Tea is also grown in India, Sri Lanka, Japan and Java. It is drunk in almost every country around the world and has reached a ceremonial status in many places. Green tea is prepared from fresh leaves and buds which are pan-fried then rolled and dried. Oolong is made by wilting the fresh leaves in the sun, then bruising them slightly and partially fermenting them.
Black tea is made by fermenting the slightly wilted leaves.
Green and oolong tea have bitter, sweet, drying and cooling characteristics while black tea is bitter, sweet, drying and warming. In addition to these general characteristics, each type of tea has special properties of its own. Green tea has a high amount of fluoride in it which may help strengthen teeth and bones and reduce tooth decay. It also has catechins and bioflavonoids which may contribute to its potential to fight skin, esophageal, stomach and colon cancers. Research is also being done to find out if it may be used as a natural sun block.