Tea is the New Coffee

“The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family…”  How beautiful and timeless.  The above quote is a Balti proverb and it is also in the book Three Cups of Tea.  What is it about tea that gives it transcendent properties?  Tea has taken on a noticeable presence in the United States recently, but what have other cultures known for centuries that we are only beginning to tap into?

Tea has been known to be called, “liquid wisdom,” and perhaps that is because of the amazing benefits it has on the mind, body, and soul.  Of course, not all teas are created equal, so you need to be crafty consumer and do your homework first.

But first, let’s talk about why tea may be a wonderful replacement to coffee.  While coffee has been shown to have some health benefits, they are often overshadowed by the caffeine addiction that comes along with drinking it. The caffeine in coffee is absorbed into the blood stream quickly and can cause you to feel jumpy and shaky, I think many of us know the feeling!  Coffee is also acidic and causes dehydration… what do you think was happening during all those trips to the bathroom?!  To quote one of my favorite authors, Kris Carr, in her book Crazy Sexy Diet, “It’s kinda obvious that this stuff isn’t good for you.  The fact that you get the jitters when you drink it, and migraines when you don’t should tell you something… You are sharp enough. Your natural, holy state is more than enough.  You just think you need that extra boost.  But your body knows exactly how to create it naturally.”  And it’s so true!  You just need to focus on bringing your body back into a state of health.  We can talk more about that in another post!

Tea brings you numerous health benefits without the problem of caffeine addiction. While most teas do contain some caffeine, it is significantly less than coffee.  I have found a list of the top ten benefits of tea that I would love to share with you!

1. Fights Cancer

2. Fights Heart Disease

3. Lowers Cholesterol

4. Burns Fat

5. Prevents Diabetes

6. Prevents Stroke

7. Staves off Dementia

8. Improves Heart Health

9. Relieves Stress                                                  Tea should be taken in solitude.  ~C.S. Lewis

10. Improves Digestion (1 & 2)

Alright, so now that you have some information on why tea is fabulous for you, let’s talk about which type is the best choice.  White and Green Tea have the most health benefits because they have undergone the least amount of processing.  White tea leaves are actually picked before the buds even open and are covered in fine white hairs.  White tea has the least amount of caffeine with only 15mg, and green tea only has about 20mg.  White tea tends to be a little more expensive, but it also has a less grassy taste than green tea.  White tea is light, sweet, and absolutely delicious in my opinion!

Ok, so in addition to health benefits and knowing which teas are the best for you, what else makes tea so special?  Tea happens to play a significant role in many cultures around the world, specifically in the East, and it has been around since 2700 B.C.  Tea is used commonly as a way to greet guests, newcomers, and friends.  An appreciation for tea culture can help you get past language or cultural barriers when traveling abroad.  And after water, tea is the most widely-consumed beverage in the world.(2)

You may be wondering if I have been drinking tea while writing this blog… of course!  The tea I am drinking right now is called Pomegranate White Tea and I bought it at my local Trader’s Joe’s grocery shop.  It is probably the best tea I have ever had and I just can’t get enough of it!  You should definitely give it a try if you are looking for a new tea to taste!

“If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated,

it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. 

If you are excited, it will calm you.”  – Gladstone

fear less.

1. WebMd: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/health-benefits-of-green-tea

2. Tea Views: http://www.teaviews.com/2009/03/24/10-reasons-why-tea-is-better-than-coffee/

3. Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr