“Waah,Chai!”, these words might be audible to you everywhere, whether at the home, school,office or at the railway station.But what is there in the tea that makes it so special that everybody’s day starts with it as the Bed Tea and then for the whole day, the Tea Mania keeps on making its way throughout the world?

Tea, an agricultural product of Camellia Sinensis plant, after water, is the most widely liked beverage in the whole world. The gift of China to the world, tea is catecorised as a hot beverage.

There are more than1500 types of Tea in the world, thus, providing a wide range of choices to its consumers. The main difference in the taste and type of the Tea originates from its Processing. Accurate processing technique is the key to make tasty and healthy Tea. Black Tea,Green Tea and Oolong Tea are the main three types of Tea available in the market with several other types like Herbal Tea, White Tea, Red Tea, Pu-erh Tea, Premium Tea along with many Flavoured Teas like Lemon Tea, Ginger Tea and many more.

The tea might also be served  in different ways, with different additives. In China and many other regions of the world, various flavourings are added to the Tea,like Jasmine flowers, Mint, Lemon, Spices, Ginger etc. In colder regions like Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia, butter is also added to the Tea. Tibetan Butter Tea also caontains Rock Salt. Tea can also be fortified with Alcohol.The flavor of the tea can also be altered by pouring it from different heights, resulting in varying degrees of oxidization.

Tea contains Antioxidants (Catechins).In a fresh tea leaf, catechins can compose up to 30% of the dry weight. Tea also contains Theanine and the stimulant Caffeine at about 3% of its dry weight.It also contains small amounts of Theobromine and Theophylline, as well as Fluoride. But tea has no Carbohydrates, Fat or Protein.

According to many studies Tea is very benecial to the health and it strengthens th immune system. Tea leaves contain more than 700 different chemicals that are human health friendly. But very excessive consumption of Tea may lead to dangers!

-Ketan Singla