Not only is tea lower in caffeine than coffee, but Asians have been drinking tea for centuries to aid digestion and improve their health.  Tea is a natural source of antioxidants, with the amount of antioxidants varying depending on the type of tea.  Tea also counts towards your daily fluid intake.  Just some of the benefits of tea are listed below.

BLACK TEA
Black tea contains L-Theanine which is a naturally occurring amino acid and is almost wholly found in tea.  L-Theanine is reputed to promote a calm but alert state of mind.  Black tea is also high in antioxidents.

Black tea contains approximately 40mg of caffeine per cup.

OOLONG TEA
Oolong tea is a cross between black & green teas.  Typically drunk after meals like green tea, oolong tea also helps to "cut the grease" from meals.  Oolong tea can be re-brewed several times.

Oolong tea contains approximately 20mg of caffeine per cup.

GREEN TEA
Green tea is high in natural antioxidants, Vitamin C, E & fluoride.  It is purported to have many health benefits, including boosting the immune system, helping to reduce the risk of cancer, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and thereby reducing the risk of heart disease & stroke. Taken after meals which is the common Asian way, it helps to cut the grease from your meal, which can assist in weight management.  It is also said that green tea slows the ageing process.

Green tea contains approximately 20mg of caffeine per cup.

PU-ERH TEA (pronounced "POO-air")
Pu-erh tea has long been considered by Asians as a special delicacy and an indispensable part of daily health care. Generations of Chinese have drunk this tea after meals to aid digestion and "cut the grease", similar to green, white and oolong teas.  It is reputed to lower cholesterol and help to reduce body weight by increasing metabolism.  The Chinese claim that it can even lower blood alcohol after drinking.  Pu-erh can be re-brewed several times.

Pu-erh tea contains approximately 10mg of caffeine per cup.

WHITE TEA
White tea is a light, almost colourless brew.  It is almost caffeine free and quite rare and research indicates that white tea has the highest amount of antioxidants of all the teas.  White tea can be re-brewed several times.

White tea contains approximately 4mg of caffeine per cup.

BOUQUET TEA
This tea is quite a show and best served in a glass tea pot so you can watch your tea ball bloom before your eyes. Handmade from either green or white tea leaves, these tea balls are packed with antioxidants.  Tea balls can be re-brewed up to 10 times.

ROOIBOS TEA
Rooibos is a herbal tea from South Africa and contains no caffeine at all. Like green and white teas, rooibos is high in antioxidants and aids digestion.  Rooibos is reputed to aid in the relief of headaches, insomnia, nervous tension, mild depression, hypertension and stomach cramps.  It has a soothing effect on the central nervous system thereby promoting relaxation.

HERBAL TEA
Since the earliest history people have been using plants to help improve and restore their physical and mental health.  The benefits from herbal teas are as extensive as the many herbs that are available (eg peppermint is great for digestion and used as a breath freshner, raspberry leaf is recommended for pregnancy and red clover has long since been believed to assist in menopause & PMS). As herbal teas don't contain any tea leaves they have no caffeine.

FRUIT TEA
Similar to herbal and rooibos tea, fruit tea has no caffeine as they do not contain any tea leaves.  Due to the fruit content, they contain many vitamins & minerals.  Fruit teas are also great cold.

 

Please ensure you consult a trained health professional if you are unsure whether any herbs will react with your physical condition (eg pregnancy) or current medication.

All teas low in caffeine also count towards your daily water intake, so having a cup of tea can assist if you find getting your 8 cups of water a day in difficult.

And not only does your body benefit from the many things listed above, but there is nothing quite like taking time out of a busy day to sit down and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of tea!

So drink to soothe your soul!