Tea is an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring boiling hot water over cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water; tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. It has a cooling; slightly bitter; astringent flavour which many people enjoy.

Consumption of tea (especially green) is beneficial to health and longevity given its antioxidant; flavanols; flavonoids; polyphenols; and catechins content. Tea catechins have known anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities; help to regulate food intake; and have an affinity for cannabinoid receptors; which may suppress pain; nausea; and provide calming effects.

Consumption of green tea is associated with a lower risk of diseases that cause functional disability; such as stroke; cognitive impairment; and osteoporosis in the elderly.

Tea contains L-theanine; and its consumption is strongly associated with a calm but alert and focused; relatively productive (alpha wave dominant); mental state in humans. This mental state is also common to meditative practice.