Cornucopia or the horn of plenty is a symbol of abundance and affluence, dating back to the fifth century BC. In modern dialect, a great many very good things, and judging by the number of diverse flavored teas that are available today, that is a very precise description. Although counting them could be difficult, the variety of flavored tea to be found could quite possibly exceed those of coffee. Devoted tea drinkers everywhere are the beneficiaries of that wide array of choices.
It is often asked if tea can prevent cancer but the short answer to that question is unfortunately in the negative. However, many studies give weight to the belief that it certainly helps. Lung, prostate, breast, bladder and other cancers have all been the subject of intense research over the past fifty or so years. Compounds commonly found in tea have favorably influenced many if not all of them.
Not only are there many health benefits of green tea, it is also very enjoyable to drink as well. Normally, nothing that is remotely good for us tends to taste so good, but not so with green tea. It's role in promoting health has been much in the news during the last few years and there is ample evidence that, consumed in moderation, it does indeed aid many aspects of functioning. Some green tea medical benefits have been known for over a thousand years.
In India, the Hindi word for tea is Chai, so calling this beverage Chai tea is actually a redundant and illogical term. English speakers are more likely to call it masala chai which when translated means spiced tea. Many eastern languages use chai as their word for tea including the Kurds, Turks, Russians and Serbs. What we might call Chai tea is actually called masala tea because masala is the Hindi word for spice.
Traditionally, especially in the old cowboy westerns, the good guy always wore a white hat but not so when it comes to tea drinking as black is definitely the good guy. All true tea is the product of the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. However, what a difference a little oxygen and sunlight can make. Green tea is very lightly oxidized with Oolong moderately so and black tea the most heavily oxidized of them all. There is even a fourth variety, white tea, which rarely makes it to western shores.
Numerous studies lend credence to a popular idea that tea can help improve heart health. Heart attack and blood pressure are closely related with high blood pressure increasing the risk of heart attack, as well as contributing to other health problems.
