Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Tea

The Editors, 03.03.2026

No other drink is as beneficial, as versatile—or as misunderstood. Not everything sold as “tea” is truly tea. We break down what real tea is, how different varieties are produced, and exactly how much caffeine ends up in your cup.

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Hardly any drink is as deeply woven into cultures as tea. From the ritualized tea ceremonies of Japan to a strong Assam in a British glass, or a delicate Darjeeling at Sunday brunch, tea has accompanied humanity for centuries. But what exactly counts as “real” tea, and how do the many varieties, that end up in our cups, differ from one another?

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