Tea has been around for more than 5,000 years and much like its cousin the coffee, it is enjoying a resurgence of popularity thanks to the boom of cafes and other coffee chains. It is the most popular drink (not counting water) in the world right now; about 165 million cups of tea are being drunk daily.

A steaming cup of tea is awash with health benefits, probably why China and Japan has made such an integral part of their culture.

Here are five tea types that one should try and its benefits:

Green Tea

Green tea is made from leaves that are simply heated after picking. The process destroys the enzymes that cause oxidation and gives it a more subtle and delicately sweet flavor.  Green tea is known to be full of antioxidants called catechins, which has a subgroup that can prevent every type of disease. A study shows that a cup of green tea a day reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 10 percent.

Black Tea

Black tea is the most consumed tea in the world and is chosen by 75 % of tea drinkers. Like most teas, it is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Black teas are usually rolled, fermented, dried then crushed. The fermentation process gives the tea its characteristic bitter flavor. Black tea also has the most caffeine among the different types of teas – about 40 milligrams per cup (compared to the 50-100 milligrams in coffee). It also contains a high number of the antioxidant compounds theaflavins and thearubigins which can reduce cholesterol levels. People who drink three or more cups of black tea a day lower their risk of getting a stroke by 21 percent.

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea, which also goes by the moniker Black Dragon, is usually from China and Taiwan. The tea has been described as a mix between green and black tea, although some argue that it is more similar to black tea. It is also fermented, but for a shorter period of time, giving it a more sumptuous taste. Oolong tea is often credited with helping people lose weight and is recommended for its digestive benefits. A study shows that the tea "activates an enzyme responsible for dissolving triglycerides, the form of dietary fat that is stored in fat cells." Women who drink oolong tea burn more calories in a span of two hours than those who just drink water.

White Tea

A lot of people do not know or have not heard of white tea. It is the rarest tea in the world and can only be picked a few weeks in a year. Real white tea only thrives in the Fujian province of China and the exact methods for processing the tea is kept secret. But it is known that white tea comes from a specific variety of tea plant. The tea leaves are picked when it's still very young; this accounts for its mild flavor and low caffeine levels. As with the others, white tea has cancer-fighting and cardiovascular benefits. There are also some studies that suggest it's good for people with diabetes.

Flavored Tea

Flavored teas are slowly gaining ground among tea drinkers. These are teas (black or green) that have aromatic additions like cinnamon, lavender or orange peel. They add an extra touch of flavor and have the same health benefits. There are those who say that adding fruits, like blueberries, even amps up the levels of antioxidants. However, those benefits are negated if sweeteners like sugar are used.

With all the health benefits and flavor that teas have, it is no wonder that it is becoming popular among the younger generations as well. So next time you go to Starbucks, ditch your lattes and consider getting tea instead.