Heaven of Tea

Research has come a long way in diagnosing and curing what ails you. Isn’t it time we start focusing on being proactive not just reactive when it comes to our health? Of course we know that sufficient sleep, moderate exercise and a proper diet is a good place to start, but as easy as it sounds, it’s not always easy in practice. Wouldn’t you use a health practice that had reputed benefits of possible cancer prevention, could aid in combating arthritis, fight allergies, slow or prevent Alzheimer’s disease, lower blood pressure, and cut cholesterol? Some would say this is a miracle drug although these health benefits and more can be attributed to a single beverage that many of us drink everyday without realizing we are doing our bodies, as well as our taste buds, good.

This miraculous beverage is tea! Tea has played a significant role in Asian culture for centuries as a staple beverage, a curative, and a symbol of status. Today in the 21st century, tea is no longer used as currency or to show off one’s ranking in society. Tea is plentiful in the “new world”, easily accessible by being found in every grocery store in America. Those who revere themselves as a tea connoisseur (or tea snob some say), need only visit your local mall for a taste of the world, in a cup.

The name Teavana was born to mean “Heaven of Tea”, a destination where East meets West, where people could become familiar with the sight, and smell of loose-leaf tea. Teavana started in Atlanta in 1997, and slowly but surely our family of loyal customers, and educated sales associates, who have embraced the concept of the world culture of tea, will have helped grow our company to over 80 stores by the end of 2008.

Tea has had a lot of press in recent years with scientists’ worldwide suggesting green tea as a healing curative. Once you start drinking tea, you will find that it improves the quality of your life on many levels. Conduct your own research, and find out personally how tea can enrich your life.

Teas are rich in antioxidants. Emerging science suggests that little molecules called ‘free radicals’ wreak havoc and cause disease in our bodies. Free radicals are everywhere and not only does your body produce them as part of normal metabolism but there are also many external sources such as air pollution, alcohol, pesticides, sunlight, tobacco smoke, drugs, and even fried foods. The good news is your body can fight these free radicals with the introduction of catechins, a type of antioxidant, more specifically the major catechin in tea EGCG or Epigallocatechin-3-gallate.

All true tea comes from one plant called the ‘Camellia Sinensis’, a member of the evergreen family (Not to be confused with herbal tea/herbal tisanes, which are usually a variety of herbs, fruits, or flowers). The different types of tea with depend on where it is grown (average rainfall, climate), when it is picked (and how), and how it is processed. True tealeaves are categorized into four main types: White tea, Green tea, Oolong tea, and Black tea. The teas are listed in the order of lowest caffeine to the highest caffeine content.

White tea: (Very Low Caffeine/equal to or less than 1% average caffeine found in coffee) This kind of tea is still relatively new to people in the United States, partially due to its limited availability. White teas are very young leaves, when possible purchase the tea buds when they are still covered with downy white hairs. White tea is steamed and dried (almost immediately after harvesting and sometimes before even leaving the fields) with no further processing. Amazing quality White tea such as Silver Needle is only harvested 2 days out of the year. White tea has the highest amount of antioxidants, while having almost no caffeine. This tea type of steeps at water below boiling (175-185) for between 1-2 minutes, depending on the leaf.

Green tea: (Low Caffeine/equal to or less than 2-10% average caffeine found in coffee) Green tea is gaining popularity, even over the traditional black tea, in the United States with more health conscious consumers. Green tea is comprised of slightly more mature leaves than the white tea, and is usually higher in chlorophyll. Green tea goes through minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea has a very high amount of antioxidants, and minimal caffeine. This tea type of steeps at water below boiling (175-185) for between 1-2 minutes, depending on the leaf.

Oolong tea: (*also known as Wu-Long Tea) (Caffeine equal to or less than 10-15% caffeine found in an average cup of coffee) Some people refer to this tea as “Chinese restaurant tea” as it is most commonly served with dim sum, or other Chinese food favorites. Oolong is semi-oxidized tea, somewhere between green and black tea. Oolong tea tastes more akin to a green tea than a black tea, although without the vegetal taste associated with green tea. Studies show that Oolong tea aids in reducing cholesterol and promotes metabolism of fat. Oolong tea has long been used as a cleansing tea in China with some weight loss benefits. The US department of agriculture found that drinking oolong could help to flush carbohydrates and fats from your system and slightly elevate your metabolism. This tea type of steeps at water below boiling (185-195) for between 3-4 minutes, depending on the leaf. As seen on “The Oprah Show” as a miraculous diet secret.

Black tea: (Caffeine equal to or less than 20% caffeine found in an average cup of coffee) Black tea is the tea people are most familiar, although usually what comes in a teabag marked “Orange Pekoe Black Tea” (which by the way is a cut of leaf, not a flavor of tea). Black tea is a fully oxidized tea, generally strong in flavor, and contains more caffeine than any other kind of tea, although still considerably less than an average cup of coffee. Black tea accounts for over 90% of the tea consumption in the western world. Studies show that Black tea aids in reducing cholesterol, and is good for the heart. A recent study published in the “European Heart Journal” claims that the cholesterol fighting benefits are significantly reduced, or eliminated, with the addition of milk in your cup of black tea. This tea can steep in near boiling water (195-200) for 2-3 minutes.

You will also find specialty herbal teas at Teavana. Top sellers include “Red tea” from South Africa called Rooibos, and energy teas from South America called Maté. Rooibos and Maté are not from the traditional tea plant (Camellia Sinensis) but carry an array of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, all while being caffeine free.

Rooibos: (Red Bush) Rooibos is a wild shrub found only in the Cedarberg Mountains of South Africa. Rooibos is caffeine free, boasts higher antioxidants than green tea, and has been shown to aid in health problems such as insomnia, irritability, headaches, nervous tension, and hypertension. Studies also show that this tea has anti-spasmodic agents, which can relieve stomach cramping, and contains no oxalic acid, making it a good beverage for people prone to kidney stones. Rooibos tea, or its sister herb from South Africa Honeybush, make excellent teas to ease your conscience and aid you to sleep. This tea can steep in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes or more. Teavana currently carries a selection 18 different flavors of Rooibos tea

Maté: Maté is a relative of the holly bush from South America. Maté is a natural stimulant although occasionally will be stated as “Caffeine Free”. Maté contains several xanthenes, which are alkaloids in the same family as caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine (well-known stimulants also found in coffee and chocolate). This stimulant combination is said to have less negative effects as compared to straight caffeine (i.e. no jitters, or sleeplessness). Most importantly for all those coffee lovers who cannot tear themselves away from the bean, Teavana carries a special blend of Maté called “MatéVana” which is comprised of roasted Maté leaves, lactose-free chocolate, almonds, vanilla Rooibos, cocoa, cactus blossoms, cornflower, and sunflower petals. This tea can steep in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes or more. We also carry several other kinds of Maté including a spice blend, a lemongrass blend, and the plain Yerba Maté.

Cassandra in Atlanta