History Tea has been enjoyed for almost 5 thousand years and is today the world most widely-consumed beverage after water.  Tea is aromatic and relaxing, cooling and invigorating, traditional and healthy.  Enjoyed by almost every country and culture it is said to have medicinal uses and is consumed with respect and even has its’ own culture and traditions.  Many drink this elixir but few know much about it. Tea is the agricultural product of the leaves, buds, and internodes of the plant species, Camellia sinensis.  Mixed with hot or boiling water these cured leaves form an aromatic slightly bitter beverage consumed all over the world. The four most common types of tea found on the market are black tea, green tea, oolong tea, and white tea.  Each of these types of teas can come from the same bush, but can be processed, grown or fermented differently.  There is also herbal tea which usually refers to an infusion or tisane of leaves, flowers, fruit, herbs and other plant materials not from the Camellia sinensis species.