The benefits of drinking tea are many, but the beverage has more than antioxidants. Tea is not the spinach of beverages and instead comes in three flavorful varieties. All from the camellia sinensis plant, tea gets its flavor not only from origin but the processes after. Black tea, for example, which produces the darkest and most caffeinated brew, is processed the most, and white tea is considered the purest out of the three.

Black tea comes in several varieties but on a basic level consists of leaves that have gone through an extensive process of drying. Although basic black tea blends are sold, the most well-known are combination blends, such as Earl Grey and English Breakfast, that bring together black tea leaves from multiple locations and may have something extra, such as the bergamot oil added to Earl Grey. With the most caffeine, black tea is ideal as a morning beverage.

Green tea, on the other hand, has a less intense taste, although this varies with blends. Green teas come from China or Japan, but all go through a less extensive process. The health benefits of green tea, however, often overshadow its many varieties and tastes. Because of various studies done over the past 20 years, green tea’s antioxidant content is said to aid with cancer growth, heart disease prevention, and weight loss. The beverage, however, is not a medical treatment, and for it to have any effect, at least four cups need to be consumed daily.

The lightest in color and flavor, white tea has the highest concentration of antioxidants, although it has not been studied as much as green tea. Considered the purest tea, this blend comes in multiple varieties determined by the number of buds added. Blends with more buds are considered higher quality, and buds-only blends can also be found, although these are the most expensive.

As a fourth option, herbal teas, also called tisanes, have no ties to the camellia sinensis plant. Rather, these blends are composed of various dried fruits, herbs, and spices, which are brewed and steeped. The blend, although flavorful, has no caffeine and is consumed often for the flavor or, in some cases, health properties.