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Herbal Tea Isn't Tea and Other Myths
Posted on Feb 17th 2009 5:00PM by Bev SklarFiled Under: Nutrition & Supplements
What do you mean herbal tea isn't tea? I absolutely love herbal tea. Just yesterday I sipped a giant mug of chamomile mint, which paired nicely with Jacki's better breakfast to start your day -- eggs and toast. "Julie's Health Club" reports 9 Tea Myths, here are a few I found interesting:
- Black, Green and Oolong are Different Varieties of Tea -- Nope. The Camellia sinensis is the only plant that provides tea leaves. The difference is in the processing. Black tea leaves are exposed to air/allowed to oxidize; green tea is less processed to preserve the green color and delicate flavor; oolong tea is in between. Herbal teas come from different plants called "tisanes." That's not to say herbal tea doesn't count, but the research has primarily focused on tea, not tisanes.
- Green Tea = Skinny -- Study results are mixed on whether caffeine and EGCG (a catechin in tea) increases fat oxidation. Even if they do, one tea expert says the effect is small, like half an Oreo's worth. The way my mind works -- if I drink two cups of green tea, can I have an Oreo? Still, tea is a no-calorie beverage if you steer clear of dairy and sweeteners.
- Restaurants are Tea Experts -- Only if your restaurant offers a small tea pot, an empty mug and the tea bag on the side. Ideally, you should put the tea bag in the empty cup first, then pour the hot water. The Tea Association says use boiling water for black tea and nearly-boiling water for green tea.
If herbal tea isn't tea, do I just call it herbal? More than one commenter contested some of the myths in the article, check those out for a wider perspective.
