A great drink - but beware the pitfalls

Tea is my cure-all: Earl Grey when I need soothing; green tea as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up: pu'er tea if I'm feeling a bit posh and a good strong cup of English Breakfast tea (in fact from India or Africa) to wake me up first thing.

Of course there is a huge variety of teas available both in China and internationally, but all of these true teas are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant in one form or another.

Infusions made with different plants (ie chrysanthemum, jasmine, chamomile) are not technically "tea" but instead should really be referred to as a "tisane".