The air is crisp and dry in autumn, a season when lungs are particularly vulnerable. Drinking tea properly at this time can help alleviate the dryness of the season and moisturize the lungs.

A “weather map” has been developed for Tea drinking, offering guidance tailored to different individuals based on the unique properties of various teas.

Green Tea

Green tea is unfermented. Teas like Longjing, Biluochun, and Sparrow's Tongue all belong to this category.

Characteristics: Clear green liquor and leaves. Green tea is commonly believed to have effects such as lowering blood lipids, reducing blood pressure, and aiding weight loss. Regular smokers may benefit from drinking green tea, which can mitigate the harmful effects of nicotine.

White Tea

White tea is a slightly fermented tea. Pai Mu Tan (White Peony), Gongmei (Tribute Eyebrow), and Bai Hao Yinzhen (Silver Needle) are all examples of white tea. There is a folk saying that white tea is “a year's tea, three years' medicine, and seven years' treasure.”

White tea possesses excellent health benefits. In addition to the common nutrients found in other teas, it contains essential active enzymes. Medical studies have shown that regular consumption of white tea can significantly increase the activity of lipase in the body, promoting the metabolism of fats. It can also effectively control insulin secretion, delay the absorption of glucose, and help balance blood sugar levels.

Characteristics: Green leaves with red veins. Its name comes from its appearance, which is white due to the fine hairs covering the young buds. White tea typically helps with eye health, liver protection, and maintaining balanced blood sugar levels. Older white teas, in particular, have additional properties such as reducing fever, relieving inflammation, and soothing sore throats, making them effective for treating throat issues.

Yellow Tea

Yellow tea is a lightly fermented tea, including Junshan Silver Needle, Wenzhou Yellow Soup, and Guangdong Dayeqing.

Characteristics: Yellow liquor and leaves. The yellow color of the leaves in yellow tea is mainly due to insufficient drying after kneading. Yellow tea has some detoxifying effects and is beneficial for the stomach and digestion, as well as assisting in fat metabolism.

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is semi-fermented, also known as Wulong tea. Tieguanyin, Wulong, Dahongpao, Phoenix Dancong, Phoenix Shuixian, and Dongding Wulong are all oolong teas.

Characteristics: Green leaves with red edges. Oolong tea contains a high amount of tea polyphenols and is known for its effects in lowering blood lipids, anti-aging, weight loss, and invigoration. However, it should not be consumed on an empty stomach or before bed.

Black Tea

Black tea is fully fermented, with examples including Yindesea Black Tea, Zhengshan Xiaozhong, Darjeeling, and Ceylon.

Characteristics: Red liquor and leaves. Black tea typically aids digestion, warms the stomach, invigorates, and relieves fatigue.

Dark Tea

Dark tea is heavily fermented, including Pu'er, Liubao, Anhua Dark Tea, and Hubei Laqing.

Characteristics: The dry leaves are olive-brown, and the liquor is orange-yellow or brown. It has effects such as lowering blood lipids, aiding digestion, preventing diabetes, and anti-aging.