Tue, May 22 2012

Three teas you've never heard of - but should get to know

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altAh, tea. Is there anything better to drink on a sunny (or rainy, or cloudy, or windy) morning? Whether you enjoy it hot or iced, black or green, with milk and sugar or just straight-up, tea is a beverage that's been fit for royalty. But if all you've been drinking is English Breakfast and Earl Grey, it's time to expand your tea horizons! Here are a few unusual varieties that we can't get enough of.

1. Rooibos. "Rooibos," which means "red bush" in Afrikaans, is a South African tea with a gorgeous amber color and sweet, earthy taste. It is high in antioxidants but caffeine-free, which makes it an ideal beverage for pregnant women and as a substitute for decaf coffee in many drinks (giving rise to "red lattes" and "red espressos"). It also has low tannin levels compared to green and black teas, making it less bitter than many similar varieties, even without sugar.

2. Oolong. Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea that has many variations, some of which are recognizable for their preparation - they're withered under the sun before being rolled into "pearls" that unfurl in your tea pot. Oolong tea contains caffeine, so it's a great pick-me-up beverage for those mornings when you just can't seem to get in gear. Try the jasmine variety for a deliciously floral wake-up call.

3. White tea. As the name implies, white tea is, well, white. Primarily grown in China, white tea leaves are harvested when they're young, leaving them with a gentle, subtle flavor that's much softer than traditional black tea. Some believe that white tea could be an immune booster, so have a cuppa when you're feeling under the weather.



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