Debunking The Myths About Tea

DEBUNKING THE MYTHS ABOUT TEA

Undoubtedly one of the most popular beverages enjoyed by millions around the world, tea definitely holds a special place in many of our hearts. With the multiple varieties available from international teas like Ceylon tea to local varieties like Munnar tea, it is almost impossible to choose a favourite.

As popular as it is, there are many misconceptions about tea which we have been told and tend to believe. The purpose of this article is to clear some common misconceptions and help you understand a little more about tea.

MYTH 1: TEA HAS AN UNLIMITED SHELF LIFE

TRUTH:In contrast to this belief, no matter what quality of tea you buy, the shelf life of even the most premium Indian tea is six month, and if it has been in your larder longer than that, it is time to throw it out. The tea also has to be stored in a cool, dark and dry place in order to maintain its quality.

MYTH 2: HERBAL TEA IS TEA

TRUTH: Tea is only considered tea when it comes from the Camellia Synesis plant. Herbal tea comes from another plant called ‘Tisanes’, and is hence technically not considered tea. However, it does have some good health benefits.

MYTH 3: DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEA HAVE DIFFERENT CAFFEINE LEVELS

TRUTH: It is a common belief that black tea has more caffeine than other types of tea. However, this is also a myth which people need to stop believing. All tea comes from the same plant and has the same amount of caffeine to begin with, but factors such as where your tea is grown, how it is processed, and the size of the leaves play a role in how much caffeine you put in your cup.

MYTH 4: TEA HELPS FIGHT CANCER AND OTHER TERMINAL DISEASES

TRUTH: Yes, tea is a healthier option than coffee and does help increase immunity and reduce the risk of heart disease only to a certain extent. The belief that it helps fight cancer and other terminal diseases has proved successful on rodents but the data for humans is not clear yet.

MYTH 5: ADDING MILK TO TEA REDUCES THE HEALTH BENEFITS

TRUTH: Another popular belief is that the addition of milk reduces the health effects of tea. To our relief, it is just a myth and all the milk does is dilute the tea and water it down. So, we don’t need to worry about that either.

MYTH 6: TEA BAGS ARE THE SAME AS LOOSE-LEAF TEA

TRUTH: Even if they come from the same factory, tea leaves are tea dust or crushed whole leaves which have been put into pre-portioned bags for easy usage. Brewing tea leaves is not as difficult as you would think, and at the end of the day allow you to enjoy a better tea drinking experience.

We could go on and on about various tea facts and why you should drink more of it. But, the fact of the matter is that tea is as good for you as water or coffee and it depends on your drinking preference. Whether you want to invest in the best tea from Munnar, or local grocery shop tea bags, the choice varies from person to person. But keeping these facts in mind is helpful because at the end of the day you do not want too much of a good thing!