Oolong has disease-fighting antioxidants, say Chinese researchers, green may protect your gums, a 2009 Japanese study finds, while black may ward off Parkinsons disease, says a 2008 American Journal of Epidemiology study. Heres what to drink:
Sencha Best for: Green-tea beginners. Its sweet and mellow, without the bitter bite of some other green brews. Sip it with sushi or dessert.
Genmaicha Best for: An afternoon pick-me-up. This Japanese green tea is mixed with roasted rice kernels. It has a savoury smell, almost like popcorn.
Sur Le Nil Best for: After-dinner relaxing. Its flavour is more delicate than that of many green teas. Think of it as chamomile-plus, with hints of lemon and spice.
High mountain Oolong Best for: Relaxing after work. Its made with thick tea leaves, which gives it a full fl oral flavour with an earthy finish-a good balance for before dinner.
Wood Dragon Oolong Best for: Coffee quitters. This strong, woodsy brew contains more stem than leaf and has significantly less caffeine than other oolong teas. Honey phoenix Oolong Best for: Wintertime defrosting. Its a robust tea, with a flavour almost like a cherry pit, making it sweet, with a tinge of bitterness.
Vanilla Rooibos Best for: Dessert-and not just because its free of caffeine. Youll taste a light sweetness followed by a creamy finish. Cassis Best for: Snapping awake on a cold morning. This black tea is rich and powerful. Youll taste black currants, with a sweet, dry finish. Pu-Erh Tuocha Best for: Coffee drinkers. Its strong, earthy and has a kick of caffeine. The black tea comes pressed into nuggets, which break apart when boiled.
How to brew Pour one cup of almost-boiling water over one teaspoon of leaves and steep. (Dont use this method with pu-erh tuocha, which you should boil
