The Path of Tea

Today we had the opportunity to explore the many variations and health benefits of tea with Chris McKann of Houston's organic tea shop, The Path of Tea. Did you know that each "true tea" comes from the same type of tea leaf? The difference comes from the way the leaves are processed.

Things to keep in mind to enjoy the perfect cup of tea:
*To get the full health benefits, it is recommended to drink 3-5 cups per day.
*Adding dairy products to tea negates any health benefits. Consider using almond, soy, or coconut milk instead.
*Use the best quality water possible--Chris recommends filtered, alkaline water.

Green Tea	White Tea
When processing, low heat is added to create green tea leaves Has been found to have cancer-fighting benefits Helpful in preventing or slowing Alzheimer's disease Removes cortisol (caused by stress) from the blood stream Helps to balance blood sugar and kick-start metabolism	This tea is the least processed and has a low amount of caffeine Has the most antioxidants of any tea, so it's great for building up the immune system White tea is also especially good for skin health
	Black Tea
	More heat is added when processing tea leaves Especially good for heart health--people who drink 1-3 cups of black tea per day are less likely to have heart attacks
Oolong Tea
Tea leaves come from high altitudes--conditions in Taiwan are perfect for Oolong The tea leaves are bruised during processing, which adds a smooth quality to the tea Particularly good for liver health Has been found to help weight loss, as well as recovering from hangovers Oolong is a known mood-elevator!
	Rooibos Tea
	Does not come from a true tea leaf, but from an herb in South Africa Particularly good for respiratory health South African parents commonly use Rooibos tea to treat colic in babies Caffeine-free

Thanks to our presenter for an enlightening and aromatic presentation! To learn more about The Path of Tea, check out their website: www.thepathoftea.com

LIFErs enjoy tea samples and delicious organic cookies.