Tea:
Not so long ago it seemed that tea was tea and coffee was coffee. We have become so much more selective in our taste for beverages, but actually enjoying tea is not such a new thing. Tea is one of the oldest beverages and was the drink of emperors.

Tea can be very satisfying and the myriad of taste and smell is truly one for a connoisseur. It is gaining general popularity as a beverage, but also as a healing tonic.

The history of tea goes far back, really far back. It was 2737 B.C. that tea was reportedly first discovered in China by the mythical second emperor, Shen Nung, known as the Divine Healer.

Or Coffee?
Personally I used to be a completely mad coffee lover. I would schedule meetings round where I could get the best cup of coffee, I only would drink the very strong European kind, and I would basically live with a cup in my hand. Being Danish that is also familiar since a normal office accessory on a typical desk would be a thermos of coffee, filled fresh a few times a day.

I have later heard it said that, "Coffee makes us do things we would otherwise not do". It all of a sudden makes sense why it the most popular office drink. I am not sure I was completely a slave to my work but I surely was one to my cup of coffee. That was then, this is now. I now live free. Free from the anxiety that coffee induces, the artificial level of stress, free from mood swings and the sudden out-bursts of anger, free from the toxic headaches. Not to mention, free from the afternoon slump of almost falling asleep on top of my computer.

But is coffee all bad?

Tea as a healing tonic might be quite a name to live up to, but a lot of research is going into the health properties of tea, especially green tea and its anti-oxidant properties. Studies look for the effects of EGCG, the anti-oxidant that occurs in green tea, and its effect on everything from cancer, cholesterol, heart disease, increasing the metabolism, and for that matter, bad breath and gum health too. The studies do indicate the benefits, but there is not enough conclusive results, some say, and it can therefore not get the official stamp of approval by the FDA. One claim that for sure is not one to follow is the Enviga sparkling green tea drink from Coco-cola and Nestle, save your money. If you are looking for a nice green tea bottled up and ready to go pick one of the ones from Ito'en. Sugar free and just brewed green tea. How much better can it get short of brewing it yourself.

But is the caffeine in tea different that the one in coffee? Well yes, the effects of coffee is different, and the amount of caffeine is too. Coffee does have more and it does affect your anxiety and therefore stress hormone cortisol, which in return puts your body into this perpetual stress mode with the added problems. Sometimes a cup of coffee is a good thing though. One site called Positively Coffee will list all the benefits. Do note this site is from a pro-coffee organization supporting the business of coffee. This is however contradicted by most health experts, but supported by others. Maybe a clue for this confusion can be that "a little might be good, but a lot is not better". Another clue could be that, what is found to be good in the coffee studies is the anti-oxidants and phytochemicals. Guess what. You find those in tea too, as well as in fruit and vegetables.

OK, admittedly. In some situations where your brain needs a fast boost of alertness and you a shot of adrenalin to stay awake, coffee can surely help you out. Just please don't live like that all the time. That is what wears you out, especially if you add it to big city living.

So when I do have that cup of coffee from time to time at least I make sure it is the best I can find. Want to know about really good coffee? I suggest you become an artisan when it comes to picking your coffee.

Having the addiction to coffee behind me, I now have a new ritual where I sit with my cup of tea, breathing in its bouquet and fully indulging in its fine nuances. A sense of relaxation and calm sweeps over me. And my memories of the busy days of a fast cup of strong coffee can live on in my mind, -and still bring a smile to my face.