, herbs, flower petals, and mint leaves. In Thailand, a popular iced tea served includes strong black tea with star anise, orange blossom water, and crushed tamarind seed. It is sweetened with condensed milk and sugar.
Unexpected Uses for Tea According to the September 2004 edition of Harvard Women's Health Watch, drinking tea provides more than just good taste. More specifically, the article pointed towards certain health benefits offered to those who drink green tea on a regular basis. The study revealed that green tea contains the highest percent of catechins, an anti-oxidant more powerful than Vitamin C and E. Other studies show that numerous health benefits exist in herbal teas, such as ginseng, burdock, chamomile, cinnamon, fennel, ginger, hawthorn, kava-kava, licorice, motherwort, nettle, peppermint, rosehip, rosemary, sage, spearmint and thyme. Rooibos tea proved to have a far greater percentage of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that protects against oxide-induced cell damage. Kombucha tea, a fermented beverage made from a mushroom culture, also has many alleged health benefits, including digestive aid, increased metabolism, improved immune system, appetite suppressant, weight control, improved liver function, improved body alkalinity, anti-aging, anti-oxidant, promotes healthy skin and hair, and improves blood circulation. Some other unusual uses for tea include using tea bags to get rid of warts when placed directly onto the wart for 10-15 minutes, two or three times a day. Tea leaves can also be used to remove odor from carpet or fabric by sprinkling dried tea and leaving it for around 15 minutes before vacuuming the tea leaves off of the fabric or carpet.
Conclusion: Tea is available in a variety of forms, including decaffeinated and caffeinated versions. Tea comes from a multitude of nations and has existed for thousands of years. Despite a long-standing historical foundation, many inventors and companies have sought to redefine and create specialty blends that will appeal to tea lovers. Arnold Palmer's "Tee," a half iced tea, half lemonade beverage, continues to inspire and draw in a global fan base. More special blends will likely arise; however, many will continue to stick with the herbal tea blends they have always known.
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