Tea 101: A Beginner's Guide to the World of Tea

Green Tea: The fresh one, green tea, is unoxidised and often steamed to retain its green hue and vegetal flavour. It's like the cool kid on the block, always fresh and vibrant.

Black Tea: The bold one, black tea, is fully oxidized and comes with a robust flavor profile. It's the strong, dependable one in the tea family, always there to wake you up in the morning.

Oolong Tea: The diverse one, oolong, is partially oxidised and sits right between green and black tea, offering a wide spectrum of flavours. It's the wildcard, always full of surprises.

White Tea: The delicate one, white tea, is the least processed and has a subtle, often floral or fruity flavor. It's the soft-spoken, gentle one in the family, always there to calm your senses.

Teapot or Infuser: Think of this as your cooking pot. There are a lot of different options out there - so choose based on how much tea you're brewing and how you prefer to steep your tea.

Kettle: This is your stove, where you heat your water. Some kettles even come with temperature settings for different types of tea - talk about convenience!

Tea Scoop or Spoon: Your measuring spoon to ensure you have just the right amount of tea.

Cups or Mugs: Finally, the plate where you present (and enjoy!) your perfectly brewed tea.

Green Tea: Prefers it cooler, with water heated to 70-82°C (160-180°F). A short steep time of 1-3 minutes is ideal. Treat it gently, and it'll reward you with a fresh, delightful flavour.

Black Tea: Likes it hot, with water heated to 93-100°C (200-212°F). A longer steep time of 3-5 minutes brings out its robust flavour. Give it time, and it'll give you a full-bodied, robust brew.

Oolong Tea: Enjoys a balanced approach, with water heated to 82-93°C (180-200°F). A steep time of 1-3 minutes is perfect. Patience and balance are key, and you'll get a flavourful, aromatic cup.

White Tea:  Favors a gentle touch, with water heated to 77-85°C (170-185°F). A steep time of 2-5 minutes allows its delicate flavors to come forth. Treat it with care, and it'll offer a delicate, subtle brew to enjoy.

Antioxidants: One of the reasons why tea is celebrated is due to its antioxidant content. Antioxidants are like little bodyguards for your cells, helping to combat the potentially harmful effects of free radicals. While more research is needed to fully understand the extent of these benefits, enjoying a cup of tea is a delicious way to add antioxidants into your diet.

Heart Health: There's some evidence to suggest that regular tea drinking might have a positive impact on heart health. It's been linked with potentially improving cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Remember, tea is not a cure or replacement for medical treatment, but it's a beverage that's been associated with healthy lifestyle.

Weight Management: Looking to support your weight management goals? Some types of tea, particularly green tea, have been suggested to potentially help with metabolism and fat burning. However, it's important to note that tea alone won't work miracles - it can only support a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Cognitive Health:  Need a gentle mental lift? The combination of caffeine & L-theanine in tea can potentially give you a modest boost. Additionally, some studies suggest that tea might have protective properties against neurodegenerative diseases. Again, while promising, more research is needed to confirm these potential benefits.