Black Teas: Black tea is generally known for its great taste and stronger flavor than the less oxidized teas such as oolong, green, and white. All four varieties are made from leaves of the Camellia Sinensis bush. Black tea is the most popular tea in the western world, and particularly North America, perhaps due its higher levels of caffeine, and range of flavors from flowery and fruity to spicy and nutty. Purported health benefits include high concentrations of flavonoids which help reduce clotting of arteries and act as an antioxidant that reduces levels of damaging free radicals in the human body. Consumed over the long term, antioxidants help prevent aging, boost the immune response to various pathogens and can lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Green Teas: Green tea is made solely with the leaves of Camellia Sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea has been the subject of numerous scientific and medical studies to understand the extent of its health benefits. Evidence suggests that regular green tea drinkers have been found to have reduced risk of heart disease, and of developing certain cancers. Green tea is known to contain cartenoids, tocopherols, ascorbic acid, minerals like selenium, chromium and manganese, and phytochemical compounds. It is also a potent antioxidant widely believed to provide significant health benefits. Because green tea is unfermented it has a more delicate flavor and has less caffeine than black tea.

Rooibos (Redbush) Teas: Rooibos tea comes from the Cedarberg region of South Africa, and is well known for its healing, medicinal and weight loss properties. Rooibos has become popular in Western countries and particularly North America among health-conscious consumers, due to its high level of antioxidants such as aspalathin and nothofagin. Rooibos is naturally caffeine free and low in tannin levels compared to fully oxidized black tea or unoxidized green tea leaves. Scientists have found that rooibos tea can help protect against mutagenesis, the process whereby the genetic material of a cell is damaged. Mutagenesis is one of the major causes of cancer and other diseases. Rooibos tea also contains a number of phenolic compounds, or anti-oxidants, including flavanols, flavones, flavanones, and dihydrochalcones.