Ah, a New Year, a fresh start? Well actually, if you are a tea drinker then, you may well have already been benefitting from drinking tea!

A lot of people are aware of the health benefits of Green Tea, but apparently all tea is good for you.

Tea is calorie-free and, after water, it is the most widely-consumed beverage in the world.

Tea has a third less caffeine than coffee and releases it slowly throughout the day, rather than the caffeine rush that coffee gives.

Have you ever taken the time to find out what tea actually is? It’s the leaves of a plant, most know that, but did you know that all tea comes from the same type of plant?… Camellia Sinensis… which is closely related to the rose and garden camellias.

Another fact is that Herbal teas, although infused like tea, aren’t actually tea, they are infusions, or ‘Tisanes’! Only the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis can make true tea.

There are five main types of tea, those being white, green, oolong, black and Pu’er. I will go into more detail about the different types in another blog post.

The history and origins of tea can be most fascinating.  The names of the tea, Assam for instance, are taken from the region in which it is grown.  And like wine, exactly where it’s grown, ie the elevation, the local environment and how it’s processed, all determine the specific flavor.

Getting back to the health side, tea contains a unique amino acid (L-theanine), which has been proven to help with focus and concentration, at the same time promoting relaxation. Apparently, some research also suggests that it may also enhance learning and lower blood pressure. Drinking tea is also supposed to boost your body’s immune system.

So, New Year’s Resolutions or not, if you’re a Tea Drinker… keep on drinking because you’re already on a winner!