What beverage can be black, brown or green, and can be served hot or cold AND may make our bones a little stronger?

Would you believe tea?

A study published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that older women who drank tea (3 or more cups per day) had higher bone density measurements (stronger bones) than those who did not drink tea. 

How does it work? 
The theory is that there are flavonoids in the tea that work like estrogen to help prevent bone loss that is so common among post-menopausal women.

What kind of tea should you drink?
It appears that black, brown and green teas are effective.

How much tea do you need to drink?
Although scientists see a relationship between tea drinking and bone health, an answer to “how much tea to drink” has not been determined. For now, you can enjoy your tea knowing that you may be helping your bones as well.

What is the difference between black, brown and green tea?
There are actually many kinds of tea and the main difference lies in the processing.  Following are descriptions of these and other teas. *

White Tea: These teas are appreciated for their unmatched subtlety, complexity, natural sweetness, and delicacy. The appearance of the leaves is unaltered. They are the least processed (steamed and dried) and have very little caffeine. The leaves are picked early in the year while the tiny white hairs are still visible on the leaves and the bud is still closed. Only the top leaf and a bud are picked from the plant. The leaves are then allowed to dry in the sun; they are not steamed or pan fired like green tea. If mechanical drying is required for a white tea, they are baked. This produces a light cup usually a very pale yellow with a light and lightly sweet taste. White Tea is high in antioxidants.

Green Tea: For centuries green tea has been the beverage of choice in Asia. Slowly but surely green tea has begun gaining huge popularity in the West. Its natural aroma and widely acclaimed health benefits make green tea appealing to both tea lovers and non-tea drinkers. Green tea does not go through the oxidation (fermentation) process. Green tea does have less caffeine than black tea. It is an unfermented tea.  Leaves are plucked and immediately steamed or fired (heated.) This kills the fermentation enzymes so none takes place. That is why the leaves are green, the liquor so light, and the flavor so vegetal or mild.

Black Tea:  Black tea is the most processed. Black teas tend to be full-bodied and strong in flavor with some caffeine. They taste good with milk and sugar. Leaves are dried for a day after picking. Then they are allowed to fully ferment before firing stops fermentation. The resulting leaves and liquor are usually darker than an oolong tea. The flavor of a black tea depends on where it’s grown. Tannin (a puckering quality) is often evident in black teas.

Oolong Tea: These semi-fermented teas have some of the same qualities as green and black teas; they are full-bodied with a fragrant flavorful and fruity, sweet aroma. They are low in caffeine and relaxing. Oolong tea, like black tea goes through a withering stage (wilting).  The difference is the oolong tea, goes through a shorter stage and the leaves are fired directly after that to prevent continued oxidation (fermentation.)  The leaves can range from being almost black to dark green depending on when oxidation is stopped.  Leaves are picked and allowed to ferment for four or five hours in direct sunlight. Next, firing halts fermentation when it is half complete. The flavor of a oolong tea is a bit more complex than a green tea. Some amazing fruit or flowery notes are trademarks of oolongs.

Rooibos Tea: This tea is made from a South African red bush that has higher antioxidants than green tea, and is caffeine free. It is also rich in vitamins, natural minerals, and excellent in aiding with digestion. Both herbal and rooibos teas are delicious iced or hot.

Herbal Tea: This variety of tea is a favorite summer drink, consisting of fruits pieces and blossoms, and rich in Vitamin C. Contains no real tea, but rather herbs and or tisanes. The majority are naturally caffeine-free.

Teabags use tea dust, the leftovers after the tasty whole tea leaves are sold.

*The descriptions and definitions of different teas were obtained from the following websites.

Teavana
http://www.teavana.com/

Tea Laden, Inc.
Tealaden.com

Heine Brothers Coffee
http://www.heinebroscoffee.com/