Drink to your health

Tea isn't drunk only for the taste; it's also believed to be healthy. According to Leo Kwan, managing director of Leo Kwan Tea Trade and founder of MingCha, tea can help prevent tooth decay, reduce stress, and facilitate digestion and urination. It also helps lower blood cholesterol and fatty acids, thus preventing heart disease and diabetes.

'Tea contains tea polyphenols, which help slow ageing, and prevent cancers and the blocking of blood vessels,' he says. 'It also has theanine that makes you relax.'

He says green tea is effective for weight reduction and preventing cancer, whereas pu'er and oolong help cleanse the digestive system.

Teas and their reputed benefits:

Longjin/bi luo chun prevents cell mutation and cholesterol build-up; and regulates digestion.

Tieguanyin lowers cholesterol and fatty acids; is relaxing.