We all know there's something magical about sitting down with a cup of tea, sipping away at the brew, that relaxes the tension, eases the mind and gives even just five minutes of escape. Even science has turned to tea, unlocking its physiological benefits and finding amazing results. Green tea is favored for continuous studies. Any consumer can be easily confused by the rows and rows of boxes and varieties of tea. So let's clear up some of the clouds.
Green tea is steamed, baked or pan heated to prevent oxidation and thus, the leaves remain green.
Oolong tea is partially fermented. Oxidation is cut short so the leaves are black only on the edges. Black tea is fully fermented, producing black leaves. Antioxidants are thought to prevent free radicals, which are incomplete cells that attack healthy cells, causing damage that can lead to certain diseases, especially cancer and heart disease. A study conducted in September of 1997 by Dr. Lester Mitscher at the University of Kansas concluded that the highest amount of any known antioxidant is found in green tea.