Tea blends of black and semi-fermented varieties come from several Asian nations, including China, Darjeeling in India, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan. Their flavors may be flowery, citrus-like, or smoky. Mat or yerba mat , the drink of preference in Paraguay and neighboring regions of Brazil and Argentina, is brewed from toasted wild holly leaves. A stimulant, it contains caffeine and tannin. Chai concentrate contains a mix of teas and spices, just requiring the addition of water, milk, or milk substitute before heating.
Instant tea is a powder made by brewing a vat full of strong tea, then evaporating the water.
Decaffeinated tea has had most of its caffeine removed. Tea drinks bottled as soft drinks contain tea, water, sweeteners, and flavorings. Herbal teas , made from leaves, stems, and roots of plants, contain no true tea and thus are caffeine-free. Green tea contains catechins, powerful phytochemicals that possess many health promoting properties. Black tea contains similar phytochemicals.