Of all the non-alcoholic beverages in the world, tea leads the way in
terms of consumption. In some cultures, tea drinking is a spiritual
practice with social definition. The British, for example, have enjoyed
morning and afternoon teatimes for centuries, while the Japanese
consider tea ceremonies sacred.
No matter how or where you enjoy a cup, with the exception of herbal
teas all tea comes from the same plant — Camillia sinensis, a bushy
plant native to a cultivated throughout tropical zones in Asia. In
addition to exceptional bold flavor, green tea leaves provide a high
degree of antioxidant compounds called catechins.
