All of Your Tea FAQs Answered!
We love getting out in the Los Angeles community and talking with fellow tea-lovers. Not only do we enjoy sharing tea knowledge, but we like to learn what it is that most people know about tea. It's easy to forget that every varietal of green tea isn't common knowledge when you're surrounded by tea all day! We've compiled some of the FAQ's we're asked most, and maybe some of them are questions you've had, too!
What Is Tea?
Tea is both the product of the Camellia sinensis evergreen shrub and the beverage made from the leaves, buds and twigs. All teas are made from this plant, regardless of the type or "color." Black, green, white, oolong and pu-erh teas are all the same plant. What makes each of these teas differ from one another is the way in which they're picked and processed.
Is Chamomile a Tea?
Yes and no. Chamomile technically is not tea. As we mentioned before, all tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, and if it doesn't come from that plant, it isn't tea. However, we colloquially refer to many botanical blends as tea. It isn't an accurate description, but "herbal tea" has become a common phrase, so we let it slide! If you want to impress your friends and stay accurate, you can call Chamomile a "tisane." Tisanes are made of caffeine-free flowers, fruits, leaves, spices, and other non-Camellia sinensis plants.
What Is Pu-Erh Tea?
Pu-erh is a fermented black tea. With earthy flavors, pu-erh can quickly become a tea novice's favorite tea type once they have a chance to try it. Pu-erh teas improve with age and can either be prepared from a loose-leaf pu-erh or by using a pu-erh cake.
Does White Tea Have Caffeine?
There's a rumor circulating that white tea either doesn't have caffeine or has very little caffeine. We can definitively say that this is false. The Camellia sinensis plant is caffeinated. As mentioned before, all tea types are from this plant so all tea types have caffeine. A decaf version of any of these teas will have been processed by a producer or manufacturer to remove caffeine. There's no reason white tea should have significantly less caffeine than other teas. If anything, the short steep time could contribute to this rumor. If you're looking for a pick-me-up, white tea is still a great option.
Will Green Tea Help Me Lose Weight?
We're not doctors or health experts, so we can't answer this one completely, but historically oolong tea was believed to promote weight loss. It was once called the Taiwanese Woman's Weight Loss tea because women believed drinking it with a meal would promote weight loss. There are some aspects of green tea and oolong tea that might play into this belief. First, it is thought that caffeine can help with weight loss. It is also believed that the antioxidants in tea are helpful. Finally, the very nature of drinking a warm beverage with a meal could help aid in digestion.
To learn even more about tea and have all of your FAQ's answered, visit our Tea 101 page. You'll find comprehensive information about every tea type!
Shop Art of TeaWant to learn more about tea? Check out our guide on all things tea here.
Learn more about various teas and their caffeine levels here.