What’s your cup of tea?

This story appeared in the January 2025 print and digital issues of National Geographic magazine.

A 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 infusion. Tea drinkers benefit from a beverage that, unlike any other, can increase alertness while simultaneously inducing a sense of calm.

Expertly researched by Patricia Healy, the print story was photographed by Mark Thiessen and Rebecca Hale. The interactive digital story (which may be behind a paywall), developed with Eduardo Velez, received an Award of Excellence from the Society for News Design.