Winter is in full swing and there is nothing better than a hot cup of tea on a cold day.

Tea is a comforting beverage that is almost calorie-free and has dozens of proven health benefits.

Tea contains antioxidants and bioflavonoid, which may lower the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke.

White Tea

White tea is the least processed of all teas.  White tea is light in color, delicate, smooth, sweet and velvety in flavor. It is lowest of all teas in caffeine. White tea has become more popular due to its health benefits.

Green Tea

Green tea is similar to white tea in that it does not incur a large amount of processing. Taste is vegetal, nutty, savory and grassy. It has half the amount of caffeine as Black Tea. Green Tea has a high level of antioxidants and is full of health properties.

Black Tea

Black tea is the most robust of the teas. It has full-bodied flavors of chocolate, earth, molasses, and honey; strong enough to handle milk or milk alternative such as almond, soy or rice milks.  It contains the highest caffeine content of teas but half the caffeine of coffee. Research shows benefits for cardiovascular disease, arthritis and bad breath.

Herbal Tisanes

Herbal Tisanes have a variety of tastes from minty, to sweet chamomile to tart lemon.  Herbal Tisanes naturally contain no caffeine.  A variety of health benefits depending on the herb. Mint aids in digestion while chamomile is a relaxant.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos is made from a South African plant.  Rooibos teas are caffeine-free.  Rooibos has a high level of antioxidants.

Oolong Tea

Very complex in taste ranging from buttery to sweet and orchid-like.  Caffeine content is midway between black and green tea.  Oolong tea aids in speeding up metabolism and burning fat.

David’s tea is one of my favorite places to buy loose tea.  They have an incredible selection and very unique flavors.

Some of my favorites include:

Green & Fruity, Crème caramel, Coco Chai Rooibos, Forever Nuts, Copabanana, Jumpy Monkey, Chocolate Rocket, Read my Lips, Buttercream, Pumpkin Chai and Carrot Cake.

What are your favorites?

You can also create your own herbal tea’s using natural raw ingredients. My absolute favorite is honey, lemon and ginger! This combo makes for a great tasting and comforting drink. (see image above)

These three ingredients have unique medicinal qualities that can help fight flu-like symtoms and boost your imune system. Lemon provides us with vitamin C, ginger is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties, and honey is soothing for dry and itchy throats.