A few years ago, I was completely addicted to coffee. A soy latte here, a mocha chino there. But from the moment I became vegan I also gave up my love affair with caffeine and switched to health-boosting herbal teas. Now, I drink just about every herbal tea around, from dandelion leaf to sage. There are now loose leaf teas in my kitchen I’d never dreamed existed.
One of my favourite places on the planet to drink tea was Dr Tea’s on Melrose Ave in Los Angeles, until it temporarily closed its doors last year. The man behind the much-loved tea sanctuary Mark Ukra dared opened the tea garden in a city known for its countless Starbucks and loyal coffee addicts who frequent them.
So while the English swear by it and the Japanese cherish it, in the United States, Mark (or Dr Tea as he is affectionately known) says tea is one of the least favoured drinks, despite its documented health benefits.
Considering he comes from a family of Middle Eastern tea merchants dating back more than 400 years, it’s little surprise Dr Tea has become the unofficial spokesperson for tea in the United States. His book, The Ultimate Tea Diet, also showed that tea was good for more than just getting your daily dose of antioxidants.
I recently caught up with Dr Tea and asked him to share some interesting tid bits about the ancient beverage that comes in many varieties, yet is derived from just one powerhouse plant: the Camellia Sinensis.
SD: How can tea help coffee drinkers kick their habit?
DR TEA: I had this exact issue. I found that tea is essentially consumed exactly like coffee, hot and or cold. It can be placed in the same cup so you have the same feeling. They both have caffeine, albeit, tea has less as well as L-Theanine which counteracts caffeine’s harmful effect in the brain. Now taste of course is not easily matched although I sell a coffee tea, which is a tea I have roasted in a coffee roaster so it looks and smells like coffee.
SD: What is it about tea that makes it so good for the body?
DT: Two main factors; But first, think about it this way; when your sick do you ask for a cup of coffee? No, because we know tea makes us feel better. Now, this is because:
1. L-Theanine: Only found in the tea plant and a very rare mushroom. L-Theanine counteracts caffeine’s harmful effects as well as increasing your ability for focus and concentration.
2. Antioxidants: Tea has Identified antioxidants which repair cellular damage which can reduce the risk of cancer, heart attack and stroke.
SD: Can tea be used for detoxing?
DT: I usually do not recommend tea during a detox because of the small amount of caffeine. Now if caffeine is allowed on your detox, then maybe you should find another detox plan.
SD: What teas have the most antioxidants?
DT: All tea comes from the same plant. Therefore all teas will have antioxidants. Now the studies show that the least processed teas have the most antioxidants. So in order: white, green, oolong, and black. But do not make your judgment of what to drink based on this, because it is not that much different. Find the teas you love to drink and drink those, otherwise you’ll be back to coffee in no time. Now (also) keep in mind in order to be tea, it has to come form the tea plant. Rooibos, chamomile and mint are not teas. They are their own plant and consumed like tea. Properly referred to as a Tisane.
SD: What are people generally most surprised to hear about tea?
DT: All tea comes from the same plant.
SD: What are your most recommended teas?
DT: Tough one because I could name all 110 teas I sell as my favourite. I can give you some…
• King Ti Kuan Yin Oolong: The best tasting tea I have ever had anywhere. Consistent, long finish, and can be steeped 10 times with a fabulous change of flavor with each steep.
• Tai Ping Long leaf: This tea was given to President Nixon when he arrived in China for the first visit in the 70’s. Unique hand pressed long leaves, gently processed into a fabulous tea that will have you coming back for more.
• Queen Elizabeth Black: I have had the opportunity to have the same black tea she drinks and it is a remarkably deep, long lasting strong tea.
• My own Mint Chocolate Chip Green Tea: What can I say, I love this craving tea.
SD: Can you drink too much tea? How much is too much?
DT: You can have too much of anything. But it will take a lot. In my control group study done for my book, The Ultimate Tea Diet, we had people consuming 15 cups a day. I drink about 10 a day.
SD: What’s one tea everyone should try before they die?
DT: Another good one. I would say the King Ti Kuan Yin. Or, my white blueberry tea which is our best seller.
For more interesting tea facts, check out www.teagarden.com
