My favorite beverage unequivocally is tea. This drink incorporates so many facets of the lifestyle I try to live. A well brewed cup of Darjeeling black with a hint of honey and dash of lemon can set the tone for an entire day. The complexity of taste stimulates the palate promoting contemplation and inner peace. To truly appreciate these complexities one must recognize the deep culture associated with the infusion. When I say tea, I am referring to the beverage brewed from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. The confusion that some may have when referring to "tea" speaks to its broad acceptance in various cultures and the adaptations these societies have produced, despite tea's rich history dating back thousands of years.

Tea is simple, yet it is complex. It is a perfect dichotomy unto itself. It can be an everyday drink for those who simply want to place a tea bag into hot water and wait. Or it can be a ceremonial ritual for the intelligentsia and self proclaimed "cultured" levels of society. Though it has deep roots in Southern Asia, tea transcends cultural boundaries and has permeated even the most isolated societies on Earth.

Despite tea's broad social appeal, the plant's health benefits are beyond compare. Tea is rich in antioxidants, derived from the polyphenols, that aid in ridding the body of free-radicals, which can cause a range of health problems. The anti-cancer properties have been touted by numerous health professionals, particularly in the area of gastric, skin and even ovarian cancer. Tea has also been linked to a decrease in blood clotting and lowered cholesterol levels.

Tea: the most commonly consumed beverage in the world, behind water, is by far my favorite beverage. Tea is enduring, it is complex, it is not a slave to popular culture (though many would argue that it is gaining sub-culture status in some circles), it is transcendant, it is unequaled in both its historic and medicinal value. I encourage you to brew yourself a cup and contemplate these words.

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