Tea effects are closely related to seasonal changes. Different seasons call for different types of tea for better health benefits. Thus, the way of drinking tea varies with the four seasons.

Spring: Drink flower tea. Flower tea is made from green tea scented with flowers. In spring, when snow melts, ice thaws, and the weather is mild, it is best to drink fragrant and rich jasmine tea to dispel the cold accumulated in the body during winter and promote the growth of yang energy, invigorating the "essence," "qi," and "spirit." Drinking this tea in spring helps release the cold of winter and boosts the body's yang energy.

Summer: Drink green tea. Green tea is an unfermented tea with high nutritional content and medicinal value, such as lowering blood lipids and preventing vascular hardening. In summer, when the weather is hot and the body loses a lot of fluids, it is suitable to drink bitter and cool green tea. This tea, when brewed, has a clear liquor and green leaves, offering a refreshing sensation. It helps clear heat, relieve summer heat, and quench thirst. Green tea contains high levels of tea polyphenols, caffeine, and amino acids, which stimulate the oral mucosa and promote digestive gland secretion, aiding in fluid production, making it an excellent summer drink.

Autumn: Drink oolong tea. Oolong tea, a type of blue-green tea, is recommended. Its nature is between that of black and green tea, neither cold nor hot. It can both eliminate residual heat and restore body fluids. In autumn, you can also mix black and green tea to combine their effects, or mix green tea with flower tea to utilize green tea's heat-clearing and flower tea's化痰 effect. Oolong tea helps clear internal dryness and generates fluids.

Winter: Drink black tea. Black tea is fully fermented, with a red infusion and a sweet, warm nature. It is rich in protein and helps refresh the mind and relieve fatigue. In winter, when the wind is cold and the body's yang energy is easily damaged, it is advisable to drink sweet and warm black tea to warm the body's yang, especially suitable for women. Black tea has a red color and gives a warm feeling; it can be taken with milk and sugar, thus warming the stomach and aiding digestion, which is beneficial during the heavy winter diet.

Osmanthus Apple Tea

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon osmanthus leaves, 1 tablespoon white sugar, 1/2 apple, appropriate amount of ice cubes, 1 tablespoon honey, 500 ml water

Instructions:

1. Peel half an apple and cut into small pieces.

2. Boil 500 ml of water and osmanthus tea leaves in a small pot, then add honey.

3. Add apple pieces and white sugar, continue to boil.

4. Stir well and pour into a tea pitcher. When serving, pour into a glass with ice cubes.

What tea should you drink?

1. Those who use their brains intensely daily or stay up late studying — should drink more jasmine tea.

2. Those who exercise often or engage in heavy physical labor — suitable for oolong tea and black tea.

3. Those who frequently ride motorcycles or are exposed to polluted air — can drink more green tea.

4. Those who sit all day and rarely exercise — should drink green tea or flower tea.

5. Heavy smokers and drinkers — drink more green tea.

6. Meat lovers (those who feel restless without meat for a day) — drink oolong tea.

7. Those who suffer from frequent constipation — drink more honey tea.

8. Those with high cholesterol or high blood lipids — drink oolong tea or green tea.

9. Modern people who battle computers daily — should drink more tea (any tea is fine!). While fighting with computers, brew a cup of tea and sip it often. It not only protects against radiation but also relaxes muscles and bones, eliminating fatigue and tiredness — a good way to maintain health.