What’s your cup of tea?

This story was part of the January 2025 print and digital issues of National Geographic magazine.

One single plant species, Camellia sinensis, is the source of the six foundational types of true tea. Depending on how the plant is processed, its leaves impart a remarkable diversity of flavors, colors, aromas and chemical properties to the infusions. Tea drinkers benefit from a beverage that, unlike any other, can increase alertness and simultaneously induce a sense of calm.

Expertly researched by Patricia Healy, the print story was photographed by Mark Thiessen and Rebecca Hale, and the interactive digital story (which may be behind a paywall) developed by Eduardo Velez.