5 Health Benefits of Tea

Trader Joe's Organic Sencha Green Tea

Tea lovers rejoice! You may be improving your health and wellbeing with each sip. Tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant which you’ve probably consumed in the form of white tea, green tea, oolong tea, black tea, or pu-erh (or pu’er) tea. Some herbal teas (also referred to as tisanes) have health benefits too, but that’s a subject for another time.

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Oolong Tea Tasting

Cup of oolong tea with teapot and Formosa Oolong Choicest packet in the background

Oolong tea is primarily grown in Taiwan (Formosa) or the Fujian province of China. Its production involves brief exposure to sunlight for oxidation, more so than green tea but less so than black tea. As with green and black teas, much variation exists within the oolong category.

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Fluoride and Tea: Should You Be Concerned?

Fluorite Crystals
Courtesy of Parent Géry

The truth about fluoride in tea (and water) is a topic too important to ignore. Tea consumption used to be something I would limit solely based on daily caffeine intake. Nowadays, I take fluoride content into consideration as well. Continue reading “Fluoride and Tea: Should You Be Concerned?”

Dynasty Oolong Tea Review

Dynasty Oolong Tea Review

This equable brand-name tea from the same folks who bring us Chinese Restaurant Tea has been my afternoon beverage of choice (and circumstance) for the last three days. Thirteen more afternoons and the pack of 16 will be depleted.

There’s nothing fancy here, just a mild oolong with a roasted, earthy aroma and semi-sweet taste. I’ve discovered that I prefer this type of oolong — the darker variety that has undergone more oxidation and roasting — to the lighter variety which is closer to green tea. I suppose that’s how it goes when you start from a black tea point of view.

Aroma: Roasted wood, earthy
Body: Medium
Flavor: Mild and slightly sweet; a little like unsweetened chocolate
Color: Brown